>>> FUNDING FOR NEW JERSEY SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY ASSOCIATION FOR EDUCATION.

MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AND OR STEAD, COMMITTED TO THE CREATION OF A LONG TERM, SUSTAINABLE CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

♪ THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BREANNA FOR NOSY.

>>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

A LONG-AWAITED BLUEPRINT ARRIVED TODAY FROM THE CDC, THE CLEAREST GUIDANCE GET FOR SAFELY REOPENING OUR SCHOOLS AS MOST REMAIN SHUT NEARLY A YEAR INTO THIS OUTBREAK.

ALL OVER CONTINUED FEARS OF SPREADING THE CORONAVIRUS, LESS THAN 100 SCHOOLS ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE FULLY TEACHING STUDENTS IN PERSON.

THE NEW GUIDELINES REINFORCE THAT STATES SHOULD PRIORITIZE TEACHERS FOR VACCINATION, BUT IT IS NOT A REQUIREMENT TO REOPEN.

MORE THAN ONE POINT 2 MILLION DOSES HAVE BEEN PUT IN ARMS ARE CROSSED THE STATE.

AS OF 300,000 OF THOSE ARE SECOND SHOTS.

THE CDC GUIDANCE USES COLOR- CODED ZONES BASED ON COMMUNITY INFECTION RATES TO HELP SCHOOLS DECIDE IF IN PERSON LEARNING IS APPROPRIATE.

BUT MADE IT CLEAR HYBRID MODELS CAN BE USED EVEN WHEN TRANSMISSION RATES ARE HIGH AS LONG AS IT IS DONE SAFELY.

MORE THAN THREE QUARTERS OF ALL NEW JERSEY DISTRICTS OFFER SOME FORM OF HYBRID LEARNING, AS THE CASELOAD OF NEW INFECTIONS SLOWLY TAPERS OFF.

JUST OVER 3200 NEW POSITIVE TEST TODAY BUT 64 DEATHS.

AS THOSE NUMBERS FLUCTUATE, THE CDC SAYS SCHOOLS SHOULD USE KEY MITIGATION STRATEGIES FOR SAFE REOPENING.

THAT'S UNIVERSAL AND CORRECT MASK WEARING, PHYSICAL DISTANCING, HANDWASHING AND PROPER VENTILATION, ALONG WITH PERFORMING CONTACT TRACING AND ISOLATION AND QUARANTINE.

STILL, EVEN WITH ALL THAT, THE CDC SAYS INFECTIONS WILL HAPPEN AND DISTRICTS NEED TO BE PREPARED.

WE GO NOW TO OUR EDUCATION WRITER JOHN MOONEY FOR MORE DETAILS.

A BIG PART OF THIS MULTILAYER PLAN POINTS TO THOSE FIVE STRATEGIES.

HOW DIFFICULT IS IT TO REALLY CARRY THOSE OUT EFFECTIVELY?

>> Reporter: THEY HAVE BEEN A CHALLENGE FOR A LOT OF DISTRICTS, A LOT HAVE DONE SO, TO THEIR CREDIT.

AND OBVIOUSLY A LOT HAVE BEEN WORRIED ABOUT IT.

I THINK WHAT THIS GIVES YOU, IT IS FAIRLY DETAILED, AT LEAST WHAT I SAW IN TERMS OF EXAMPLES AND RESOURCES.

EVEN THE CDC OFFICIAL TODAY MADE REFERENCE TO WHAT KIND OF RULES YOU HAVE WHEN A CHILD WON'T WEAR A MASK.

AND SOME EXAMPLES OF EFFECTIVE MEASURES ALONG THOSE LINES.

SO, NOTHING IS EASY IN ALL OF THIS BY ANY MEANS.

BUT THIS GIVES SOME GUIDELINES, A PASTOR REOPENING.

IT IS NOT A CARTE BLANCHE BY ANY MEANS.

THE CDC STRESSED IT IS NOT MANDATING ANYTHING.

IT CAN'T.

IT REALLY DOESN'T HAVE THE AUTHORITY.

BUT IT GIVES DISTRICTS A COVER AND A PATH TO REOPEN IF INDEED THEY THINK THAT IS THE BEST WAY TO GO.

>> MAYBE NOT A GREEN LIGHT BUT A YELLOW LIGHT.

