>> PROVIDED BY IN JM INSURANCE GROUP, SERVING BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS, HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY, THE PSE FOUNDATION, AND BY THE MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION OF NEW JERSEY, AND SMART HEAT NJ.

>>> FROM NJ PBS, THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BREANNA.

>> GOOD EVENING AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I AM RHONDA, IN FOR BREANNA.

THE COVID-19 NUMBERS ARE GOING IN THE WRONG DIRECTION, WITH A BIG JUMP IN NEW CONFIRMED CASES TODAY.

THE STATE REPORTED MORE THAN 4500 NEW CASES, UP FROM ABOUT 3300 CASES, REPORTED JUST YESTERDAY.

TODAY'S CASELOAD MARKED THE BIGGEST SINGLE DAY TOTAL, SINCE APRIL.

NEW JERSEY'S TRANSMISSION RATE AT 1.39, ALSO CONTINUES TO RISE.

HEALTH EXPERTS KEEP ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO GET VACCINATED, AND AS OF TODAY, MORE PEOPLE ARE ELIGIBLE FOR BOOSTERS.

THE FDA APPROVED BOOSTER SHOTS FOR 16 AND 17-YEAR-OLDS, THE AUTHORIZATION COMES AFTER PFIZER SAID IT'S BOOSTER SHOT PROVIDES PROTECTION AGAINST THE NEW OMICRON VARIANT.

IN NEW JERSEY, 6.29 MILLION PEOPLE ARE FULLY VACCINATED, AND 1.59 MILLION HAVE RECEIVED BOOSTER SHOTS.

THE STATE, ONCE THOSE NUMBERS TO INCREASE, SO IT IS REOPENING THREE VACCINE MEGA SITES, INCLUDING ONE IN BURLINGTON COUNTY.

RAVEN SANTANA WENT TO THE SITE, TO SEE PREPARATIONS UNDERWAY.

>> VACCINES, AFTER SIX MONTHS, CAN LOSE, IN SOME CASES HALF OF THEIR EFFECTIVENESS.

>> IN AN EFFORT TO INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE RECEIVING BOOSTERS IN THE STATE, THE STATE IS OPENING THIS VACCINE MEGA SITE AT A FORMER STORE, BURLINGTON COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR, DOCTOR HERB CONAWAY ALONG WITH STAFF FROM VIRTUAL HEALTH, GAVE US A TOUR.

>> THIS IS THE ADULT SIZE.

>> THE MAIN VACCINE BEING DELIVERED AT THIS SITE, IS PFIZER BECAUSE PFIZER ALLOWS US TO VACCINATE THOSE WHO ARE FIVE YEARS OF AGE AND UPWARD.

WE CAN DO LARGER NUMBERS IN YOUR LOCAL PHARMACY.

IF YOU HAVE A HEART ATTACK, SOMETHING GOING ON IN YOUR STOMACH, FINDING A PLACE, A BED FOR YOU TO GET CARE AND THEN IN AN ENVIRONMENT THAT IS LOADED WITH COVID-19 PATIENTS, IT IS AN INCREASED RISK TO YOU.

THE WAY TO PREVENT THAT IS TO DRIVE THOSE VACCINATION RATES AND THOSE BOOSTER VACCINATION RATES UP AS HIGH AS WE POSSIBLY CAN.

>> THERE ARE ABOUT 50 VOLUNTEERS ALTOGETHER AT THE SITE WHICH CONSISTS OF A MIXTURE OF VIRTUAL STAFF, THE NATIONAL GUARD, CONTRACTED STAFF AND COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS.

>> WE COULD EASILY VACCINATE 3000 A DAY, IF NOT MORE.

IT IS ALL ABOUT LENGTH OF TIME.

AT ITS PEAK, WE DID 6000 A DAY.

>> WHILE THE OMICRON VARIANT MAY SEEM LIKE THE STATE'S NEWEST THREAT, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER , JOHN, SAYS THE DELTA VARIANT IS WHY PEOPLE SHOULD BE RECEIVING BOOSTERS.

>> IT IS DEFINITELY HERE, BUT RIGHT NOW THIS IS PREDOMINANTLY DELTA, NO ONE KNOWS THE PEER STATURE, THAT IS STILL BEING WORKED OUT, BUT THIS IS TOO QUICK OF A RISE AND TOO CLOSE TO THANKSGIVING AND WE KNOW DELTA WAS 99% OF THE CASES AND CONTINUES TO BE A HIGH PERCENTAGE.

