>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY NJ INSURANCE GROUP, SERVING THE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

PS ENG, WE MAKE THINGS WORK FOR COMMUNITIES, AND HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY.

AN INDEPENDENT LICENSEE OF THE BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION.

>> THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BRIANA VANNOZZI .

>>> GOOD EVENING AND THANKS FOR JOINING US.

I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI.

THE WORK IS UNDERWAY AT RESTAURANTS, BARS AND BUSINESSES ACROSS THE STATE.

HOPING FOR TOMORROW MORNING'S LIFT ON THE 10:00 P.M. INDOOR DINING CURFEW, AND EXTENDING AND/OR GATHERING CAPACITY FROM 25 TO 35% AT JUST ABOUT ALL VENUES.

OWNERS SAY THEY ARE READY TO WELCOME MORE CUSTOMERS, SEEING IT AS A SIGN OF PROGRESS AND WHAT HAS BEEN A TOUGH WINTER WITH THOSE RISING INFECTION RATES POST HOLIDAYS.

THE NEW GUIDELINES COME JUST IN TIME FOR SUPER BOWL WEEKEND, A CHANCE FOR CASH-STRAPPED BUSINESSES TO SEE A BUMP IN REVENUE.

BUT, WILL DISORDER BE ENOUGH TO MAKE A DENT IN DECLINING SALES?

RAVEN SANTANA REPORTS.

>> WE LOST 50% OF OUR SALES.

>> Reporter: IT'S BEEN A YEAR OF SURVIVAL FOR RYAN.

THE CHEF IS ALSO PARTNER HAVE TO RESTAURANTS AND THE OWNER OF BOTELHO IN JERSEY CITY.

IT'S ONE OF THOUSANDS OF RESTAURANTS IN THE STATE THAT WILL NO LONGER HAVE A 10:00 P.M.

CURFEW UNDER A NEW EXECUTIVE ORDER SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR THIS WEEK.

THE MOVE TAKE EFFECTS THIS FRIDAY AT 8:00 A.M. AND INCREASES IN THEIR CAPACITIES FROM 25% TO 35% FOR A VARIETY OF BUSINESSES, VENUES, AND GATHERINGS.

WHICH INCLUDE RESTAURANTS, BARS, WEDDING CEREMONIES AND RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES.

>> IN ADDITION TO THE 35% STATEWIDE REQUIREMENT THAT ALL RESTAURANTS AND INDOOR SERVICES IS AT 10:00 P.M. WILL BE LIFTED.

HOWEVER, THIS IS IMPORTANT.

IN MUNICIPALITIES OR COUNTIES, THEY MAY CONTINUE TO REGULATE THE HOURS OF IN PERSON RESTAURANT SERVICE AFTER 8:00 P.M.

THE PROHIBITION OF SEATING AT INDOOR BAR AREAS WILL REMAIN IN EFFECT.

AS IT CREATES A DANGER OF CLOSE AND PROLONGED PROXIMITY BETWEEN PATRONS, BARTENDERS, AND SERVERS.

>> IT IS NOT A LOT TO BE HONEST WITH YOU, WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THE RATIO OF WHAT WE ARE FITTING IN.

KITCHEN STAFF IS ONLY 45 SEATS.

SO, RIGHT NOW WE CAN FIT 15 INSIDE.

SO WHAT IS 10% MORE?

FIVE PEOPLE?

IT REALLY DOES NOT EQUATE TO LIKE, WE ARE SAVING THE BUSINESS.

>> Reporter: WHILE HE APPRECIATES THE CHANGES, HE SAYS RESTAURANTS WILL NEED A LOT MORE CUSTOMERS ALLOWED INSIDE IN ORDER TO SURVIVE.

>> WE NEED MORE PEOPLE, 75% CAPACITY WITHOUT A DOUBT.

EVERYONE IS FOLLOWING THE RULES OF THE 10:00 P.M.

CURFEW, BUT I BELIEVE THAT THE ONLY PEOPLE THAT ARE REALLY GOING TO BENEFIT FROM IT ARE GOING TO BE BARS.

IF THEY CAN STILL SOCIALLY DISTANCE AND OPEN A BAR, THEY CAN BE OPEN LATER, BUT THE RESTAURANTS, PEOPLE ARE NOT DINING OUT LATE.

SO, IT'S NOT REALLY, IT'S NOT AFFECTING US.

>> WHAT PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND IS THAT WHEN YOU ARE SITTING AT A BAR, WE STILL NEED TO BE 6 FEET APART FROM THE NEXT GROUP NEXT TO US.

BUT, WE ARE FURTHER AWAY FROM THE BARTENDER THEN WHEN THEY COME OVER AND TAKE OUR ORDER AT A TABLE.