WHAT ABOUT VACCINATIONS, WHAT PART OF THE CONVERSATION DOES THAT PLAY?

AND WHAT IS DIFFERENT HERE THAN WHAT SOME DISTRICTS HAVE ALREADY LAID OUT?

>> Reporter: IN TERMS OF VACCINATIONS, THEY DID CALL FOR TEACHERS TO BE MOVED UP THE PRIORITY LIST BUT AGAIN, PRETTY EXPLICITLY SAID THEY ARE NOT ORDERING THAT OR MANDATING THAT.

THAT IS OBVIOUSLY A BIG ISSUE.

BUT THEY ALSO STRESSED THAT DOES NOT NEED TO HAPPEN.

TEACHERS DON'T ALL NEED TO BE VACCINATED FOR SCHOOLS TO REOPEN SAFELY.

IN TERMS OF CHILDREN'S VACCINATIONS, THEY RELEASED A SCIENCE BRIEFING WHICH GETS INTO THE SCIENCE AROUND THIS AND POINTING OUT THAT CHILDREN HAVE BEEN MUCH LESS TRANSMITTERS OF THE VIRUS.

WHICH IS A GOOD THING GIVEN THERE IS NO VACCINE THAT HAS BEEN FULLY TESTED FOR CHILDREN.

AND YOUR LAST QUESTION, WHAT IS DIFFERENT ABOUT THIS?

THE CDC, IT'S NOT THE TEACHERS UNION, NOT THE SCHOOL BOARD ASSOCIATIONS, IT'S NOT INDIVIDUAL DISTRICT, IT IS COMING FROM CERTAINLY WHAT WAS ONCE CONSIDERED A VERY CREDIBLE ORGANIZATION THAT CARRIES A LOT OF WEIGHT.

AND IT DOES APPEAR TO HAVE MORE SCIENCE ATTACHED TO IT THAN A LOT OF DIFFERENT FACTIONS.

>> VERY QUICKLY, DOESN'T DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN ELEMENTARY STUDENTS AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN ANY WAY?

>> Reporter: THAT IS A GOOD QUESTION, I DIDN'T SEE A TON OF THAT IN THE SUMMARY BUT IT TALKED ABOUT MORE IMPORTANT TO MOVE KIDS IN THE UPPER GRADES BACK, ONLINE LEARNING HAS BEEN MUCH MORE DIFFICULT FOR YOUNGER GRADES BUT IT DOES TALK ABOUT THAT.

I HAVEN'T SEEN THAT IN THE WRITING YET BUT I AM SURE IT IS ADDRESSED.

>> JOHN MOODY, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>>> MORE WELCOME NEWS FOR FAMILIES WITH SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN.

A LIMITED NUMBER OF SPECTATORS WILL ONCE AGAIN BE ALLOWED IN THE STANDS FOR INDOOR YOUTH SPORTS .

THE NEW RULES TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY UNDER AN EXECUTIVE ORDER SIGNED TODAY BY THE GOVERNOR.

EACH ATHLETE CAN CHOOSE UP TO TO PARENTS OR GUARDIANS TO ATTEND PRACTICES AND GAMES MUSCLE LONG AS ATTENDANCE DOESN'T GO ABOVE THE 35% INDOOR CAPACITY LIMIT.

ALL OTHER RESTRICTIONS SET BY THE CDC STILL APPLY.

THE NATIONAL AGENCY ALSO UPDATING QUARANTINE GUIDELINES THIS WEEK.

PEOPLE WHO ARE FULLY VACCINATED CAN SKIP QUARANTINE IF THEY ARE EXPOSED TO THE VIRUS, BUT THEY HAVE TO BE ASYMPTOMATIC AND AT LEAST TWO WEEKS OUT FROM HAVING BOTH SHOTS TO ENSURE THEY HAVE IMMUNITY.

BUT LESS THAN THREE MONTHS FROM THEIR FINAL SHOT, RAISING MORE QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW LONG IT PROVIDES PROTECTION.

TODAY, THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT SAID HER AGENCY IS REVIEWING THE NEW GUIDELINES AND CONSIDERING WHETHER ADDITIONAL GUIDANCE IS NEEDED FOR THE STATE.