>> HE SAYS OFFERING A SPACE FOR CHILDREN TO GET VACCINATED IS CRITICAL, AS THEY PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN ELIMINATING THE SPREAD OF THE VIRUS.

>> MOST CHILDREN ARE IN SCHOOL RIGHT NOW SO THEY ARE IN CONGREGATIONS AT THAT POINT SO WE REALLY HAVE TO WORK ON GETTING THE ENTIRE POPULATION VACCINATED, NOT JUST CERTAIN SEGMENTS.

>> EVERY DAY WE HAVE A PEDIATRIC SECTION, BECAUSE KIDS THAT ARE AGES 5 TO 11, ARE GETTING A PEDIATRIC DOSE OF PFIZER.

ANYBODY WHO IS 12 AND UP, EVERY DAY, IS GETTING AN ADULT DOSE SO THEY ARE IN A SEPARATE SECTION, AND THEN ON DAYS WHEN WE ARE ALSO HANDLING MODERNA, WE ACTUALLY HAVE A SEPARATE LINE JUST FOR MODERNA.

>> IN ADDITION TO THIS KID FRIENDLY AREA, THE MEGA SITE ALSO OFFERS A QUIETER AND DARKER AREA FOR THOSE WHO MAY HAVE SPECIAL NEEDS OR EVEN ANXIETY AND CAN RECEIVE THEIR VACCINATIONS IN THE SENSORY ROOM.

>> WE CAN REGISTER THEM IN THERE, WE WILL VACCINATE THEM IN THERE, AND THEN IF WE NEED TO DO AN OBSERVATION TIME, IF THEY ARE NOT COMFORTABLE BEING OUT IN A BRIGHT SPACE, WE WILL DO THE OBSERVATION TIME THERE.

THERE ARE SENSORY PADS ON THE WALL, THE FLOORS ARE PADDED, THE WALLS ARE PADDED.

WE HAVE A LOT OF FURNITURE THAT IS LOW TO THE GROUND, IF SOME OF OUR PEOPLE WHO ARE ON THE SPECTRUM, I FEEL MUCH MORE COMFORTABLE, IF THEY GOT SOMETHING WAITED, WE ARE VERY SELECTIVE ABOUT WHO WORKS IN THAT ROOM.

AND MOSTLY, IT IS PARAMEDICS, BECAUSE THEY ARE GOOD AT HITTING MOVING TARGETS, THEY ARE GOOD AT VACCINATING IN THE DARK ON THE GROUND.

>> WHILE THEY STRONGLY ENCOURAGE OPPONENTS, THEY SAY WALK OWNS -- WALK-INS ARE WELCOME TO.

YOU DO NOT NEED TO LIVE IN THE COUNTY TO RECEIVE A VACCINE.

DOCTOR CONAWAY SUGGESTS THOSE WHO ARE UNVACCINATED AND WANT TO PROTECT LOVED ONES BIHAR -- BEFORE THE HOLIDAYS, TO GET YOUR FIRST SHOT NOW.

I AM RAVEN SANTANA.

>> WE ARE SEEING AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF SCHOOLS THAT HAVE SHIFTED TO ONLINE LEARNING, AS COVID-19 CASES RISE AMONG CHILDREN.

MORE THAN TWO DOZEN SCHOOLS HAVE HAD TO SUSPEND IN PERSON LEARNING, DUE TO COVID-19, WALL TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT WAS THE LATEST TO KEEP KIDS AT HOME, AFTER AN UPTICK IN CASES.

IT IS A TOUGH SITUATION FOR KIDS, PARENTS, AND EDUCATORS, JOANNA WENT TO WALL, TO TALK ABOUT OPTIONS FOR BRINGING KIDS BACK TO THE CLASSROOM, ONE IDEA, REGULAR COVID-19 TESTING FOR STUDENTS.

>> OUR MIDDLE SCHOOL INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL AND A 24 HOUR PERIOD, WE HAD MORE THAN 14 STUDENTS TEST POSITIVE, TO COVID-19.

SO, THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT WHO WE WORK WITH, FOR MONMOUTH COUNTY, SAID WE SHOULD REALLY CLOSE THE SCHOOL.

>> WHILE THEY ARE MORE THAN ONE OF TWO DOZEN SCHOOLS THAT HAVE HAD TO CLOSE SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR, BECAUSE OF COVID-19 SPIKES, LONG VALLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL, PART OF THE WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP DISTRICT HAD TO CLOSE LAST WEEK AFTER A SIXTH GRADE SOCIAL ON NOVEMBER 19 LED TO 35 POSITIVE CASES, AND AN ADDITIONAL 24 STUDENTS EXPOSED.

