>>> FUNDING FOR "TRAN04 SPOTLIGHT NEWS" PROVIDED BY, THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, MAKING SCHOOLS GRADE FOR EVERY CHILD, RWJBARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AND THE OCEAN WIND PROJECT AND PSEG.

♪ >>> FROM NJ PBS, THIS IS "TRAN04 SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BRIANA VANNOZZI.

>> GOOD EVENING, THANKS FOR JOINING US TONIGHT, I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI.

>>> AFGHAN REFUGEES HAVE ARRIVED IN NEW JERSEY.

A BUS WITH THE FIRST AT RISK GROUP OF AFGHANS ARRIVED OVERNIGHT, ACCORDING TO A SPOKESMAN.

IT IS ONE OF FOUR MILITARY BASES ACCEPTING EVACUEES.

MORE ARRIVALS WERE EXPECTED THROUGHOUT THE DAY AND IN THE COMING DAYS.

ACCORDING TO OFFICIALS AT THE BASE, THE U.S. AIR FORCE IS PREPARING TO TEMPORARILY SHELTER UP TO 9500 REFUGEES FOR UP TO 365 DAYS.

NOW, FOR SECURITY AND PRIVACY REASONS, MEMBERS OF THE PRESS ARE NOT PERMITTED AT THE SITE RIGHT NOW, A SPOKESPERSON FOR THE STATE DEPARTMENT HANDLING THE IMMIGRATION PROCESSING SAYS THEY ARE WORKING WITH RESETTLEMENT PARTNERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO PLACE REFUGEES.

THE SPEED OF EVACUATIONS AT KABUL'S AIRPORT IS PICKING UP WITH LESS THAN A WEEK LEFT BEFORE THE AUGUST 31st WITHDRAWAL FOR U.S.

TROOPS.

THE PENTAGON TODAY SAID THE U.S. HAS ASSISTED IN GETTING MORE THAN 19,000 PEOPLE EVACUATED IN THE PAST 24 HOURS.

ACCORDING TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE, MORE THAN 1000 AMERICAN CITIZENS ARE STILL SEEKING TO EVACUATE, THOUGH IT HAS BEEN A VERY TOUGH NUMBER TO PIN DOWN AS THOUSANDS OF AFGHANS ARE STILL WAITING AT THE AIRPORT, ATTEMPTING TO LEAVE.

MEANWHILE, SEVERAL HUNDRED U.S.

TROOPS HAVE ALREADY VACATED THE COUNTRY AS A NEW THREAT ON THE GROUND AND THE TERRORIST GROUP ISIS K LOOMS.

DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSMAN TOM MALINOWSKI IS A MEMBER OF THE HOUSE FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE .

HE HAS BEEN HIGHLY CRITICAL OF THE U.S. WITHDRAWAL DEADLINE.

HE JOINS ME NOW.

CONGRESSMAN, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

I WANT TO ASK YOU FIRST ABOUT A STATEMENT MADE TODAY BY SECRETARY LINCOLN, REGARDING THIS DEADLINE.

HE SAID, LET ME MAKE THIS CRYSTAL CLEAR, EVERY EFFORT WILL CONTINUE TO EVACUATE THOSE THAT WANT TO GET OUT OF AFGHANISTAN BEYOND AUGUST 31st, WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THAT AND IS THAT POSSIBLE?

>> SECRETARY BLINKEN IS REFERRING TO THE FACT THAT THERE ARE STILL GOING TO BE WAYS TO GET PEOPLE OUT OF KABUL AND AFGHANISTAN, EVEN AFTER WE HAVE SEATED CONTROL OF THAT AIRPORT.

THERE ARE OTHER COUNTRIES THAT ARE HELPING US HERE.

I DON'T WANT TO GET INTO TOO MUCH DETAIL .

THERE WILL BE OTHER WAYS.

THIS IS NOT THE LOSS OF THAT AIRFIELD IS NOT NECESSARILY A LOSS OF HOPE FOR AFGHANS WHO ARE LOOKING FOR A WAY OUT.

LET'S ALSO BE HONEST THAT THE LOSS OF THAT AIRFIELD IS GOING TO BE A TREMENDOUS LOSS.

WE HAVE HAD OVER 100 FLIGHTS CIRCLING IN AND OUT EACH DAY RIGHT NOW, THE NUMBERS BEING EVACUATED ARE VERY HIGH, EVEN THOUGH MANY ARE BEING LEFT BEHIND AND WE ARE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT.

NOT A STARTING AUGUST 31st, BUT FRANKLY STARTING AT THREE OR FOUR DAYS BECAUSE THE MILITARY IS GOING TO HAVE TO START PACKING UP BEFORE AUGUST 31st.