SO, REALLY, ELIMINATING BAR SEATING IS NOT REALLY DOING ANYTHING AS FAR AS KEEPING EMPLOYEES, OR GUESTS SAFE.

>> RESIDENT AND CEO OF THE NEW JERSEY RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION IS NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS MIXED REACTIONS OF THE GOVERNORS NEW RULES.

>> INCREASING THE PERCENTAGE TO 25% TO 35% IS WEAK.

AND IT IS NOT SUPPORTED BY THE OVERWHELMING DATA THAT WE HAVE.

WE GAIN NOTHING BY MAINTAINING THIS OVERLY RESTRICT LIVE RULE OF 35% NOW.

AND, WE CAN DAMAGE THIS.

THERE'S A BIG DOWNSIDE.

SO, IT'S NOT ENOUGH.

>> Reporter: FRANKLY, PEOPLE HAVE A CHOICE.

IF THEY WANT TO GO OUT TO DINNER, THEY WILL GO OUT.

THEY IF THEY ARE STILL CONCERNED ABOUT GOING OUT, THEY WILL STAY.

BUT IT SHOULD BE THEIR CHOICE.

NOT NECESSARILY THE STATE.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS WHILE THE MOVE MAY NOT BE ENOUGH TO SAVE BUSINESSES, THERE IS A LIGHT AT THE END OF WHAT SEEMS LIKE A VERY LONG TUNNEL.

>> JUST CREEPING UP THE PERCENTAGE MAY NOT HELP US IN THE BEGINNING, BUT IT WILL HELP US WITH PEOPLE FEELING MAY BE MORE COMFORTABLE BECAUSE THE GOVERNMENT IS TELLING US, OKAY, NOW YOU CAN GET MORE PEOPLE IN YOUR RESTAURANT IF THEY FEEL THAT MORE PEOPLE COULDN'T GO IN THE RESTAURANT, THEN THEY WILL FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE.

BEING ABLE TO DINE.

>> FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM RAVEN SANTANA.

>>> THE RESTRICTIONS ARE BEING LIFTED AS THE STATE REPORTS ANOTHER 2500 NEW POSITIVE CASES COVID-19.

NEARLY 634,000 TOTAL WITH 101 MORE LIVES LOST AND NEARLY 22,000 TOTAL FATALITIES SINCE THE START OF THE PANDEMIC.

HOSPITALIZATIONS REMAIN BELOW 3000 FOR THE FIFTH DAY IN A ROW, AND THE PACE OF THE VACCINE ROLLOUT IS EXPECTED TO RAMP UP IN THE COMING WEEKS, WITH MORE PHARMACY LOCATIONS COMING ONLINE.

AS OF THIS MORNING, WITHIN 876,000 DOSES HAVE BEEN ADMINISTERED.

ABOUT 160,000 OF THOSE WERE THE SECOND AND FINAL SHOT.

THERE IS STILL A LONG WAY TO GO, AND MEDICAL EXPERTS ARE WARY OF EASING UP ON RESTRICTIONS JUST YET.

THEY ARE WORRIED ABOUT TIMING IT WOULD SUPER BOWL WEEKEND POTENTIALLY BECOMING ANOTHER SUPER SPREADER EVENT.

JOINED NOW BY RUTGERS UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR OF MEDICINE AND EPIDEMIOLOGY, DR. STANLEY WEISS.

GOOD TO SEE YOU.

I WANT TO GET YOUR TAKE ON THE GOVERNOR'S DECISION TO LIFT THIS 10:00 P.M.

CURFEW AND EXPAND THESE INDOOR LIMITS AT A TIME WHEN WE HAVE JUST COME OFF OF SEEING SOME REALLY HIGH CASE NUMBERS.

>> I'M ACTUALLY QUITE CONCERNED ABOUT THOSE CHANGES.

WE ARE PLAYING A GAME OF PING- PONG FROM MY POINT OF VIEW RIGHT NOW.

EVERY TIME WE HAVE A LITTLE BIT LOWERING OF THE RATE OF INFECTION, THEN WE TRY TO LOOSEN THE LIMITS, AND THAT LEADS TO MORE PEOPLE BEING EXPOSED, AND THEN IT GOES BACK UP.

I THINK WE NEED TO KEEP THINGS FAIRLY CONSTANT.

AS LONG AS WE CAN, EVERYONE IS LOOKING FOR AN EXCUSE TO LET LOOSE.

PEOPLE HAVE COOP FOR A YEAR NOW.

AND IT'S REALLY HARD.

>> SO, YOU WOULD FAVOR THE SIDE OF KEEPING THAT CURFEW IN PLACE AND KEEPING THAT 25% CAPACITY LIMIT INSIDE FOR NOW?