>> UNFORTUNATELY THERE IS A LOT OF FRUSTRATIONS ON THE PART OF THE PARENTS, BECAUSE I THINK EVERYBODY IS JUST OUT OF COVID- 19 AT THIS POINT.

IT IS A REAL THING AND SOMETIMES, THEY FEEL LIKE MY CHILD IS NOT SHOWING ANY SYMPTOMS, WHY CAN'T THEY GO TO SCHOOL, AND UNFORTUNATELY, THAT IS FROM THE CDC TO THE LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS, THAT IS WHAT THEY PASS ALONG TO US, AND THAT IS WHAT WE FOLLOW.

>> NOT JUST PARENTS WHO ARE FRUSTRATED, EDUCATORS ARE FEELING IT, SAYS RICHARD.

>> QUITE FRIENDLY, REAL FRUSTRATION THAT MANY STUDENTS ARE BEING EXCLUDED WHEN THEY PERHAPS DON'T HAVE TO BE.

>> HE SAYS THE STATE HASN'T DELIVERED ON ITS TESTING PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS, THE PROGRAM HAS MORE THAN $260 MILLION IN STATE FUNDING BEHIND IT, ALONG WITH FEDERAL DOLLARS THAT STILL HAVE TO BE SPENT.

>> RIGHT NOW THE BEST THING THAT WE CAN DO TO HELP CHILDREN REMAIN IN SCHOOLS, IS TO REMOVE THE PROGRAM THAT WAS INITIALLY PUT INTO THE SCHOOLS THAT IS BEING USED EXCLUSIVELY NOW, FOR STAFF MEMBERS WHO HAVE NOT BEEN VACCINATED, TO TEST THEM WEEKLY, THE PROGRAM IS BEING VERY MUCH UNDERUTILIZED, WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT TRANSFER .

>> THE TESTING WOULD USE RAPID ANTIGEN TESTS, THAT HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH ACCURACY, ESPECIALLY FOR A SYSTEMATIC CASES, BUT HE BELIEVES THIS TESTING WOULD STILL BE ANOTHER STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, TOWARD KEEPING KIDS IN SCHOOL WHO DON'T NEED TO BE OUT.

>> CERTAINLY CHANGING THE REQUIREMENT FOR NOT EXCLUDING CHILDREN WHEN THEY ARE BOTH WEARING MASKS AND INAPPROPRIATE FASHION WAS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, UNDERSTANDING MORE ABOUT HOW IT OCCURS, SO THAT WE CAN MOVE TO THREE FEET, ALL OF THE THINGS THAT SCHOOLS HAVE DONE, IMPROVING THE AIR FILTRATION SYSTEMS, ALL OF THAT , BUT NOW THIS IS SOMETHING THAT CAN KEEP US MOVING FORWARD.

>> ACCORDING TO THE STATES COVID-19 DASHBOARD, THERE ARE MORE THAN 3000 NEW CASES AMONG STUDENTS AND MORE THAN 850 AMONG SCHOOL STAFF LAST WEEK, BUT VACCINATIONS ARE STILL LAGGING, ESPECIALLY IN THE CENTER OF THE STATE WHERE TRANSMISSION IS HIGH.

WHILE TOWNSHIP IS IN THAT ORANGE REGION.

>> WOULD YOU WELCOME A VAN SIGN VACCINE MANDATE?

>> I PERSONALLY DO NOT SUPPORT MANDATES LIKE THAT.

I AM FULLY VACCINATED, I AM SCHEDULED TO GET MY BOOSTER SHOT ON SATURDAY, BUT I WOULD NEVER FORCE SOMEONE TO GET IT.

I DON'T THINK THAT IS RIGHT.

>> GOVERNOR MURPHY DOESN'T SEEM TO BE IN A HURRY TO ENFORCE ON EITHER.

>> YOU NEVER TAKE ANYTHING OFF THE TABLE BUT THERE ARE NO PLANS AS WE SIT HERE TODAY, TO MANDATE VACCINES.

CEMENT DESPITE THE RISING CASES, ADAM SAYS THE NUMBERS DON'T CHANGE HIS VIEW ON RETURNING MASK MANDATES TO LOCAL CONTROL.

>> CERTAINLY RIGHT NOW IS THE UPTICK IN NUMBERS, WE WOULD BE FULLY MASKED, THROUGH ALL SCHOOLS BECAUSE WE HAVE SEEN NUMBERS IN ALL SCHOOLS, BUT I THINK AS A SOCIETY, WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE CAN BEST DEAL WITH THIS, AND NOT ALWAYS HAVE TO BE BE -- SHUT DOWN THINGS.