THE DEEPER WE GET INTO THIS PANDEMIC, THE MORE TROUBLING MANY OF THE FINDINGS BECOME.

NEW RESEARCH REVEALS THOSE SUFFERING WITH DEMENTIA ARE TWICE AS LIKELY TO CONTRACT THE CORONAVIRUS AND AT MUCH GREATER RISK FOR BEING HOSPITALIZED AND DYING FROM IT.

THE STUDY ALSO UNCOVERED DRASTIC RACIAL DISPARITIES AND EXPERTS ARE ARGUING MORE HAS TO BE DONE FOR THESE POPULATIONS.

FAMILY MEMBERS WERE RE- PROLONGED ISOLATION WILL ONLY MAKE THE SITUATION WORSE.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT FLANAGAN REPORTS.

>> THOSE WHO HAVE LOVED ONES WHO HAVEN'T BEEN VACCINATED ARE VERY WORRIED.

>> Reporter: GINGER SAYS HER MOM DID GET VACCINATED BUT THE 84-YEAR-OLD SUFFERS FROM ALZHEIMER'S, AND IN THEIR CIRCLE OF FRIENDS, CARRIES HER ELDERLY PATIENTS WITH DEMENTIA AND SOME CAN'T GET VACCINATED.

A NEW STUDY SHOWS PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA ARE TWICE AS LIKELY TO GET COVID-19 AS THEIR PEERS, ALMOST 3 TIMES AS LIKELY IF THEY ARE BLACK.

>> FOR ANYONE WHO HAS AN OLDER PARENT PARTICULARLY WITH UNDERLYING DISEASES, IT HAS TO BE A VERY SCARY TIME.

AND A VERY FRUSTRATING TIME.

>> Reporter: THE SURVEY OF ALMOST 52 BILLION MILLION AMERICAN HEALTHCARE RECORDS FOUND DEMENTIA MAKES COVID MORE RISKY.

CHANCES FOR HOSPITALIZATION RUNS ABOUT 25%, BUT MORE THAN DOUBLES FOR DEMENTIA PATIENTS AND IF THEY ARE BLACK, A STUNNING 73%.

THE IMPACT ON PEOPLE OF COLOR COULD STEM FROM SHARING HOUSEHOLD WITH FAMILY MEMBERS WHO MUST WORK OUTSIDE THE HOME IN ESSENTIAL JOBS.

>> WHEN OLDER ADULTS WITH DEMENTIA LIVE IN MULTIGENERATIONAL HOMES, WHO THEN HAVE TO GO TO WORK EVEN IF THERE IS AN ONGOING PANDEMIC, THEY ARE MUCH MORE LIKELY TO CATCH COVID.

>> Reporter: AND IT IS PARTICULARLY HARD FOR PATIENTS IN LONG-TERM CARE CUT OFF FROM FAMILIES WHO CAN'T VISIT.

>> THE INABILITY TO COMMUNICATE, TO TELL THE STAFF WHAT IS BOTHERING THEM, TO VERBALLY COMMUNICATE PAIN, BUT FAMILY MEMBERS RECOGNIZE THOSE THINGS.

>> Reporter: IT DOES MAKE SENSE IN TERMS OF THE RISK FACTORS MASK WEARING, WASHING HANDS.

SUZANNE'S MOM HAS ALZHEIMER'S AND SHE IS NOT SURPRISED BY THE FINDINGS.

>> MY MOM WILL NOT KEEP A MASK ON.

MY MOM IS NOT FOLLOWING DIRECTIONS.

WASH YOUR HANDS, YOU HAD TO SHOW HER.

>> Reporter: BUT HER MOM IS VACCINATED, FORTUNATELY.

THE SURVEY SHOWS THE RISK OF DYING FROM COVID CAN EXCEED 5% FOR ADULTS BUT CLIMBS THE 21% FOR DEMENTIA PATIENTS AND RISES EVEN HIGHER FOR BLACKS WITH DEMENTIA.

ONE THEORY, ALZHEIMER'S COULD DAMAGE A BARRIER THAT PROTECTS THE BRAIN.

>> NORMALLY THERE IS A BARRIER THAT HELPS PREVENT THESE THINGS FROM CROSSING THROUGH THE BLOODSTREAM INTO THE BRAIN.

