>>> HI, EVERYBODY.

WELCOME TO CHAT BOX.

I'M DAVID CRUZ.

CHAOS AND CRISIS IN THE NATION'S CAPITOL WITH SHOCKING SCENES OF VIOLENCE AND THUGGERY, RIOTERS IN THE HOUSE CHAMBERING, REALLY UNLIKE ANYTHING WE HAVE SEEN BEFORE.

WE HAVE FIRSTHAND ACCOUNTS FROM TWO LAWMAKERS WHO WITH THERE FOR.

CONGRESSMAN JOSH, ONE OF THE SCARIEST DAYS OF YOUR LIFE?

>> I HAVE TO TELL YOU, I'M STILL IN SHOCK.

IN THE BEACON OF DEMOCRACY IN THE WORLD, A BUNCH OF LAWLESS THUGS ATTACK THE HOUSE FLOOR, BREACH THE CHAMBER -- I WAS ACTUALLY IN THE CHAMBER AT THE TIME.

THE PROCEEDINGS HAD JUST BEGUN ON THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE AND CERTIFYING ELECTION, AND SUD LYNN WE LEARD -- WE GOT ALERTS THERE WERE BOMB THREATS AND BADGING ON THE DOOR OF THE CHAMBER.

WE PUT UP BASICALLY TABLES IN FRONT OF THE DOOR AND YOU HEARD -- GUNS WERE DRAWN AND YOU HEARD AN ANGRY MOB LITERALLY POUNDING TO GET IN.

YOU HEARD THEM SHOTS THAT WERE FIRED, TEAR GAS, AND WE WERE TOLD TO PUT GAS MASKS ON AND WE WERE TOLD TO EVACUATE OUT AS THEY BREACHED THE DOORS.

SO YOU DIDN'T BELIEVE THAT -- AND THE GREATEST COUNT IN THE WORLD, THIS CAN HAPPEN BUT THE OTHER SIDE OF THE COIN THAT AT 3:00 IN THE MORNING, WE FINISHED OUR RESPONSIBILITY, CERTIFIED THE ELECTION, FORMALLY PAVING THE WAY FOR PRESIDENT-ELECT BIDEN TO TAKE OFFICE ON THE 20th.

SO THE THUGS LOST, DEMOCRACY WON OUT.

>> IN THE AFTERMATH, CALLS NOW FOR THE 25th AMENDMENT OR IMPEACHMENT.

DO YOU PLACE THE BLAME OF THIS AT THE FEET OF THE PRESIDENT?

>> THE FACTORS THAT FED TO YESTERDAY, TO THE FAILED INSURRECTION AND TO BE A PEACEFUL TRANSITION OF POWER.

AND WHAT THE COUNTRY HAS CELEBRATED, THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE INCLUDING THE PRESIDENT WHO CALLED FOR -- A HALTING OF THE TRANSITION -- THE PEACEFUL TRANSITION OF POWER AND TRIED TO UP END THE DEMOCRACY.

AND YESTERDAY, AS YOU KNOW, YOU'RE SHOWING PICTURES NOW, THE PRESIDENT BASICALLY CALLED ON THE ANGRY MOB TO ATTACK THE CAPITOL.

WHEN WE WERE UNDER ATTACK AND THE CAPITOL POLICE WERE OVERWHELMED, HE DENIED THE NATIONAL GUARD TO PROTECT LAW ENFORCEMENT AND LAWMAKERS.

IT'S REALLY NOT WHAT THE COUNTRY IS ABOUT.

IT'S ANOTHER THING FOR PEACEFUL PROTEST.

IT'S ANOTHER TO ENCOURAGE VIOLENCE AND ATTACK ON THE CAPITOL.

>> SO WHERE DO YOU COME DOWN ON THIS TALK ABOUT REMOVAL FROM THE PRESIDENT?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, MOMENTS AGO, SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION RESIGNED, AND MANY MEMBERS OF THE WHITE HOUSE RESIGNED.

I THINK IT'S INCUMBENT ON THE VICE PRESIDENT AT THIS POINT AND THE MAJORITY OF THE CABINET, IT'S THEIR DECISION.