>> A DECISION NEEDS TO BE MADE SOON, THE GOVERNOR'S EXECUTIVE ORDER EXPIRES ON JANUARY 11, UNLESS HE EXTENDS IT.

HE DOES NOT WANT CONTROL RETURNS TO THE DISTRICTS, BECAUSE THAT, HE SAYS, LEADS TO THE MADNESS WE HAVE SEEN IN LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD MEETING.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM JOANNA.

>>> AN INMATE AT THE ESSEX COUNTY CORRECTIONAL FACILITY HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH MURDER FOR ALLEGEDLY STABBING A FELLOW INMATE LAST WEEK.

THE ACTING ESSEX COUNTY PROSECUTOR CHARGED THE INMATE WITH FIRST-DEGREE MURDER, AND UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A WEAPON.

A HOMICIDE INVESTIGATION IS ONGOING, AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE IS ALSO INVESTIGATING.

MEANTIME, PROTESTERS RALLIED LAST NIGHT AT THE ESSEX COUNTY HALL OF RECORDS, TO DEMAND ANSWERS ABOUT THAT FATAL STABBING AND ABOUT ANOTHER INCIDENT FROM SEPTEMBER, WHEN THE BEATING OF AN INMATE WAS CAUGHT ON SURVEILLANCE VIDEO.

SEVEN MEN ATTACKED A FELLOW INMATE, HITTING HIM WITH OBJECTS, INCLUDING A MICROWAVE, AND A GARBAGE CAN, THE SEVEN INMATES HAVE BEEN CHARGED IN THE BEATING AND THE VICTIM REMAINS HOSPITALIZED.

FOLLOWING THESE TWO INCIDENTS, A CIVILIAN TASK FORCE IN ESSEX COUNTY, IS LAUNCHING A REVIEW OF OPERATING PROCEDURES AT THE JAIL INCLUDING SECURITY AND EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBILITIES.

ADVOCATES AT LAST NIGHTS RALLY, CALLED FOR THE JAIL TO BE SHUT DOWN.

>>> LISTENERS HAVE MADE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS, DURING THE PAST YEAR, ABOUT HOW THEY HAVE BEEN TREATED BEHIND BARS.

THERE HAVE BEEN ALLEGATIONS OF ASSAULT, AND SEXUAL HARASSMENT BY CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS.

A REFORM LAW PASSED LAST YEAR GAVE BROAD POWERS TO THE STATES PRISON WATCHDOG, TO INVESTIGATE SUCH ALLEGATIONS OF ABUSE AND MISCONDUCT, BUT MORE THAN A YEAR LATER, GOVERNOR MURPHY HAS NOT NAMED AN OFFICE OF CORRECTIONS ON MS.

PERSON, ADVOCATES SAY PRISONERS AREN'T BEING TREATED FAIRLY, AND THEY FAULT A LACK OF OVERSIGHT.

>>> MELISSA ROSE COOPER HAS OUR REPORT.

>>> IT WAS A DRY CELL SO THERE WAS NO WATER RUNNING, AND I WENT INTO SEVERE DEHYDRATION AND FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS, I WAS LIKE, IT WAS HORRIFIC.

>> Reporter: GOLDSMITH SHARED ONE OF HER MOST PAINFUL EXPERIENCES DURING HER TIME AT THE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY FOR WOMEN.

GOLDSMITH SAYS SHE HAD TO BE GIVEN THREE BAGS OF IV, WHEN SHE WAS FINALLY SENT FOR TREATMENT, DAYS LATER.

>> BECAUSE THEY KNEW, THAT THERE WAS A GOOD CHANCE I WOULDN'T HAVE MADE IT TO THE HOSPITAL, WHEN I GOT TO THE HOSPITAL EVEN THOUGH THEY GAVE ME THOSE BAGS OF ID, THEY SAID THAT IF I HAD BEEN LEFT LONGER, MY ORGANS WOULD'VE STARTED TO SHUT DOWN.

THAT IS SERIOUS.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS SHE FILED A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE SITUATION, BUT NOTHING WAS EVER DONE.

AND, SHE IS NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS SUFFERED INHUMANE TREATMENT BEHIND BARS.

>> THE CONDITIONS ARE CONDUCIVE TO THE CULTURE.

AND THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, HAS A CULTURE OF ABUSE, A CULTURE OF TORTURE, AND A CULTURE OF VIOLENCE.