>> Reporter: DEMENTIA PATIENTS HOSPITALIZED WITH COVID OFTEN EXPERIENCE DEBILITATING AGITATION AND CONFUSION.

>> THAT IS THE REASON WHY PATIENTS WITH DEMENTIA NORMALLY ARE IN HOSPITALS OR WITH ANY KIND OF DISEASE PROCESS.

>> Reporter: EXPERTS SAY IT RAISES QUESTIONS THAT NEED MORE STUDY, BUT ADVOCATES FOR DEMENTIA PATIENTS IN NEW JERSEY CARE FACILITIES SAY THE STUDY ONLY HEIGHTENS THEIR DETERMINATION TO OPEN UP VISITS TO CARE FOR THEIR MOST VULNERABLE FAMILY MEMBERS.

>> I AM SEEING A DECLINE IN HER INTERACTIONS WITH ME BECAUSE SHE IS ESSENTIALLY IN ISOLATION.

>> WE HAVE TO CHANGE THE METRICS AND PUT HUMANITY BACK INTO THE DECISIONS.

>> Reporter: I AM BRENDA FLANAGAN, SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> THE HANDLING OF THE CRISIS WILL BE AT THE CENTER OF THIS YEAR'S GUBERNATORIAL CAMPAIGNS.

GOVERNOR MURPHY IS IN FULL REELECTION MODE, HIS CAMPAIGN TODAY UNVEILING A SLATE OF SEASONED STAFFERS, INCLUDING JACKIE BURNS AS CAMPAIGN MANAGER.

BURNS IS MOST RECENTLY KNOWN FOR HELPING CONGRESSWOMAN MIKEY SHARA PHIL TO VICTORY.

HOW MUCH WILL THE ADMINISTRATION CORONAVIRUS RELATED MISSTEPS PLAY ON CHANCES AT A SECOND TERM?

OUR CHIEF CORRESPONDENT MICHAEL ARON TURNS TO ONE OF THE MOST TRUSTED VOICES, CHARLIE STYLE.

>> Reporter: CHARLIE STYLE, YOU AND I BOTH KNOW THAT MURPHY IS FAVORED TO WIN REELECTION.

BUT YOU WROTE A COLUMN LAST WEEK THAT CAUGHT MY ATTENTION.

YOU WROTE, WELL HE MANAGED TO EMERGE FROM THE PANDEMIC'S FIRST YEAR AS A WELL-REGARDED CRISIS MANAGER, THERE ARE SEVERAL TRIBUTARIES OF DISCONTENT ABOUT HIS ADMINISTRATION'S MANAGEMENT BENEATH HIS GLEAMING CAMPAIGN FACADE.

WHAT ARE THE TRIBUTARIES OF DISCONTENTMENT?

>> THANK YOU FOR REMINDING ME OF THAT TORTURED METAPHOR I USED IN MY COLUMN, VERY PROUD OF IT.

THERE'S A COUPLE, ONE IS THE UNEMPLOYMENT CHECKS, THE SYSTEM HAS BEEN PLAGUED WITH BUGS AND PEOPLE HAVE BEEN WAITING MONTHS FOR CHECKS.

ALTHOUGH THERE HAS BEEN IMPROVEMENT IN THAT.

THERE ARE ALSO CONCERNS ABOUT HIS HANDLING OF THE NURSING HOMES, PARTICULARLY THE STATE RUN VETERANS HOMES.

I THINK NOW YOU ARE ALSO SEEING THIS QUESTION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS MANAGEMENT OF THE WOMEN'S PRISON.

AND THE MORE THAT STORY UNFOLDS, THE MORE THEY ARE BEING QUESTIONS RAISED ABOUT HOW THAT WAS MANAGED.

I THINK THAT'S A VERY SENSITIVE ISSUE FOR THE GOVERNOR.

>> Reporter: HOW ABOUT VACCINATION DISTRIBUTION?

>> HE HAS BEEN ABLE TO POINT HIS FINGER AT LACK OF SUPPLY AND TO AGREE -- DEGREE, THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION FOR ITS FAILURE TO SET UP A GREAT DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM.