BUT I THINK IT'S THE RIGHT DECISION AT THIS POINT.

IT'S THE CHALLENGE THAT -- AS YOU KNOW, 13 DAYS UNTIL THE NEW ADMINISTRATION AND YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE IS PIECE BETWEEN NOW AND THE SWEARING IN AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, THAT WE COME TOGETHER AS A COUNTRY AND UNITE AND HEAL BECAUSE WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO.

BEGINNING IN EARNEST ON THE 20th.

>> IT'S SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE HAVE TALKED ABOUT IN THE CONTEXT OF REMOVAL OF THE PRESIDENT, EITHER BY THE 25th AMENDMENT OR IMPEACHMENT PROCESS.

I THINK I SAID YOU SAY THERE IS A DANGER OF PROVOKING RESPONSE FROM SUPPORTERS, WHO SEEM PREPARED, EVEN EAGER FOR VIOLENCE.

>> IT'S NOT A REASON FOR THE CABINET AND THE VICE PRESIDENT NOT TO DO -- TO HOLD UP THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES GIVEN THEIR RECENT ACTIONS HERE.

HOWEVER, WHAT I THINK IS VERY IMPORTANT IS THAT WE STAY SAFE AND THE COUNTRY SAYS SAFE BETWEEN NOW AND THE 20th.

AND BEYOND THAT, NOT JUST ON THE 20th BUT LOOKING FORWARD, IT'S -- WE HAVE TO BRING THE COUNTRY BACK TOGETHER.

AS YOU KNOW, IT IS GREATLY DIVIDED FOR OUR -- YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE THINGS WE CELEBRATE IN OUR COUNTRY, THAT WE'RE ALL VERY PROUD OF IS THE PEACEFUL TRANSITION OF POWER.

PEACEFUL IS REALLY IMPORTANT, THAT THAT'S THE WAY IT REMAINS.

THAT WE UNDERSTAND THAT WHEN PEOPLE SPEAK AND AN ELECTION HAPPENS, AND VOTES ARE COUNTED, THERE IS A TRANSITION.

THE WINNER -- THEY ARE NOT -- YOUR PERSON YOU VOTED FOR OR NOT, YOU ACCEPT IT.

>> WHAT CONCERNS ME HERE IS THAT, YOU KNOW, THEY ARE TRYING TO UNDER MINE THE ELECTION, AND A PEACEFUL TRANSITION.

>> A DIVIDED COUNTRY FOR SURE.

WHAT IS GOING TO BE THE LASTING IMPACT OF THIS?

JOE BIDEN WILL BE SWORN IN ON JANUARY 20th BUT WHAT IS THE LASTING IMPACT ON US, THE COUNTRY, THE DEMOCRACY?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, I'M SURE YOU PROBABLY FELT THE SAME WAY WHEN I SAW THE IMAGES, AND THERE WERE LITERALLY HAPPENING OUTSIDE THE DOOR.

JUST HOW HEART BREAKING IT IS.

LIKE YOU, I LOVE OUR COUNTRY AND PEOPLE TEARING FLAGS DOWN, SMASHING WINDOWS.

YOU KNOW, IT'S -- I -- IT'S SO PAINFUL AND KNOWING THAT WE'RE SO MUCH BETTER THAN THAT.

SO I'M -- HERE'S WHERE I'M HOPEFUL AND YOU CAN SEE I'M BEING QUIXOTIC ABOUT IT.

BUT I REALLY HOPE IT'S A TURNING POINT.

I TALKED TO COLLEAGUES LAST NIGHT, REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS AND WE JUST UNITE TO BUILD A STRONGER COUNTRY AND PERFECT OUR UNION, AND I KNOW WE WILL.

I WILL BE HOPEFUL HERE AND LOOK FORWARD, AND WE HAVE A PRESIDENT-ELECT THAT WILL BE SWORN IN IN 13 DAYS AND WE HAVE A PEACEFUL TRANSITION, AND WE BEAT COVID AND REBUILD THE ECONOMY AND MAKE IT PAST THIS.

>> JOSH, THANKS FOR TAKING A FEW MINUTES WITH US.