>> YES.

THE SWEET SPOT FOR REDUCING THE RISK OF INFECTION IS ACTUALLY ABOUT 20%.

I THINK THERE'S NOT MUCH OF A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN 20 AND 25%.

IT DEPENDS UPON VIOLATION AND CARE, AT ANY FACILITY.

BUT, GOING UP FROM THAT, WE ARE JUST PLAYING WITH POTENTIAL FIRE.

AND, I WOULD HAVE LIKED TO SEE MORE ON THE RATES OF INFECTION BEFORE WE STARTED TO MOVE UP.

THE CONSEQUENCES OF WHEN WE MOVED UP FROM LAST TIME WAS WE HAD THINGS MOVING ALONG, AND THEN SOME THINGS SET THINGS OFF WITH RAPID SPREAD, OF COURSE IN THE UNITED STATES.

>> WE KNOW SOME PEOPLE WOULD CONSIDER THIS HOLIDAY WEEKEND.

THE SUPER BOWL IS COMING ON SUNDAY POINT AND, WHEN FOLKS GATHER IN THE WINTER INDOORS, HISTORICALLY NOW, WE HAVE SEEN SPIKES AFTER HOLIDAY WEEKENDS.

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO BE LOOKING FOR?

AND DOES THAT GIVE YOU PAUSE FOR CONCERN KNOWING THAT PEOPLE WILL LIKELY BE IN BARS AND RESTAURANTS?

>> IT DOES GIVE US CONCERN.

THIS IS AN EVENT WHERE PEOPLE GATHER.

PEOPLE TYPICALLY HAVE GONE TO WATCH THE BIG SCREEN TOGETHER AND PARTY.

THIS IS NOT THE TIME FOR IT.

THE VIRUS IS STILL SPREADING RAPIDLY.

THAT'S WHERE WE HAVE THE POTENTIAL RISK FOR SPREAD.

WE HAVE SEEN THAT HAPPEN AFTER SOME GATHER AT BIG OCCASIONS.

THIS WILL BE ANY DIFFERENT.

EXCEPT NOW THAT WE HAVE SOME VIRAL VARIANCE OUT THERE, WE NEED TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT THAT.

THIS IS THE WORST POSSIBLE TIME TO INDUCE FURTHER SPREAD.

>> DOES THE AMOUNT OF VACCINES THAT ARE BEING ADMINISTERED COUNTERBALANCE ANY OF THIS?

MEANING, IS IT KEEPING UP WITH THE RATE OF SPREAD?

>> NOT YET.

WE ARE IN A VERY AGGRESSIVE POSITION IN PRESIDENT BIDEN'S ADMINISTRATION GETTING RAMPED UP WITH THE VACCINE.

PLACES ARE RAMPING UP TO GIVE THE VACCINE SHOTS AS RAPIDLY AS POSSIBLE.

VERY GOOD NEWS ON SURVEYS WERE PEOPLE ARE WILLING TO GET THE VACCINE.

THEY NEED TO GET ALMOST EVERYONE VACCINATED BECAUSE THE VACCINE DOES NOT HAVE PERFECT EFFICACY.

WITH THE NEW VARIANCE, WE MAY LOWER EFFICACY.

SO.

>> WE DO NOT WANT TO SEE A SUPER SPREADER ON THAT DAY.

ALL RIGHT, DR. WEISS, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

PLEASURE BEING WITH YOU AGAIN.

>> THOSE WARNINGS AND CONCERNS ASIDE, ABOUT A QUARTER OF ADULTS SURVEYED ACROSS THE COUNTRY SAID THEY WON'T GET A VACCINE.

A NEW MONMOUTH UNIVERSITY POLL FINDS 25% OF RESPONDENTS SAID UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCE WILL THEY GET A SHOT.

50% SAID THEY WOULD LIKE TO BE VACCINATED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

THE POLL FINDS MOST OF THE VACCINE HAS HESITANCY DRIVEN BY PARTISANSHIP, BUT THERE IS ALSO A LACK OF TRUST IN GOVERNMENT.

FOR BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES AMONG THOSE HARDEST HIT BY THIS PANDEMIC, THAT FEELING IS OFTEN COMPOUNDED BY THIS NATIONS HISTORY OF EXPERIMENTAL MEDICAL PRACTICES ON MINORITY RESIDENTS.

GETTING THE WORD OUT THAT THE VACCINE IS BOTH SAFE AND EFFECTIVE IS NO EASY TASK.

CORRESPONDENT MICHAEL HILL DECIDED TO TAKE US ALONG FOR HIS VACCINATION JOURNEY, HOPING TO SHED A LITTLE LIGHT ON THE PROCESS.