BUT THE WEIGHT IS BEING ADMINISTERED AT THE STATE, FROM THE SOFTWARE TO CONFUSION OVER WHERE TO GET IT AND HOW TO GET IT AND THE STATE ROLE AND THAT IS CREATING SOME DISCONTENT.

>> Reporter: WHO ARE THE PEOPLE WHO ARE DISCONTENT?

THE TRUMP VOTER, THE RURAL NEW JERSEY RESIDENT?

IS IT TEACHERS?

BECAUSE HE WANTS TO OPEN THE SCHOOLS, AND THEIR UNION, WHICH HE NEEDS TO CULTIVATE, IS SLOW ON REOPENING SCHOOLS?

>> WELL, I THINK YOU PUT YOUR FINGER ON IT.

I DON'T KNOW IF ALL OF THOSE DIFFERENT GROUPS HAVE SORT OF COALESCED INTO A CRITICAL MASS, BUT I THINK YOU TOUCHED ON THOSE.

AND I STILL THINK THERE IS THE SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS WHO HAVE BEEN CHAFING AND THE LOCKDOWN, THE LOCK ON EXECUTIVE ORDER SINCE LAST YEAR.

THEY HAVE BEEN GOING OUT OF BUSINESS, THEY HAVE HAD TO LAY OFF PEOPLE, I THINK THE HOPE OF THE MURPHY AND MENSTRUATION IS THAT AS MORE VACCINE BECOMES AVAILABLE, MORE BUSINESSES OPEN, AND THE ECONOMY PERCOLATES THAT WE DON'T ELIMINATE THE THREAT OF THE VIRUS BUT IT NO LONGER DOMINATES OUR LIFE AND CULTURE .

I THINK THAT IS WHERE THE PRESSURE WILL BE ALLEVIATED.

>> JAMES CARVILLE SAID IT IS THE ECONOMY, MAYBE WE SHOULD SAY THE VACCINE IS STUPID.

CHARLIE STYLE, THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US.

>> WITH A FEDERAL COVID RELIEF PACKAGE MOVING SLOWLY THROUGH CONGRESS, NEW JERSEY LAWMAKERS WANT TO ACT NOW.

ANNA SCHEFFLER HAS MORE ON A PROPOSAL.

>> Reporter: SOME STATE SENATORS ARE FIGHTING TO GIVE NEW JERSEY SMALL BUSINESSES A BIG INFUSION OF CASH.

A BIPARTISAN BILL HAS BEEN INTRODUCED THAT WOULD PROVIDE $300 MILLION IN GRANTS AND LOANS FOR BUSINESSES.

TWO OF THE SPONSORS SAY THE STATE CAN'T AFFORD NOT TO ACT.

>> SMALL BUSINESSES ARE ALREADY FEELING.

I HAVE SMALL BUSINESSES AROUND MY DISTRICT THAT ARE ON THE VERGE OF SHUTTING DOWN.

>> IF WE LET THEM FAIL, IT WILL BE YEARS BEFORE OUR ECONOMY CAN GET BACK UP TO SCALE?

IF WE SEE THEM, WE WILL SAVE THE LIVELIHOODS OF PEOPLE WHO OWN THEM, WE WILL SAVE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF JOBS, OUR ECONOMY CAN COME ROARING BACK.

>> Reporter: LAWMAKERS WANT TO USE FEDERAL STIMULUS MONEY TO HELP PAY FOR THE INITIATIVE.

AS YOU MIGHT IMAGINE, THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY IS ALL IN.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PRESIDENT AND CEO TOM BRACKEN WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE BILL INCREASE TO $400 MILLION.

>> WE ARE BETTER TO OVERKILL THIS THEN UNDER, IF $300 MILLION IS THE RIGHT NUMBER, AND WE OFFER $400 MILLION AND THAT GOES UNUSED, THAT IS GREAT.

WE HAVE ACCOMMODATED A NEED.

>> Reporter: BRACKEN, A MEMBER OF THE NJTV BOARD OF TRUSTEES, SAYS THERE IS A LOT OF BUSINESSES WHICH DON'T HAVE ENOUGH CAPITAL TO GET THROUGH THE NEXT FEW MONTHS.

SOME RESIDENTS ARE FACING HIGH UTILITY BILLS COME JUNE.

OUR TOM JOHNSTON SAYS NEW RATES WERE SET YESTERDAY BY THE STATE BOARD OF UTILITIES.