>> OF COURSE, STAY SAFE, OKAY?

>> CONGRESSMAN TOM MELLINNOWSKI IS WITH US NOW.

HE IS STILL IN D.C. GOOD TO SEE YOU, THANKS FOR COMING ON WITH US.

>> THANK YOU, SIR, GREET BE ON.

.

>> SO YOU CAN TELL ME KIND OF QUICK -- I'M SURE YOU TOLD THE STORY MANY TIMES.

WHERE WERE YOU WHEN THE BREACH OCCURRE OCCUR?

AND WHAT WAS THE SCENE LIKE?

>> I WAS IN THE HOUSE CHAMBER LISTENING TO THE DEBATE ON THE EFFORT TO QUIS QUALITY THE ELECTORS.

AND OVERTURN THE ELECTION.

AND WE KNEW THAT THE BUILDING WAS SURROUNDED BY THESE RIOTERS.

WE DIDN'T KNOW THEY WOULD MANAGE TO BREACH THE BUILDING.

WE THEN SAW THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE, NANCY PELOSI, THE MAJORITY LEADER, VERY SWIFTLY TAKEN OFF THE FLOOR BY THE SECURITY DETAILS.

THAT WAS CERTAINLY A SIGN, AND THERE WAS COMMOTION, BANGING ON ONE OF THE DOOR, POLICE OFFICERS INSIDE, FRANTICALLY RUNNING BACK AND FORTH, YELLING AT EACH OTHER TO BARRICADE THE DOORS AND THEN A SHORT WHILE LATER, WE WERE INSTRUCTED TO TAKE THE GAS MASKS THAT ARE INSTALLED UNDER EVERY SEAT IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, TAKE OUT THE GAS MASKS, NOT PULL THEM ON.

WE WERE DIRECTED TO A COUPLE EXISTS TO E VACUATE.

IT WAS A MEMORABLE SCENE.

THE GAS MASKS EMIT A KIND OF SIREN SOUND WHEN THEY ARE TAKEN OUT OF THEIR BOX, AND THEN AT ONE POINT, I HEAR THE VOICE OF THE HOUSE CHAPLAIN, I SEE HER STANDING AT THE PODIUM, AT THE MICROPHONE, READING A PRAYER.

TO GOD, ASKING FOR SAFETY.

IT WAS NOT -- IT WAS NOT A GREAT ATMOSPHERE IN THAT MOMENT.

BUT I FELT FROM THE VERY, VERY BEGINNING THAT THE MOST IMPORTANT THING WE COULD DO WAS TO STAY IN THE CAPITOL COMPLEX.

OBVIOUSLY IN A SAFER LOCATION FOR A WHILE AND TO FINISH OUR BUSINESS OF CERTIFYING THIS ELECTION TO MAKE SURE THAT THESE RIOTERS, THE TERRORISTS WOULD NOT FEEL LIKE THEY WOULD INTIMIDATE US AND TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE RADICAL MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PLAYING TO THE MOB DID NOT WIN.

>> YOU PUT THE BLAME ON SQUARELY -- SQUARELY ON THE PRESIDENT.

TODAY, NANCY PELOSI SAID THAT DEMOCRATS WERE PREPARED TO FILE ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT IF THE CABINET DID NOT INVOKE THE 25th AMENDMENT.

YOU, I IMAGINE, SUPPORT EITHER OF THOSE.

YES?

>> THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES EXPLICITLY INCITED A MOB TO ATTACK THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS IN THE CAPITOL BUILDING TO PREVENT US FROM PERFORMING OUR CONSTITUTIONAL DUTY.

THIS IS COMPLETELY UNPRECEDENTED IN THE HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES.

IT'S AND AS IMPEACHABLE AN ACT AS I CAN THINK OF.

AND EVEN THOUGH THE PRESIDENT ONLY HAS A FEW DAYS LEFT IN OFFICE, I TAKE THE VIEW THAT IF THERE IS NO ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THIS KIND OF ACTION, WE INVITE PEOPLE TO DO IT IN THE FUTURE.