>> HOW MUCH DOES THAT HAMPER THE EFFORTS, CONGRESSMAN MARK YOU HAVE CALLED THIS A SELF- IMPOSED DEADLINE.

HOW MUCH DOES REMOVING SOME OF THOSE TRIPS, WHICH IS NEEDED IN ORDER TO GET THOSE FOLKS OUT, HAMPER THOSE EFFORTS?

STATEMENT IT IS GOING TO BE A HUGE, HUGE OBSTACLE.

THERE ARE ENOUGH OBSTACLES JUST GETTING TO THE AIRPORT RIGHT NOW, GETTING THROUGH THE TALIBAN, GETTING THROUGH OUR BUREAUCRACY .

LOTS OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN INVITED TO COME TO THE AIRPORT BY OUR OWN GOVERNMENT HAVE BEEN TURNED AROUND BY OUR OWN MARINES, WHICH IS UNACCEPTABLE.

BUT IF WE ARE NOT EVEN THERE, IF WE DON'T HAVE U.S. MILITARY AIRCRAFT AND ALL OF THESE CHARTERS LANDING AND TAKING OFF EVERY FEW MINUTES, OF COURSE IT IS GOING TO BE HARDER.

THERE IS A QUESTION AS TO WHETHER THE AIRPORT ITSELF CAN EVEN CONTINUE TO FUNCTION ONCE THE U.S. MILITARY IS GONE.

I KNOW THE STATE DEPARTMENT IS TRYING TO FIND A SOLUTION TO THAT PROBLEM.

THEY ARE TRYING TO FIND THE THIRD COUNTRY OR TWO THAT MIGHT BE WILLING TO TAKE OVER THE DAY- TO-DAY FUNCTIONING OF THE AIRPORT.

THE TALIBAN PROBABLY CAN'T DO IT, SO WE MAY HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF LEVERAGE THERE WITH THE TALIBAN.

THEY MAY ACTUALLY NEED SOMEBODY TO RUN THE SHOW.

IF SO, THAT DOES STILL CREATE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THIS UNDERGROUND RAILROAD TO CONTINUE.

>> AS YOU UNDERSTAND IT, CONGRESSMAN, IS THAT OR MAY THAT BE PART OF THIS SO-CALLED CONTINGENCY PLAN THE PRESIDENT HAS SPOKE OF?

>> I SUPPOSE SO.

WHAT I HEARD THE PRESIDENT SAY WAS THE DEADLINE, AS FAR AS HE COULD IS CONCERNED IS AUGUST 31st, BUT THAT IT COULD BE EXTENDED IF THE TALIBAN INVADED THE TRANSIT OF AFGHANS TO THE AIRPORT.

WELL, THE TALIBAN ARE IMPEDING THE MOVEMENT OF AFGHANS TO THE AIRPORT.

I HAVE HEARD HORRIBLE STORIES IN JUST THE LAST FEW HOURS OF BUS DRIVERS BEING TAKEN OUT OF BUSES THAT ARE CARRYING AFGHANS AT RISK TO THE AIRPORT AND BEATEN WITH LEAD PIPES.

THIS IS HAPPENING, BUT I DON'T SEE ANY CHANGE IN THE DEADLINE, DESPITE THE PRESIDENT'S PROMISE.

IT IS AN ARTIFICIAL DAY.

WE IMPOSED THIS ON OURSELVES MONTHS AGO, BEFORE KABUL FELL.

IN FACT, WE MET THE DEADLINE IN JUNE, WHEN WE TOOK OUT OUR MILITARY THE FIRST TIME.

THERE WAS NO GOOD REASON TO REAPPLY THIS DEADLINE TO THIS NEW MISSION, WHICH STARTED TWO DAYS AGO.

>> GIVEN ALL OF THAT, GIVEN THE SECURITY RISKS THAT NOW LOOM, GIVEN WHAT FOLKS ARE UP AGAINST, WHAT DO YOU ANTICIPATE SEEING OVER THE NEXT SIX DAYS?

YOU, OF COURSE, HAVE HAD EXPERIENCE IN THE STATE DEPARTMENT.

>> I THINK THERE WILL BE A MAD RUSH OF PEOPLE TRYING TO GET ON THE FINAL PLANES, TAKING CIVILIANS OUT OVER THE NEXT TWO OR THREE DAYS.

RIGHT NOW, THE U.S. GOVERNMENT IS FOCUSING ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY ON AMERICAN CITIZENS AND AFGHAN NATIONALS WHO WORK FOR OUR MISSIONS.