>> Reporter: WE HAVE FOUR ELECTRIC UTILITIES, TWO WENT DOWN A TINY BIT AND TWO WENT UP.

THE MOST WAS BY PUBLIC SERVICE ELECTRIC AND GAS.

>> Reporter: THEY WILL RISE, ON AVERAGE, BY $3.65.

ATLANTIC CITY ELECTRIC CUSTOMERS WILL PAY $.29 MORE A MONTH.

ROCKLAND ELECTRIC CUSTOMERS WILL END UP PAYING LESS.

YOU CAN LEARN MORE ABOUT JUST HOW THESE RATES ARE SET BY READING TOM'S STORY ON OUR WEBSITE.

THE STATE LABOR DEPARTMENT SAYS MOST OF THE 75,000 UNEMPLOYED WORKERS WHO WERE WAITING TO RECEIVE PAYMENTS ON THEIR LAST CLAIMS RECEIVED THEIR FUNDS THIS WEEK.

HOWEVER, THERE ARE STILL SOME WAITING FOR THEIR CLAIMS TO BE PAID.

IN THE LATEST WEEK, THERE WAS AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF RESIDENTS WHO HAD TO GO ON AND IMPLEMENT FOR THE FIRST TIME WITH JUST OVER 16,000 FILING NEW CLAIMS.

NOW, A LOOK AT THE TRADING DAY ON WALL STREET.

I'M RHONDA SCHAFFLER AND THOSE WERE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>> THIS WEEKEND, JOIN RHONDA SCHAFFLER FOR NEW JERSEY BUSINESS WEEK.

>>> WHERE DOES ATLANTIC CITY STAND NOW?

RHONDA TAKES A LOOK AT WHETHER THE SEASIDE TOWN CAN REBOUND IN 2021.

WATCH HER SHOW ON NJTV AT 5 P.M. SATURDAY AND SUNDAY MORNINGS AT 9:30.

>>> FROM ESSEX TO CAMDEN COUNTY'S, A CODE BLUE ALERT IN EFFECT FOR MOST OF THE WEEKEND DUE TO BONE CHILLING TEMPERATURES AND EVEN MORE SNOW.

DURING DANGEROUSLY COLD WEATHER LIKE THIS, TEAMS OF HOMELESS OUTREACH COORDINATORS TYPICALLY HIT THE STREETS TO CONNECT WITH PEOPLE IN NEED AND GET THEM ENDORSED.

SHELTERING PEOPLE SAFELY CAN BE TOUGH, EVEN IN THE BEST OF TIMES.

WHAT ABOUT DURING A PANDEMIC?

RAVEN SANTANA REPORTS.

>> I WAS HERE FOR TWO WEEKS BEFORE I GOT HERE, I DO NOT RECOMMEND IT.

>> Reporter: WILLIAM FISHER SAYS FINDING SHELTER DURING THE PANDEMIC WHILE HOMELESS IS NOT EASY, AND DURING THE SUBZERO TEMPS ARE SOMETIMES IMPOSSIBLE.

>> JUST TAKE IT IN STRIDE.

THAT'S THE WAY IT IS RIGHT NOW.

>> Reporter: FISHER SAYS HE WAS FINALLY ABLE TO FIND RELIEF AT CAMDEN'S HOME FOR THE BRAVE, THE ONLY DEDICATED VETERAN SHELTER IN THE STATE >> I HAVE SEEN INDIVIDUALS JUST DRIVING INTO WORK SOME DAYS, IN ABANDONED BUILDINGS, UNDER OVERPASSES, I AM SURE YOU HAVE HEARD ABOUT TENT CITIES WHERE INDIVIDUALS MAKE DO WITH THE BEST WAY THEY CAN.

SO, HAVING RESOURCES FOR THEM FEELS REALLY GOOD.

>> Reporter: KATHY WHITE IS THE CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER FOR VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA DELAWARE VALLEY, WHICH SERVES MORE THAN 3700 HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS.

>> I THINK THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE FOR ANYONE TRYING TO SHELTER INDIVIDUALS IS STARTING WITH GETTING THEM OFF THE STREETS.

IF THAT IS WHAT THEY ARE ACCUSTOMED TO, WE REMIND THEM THAT THERE ARE OTHER SERVICES WE CAN PROVIDE.