YES, I ABSOLUTELY DO BELIEVE AND IN FACT SOME OF MY REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES NOW AGREE WITH ME THAT WE DO NEED TO MOVE ONCE AGAIN AND RATHER SWIFTLY THIS TIME, TO AN IMPEACHMENT.

THE ALTERNATIVE WOULD BE FOR VICE PRESIDENT PENCE TO CONVINCE AT LEAST HALF OF THE CABINET THAT THE PRESIDENT CANNOT PERFORM HIS DUTIES.

CLEARLY HE CAN'T AND ISN'T PERFORMING HIS DUTIES AS PRESIDENT RIGHT NOW, UNDER THE 25th AMENDMENT.

CONGRESS CAN ALSO APPOINT A BODY UNDER THE 25th AMENDMENT, A CONSTITUTION PROVIDES FOR THAT OPTION.

THAT GIVES YOU SOMETHING TO DO IF WE BELIEVE THAT THE 25th AMENDMENT SHOULD BE A VOTE.

>> DO YOU HAVE A CONCERN ABOUT WHAT THE REACTION MIGHT BE TO CONGRESS FORCIBLY REMOVING THE PRESIDENT FROM OFFICE?

>> THIS WOULD BE CONGRESS LAWFULLY REMOVING THE PRESIDENT FROM OFFICE.

THE USE OF FORCE IS WHAT WAS USED AGAINST THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS YESTERDAY, TO INTIMIDATE US, TO PREVENT US FROM PERFORMING OUR DUTIES.

WE HAVE A SEDITION STATUTE, IN THE LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES, WHICH DEFINES THAT BEHAVIOR PRECISELY, AN ATTEMPT FORCELY TO HINDER OF PREVENT THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS FROM EXECUTING THE LAWS AS SEDITION, WHICH IS A HIGH CRIME.

AND -- >> I MEANT -- >> YOU DON'T PUNISH THAT, YOU INVITE IT TO HAPPEN AGAIN.

>> YEAH, I MEANTD THE REACTION FROM HIS SUPPORTERS.

>> YOU KNOW WHAT?

HIS SUPPORTERS STORMED THE CAPITOL BUILDING AND TRIED TO KILL PEOPLE YESTERDAY.

SO THIS POINT, WHAT -- WHAT I'M INTERESTED IN IS WHAT IS OUR REACTION TO THEM?

NOT WHAT IS THEIR REACTION TO US?

AND OUR REACTION TO THEM NEEDS TO BE TO MAKE ABSOLUTELY CLEAR THAT IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, WHETHER YOU ARE A DEMOCRAT OR REPUBLICAN, WE ARE AMERICANS FIRST.

WE DO NOT TOLERATE THIS BEH BEHAVIOR.

IT'S BEEN TOLERATED FAR TOO LONG.

>> THANKS FOR TAKING A FEW MINUTES WITH US.

GLAD YOU'RE SAFE.

TALK TO YOU AGAIN SOON.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> WE STITCH NOW TO THE OTHER STORY THAT HAS BEEN DOMINATING THE NEWS.

THE CORONAVIRUS WHICH CONTINUES ITS RAMPAGE ACROSS THE STATE.

JOINING US FOR AN UPDATE AND A LOOK AHEAD IS HEALTH COMMISSIONER JUDY PERSITELLI.

WELCOME BACK TO THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU, THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> WHEN SPENT TIME ON THIS ALREADY.

BUT WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE MOB THIS WEEK AT THE CAPITOL, LITERALLY ON TOP OF ONE ANOTHER AS THEY BREACH THE DOOR TOGS THE CAPITOL BUILDING, I MEAN, THAT IS A SUPER SPREADING EVENT IF THERE EVER WAS ONE, NO?

>> IT'S INTERESTING YOU SHOULD SAY THAT.

I WATCHED IT -- I WAS WORKING DURING THE DAY.

I WATCHED IT WHEN I GOT HOME LAST NIGHT AND IT'S INTERESTING WHERE THE FOCUS GOES.

THE FIRST THING I LOOKED AT, THEY'RE NOT WEARING MASKS.

THEY'RE NOT WEARING MASKS.