THOSE ARE THE RIGHT PRIORITIES, BUT THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE LEFT OUT OF THAT EQUATION, THE AFGHAN TRANSLATORS, THE AFGHAN WOMEN AND HUMAN RIGHTS LEADERS AND JOURNALISTS WHO ARE AT RISK OF BEING KILLED BY THE TALIBAN.

RIGHT NOW, THEY ARE NOT ON THE PRIORITY LIST BECAUSE WE ONLY HAVE TWO OR THREE DAYS AND WE HAVE GOT TO GET THE AMERICANS OUT.

SO, WHAT I SEE IS A LOT OF REALLY TRAGIC STORIES THAT ARE GOING TO BE COMING OUR WAY BECAUSE WE DECIDED THAT KEEPING OUR DEADLINE WAS MORE IMPORTANT THAN KEEPING OUR PROMISE.

>> CONGRESSMAN TOM MALINOWSKI, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THEY WERE WRANGLING VOTES UNTIL THE BITTER END, BUT HOUSE DEMOCRATS NARROWLY PASSED A 3 1/2 TRILLION DOLLAR BUDGET BLUEPRINT IN ADVANCE, $1 TRILLION BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE BILL, ALONG WITH THE A VOTING RIGHTS MEASURE, CLEARING THE WAY FOR PRESIDENT BIDEN'S ECONOMIC AGENDA.

THE VOTE WAS 220-212 ALONG PARTY LINES, BUT IT CAME AFTER A RIFT BETWEEN DEMOCRATS.

A GROUP OF MODERATES, INCLUDING NEW JERSEY CONGRESSMAN JOSH SCOTT HI MAYOR, THREATENING TO DERAIL THE VOTE, AGREEING TO THE PLAN ONLY AFTER SECURING A COMMITMENT THAT THE HOUSE ON THE INFRASTRUCTURE BILL, ALREADY PASSED BY THE SENATE, WILL HAPPEN BY SEPTEMBER 27th.

NEW JERSEY STANDS TO BENEFIT FROM BOTH BILLS.

THE SPENDING PLAN INCLUDES MONEY TO EASE THAT $20,000 CAP ON STATE AND LOCAL TAXES.

THE INFRASTRUCTURE OUTLINE, MEANWHILE, HAS FUNDING TO HELP BUILD A LONG-AWAITED GATEWAY TUNNEL UNDER THE HUDSON RIVER.

>>> THERE IS NO DETAIL TONIGHT FOR ANTIBODIES.

FOR ANYONE WHO HAS ROLLED UP THEIR SLEEVES UP FOR JOHNSON & JOHNSON CORONAVIRUS VACCINE, THE PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY SAYS A BOOSTER SHOT OF THE WINDOWS VACCINE GENERATES A BIG SPIKE IN ANTIBODIES.

THOSE GIVEN A BOOSTER SIX TO EIGHT MONTHS AFTER THE INITIAL DOSE EXPERIENCED A NINE FOLD INCREASE IN THEIR IMMUNE RESPONSE.

THE DATA COMES FROM TWO PHASE 2 STUDIES IN THE U.S. AND EUROPE, TRACKING 2000 PARTICIPANTS.

J AND J PLANS TO SUBMIT THE DATA TO THE FDA, WHICH IS ALREADY CONSIDERING A SIMILAR RESEARCH FROM MODERNA AND PFIZER.

IF AUTHORIZED, PRESIDENT BIDEN SAYS HE WANTS TO PROVIDE VACCINE BOOSTERS AS EARLY AS NEXT MONTH.

IN NEW JERSEY, 4 1/2% OF THE FIVE AND HALF MILLION PEOPLE WERE FULLY VACCINATED IN THE STATE RECEIVED A J&J SHOT.

TO BOOSTERS BECOME MORE PROMINENT AS CASES CONTINUE TO SEARCH.

MORE THAN 1700 CONFIRMED POSITIVE TEST TODAY, 21 ADDITIONAL DEATHS AND A TELLING MARKER, HOSPITALIZATIONS BROKE 1000 TODAY, THE FIRST TIME IN ROUGHLY 4 MONTHS.

IT IS STILL FAR LESS THAN THE PEAK OF THE PANDEMIC.

AS NUMBERS INCREASE, THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IS PUSHING TO GIVE A BUMP TO VACCINATION NUMBERS.

THIS WEEK ANNOUNCING NURSING HOME WORKERS WILL BE REQUIRED TO GET VACCINATED OR THEIR FACILITIES WILL LOSE FEDERAL FUNDING.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS.

>> THE MORE STAFF MEMBERS WE HAVE VACCINATED, THE LESS LIKELY MY MOTHER OR OTHER RESIDENTS WILL BE ISOLATED.