>> REPORTER:, NOW AS THE COCHAIR, GOLDSMITH IS JOINING OTHER ADVOCATES IN THEIR DEMANDS FOR PRISONERS TO BE TREATED FILLING FAIRLY, UNDER A REFORM LAW PASSED LAST YEAR KNOWN AS A DIGNITY ACT, THE OFFICE OF CORRECTIONS PERSON WAS GIVEN THE POWER TO OVERSEE PRISONS, AND INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ABUSE AND MISCONDUCT.

THAT LAW WENT INTO EFFECT ON AUGUST 1, 2020, BUT MORE THAN A YEAR LATER, THE PERSON SEATED REMAINS EMPTY, AND ADVOCATES SAY IT HAS LED TO A SEVERE LACK OF OVERSIGHT.

>> IT IS OUTRAGEOUS, TO ME, THAT THESE INCIDENTS CONTINUE TO HAPPEN, AND THAT THERE SEEMS TO BE NOT MUCH URGENCY IN PREVENTING THESE KINDS OF THINGS FROM HAPPENING.

>> ACCORDING TO AN ANNUAL REPORT FROM THE OFFICE OF THE CORRECTIONS PERSON, THERE WERE OVER 13,000 COMPLAINTS MADE BETWEEN OCTOBER 2020, AND SEPTEMBER 2021.

SOME OF THE ALLEGATIONS INCLUDE IN ADEQUATE LIVING CONDITIONS, SEXUAL HARASSMENT, AND SOLD.

IN JANUARY, WE REPORTED ON THE SUSPENSION OF DOZENS OF CORRECTIONS OFFICERS, AFTER THEY WERE ACCUSED OF VIOLENTLY EXTRACTING WOMEN FROM THEIR CELLS, AND BEATING THEM.

>> EVERY PERSON IN THAT OFFICE AS AN ASSISTANT PERSON, IS A FORMER EMPLOYEE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS.

IF WE ARE GOING TO BE LOOKING INTO EARLY IN ANY DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, FOR SOMEBODY TO OVERSEE OR TO HOLD ACCOUNTABLE A DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, WHEN ALL THAT PERSON'S EXPERIENCE HAS PREPARED THEM TO DO IS TO WORK IN AND WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, I DON'T THINK THAT IS VERY EFFECTIVE, RIGHT?

AND B, I DON'T THINK THAT GESTURES TO THE PUBLIC, THAT WE ARE COMMITTED TO A NEW ERA OF INSTITUTIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY?

>> AND ASSISTANT PERSON TOLD US THE OFFICE TREATS ALL COMPLAINTS SERIOUSLY, AND THE LACK OF A PERSON HASN'T STOPPED THEM FROM PUTTING REFORMS IN PLACE.

THEY ARE STILL WORKING TOWARD FULL COMPLIANCE WITH THE DIGNITY ACT, AND ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO A PERSON BEING APPOINTED.

THE GOVERNOR TOLD US YESTERDAY HE IS COMMITTED TO FILLING THE PERSON ROLL, BUT DID NOT SAY WHY HE STILL HAS NOT APPOINTED ONE YET.

ADVOCATES SAY PRISONERS AND THEIR FAMILIES NEED TO KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON AND HAVE THEIR COMPLAINTS ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY, FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM MARISSA.

>> ADVOCATES RALLIED IN TRENTON TODAY, URGING THE STATE LAWMAKERS AND GOVERNOR MURPHY, TO EXPAND AND EXTEND A PANDEMIC RELIEF PROGRAM, FOR UNDOCUMENTED RESIDENTS.

THE EXCLUDED NEW JERSEYANS FUND, OF $40 MILLION PROGRAMS, THAT PROVIDE ONE-TIME PAYMENTS, UP TO $2000 FOR INDIVIDUALS, AND $4000 FOR HOUSEHOLDS, IS SET TO EXPIRE AT THE END OF THE YEAR.

THE ADVOCATES WARNED THAT THE CURRENT SIZE OF THE PROGRAM AND THE DEADLINE JUST WEEKS AWAY, COULD LEAVE UP TO 90% OF ELIGIBLE PEOPLE IN THE STATE WITHOUT AID.

MURPHY HAS PREVIOUSLY INDICATED HE WOULD SIGN LEGISLATION, EXPANDING THE PROGRAM.

AND A CORRECTION TO A STORY WE REPORTED YESTERDAY, MORE THAN 7000 APPLICATIONS HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED TO THE EXCLUDED NEW JERSEYANS FUND, AND MORE THAN 1000 OF THOSE HAVE BEEN APPROVED AND PAID OUT, SINCE THE PROGRAM LAUNCHED IN LATE OCTOBER.