THAT IS A LARGE GATHERING.

NO MASKS.

THAT COULD BE A SUPERSPREADER EVENT, AND AT THIS POINT WITH THE NEW VARIANTS THAT ARE DISCOVERED, INTERNATIONALLY AND UP IN NEW YORK, WE HAVE TO QUESTION THE TRANSMISSIBLETY, AND THE INCREASE IN TRANSMISSIBLETY.

>> LET'S GET TO THE VACCINE DISTRIBUTION THAT HAS ALREADY BEGUN.

YOU SET A GOAL OF 70% OF THE STATE VACCINATED IN SIX MONTHS.

IT'S NOT GOING EXACT LIP AS YOU HOPED.

IS THAT RIGHT?

>> IT WAS A LITTLE SLOWER ON THE UP TAKE.

BUT IT'S REALLY BUILDING UP NOW.

OUR GOAL, 70% OF THE ADULT ELIGIBLE POPULATION IN NEW JERSEY IN A SIX-MONTH PERIOD, WHEN THAT VACCINE BECOMES AVAILABLE.

ONE OF OUR BIGGEST CONSTRAINING POINTS RIGHT NOW, WE DO NOT HAVE A LOT OF VACCINE AVAILABILITY.

BUT WE WILL.

WE ARE VERY HOPEFUL.

AT THIS POINT, WE ACTUALLY ADMINISTERED ABOUT 152,000 VACCINATIONS.

ABOUT 36% OF THE NUMBER THAT WE HAD -- THE DOSES WE HAVE BEEN ALLOCATED.

IT'S PICKED UP A LOT AFTER THE HOLIDAY.

A LOT OF PEOPLE DELAYED STANDING IN LINE.

BECAUSE OF THE HOLIDAY.

OUR HOSPITALS ON THE OTHER HAND, THEY ARE APPROACHING 50% OF THEIR HEALTH CARE WORKERS.

>> CAN YOU REALLY DO THAT IN SIX MONTHS, DO YOU THINK?

>> WELL, IF WE LOOK AT SIX MONTHS, ONCE VACCINE IS AVAILABLE, THAT IS OUR GOAL.

THAT IS 4.7 MILLION PEOPLE.

IF 100% OF THAT POPULATION TAKES ADVANTAGE.

AND WE KNOW THAT 100% PROBABLY WON'T.

THAT IS WHY WE SET IT AT 70%.

RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE ALMOST 250 FIGHTS IN NEW JERSEY REGISTERED, ENROLLED IN GIVEN VACCINATIONS.

SO OUR GOAL IS TO HAVE 300 SITES, WITHIN THE 300 SITE WHAT WE SAUL MEGA SITES, IN CONVENTION CENTERS N LARGE SPACES THROUGHOUT ALL OF NEW JERSEY, THAT WILL BE VACCINATING 1,000 PEOPLE A DAY.

>> I WAS TALKING TO AN ADMINISTRATOR IN A LONG TERM CARE FACILITY WHO TOLD ME THIS WEEK LESS THAN 50% OF THE STAFF HAD -- NOT JUST NOT BEEN IMMUNIZED BUT HAD REFUSED TO BE IMMUNIZED.

THAT'S STAFF.

THAT HAS TO BE A LOW NUMBER AND HAS TO BE A CAUSE FOR CONCERN.

IS THERE A WAY -- PARTICULARLY FOR FOLKS THAT ARE DEALING WITH THE MOST VULNERABLE POPULATION, CAN THEY BE REQUIRED TO TAKE A VACCINE FOR WORK?

>> WE HAVE DECIDED RIGHT NOW NOT TO MANDATE VACCINATIONS.

WE HOPE TO BUILD PUBLIC CONFIDENCE THROUGH THE WORK WE'RE DOING.

I HAVE BEEN ON CALLS WITH STAKE HOLDERS OVER 60 CALLS AND OVER 5,000 STAKE HOLDERS.

WE ARE LAUNCHING A PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGN, A MULTIMEDIA CAMPAIGN TO PROMOTE EDUCATION ABOUT COVID-19, ABOUT THE VACCINES AND ENCOURAGE VACCINATIONS.