>> Reporter: BILLABLE RARELY SAYS HIS BELOVED 95-YEAR-OLD MOM ENDED UP IN LOCKDOWN AT UNITED METHODIST COMMUNITIES, HER SOUTH JERSEY NURSING HOME AFTER A STAFF MEMBER TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID.

IT IS ONE OF 124 NEW JERSEY FACILITIES NOW DEALING WITH ACTIVE COVID OUTBREAKS.

BORELLI SAYS THIS PARTICULAR STAFFER WAS ACTUALLY VACCINATED.

>> THERE ARE SOME BREAKTHROUGH CASES WHERE A VACCINATED STAFF MEMBER WILL GET COVID.

THE ROOT OF IT IS THE UNVACCINATED, STAFF MEMBERS GETTING COVID, WHICH TRIGGERS TESTING, LOCKDOWNS, ISOLATION.

AN HE CHEERED THE RECENT ANNOUNCEMENT, UMC WILL REQUIRE ALL ASSOCIATES TO BE FULLY VACCINATED BY OCTOBER 15th, CITING THE TREMENDOUS SPREAD OF THE DELTA VARIANT AND THE OVERALL WELL-BEING OF THE RESIDENTS WE SERVE AND THE PEOPLE WE WORK WITH.

THE STRICT MANDATES GRANTS ONLY LIMITED MEDICAL OR RELIGIOUS EXEMPTIONS, IT IS JUST ONE AGENCY, BUT-->> IT IS BIG NEWS THAT THEY ARE REQUIRING VACCINATION AND THEY SET AN EXAMPLE AND HOPEFULLY IT WILL BE FOLLOWED BY OTHER FACILITIES.

>> BECAUSE WE ARE SEE MORE CASES IN LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES, WE ARE SEEING MORE SHUTDOWNS AND VISITATION.

>> Reporter: NEW JERSEY POINTED A SURGE IN COVID CASES STATEWIDE, IMPACTING NURSING HOMES AND OTHER FACILITIES, WHERE COVID KILLED ALMOST 8500 PEOPLE AND OFTEN LEFT SURVIVORS TO COPE WITHOUT FAMILY VISITS IN THE EARLY DAYS.

>> THAT LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL NOW LOOKS LIKE A FREIGHT TRAIN HEADED IN OUR DIRECTION BECAUSE THE NUMBER OF OUTBREAKS IS GOING UP, BECAUSE WE ARE GETTING AROUND VISITATION AND ISOLATION, THEY ARE GOING BACK UP TOO.

>> Reporter: STATE HEALTH OFFICIALS REPORT MORE THAN 90% OF LONG-TERM CARE RESIDENTS ARE FULLY VACCINATED, VERSUS ABOUT 74% OF STAFF.

THAT IS A STATEWIDE AVERAGE ABOUT 570 FACILITIES.

INDIVIDUALLY, THEY DIFFER WIDELY , MORE THAN 50 SHOW A STAFF VACCINATION RATE OF 50 TO 60%, WHILE NEARLY 40 LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES REPORT A STAFF RATE UNDER 50%, RANGING ALL THE WAY DOWN TO SEVEN PLACES WHERE UNDER 25% OF WORKERS ARE VACCINATED.

THAT, TO START DESPITE GOVERNOR MURPHY ORDERING ALL LONG-TERM CARE STAFF MUST GET VACCINATED BY SEPTEMBER 7th, OR FACE WEEKLY TESTING.

>> THAT IS A PROBLEM.

THAT IS A PROBLEM WHEN YOU HAVE 95% OF PEOPLE LIVING IN LONG-TERM CARE WHO ARE VACCINATED, BUT STILL FIND THEMSELVES, UNFORTUNATELY, IN KIND OF A LOCKDOWN SITUATION.

>> THAT IS VERY CONCERNING BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT OUR IMMUNE SYSTEMS WEAKEN WITH AGE.

THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION ALSO ANNOUNCED THAT NURSING HOMES SHOULD REQUIRE THEIR STAFF TO BE VACCINATED AGAINST COVID-19 OR RISK LOSING FEDERAL MEDICARE AND MEDICAID FUNDING.

>> Reporter: THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION'S THREAT TO WITHHOLD FEDERAL DOLLARS ADDS MORE PRESSURE THAN THE VACCINATE OR TEST MANDATE.

>> THE PRESIDENT WENT A LITTLE FURTHER THAN THAT AND SAID, THERE IS NO IF'S, AND/OR BUTTS, IF YOU ARE NOT VACCINATED YOU CANNOT WORK IN A HEALTHCARE FACILITY.

I BELIEVE THAT WILL DO A TREMENDOUS HARM TO STAFFING AT THE HEALTHCARE FACILITIES BECAUSE THOSE THAT DO NOT WANT TO BE VACCINATED WILL GO ELSEWHERE.