YESTERDAY'S STORY, INCORRECTLY REPORTED JUST A FEW HUNDRED APPLICATIONS HAD BEEN APPROVED, AND PEOPLE HAD BEEN WAITING MONTHS FOR ANSWERS, IT HAS BEEN WEEKS.

>>> NEW YORK BUSINESSES ARE FACED WITH A NEW VACCINE MANDATE ANNOUNCED THIS WEEK BY MAYOR BILL DEBLASIO, WHAT IS THE LIKELIHOOD THAT NEW JERSEY FOLLOWS, WE SPOKE WITH MICHELLE, OF THE NEW JERSEY BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION, ABOUT HOW THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY IS NAVIGATING RISING COVID-19 CASES, AND WHETHER OR NOT THEY ARE BRACING FOR MORE MANDATES?

MICHELLE, NEW YORK SET A VACCINE MANDATE, COULD NEW JERSEY FOLLOW IN YOUR VIEW?

>> ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE, RHONDA.

WE'RE HOPING THAT IS NOT THE CASE.

OUR MEMBERS HAVE TOLD US OVER THE LAST YEAR, OUR EMPLOYERS HOPE THAT THEY HAVE THE ABILITY TO MAKE THOSE DECISIONS, ON THEIR OWN, BASED UPON THEIR WORKFORCE, THEIR WORK ENVIRONMENT AND THEIR CUSTOMERS AND CLIENTS THAT THEY SERVE.

>> WE ARE TODAY ESPECIALLY SEEING A BIG JUMP IN THE COVID- 19 CASES IN NEW JERSEY, OUR BUSINESS IS PUTTING IN MORE PRECAUTIONS, SHOULD THERE BE ANY MANDATES AT ALL, SUCH AS A MASK MANDATE?

>> WELL, THE LOSS AS IT STANDS RIGHT NOW IS IF YOU'RE NOT VACCINATED, YOU SHOULD WEAR A MASK IF YOU'RE ATTENDING SOMETHING INDOORS, AND IT APPEARS THAT IS WHAT FOLKS ARE FOLLOWING RIGHT NOW.

SO, WE CANNOT TRACE THE SPREAD, IF YOU WILL, TO BUSINESS SETTINGS.

NOR HAVE WE BEEN ABLE TO OVER THE PAST YEAR, THE SPREAD CONSISTENTLY SEEMS TO COME FROM SOCIAL SETTINGS, FROM DAY ONE, RHONDA, NEW JERSEY BUSINESSES HAVE DONE THEIR BEST TO SAFEGUARD THEIR WORKPLACE AND PROTECT THEIR WORKERS, BY CHECKING ALL THE SAFETY BOXES, AND FOLLOWING ALL THE PROTOCOLS OF OSHA, WHO, THE CDC, ETC.

>> WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE THEY ARE FACING RIGHT NOW?

THE BUSINESSES?

>> MULTIPLE.

FIRST OF ALL, CONTINUES TO BE THE HIRING.

THE HIRING CHALLENGE.

UNPRECEDENTED, AND YOU KNOW, THEREIN LIES THE CHALLENGE, WITH A MANDATE ON VACCINE, BECAUSE YOU CAN SEE WHERE WE ARE AS A POPULATION, THOSE THAT ARE LEFT ARE THOSE THAT ARE JUST REGARDLESS OF THE TERMS WILL CHOOSE NOT TO VACCINATE, BUT AGAIN, WE HAVE SOME WORKPLACES WHERE IF YOU PUT A MANDATE AND, THAT WORKPLACE COULD BE A LITTLE MORE VULNERABLE, TO THEIR ABILITY TO HIRE AND RETAIN WORKERS JUST BY NATURE OF THE WORKFORCE THAT THEY HAVE RIGHT NOW.

>> SO AT THIS POINT, WHAT ARE YOU HEARING FROM BUSINESSES, WHEN THEY PICK UP THE PHONE AND CALL YOU?

WHAT ARE THE PAIN POINTS AS THEY LOOK AT RISING COVID-19 CASES AS THEY DEAL WITH THE FACT THAT THEY HAVE A WORKFORCE THAT IS VERY DIVIDED.

>> YOU ARE SPOT ON, 110%.

OUR SURVEY FINDS THIS ISSUE TO BE SPLIT RIGHT UP THE MIDDLE, THE SAME WITH THE WORKFORCE.

YOU HAVE THOSE WHO SAY I WON'T COME BACK TO WORK UNTIL YOU CAN GUARANTEE ME EVERYONE IS VACCINATED AND YOU HAVE THOSE WHO SAY IF YOU MANDATE ME, I AM NOT COMING BACK TO WORK.