WE WILL BE GOING INTO URBAN AREAS WITH A COMMUNITY CORE OF INDIVIDUALS WHO WILL BE TEACHING ABOUT COVID-19, ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO REGISTER TO GET VACCINATED.

WE HOPE TO BRING IN MOBILE VANS AND POP-UPS AND WORK WITH OUR CHURCHES.

BECAUSE OF THE HISTORY OF TRIALS AND VACCINES.

WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO IS BUILD PUBLIC CONFIDENCE THROUGH TRUSTFUL RELATIONSHIPS.

AND WE NEED TO DO THAT BECAUSE IT'S NOT ONLY GOING TO AFFECT COVID-19.

THIS IS OUR OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD TRUST IN VAX SCCINES GOING FORW.

>> IN GENERAL, THE OLDER COMMUNITY IS MOST VULNERABLE, RIGHT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

ABSOLUTELY.

SO MANDATE, NOT QUITE NOW.

HOPEFULLY BUILDING PUBLIC CONFIDENCE.

>> I READ THIS WEEK THAT THE CDC WAS CONSIDERING ALLOWING HALF DOSES IN ORDER TO GET MORE VACCINE ON THE STREET.

HOW DOES THAT WORK?

I MEAN, IF A HALF DOSE IS GOING TO GET THE JOB DONE, SHOULDN'T WE HAVE KNOWN THAT AND DISTRIBUTED THEM ACCORDINGLY?

>> WELL, THE MOST EXCITING THING ABOUT THE TWO VAX SEENS WE HAVE AVAILABLE RIGHT NOW, THE PFIZER AND MODERNA, THEIR TRIALS HAVE SHOWN THEY'RE 95% EFFICACIOUS.

THAT IS PHENOMENAL.

AND FOR EXAMPLE, FLU VACCINES ARE 50%.

SO 95%, WHEN YOU THINK THAT WE NEED TO HAVE COMMUNITY PROTECTION AT A VERY HIGH LEVEL, AND WE CAN ACHIEVE THAT REGIMEN PROTECT YOU AT A 95% LEVEL, IT'S A PHENOMENAL EVENT.

SO THE QUESTION IS, WHY WOULD WE PROMOTE 50% WHEN WE CAN GET 95%.

COVID-19 IN NEW JERSEY, FOR EVERY 500 INDIVIDUALS, THERE'S BEEN A DEATH.

THAT MORTALITY HAS BEAT CANCER.

IT'S BEAT CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE.

IF I CAN PROTECT YOU, I'M GOING TO CONVINCE YOU TO TAKE TWO DOSES, NOT ONE DOSE.

>> LET ME GET A QUESTION FROM A VIEWER.

MAUREEN ASKS, AS FAR AS PHARMACIES ADMINISTERING THE VACCINE, WILL THEY BE REQUIRED TO HAVE SAFETY MEASURES IN PLACE FOR WHAT IS A RARE OCCURRENCE BUT ALLERGIC REACTIONS.

ARE THERE SAFETY PROTOCOLS?

>> THEY HAVE THE SAFE SAFETY PROTOCOLS WE WOULD HAVE AT A HOSPITAL, URGENT CARE CENTER.

EVERYBODY THAT RECEIVES THE VACCINE NEEDS TO BE OBSERVED FOR A MINIMUM OF 15 MINUTES.

IF YOU HAVE A HISTORY OF ALLERGY, OR ANY TIME OF REACTION TO A VACCINE, YOUR OBSERVATION PERIOD WILL BE 30 MINUTES AND THEN THERE'S FOLLOW-UP AFTER WARDS.

THERE IS AN EVENT -- ADVERSE EVENT REPORTING SYSTEM.

>> SO LASTLY, IS IT TOO EARLY TO SEE WHAT THE IMPACT OF THE HOLIDAYS HAS BEEN ON THE INFECTION RATES IN THE STATE?

>> ANOTHER GREAT QUESTION.

WE TRACK THAT AS YOU KNOW AND WE HAVE SEEN WITH EVERY HOLIDAY, LABOR DAY, THANKSGIVING, A PICKUP IN OUR CASES IN HOSPITALIZATIONS, AND THEN THERE'S BEEN RECOVERY.

