Wednesday, April 8

There are a lot of comments objecting to closing the parks. I know it's a hard thing to do. It's hard to stay inside as it gets nicer. But yesterday I was given 64 reasons why the park should be closed. 64 reasons ranging in age from 19 to 97. I learned last night that today the number of people who died in Franklin will increase by 3. That’s 3 more reasons. We need to stop this. NOW.

I sit at work listening to overhead announcements calling for the respiratory team. That’s another person going on a ventilator. Somerset Hospital is full and is on divert. That means they are accepting no more patients. And we are not at peak. It’s still getting worse.

Doctors and nurses who haven’t practiced in 5 years are being called in. Anyone with a medical degree from any country on earth can practice medicine in NJ without any further testing. Maybe if you have a non-Covid19 emergency you’ll be taken care of by one of them so your regular ER doctor can treat COVID19 patients.

Doctors and Nurses are being asked to work in unfamiliar specialties to keep the system from collapsing. They are staying in hotels at night, so they don’t infect their families. Every day I get home from the hospital I go through a half hour ritual of Cloroxing my wallet, glasses, keys etc. and then stripping off my scrubs before I get into the house. Some of my friends are being exposed to COVID19 patients already. I completely expect some of them will die in service to you.

Closing parks will save lives. Maybe one of my friends, maybe my wife’s, maybe mine, maybe yours.

I’m sorry for your suffering but some are suffering more in service to you. We need to do all we can to help them.

New cases in Franklin Township: 43
Total cases in Franklin Township: 323
Sadly new fatalities reported in Franklin Township: 7
Total fatalities reported in Franklin Township: 15

Today’s new cases ages are:
20 year old
29 year old
30 year old
35 year old
38 year old
39 year old
40 year old
43 year old
47 year old
49 year old
49 year old
50 year old
52 year old
52 year old
52 year old
55 year old
55 year old
56 year old
59 year old
59 year old
61 year old
62 year old
63 year old
63 year old
63 year old
65 year old
66 year old
69 year old
70 year old
73 year old
77 year old
79 year old
82 year old
82 year old
87 year old
88 year old
88 year old
89 year old
89 year old
92 year old
92 year old
97 year old
One age unknown

The deaths were:
A 95 year old who passed away on 3/27
An 81 year old who passed away on 4/4
A 63 year old who passed away on 4/7
A 92 year old who passed away on 4/2
An 81 year old who passed away on 4/2
A 96 year old who passed away on 4/7
A 90 year old who passed away on 4/8

I do not answer questions about location of the positives. I do not have that information. For the reasons why please see my post on March 31

I do not have information on recoveries. I too have asked that information and I don’t get it.

Please see the status map. Due to reporting vs posting time our numbers can vary from the map numbers.

The State dashboard can be found here

The NYC site has more detailed information on patient demographics. I, along with you, wish it was available for NJ.

One for all. PK

1. Non-essential construction to stop on Friday at 8PM. We will learn what that means. Transportation construction will continue.
2. Single Family homes construction will limit the number of crews.
3. Mandatory masks worn by customers and employees of grocery stores and other essential retail. They must limit the number of customers. [Mayors note: If they are not doing it, call the police.]
4. Warehouse manufacturing will be limited by social distancing.
5. The primary is moved back to July 7th
6. Work continues to open a Somerset County testing center.
7. The Governor honored the passing of Franklin Resident Dick Barber.
8. Covid19.nj.gov has job openings.
9. The State (and I) are concerned that the African-American community is being hit harder