SO, LITERALLY, THE EMPLOYER IS STUCK RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE, HOLDING THE CARDS AND THAT IS NOT AN EASY PLACE FOR OUR WORKERS TO BE, FOR OUR EMPLOYERS TO BE, IN PARTICULAR.

>> ARE THEY CONCERNED ABOUT LEGAL CHALLENGES, EITHER WAY?

>> EVERYONE IS DOING THE BEST THEY CAN, TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE AROUND THEM ARE COMFORTABLE, AT THE SAME TIME CHECKING THE SAFETY BOXES AS I SAID BEFORE, WE HAVE BEEN CONCERNED ABOUT LIABILITY FROM DAY ONE, WE HAVE ASKED FOR LIMITED PROTECTION FOR ANY BUSINESS THAT COULD CHECKED THE SAFETY BOXES AND SHOW THEY ARE FOLLOWING EVERY PROTOCOL, THAT IS REQUIRED BY GOVERNMENT, THEY SHOULD GET LIMITED LIABILITY GOD FORBID COVID-19 IS IN THEIR PLACE.

>> GOOD TO TALK TO YOU AS ALWAYS, MICHELLE.

>> RHONDA, THANK YOU SO MUCH LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT HOW THE TRADING DAY ENDED OFF ON WALL STREET.

>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT IS PROVIDED BY FIELD MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION OF NEW JERSEY, AND SMART HATE NJ.

>> MAKE SURE YOU TURN THIS WEEKEND, WE FOCUS ON THE BUSINESS BEHIND YOUR CHILD'S EDUCATION, AND ANALYZING THE FINANCIAL SUPPORT YOUR KIDS GET FROM THE STATE, HOW PRIVATE SCHOOLS OPERATE, AND THE PUSH FOR TRANSPARENCY AND HIGHER EDUCATION COST.

TUNE IN SATURDAY AT 10:00 AM ON THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

>>> NEW JERSEY HAS AN INFRASTRUCTURE PROBLEM, AND I AM NOT TALKING ABOUT ROADS AND BRIDGES.

SEWER AND WATER SYSTEMS ARE AT RISK OF FAILURE, AND ARE IN NEED OF MASSIVE UPGRADES.

IN JERSEY CITY, REPAIRING WATER AND SEWER SYSTEMS WILL COST ABOUT $2.5 BILLION, THE ISSUE CAME TO LIGHT, DURING A HEARING ON SUEZ WATERS RESPONSE, TO HURRICANE IDA.

EXPERTS SAY MAJOR SYSTEM UPGRADES ARE NEEDED, ACROSS THE STATE AT A PRICE TAG WELL INTO THE BILLIONS.

THE BIG QUESTION IS, WHO IS GOING TO PAY FOR THAT?

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT, DAVID CRUZ, HAS OUR REPORT.

>> WE HAVE HAD THREE BOIL WATER ADVISORIES IN 18 MONTHS, AND WE HAVE HAD 2 MAJOR FLOODING EVENTS IN THE LAST SUMMER.

>> WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE, AND NOT A DROP TO DRINK.

TROPICAL STORM IDA, SWEPT ACROSS NEW JERSEY THIS SUMMER, KILLING DOZENS, AND LAYING BARE TO VULNERABILITY OF WATER AND SEWER SYSTEMS, THAT DATE BACK TO THE TURN OF THE LAST CENTURY.

SYSTEM FAILURES, ARE BECOMING ALL TOO COMMON.

>> WE WILL HAVE INCREASING LEVELS OF SYSTEM FAILURES.

WE WILL HAVE INCREASING CLOSURE OF STREETS, BECAUSE WE HAVE GUSHES OF WATER COMING DOWN.

WE WILL HAVE INCREASING SITUATIONS, WHERE BUSINESSES ARE CLOSED BECAUSE THEY CAN'T GET WATER SUPPLY, APARTMENT COMPLEXES ARE CLOSED BECAUSE THEY CAN'T GET WATER SUPPLY AND SOCIETY IS NOT GOING TO TOLERATE THAT.

>> LOCAL GOVERNMENTS HOPING THAT THE PRESIDENTS BUILD BACK BETTER PLAN WILL USHER IN AN ERA OF PUBLIC FINANCING FOR BIG INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS, ARE NOW STARTING TO THINK ABOUT HOW MUCH IT IS GOING TO COST TO MAKE A SERIOUS EFFORT, TO RESTORE AND REPLACE THE AGING SYSTEMS.