>> Reporter: SIDNEY GREENBERGER REPORTED STAFFING SHORTAGES PLAYED THE INDUSTRY, WHICH MAKES PRESIDENT BIDEN'S ORDER A POTENTIAL THREAT.

>> I THINK THAT IS AN INCREDIBLY COUNTERPRODUCTIVE MANAGER AND WE NEED TO ATTRACT WORKERS TO OUR INDUSTRY.

FOR EMPLOYERS TO TAKE AN ACTION WHERE THEY ARE AFRAID THEY WILL LOSE WORKERS, IT IS A COMPLICATED DECISION FOR THEM.

>> Reporter: THAT IS WHY LONG- TERM CARE FACILITIES ARE MOBILIZING TO ADMINISTER COVID BOOSTER SHOTS TO VULNERABLE RESIDENTS LATER THIS MONTH TO KEEP THEM PROTECTED, EVEN AS THE STRUGGLE TO VACCINATE STAFF CONTINUES.

LINDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> $.40 DOES NOT SOUND LIKE A LOT OF MONEY, BUT IT SURELY WILL EASE THE PAIN AT THE PUMP.

DRIVERS WILL SEE A DECREASE IN THE STATE'S GAS TAX.

IT IS THE FIRST TIME IT HAS GONE DOWN SINCE THE FUND WAS OVERHAULED MORE THAN FIVE YEARS AGO.

IT MEANS NEW JERSEY WILL GO FROM HIGHER HAVING ONE OF THE HIGHEST GAS TAXES IN THE NATION TO HAVING STILL AMONG THE HIGHEST GAS TAXES IN THE NATION.

BUT THE TIMING THOUGH, JUST BEFORE AN ELECTION, THAT IS ALSO KEY.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER REPORTS.

>> Reporter: DRIVERS IN NEW JERSEY HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH AN ONGOING PURGE TO THEIR POCKETS, THANKS TO PRICES AT THE PUMP.

>> I USED TO FILL UP MY TANK WITH AROUND $50 OR $60, NOW I AM SPENDING $70 OR $80.

>> THOSE DIMES ADD UP AND IT IS LESS MONEY FOR PEOPLE TO TAKE HOME.

>> Reporter: BUT RELIEF IS ON THE WAY.

>> AS WE COME INTO THE FALL SEASON, WHAT HAPPENS IS THE REFINERIES SWITCH OVER TO THEIR WINTER BLEND FUELS.

THAT TENDS TO DECREASE THE PRICES WE SEE AT THE PUMP ANNUALLY.

NOW, YOU CAN ADD TO THAT SEASONAL DECREASE, THIS 8.3 SENT CENT DECREASE REDUCTION IN THE GAS TAX.

>> NEW JERSEY FOR A LONG TIME HAD ONE OF THE LOWEST GAS TAX RATES IN THE COUNTRY, THAT ALL CHANGED IN 2016, WHEN THE GOVERNOR AT THE TIME AND LAWMAKERS DECIDED TO CHANGE THE FORMULA BECAUSE WE WERE RUNNING UP A LOT OF TRANSPORTATION THAT BASICALLY, THERE WAS NOT A LOT OF MONEY COMING IN FROM THE GAS TAX TO COVER ALL OF THE SPENDING THAT NEEDED TO OCCUR TO MAINTAIN OUR SPINNING INFRASTRUCTURE.

>> THAT NEW LEGISLATION ALLOWING IT TO ASSESS EVERY AUGUST IF THE CURRENT TAX RATE IS GENERATING ENOUGH REVENUE.

IN 2016, GAS PRICES JUMPED $.22.

BY 2018, DRIVERS ANOTHER $.04 INCREASE.

LAST YEAR, AFTER DEALING WITH HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN LOSSES, AS MINNIE DRIVER STAYED HOME DURING THE PANDEMIC, THE GAS TAX INCREASE AGAIN BY $.9.3, MAKING NEW JERSEY THE FOURTH HIGHEST IN THE NATION.

THIS YEAR'S ASSESSMENT, DECREASING THE RATE BY 8.3 CENTS WILL RATE THE 10th HIGHEST.

>> ONE OF THE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES OF THAT MIGHT BE THAT WE WILL SEE OUT-OF-STATE DRIVERS RETURNING TO NEW JERSEY TO FILL UP THEIR TANKS.

>> WE HAVE DOCUMENTATION THAT PROVES THE AMOUNT OF GALLONS THAT NEW YORK HAS TAKEN FROM NEW JERSEY SINCE OUR GAS TAX WAS INCREASED IN 2016.

THE SAME WITH DELAWARE.