IT'S COME BACK DOWN.

SO WE'RE TRACKING THE RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS IN NEW YEARS VERY CRITICALLY.

SO FAR WE HAVE SEEN A TICK UP IN OUR CASES BUT OUR HOSPITALIZATIONS HAVE REMAINED STEADY.

HOWEVER, WE HAVE SEEN AN INCREASE IN MORTALITY AMONG INDIVIDUALS 80 YEARS AND OLEDER.

SO THE SLIGHT INCREASE IS INDIVIDUALS THAT MIGHT BE AFFECTING LOVED ONES AND THEY ARE ENDING UP IN THE HOSPITAL AND THE MORTALITY HAS INCREASED AS COMPARED TO THE SUMMER, THE MORTALITY HAS INCREASED.

SO WE ARE WATCHING ALL THAT.

GIVE US ANOTHER WEEK OR TWO AND I WILL BE ABLE TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION.

WE'RE LOOKING AT THE 14-DAY PERIOD FROM NEW YEAR'S EVE SO JANUARY 14, 15, 16, WE'RE GOING TO SEE AN INCREASE IN HOSPITALIZATIONS AND INTENSIVE CARE ADMISSIONS.

WE'LL SEE IT THEN.

>> ALL RIGHT, STILL A LONG WAY TO GO, HEALTH COMMISSIONER JU ZI PERSITELLI, GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> GOOD SEE YOU.

>> I HOPE YOU WILL ENDULGE ME FOR HERSAL THOUGHTS.

I HAVE BEEN A JOURNIST FOR 30 YEARS AND POLITICS IS FULL CONTACT.

NO HELMETS NO PADS.

I CONFESS THAT THAT HAS MADE MY PRETTY CYNICAL.

BELIEVE IT OR NOT, I HAVE FOUR GRANDCHILDREN.

THEY ARE ALL I THINK ABOUT WHEN I THINK OF THE FUTURE AND I REALIZE THIS WEEK, I DON'T WANT THEM TO INHERIT MY CYNICISM.

I WANT THEM TO BELIEVE IN AMERICA.

I WANT THEM TO APPRECIATE DEMOCRACY.

BUT I DON'T WANT THEM GROWING UP THINKING A STRONGLY HELD OPINION IS THE SAME THING AS A FACT.

I DON'T WANT THEM TO GROW UP TO BELIEVE THAT LOYALTY TO ANY ONE POLITICIAN OR ONE PARTY IS A SUBSTITUTE FOR CRITICAL THINKING.

I WANT THEM TO KNOW THAT DEMOCRACY IS GREAT BUT I AIN'T EASY.

IT REQUIRES OUR ACTIVE PARTICIPATION.

BECAUSE WHEN PEOPLE OF GOOD WILL ALLOW THEIR INDIFFERENCE, IGNORANCE AND VIOLENCE TO BE THE CURRENCY OF THE DEMOCRACY, WE RUN THE RISK OF LETTING IT DIE.

OUR JOB AS POP POPS AND GRANDMAS IS TO TAKE WHAT WE WITNESS IN THE WASHINGTON THIS WEEK AND USE IT TO PIVOT TO CIVILITY AND UNDERSTANDING AND AWAY FROM TYRANNY AND MOB RULE.

IT'S OKAY TO ADMIRE OUR LEADERS BUT WHEN THE LEADERS ATTACK THE FOUNDATION OF OUR FREEDOM, WE ALL NEED TO SPEAK TRUTH TO THAT.

MY GRAND KIDS AND YOUR GRAND KIDS DESERVE THAT FROM US.

THAT IS ALL THE CHAT BOX WE HAVE FOR TODAY.

THANKS TO OUR GUESTS.

JOIN US NEXT WEEK WHEN WE TALK WITH A PANEL OF MAYORS ABOUT THE STATE OF OUR CITIES.

DON'T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE TO YOUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL, FOLLOW US ON TWITTER AND TALK TO US THROUGH THE #NJTVCHATBOX.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

WE WILL SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.

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