NEW JERSEY CITY, THE PRICE TAG, IS ALREADY OVER $1 BILLION.

>> IT IS $1.5 BILLION TO REPAIR THE SEWER SYSTEM AND THEN IT IS ANOTHER NEAR BILLION DOLLARS TO REPAIR THE WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM, RIGHT?

AND I MEAN THOSE ARE EYE-POPPING EXTRAORDINARILY BIG NUMBERS.

IF WE WILL SPEND THAT TYPE OF MONEY, WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE ARE SOLVING THESE LONG-TERM ISSUES AND ALSO LOOKING AT GREEN SOLUTIONS, WHICH MAY MITIGATE SOME OF THESE BIG HUGE INFRASTRUCTURE COSTS.

>> BUILD BACK BETTER WILL BRING IN SOME MONEY FOR THE WORK, BUT MORE IS GOING TO BE NEEDED, IN SMART GROWTH GROUPS LIKE NEW JERSEY FUTURE, THEY SAY THE STATE NEEDS TO STEP UP, BY LOOSENING SOME MONEY THAT IS JUST SITTING IN THE BANK, DATING BACK TO THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN.

>> WE BELIEVE IT IS TIME FOR THE STATE TO SET ASIDE $1.2 BILLION TO HELP COMMUNITIES, URBAN, SUBURBAN, YOU KNOW, DEAL WITH LEAD, GET THE CHEMICALS OUT OF THE DRINKING WATER.

THE COMBINED SEWER SYSTEMS, ADDRESS THE STORM WATER FLOODING, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH COMMUNITIES.

>> EVEN THEN, MUNICIPALITIES ARE GOING TO HAVE TO TURN TO TAXPAYERS, AND RATEPAYERS, ESPECIALLY AFTER ALL OF THAT ANTICIPATED FEDERAL MONEY IS SOAKED UP.

>> YOU NEED TO HAVE A PUBLIC EDUCATION PROCESS HERE, AND WATER UTILITIES OVER THE YEARS HAVE BEEN REALLY BAD AT THIS.

WE CAN'T DO THAT ANYMORE.

WE HAVE TO BE OUT IN FRONT OF THE PUBLIC, WE HAVE TO BE ENCOURAGING THE PUBLIC AND UNDERSTAND WHAT IS NEEDED, AND HOW IT IS GOING TO BE PAID FOR.

>> UTILITIES AND GOVERNMENT, TO CRITICAL ENTITIES THAT HAVE ENJOYED MORE POPULAR DAYS WITH THE PUBLIC.

BUT, THEY ARE STILL EXPECTED TO BE THERE, ON A RAINY DAY.

I AM DAVID CRUZ, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT, BUT IF YOU MISSED ANY OF THE BIG POLITICAL HEADLINES THIS WEEK, TUNE INTO REPORTERS ROUNDTABLE WITH SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT, DAVID CRUZ, DAVID TALKS WITH THE INCOMING NJ SENATE PRESIDENT ARE , NICHOLAS, ABOUT THE CHALLENGES TO THE VACCINE REQUIREMENT AND THE LEGISLATION LAWMAKERS ARE LOOKING TO TACKLE IN THE UPCOMING SESSION.

THAT IS TOMORROW AT 10:00 AM ON THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

I AM RHONDA, THANK YOU FOR WATCHING, HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.

WE WILL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>>> THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GRADE FOR EVERY CHILD, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER, AND THE OCEAN PROJECT, AND COMMITTED TO THE CREATION OF A NEW LONG-TERM SUSTAINABLE CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

>>> THE OCEAN WIND PROJECT, BY PS E.G.

, PROVIDING RENEWABLE OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY.

JOBS, EDUCATIONAL, SUPPLY- CHAIN, AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE GARDEN STATE.

OCEAN WIND, A CLEAN FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

>> DAY AFTER DAY, WE RELY ON ELECTRICITY, FOR ALL OF THE ORDINARY THINGS IN OUR LIVES.

AND, FOR THE EXTRAORDINARY.

>> OUR COMMITMENT TO YOU NOW, IS MORE POWERFUL THAN EVER.

>> TO BE MY BEST FOR THEM, AND FOR ME.

IN BODY, AND BY MIND.

I NEED A HEALTH INSURER THAT HELPS ME GET THE CARE FOR BOTH, THAT HAS MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS THAT I CAN TALK TO, WHEN I NEED TO, BECAUSE WHEN I FEEL STRONG AND SECURE, SO DO THEY.

THIS IS MY LIFE.

THIS IS HOW HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY WORKS FOR ME.