AND IF THE CURRENT TAX RATE, THE GALLONS WE HAVE LOST TO THOSE STATES EQUALS $217 MILLION EVERY YEAR.

>> Reporter: AS OF TODAY, THE AVERAGE GAS PRICE IN NEW JERSEY IS $3.18 PER GALLON, JUST SLIGHTLY OVER THE NATIONAL AVERAGE OF $3.14.

WHILE IT IS STILL LESS THAN ROUNDING STATES, LIKE NEW YORK, WHERE THE AVERAGE PRICE IS $3.21, EXPERTS SAY THE HIGH TAX RATE IS STILL PUSHING DRIVERS OVER THE BORDER, A HIT TO LOCAL GAS STATIONS.

>> I HAVE A MEMBER AT THE HOLLAND TUNNEL THAT LITERALLY WENT FROM 400,000 GALLONS A MONTH, TO 200,000 GALLONS A MONTH.

THAT MEANS THAT NEW JERSEY IS NOT COLLECTING $100,000 EVERY MONTH FROM THAT LOCATION, JUST THAT LOCATION ALONE.

>> MOST NOTARIES DON'T KNOW WHAT IS THE TAX AND WHAT IS THE COST OF GAS WHEN THEY GO TO THE PUMPS.

THEY JUST KNOW WHAT IT IS COSTING TO FILL UP HERE THEY MAY NOT KNOW THIS TAXES GOING DOWN, BUT HEY, IF IT SHAVES OFF A LITTLE OF WHAT THEY PAY EVERY TIME THEY FILL UP, THIS IS PROBABLY GOOD FOR MOTORISTS AND PROBABLY GOOD FOR THE GAS STATION.

AN THE GAS TAX GOES INTO EFFECT OCTOBER 1st, SO PLAN YOUR FALL ROAD TRIPS ACCORDINGLY.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>>> WHEN IT COMES TO VACCINE MANDATES, THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY IS DUELING OVER THEIR STANCE.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS MORE DETAILS IN TONIGHT'S TOP STORIES.

>> Reporter: NEW JERSEY IS DIVIDED OVER THE ISSUE OF VACCINE MANDATES IN THE WORKPLACE.

OVER THE PAST WEEKEND, NEW JERSEY BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION CONDUCTED A POLL, ASKING BOTH BUSINESSES AND WORKERS HOW THEY FEEL ABOUT MANDATES.

NJBIA PRESIDENT AND CEO MICHELLE CURTIS SAYS SHE IS NOT SURPRISED BY THE RESULTS.

>> WE HAVE BEEN HEARING THIS ALL ALONG, IT IS LIKE 50-50.

FOR AS MANY FOLKS AS YOU BELIEVE WANT TO SEE A VACCINE MANDATE, THERE ARE AS MANY THAT FEAR A VACCINE MANDATE.

I THINK THE MOST PART OF IT THEY FEAR IS THE CONSEQUENCES FOR THEIR WORKFORCE, CONCERN ABOUT HAVING TO FIRE LOOSE WORKERS WHILE WE HAVE AN UNPRECEDENTED HIGHER CRISIS.

>> Reporter: COMPANIES ALSO SAY THEY ARE CONCERNED ABOUT ASKING CUSTOMERS TO SHOW PROOF OF VACCINATION BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO HAVE ANY CONFRONTATIONS.

OF THE 300 RESPONDENTS, 84% SAID VACCINES ARE NOT CURRENTLY MANDATED FOR THEIR WORK FORCE.

>>> WON BIG COMPANIES TAKING A UNIQUE APPROACH TO ENCOURAGE EMPLOYEE VACCINATIONS.

RATHER THAN AN OUTRIGHT MANDATE, DELTA AIRLINES WILL INCREASE THEIR HEALTH INSURANCE PREMIUMS OF ITS UNVACCINATED WORKERS.

THE PREMIUMS WILL INCREASE BY $200 A MONTH STARTING IN NOVEMBER.

DELTA CEO SAYS THE AVERAGE HOSPITAL STAY FOR COVID-19 HAS COST DELTA $50,000 PER PERSON, NOTING THE SURCHARGE WOULD BE NECESSARY TO ADDRESS THE FINANCIAL RISKS, THE DECISION TO NOT VACCINATE IS CREATING FOR DELTA.

>>> THE STATE IS HANDING OUT $20 MILLION IN NEW GRANTS AS A PART OF ITS SUSTAIN AND SERVE PROGRAM.

THAT PROGRAM PROVIDES NONPROFITS WITH GRANTS TO PURCHASE MEALS FROM RESTAURANTS IN ORDER TO FEED THOSE IN NEED.