>> Reporter: WHITE SAYS HOPING INDIVIDUALS STAY SAFE FROM THE COLD AMID AN ONGOING PANDEMIC HAS ITS CHALLENGES.

>> ON AVERAGE, AROUND OUR FULLEST CAPACITY HAS BEEN AT OUR RIGHT SHOULDER.

>> AND NOW WITH COVID, CUT TO HALF OF THAT CAPACITY AT MOST OF THESE PLACES.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS THE KEY TO KEEPING PEOPLE SAFE AND WARM IS MAKING SURE EVERYONE IS PROPERLY PROTECTED?

>> HAVING THE PPE ON HAND IS A REQUIREMENT.

WE HAVE OUR INTAKE PROCESS FOR ANYONE COMING IN AS WELL, TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE GETTING TESTED.

IF THEY HAVE NOT, WE ARE MAKING SURE THEY DO.

CHECKING TEMPERATURES, WE HAVE WORKED WITH A VERY GOOD SANITATION COMPANY TO ENSURE THAT THE FACILITIES CONTINUALLY SANITIZE AND MAKE SURE THAT INDIVIDUALS ARE SAFE.

WE PROVIDE THE PPE.

>> THOSE SAME RULES APPLY TO THE DOZENS OF STAFF MEMBERS THAT SHOW UP TO HELP THOSE IN NEED.

>> THE STAFF HAVE BEEN ABSOLUTELY AMAZING.

WHEN WE THINK ABOUT WANTING PROGRAMS THAT ARE CONQUERED GET LIVING, A LOT OF PEOPLE WOULD THINK THEY'RE GOING TO PANIC AND NOT WANT TO COME TO WORK BECAUSE THEY WOULD BE AFRAID OF CONTRACTING COVID.

WE FOUND THE OPPOSITE.

THE BEAUTY OF YOUR ORGANIZATION IS THAT OUR STAFF BELIEVE IN THE MISSION.

WE HAVE NOT HAD TO CUT ANY STAFF.

WE'VE HAD INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE NOT ONLY WORKED THERE REGULAR SHIFT BUT IF WE NEED THEM, THEY WILL COME IN.

>> Reporter: WHITE SAYS THE SHELTERS ARE OPEN 24 SEVEN IN AN EFFORT TO HELP THOSE MOST IN NEED ON THE COLDEST DAYS.

THEY ARE TAKING COURTESIES TO WALK-INS.

FOR ANYONE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS OR KNOW SOMEONE IN NEED, YOU CAN DIAL 211 TO CONNECT YOU TO YOUR COUNTY'S MOST APPROPRIATE RESOURCES.

I'M RAVEN SANTANA.

>> ANYONE TRYING TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT FOR A VACCINE KNOWS IT TAKES A LOT OF PATIENCE, A BIT OF SAVVY, AND OFTEN SOME OUTSIDE HELP .

ONE ROCKAWAY RESIDENT HAS BECOME THAT LIFELINE FOR A GROUP OF SENIOR CITIZENS AFTER SUCCESSFULLY SIGNING HER MOTHER UP FOR A SHOT.

AND NOW, FOR TOTAL STRANGERS, AMY ROGERS IS A ONE-MAN BAND SCHEDULING APPOINTMENTS FOR THOSE WHO OTHERWISE GO WITHOUT.

>> EVERY TIME YOU TRY, THEY SAY THERE IS NO APPOINTMENT.

>> Reporter: 173-YEAR-OLD CANDACE FOUND OUT SHE WAS ELIGIBLE FOR THE VACCINE, SHE WENT ONLINE TO TRY TO MAKE A PERMIT.

BUT SOON REALIZED THE STRUGGLE SHE WOULD FACE.

SPEED PEOPLE GAVE UP IN FRUSTRATION.

>> Reporter: HER DAUGHTER SO SHE SPENT HOURS AND HOURS REFRESHING AND REFRESHING UNTIL AN APPOINTMENT POPPED UP FOR HER MOM.

>> AND THEN TYPE AS FAST AS YOU PROBABLY CAN AND WAS ABLE TO GET HER AN APPOINTMENT.