IT ALSO, OF COURSE, HELPS SUPPORT RESTAURANTS THAT HAVE LOST REVENUE DUE TO THE PANDEMIC.

THE NEW JERSEY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY SAYS 29 NONPROFITS WILL RECEIVE FUNDING .

IN TOTAL, THIS FUNDING ROUND IS EXPECTED TO COVER THE PURCHASE OF 2 MILLION MEALS FROM NEARLY 300 RESTAURANTS ACROSS THE STATE.

>>> IN RETAIL NEWS, DID DISNEY IS CLOSING 60 BRICK-AND-MORTAR LOCATIONS NATIONWIDE, INCLUDING FOUR OF ITS REMAINING NEW JERSEY STORES, THE ONLY STORE IT WILL HAVE A NEW JERSEY WILL BE IN ELIZABETH.

THE OTHER STORES WILL CLOSE BY MID-SEPTEMBER.

>>> HERE IS A LOOK NOW AT THE CLOSING NUMBERS ONE WALL STREET.

I AM RHONDA SCHAFFLER.

THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>>> THE SUMMER SURE TOURISM SEASON IS JUST ABOUT A WEEK AWAY FROM THE UNOFFICIAL END AND IT IS BEING CAPPED BY MORE SWIMMING ADVISORIES FROM THE STATE DEP.

13 BEACHES WERE PUT ON WATCH WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON AFTER WATER SAMPLES TAKEN SHOWED HIGH LEVELS OF FECAL BACTERIA.

THOSE OFTEN SPIKE AFTER HEAVY RAINS LIKE WE JUST HAD WITH TROPICAL STORM HENRI DUE TO STORMWATER RUNOFF.

FOUR LOCATIONS ARE OCEAN BEACH IN LONGBRANCH, ASBURY PARK , BAYS AND RIVERS FROM LONG BEACH TOWNSHIP AND OCEAN COUNTY ON UP THROUGH AREAS OF MONMOUTH.

SWIMMING IN OR MAKING CONTACT WITH THE CONTAMINATED WATER CAN CAUSE NAUSEA, GASTROINTESTINAL SYMPTOMS, EVEN FLULIKE SYMPTOMS.

AS OF THIS AFTERNOON, RESULTS FROM A SECOND ROUND OF TESTS TAKEN BY THE DEP HAVE JUST NINE BEACHES STILL UNDER ADVISORY.

>>> AFTER TRACKING MORE THAN 800 PARTICIPANTS SINCE THE START OF THE PANDEMIC, RESEARCHERS AT RUTGERS UNIVERSITY SAY THEY HAVE NEW KEY INSIGHTS INTO COVID-19 INFECTIONS AND WHO DEVELOPS THE STRONGEST IMMUNE RESPONSE.

TURNS OUT, PEOPLE WHO HAD A TOUGH BATTLE WITH THE VIRUS, THOUGH SEVERE, PROLONGED SYMPTOMS ALSO PRODUCED THE MOST ANTIBODIES, IMPORTANT FOR FIGHTING AGAINST FUTURE INFECTION.

THAT WAS ESPECIALLY TRUE FOR ONE SECTOR OF THE POPULATION.

CO-LEAD AUTHOR, DR. EMILY BARRETT FROM THE RUTGERS SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH HAS MORE ON THE FINDINGS.

>> DR. BARRETT, THANKS FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS STUDY?

THE FACT THAT FOLKS WHO HAVE HAD THE INFECTION, A SEVERE CASE OF IT, MAY HAVE MORE LEVELS OF THESE ANTIBODIES, I WOULD THINK THAT COULD REALLY MEAN A WHOLE LOT MOVING FORWARD.

>> WELL, I DON'T THINK IT IS TIME FOR ANYONE TO PANIC.

I THINK THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT WE SAW THAT THE VAST MAJORITY OF FOLKS IN OUR STUDY WHO BECAME INFECTED WITH THE VIRUS HAD ROBUST ANTIBODY RESPONSES.

YOU ARE RIGHT, THOSE FOLKS WHO HAD MORE SEVERE SYMPTOMS HAD A STRONG ANTIBODY RESPONSE, BUT THE VAST MAJORITY, AGAIN, WERE MOUNTING AN APPROPRIATE IMMUNE RESPONSE TO THE VIRUS, WHICH IS GOOD NEWS.

>> SO, THE YOU LOOK AT SYMPTOMATIC AND A SOME SOMATIC FOR THIS STUDY?

HOW DID THE STUDY WORK?

>> OUR STUDY WAS A LITTLE DIFFERENT FROM MOST OF THE ONES YOU MAY HAVE HEARD ABOUT IN THE PAST, WHICH REALLY FOCUSED ON VERY ILL PEOPLE, MAYBE PEOPLE THAT THOUGHT MEDICAL CARE FOR THEIR SYMPTOMS.

WE TOOK A DIFFERENT STRATEGY.

WE ACTUALLY PLANNED THE STUDY WAY BACK, WHEN THE VIRUS WAS FIRST STARTING TO HIT NEW JERSEY, BACK IN FEBRUARY 2020, IF YOU CAN BELIEVE IT AND WE ESSENTIALLY SAID, WE SEE THIS VIRUS COMING DOWN UPON THE U.S. WE KNOW IT WILL IMPACT OUR COMMUNITY IN NEW JERSEY.

WE RECRUITED 800 OF OUR COWORKERS, OUR COMRADES AT RUTGERS, ABOUT TWO THIRDS OF WHOM WERE HEALTHCARE WORKERS WE KNEW FROM CHINA AND ITALY MIGHT BE PARTICULARLY IMPACTED.

SO, WHAT WE DID WAS ESSENTIALLY FOLLOWED THESE FOLKS OVER THE WHOLE PANDEMIC.

WE HAD BEEN CHASING THEM THE WHOLE TIME, LOOKING AT WHO BECOMES VIRUS POSITIVE, WHO BECOMES ANTIBODY POSITIVE, WHAT SYMPTOMS DO THEY GET IF THEY ARE INFECTED, WHAT KIND OF SYMPTOMS, HOW LONG DO THEY LAST, HOW ARE THEIR BODIES FIGHTING THIS INFECTION?

THE STUDY THAT JUST CAME OUT THIS PAST WEEK WAS REALLY REPORTING ON WHAT HAPPENED IN THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF OUR STUDY, BASICALLY THE END OF 2020, WHICH OF COURSE WAS BEFORE VACCINATION WAS WIDELY AVAILABLE.

>> FIRST OF ALL, TALK ABOUT FORESIGHT TO HAVE STARTED THIS BACK THEN.

WHERE THERE ANY COMMONALITIES IN THE GROUPS, LET'S SAY BEING MALE, FEMALE, A CERTAIN AGE DEMOGRAPHIC?

>> WELL, I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS THAT REALLY STOOD OUT AS WE BEGAN TO STUDY THIS GROUP IN GREATER DEPTH WAS THE VULNERABILITY OF THE HEALTHCARE WORKERS.

WE SAW OVERALL ABOUT 11% OF PARTICIPANTS IN THE STUDY WERE INFECTED WITH THE VIRUS DURING THE COURSE OF THE STUDY.

IT WAS ABOUT TWICE AS COMMON TO BE INFECTED AMONG HEALTHCARE WORKERS AND IN PARTICULAR, WE SAW THAT NURSES TENDED TO BE THE MOST VULNERABLE GROUP.

WHEN THEY BECAME INFECTED, HEALTHCARE WORKERS WERE ALSO MORE LIKELY TO DEVELOP SEVERE SYMPTOMS.

>> DID YOU ALL LOOK AT OR DO YOU PLAN TO LOOK AT WHETHER OR NOT THOSE TYPE OF RESPONSE IS ALSO NEGATED PERHAPS GETTING REINFECTED OR HAVING A LESS SEVERE BOUT A SECOND GO ROUND?

>> YEAH, SO WE ARE CONTINUING TO FOLLOW THESE PARTICIPANTS TO THIS VERY DAY.

WE ARE REALLY INTERESTED TO SEE WHO IS PROTECTED AGAINST REINFECTION, NOW THAT ESSENTIALLY EVERYONE IN THE COHORT HAS BEEN VACCINATED, WE ARE REALLY INTERESTED TO SEE HOW DO THEIR ANTIBODY RESPONSES LOOK LIKE IN THESE POSTVACCINATION STAGE.

>> WE WILL BE CHECKING BACK WITH YOU ON THAT FOR SURE.

DR. BARRETT, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> SURE, THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME ON.

>>> SUPPORT FOR THE MEDICAL REPORT IS PROVIDED BY BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY, AN INDEPENDENT LICENSEE OF BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION.

>>> THAT WILL DO IT FOR US TONIGHT.

IN THE MEANTIME, HEAD OVER TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG OR ANY OF OUR SOCIAL CHANNELS TO FIND OUT OUR REPORTING.

I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI, THANKS FOR BEING WITH US.

WE WILL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

♪ >>> NJ INSURANCE GROUP, SERVING DIDN'T INSURANCE GROUP FOR RESIDENCES AND BUSINESSES FOR OVER 100 YEARS, HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY, AN INDEPENDENT LICENSEE OF THE BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION, AND BY THE PSEG FOUNDATION.

♪