YOU CAN'T ASK THE ELDERLY POPULATION TO NAVIGATE -- IT'S NOT EVEN ONE WEBSITE.

I CHECKED MULTIPLE WEBSITES, MULTIPLE TIMES A DAY.

>> Reporter: ADRIAN, WHO LIVES IN THE SAME COMMUNITY IN ROCKAWAY, ACROSS THE STREET FROM A MEGA SITE FACED SIMILAR CHALLENGES.

>> THAT'S WHERE I REGISTERED, I NEVER HEARD FROM THEM AND I HAVEN'T HEARD TO THIS DAY FROM ANY OF THE COMPANIES I REGISTERED WITH.

THAT WAS AT LEAST A MONTH AGO.

>> Reporter: ADRIAN TURNED TO HER FRIENDS DAUGHTER AMY FOR HELP.

>> I WAS UNABLE TO DO IT MYSELF.

I TRIED AND I AM FAIRLY COMPUTER LITERATE, BUT AMY IS A MAGIC WORKER.

>> I WAS ABLE TO SECURE APPOINTMENTS FOR ADRIAN.

AGAIN, JUST TYPING AS FAST AS I CAN AND LEARNING TRICKS LIKE AUTO FILL, GOOGLING HOW TO DO AUTO FILL ON SAFARI AND CHROME TO GET FASTER .

>> Reporter: WORD HAS SPREAD IN THE 55+ COMMUNITY ABOUT THE TANGIBLE SOLUTION TO A COMPLICATED SYSTEM.

JUST ASK ANY.

>> Reporter: THEY ARE CALLING FOR THE VACCINE QUEEN.

>> MOST THE PEOPLE YOU TALK TO THERE IS A LOT OF RELIEF, IT'S VERY EMOTIONAL.

TEARS, EVEN JUST TELLING PEOPLE YOU HAVE APPOINTMENTS.

>> Reporter: ONE WOMAN KNOCKED ON HER MOM'S DOOR IN TEARS, SAYING, CAN YOU HELP GET AN APPOINTMENT?

>> SHE HASN'T SEEN HER DAUGHTER AND GRANDKIDS IN A YEAR.

AND SHE HAS BEEN TRYING AND TRYING AND NOTHING.

NOTHING WORKS.

>> Reporter: THIS MORNING, CVS OPENED UP.

THAT WAS ACTUALLY A VERY GOOD SYSTEM, BECAUSE ONCE YOU SECURE YOUR TIME THEY GIVE YOU 30 MINUTES TO FILL OUT THE FORM.

SO AN IMPROVEMENT FOR SENIORS.

BUT STILL, I SPENT HOURS REFRESHING CVS THIS MORNING.

>> Reporter: SHE IS REFRESHING WEBPAGES FOR PEOPLE IN NEED IN THE STATE WHILE HER KIDS ARE AT SCHOOL.

>> IT WAS EXCITING WHEN THEY OPENED THE HOTLINE, THEN IT CRASHED AND DIDN'T TAKE ANY APPOINTMENTS.

THE BIGGEST ISSUE IS THAT THERE IS NO CENTRALIZED SCHEDULING SYSTEM.

SO, WHEN MY MOTHER SAYS I HAVE THREE PEOPLE WHO NEED APPOINTMENTS, LAST NIGHT WE HAD THREE LADIES THAT WE WERE TRYING TO HELP AND MY FIRST QUESTION IS, HOW FAR CAN THEY TRAVEL?

BECAUSE SOMETIMES YOU CAN GET AN APPOINTMENT BUT IT'S TWO HOURS AWAY.

THAT'S NOT HELPFUL TO A 93-YEAR- OLD WOMAN.

I FEEL LIKE AS NEW JERSEYANS, WE CAN DO BETTER.

WE CAN FIND A BETTER SYSTEM FOR SCHEDULING.

>> Reporter: AS SHE PUTS IT, HOW CAN YOU NOT HELP?

NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND, CATCH UP ON ALL THE BIG STORIES THIS WEEK ON REPORTER ROUNDTABLE WITH DAVID CRUZ SATURDAY AT 6 P.M. AND SUNDAY AT 10 A.M. ON NJTV .

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI, FOR THE ENTIRE NEWS TEAM, THANKS FOR BEING WITH US.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND, STAY WARM.

♪.

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