>> Reporter: IT'S VACCINATION DAY FOR ME.

AT THIS RECREATION CENTER HERE.

I MADE AN APPOINTMENT ONLINE YESTERDAY IN THE MEDICAL PORTAL.

AS SOON AS THEY PUT IT ONLINE, I MANAGED TO GET AN APPOINTMENT FOR 9:00 THIS MORNING.

I'M ABOUT TO HEAD IN.

TWO I HAVE RESERVATIONS?

OF COURSE I DO.

I WILL EXPLAIN.

I'M INSIDE NOW.

YOU HAVE TO TURN OVER MY DRIVERS LICENSE AND MY INSURANCE CARD TO REGISTER.

SO, HERE WE GO.

HI THERE.

>> HI, HOW ARE YOU?

>> Reporter: MY 89-YEAR-OLD MOTHER LAST APRIL, I WAS IN A LONG-TERM CARE FACILITY CONTRACTED THE VIRUS.

BECAUSE OF HER HEALTH CONDITIONS, SHE REALLY HAD NO CHANCE.

NO CHANCE TO SURVIVE, AND I DON'T WANT THAT SAME FATE FOR ME, BECAUSE OF THE PEOPLE I LOVE AND THE PEOPLE I TAKE CARE OF.

IT HAPPENED TO MY MOTHER, AND I VOW THAT THIS WON'T HAPPEN TO ME.

I HAVE ELEVATED CHOLESTEROL.

I HAVE HYPERTENSION ISSUES.

I HAVE RESPIRATORY ISSUES AS WELL.

DO THOSE KINDS CONDITIONS QUALIFY ME TO GET VACCINATED AT THIS TIME QUESTIONS?

>> THAT IS YOUR BODY REACTING AND DEVELOPING ANTIBODIES.

THAT'S A SIMILAR REACTION TO THIS INJECTION IN THE SECOND INJECTION.

WHAT YOU WILL TAKE FOR THAT IS TYLENOL OR MOTRIN TO HELP ALLEVIATE THE SYMPTOMS.

THEY SHOULD NOT LAST MORE THAN A DAY.

OKAY, READY?

JUST RELAX YOUR ARM.

VERY GOOD.

>> I MUST GO TO THE OBSERVATION AREA OVER HERE.

I NEED TO SIT AND WAIT FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES.

MAYBE LONGER FOR SOME PEOPLE IF THEY HAVE ANY KIND OF REACTION.

>> Reporter: NEW JERSEY HAS LOW PERCENTAGES IN THE SINGLE DIGITS OF BLACKS AND BROWNS GETTING VACCINATED.

BECAUSE THEY DON'T TRUST THE SCIENCE.

THEY ARE SUSPECT OF HOW THE VACCINES CAME TO MARKET, OR THEY KNOW THE HISTORY OF EXPERIMENTAL ABUSE OF PEOPLE OF COLOR.

>> WE WANT TO GET THIS VIRUS BEHIND US.

WE HAVE TO VACCINATE 70% OF THE POPULATION.

THAT IS THE STATISTICAL NORM TO CREATE LARGE POPULATION.

OTHERWISE KNOWN AS HERD IMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: THEY JUST REVISE THEIR PORTAL TO MAKE IT EASIER TO GET VACCINATED, AND IN ONE STEP BE REGISTER.

ONCE THE HOSPITAL GETS MORE VACCINES, IT WILL TEXT OR EMAIL YOU A CODE TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT.

>> I WAS IN THE OBSERVATION AREA FOR THESE 15 MINUTES, AND NOW, IT'S BEEN 25 MINUTES.

THAT'S THE TIME I HAVE THE FIRST DOSE OF THE VACCINE.

SO FAR, I HAVE HAD NO REACTION WHATSOEVER.

AND I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO MY SECOND DOSE IN THREE WEEKS.

>> IN ABOUT 10 DAYS HE WILL HAVE A 50% PRODUCTION.

AND THEN AFTER YOUR SECOND DOSE, AND 10 DAYS LATER, YOU'LL HAVE A 95% PROTECTION.

95 IS NOT 100.

ONCE YOU REACH THE 10 DAYS AFTER THE SECOND INJECTION COME YOU FEEL VERY PROTECT DID, BUT IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU DON'T GET CARELESS.

>> Reporter: IN OTHER WORDS, STILL SOCIAL DISTANCE AND WEAR MASKS.

AS FOR ME, FOUR HOURS AFTER GETTING THE FIRST DOSE, STILL FEELING GOOD THAT I'M DOING THE RIGHT THING.

MICHAEL HILL, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> TURNING NOW TO BREAKING NEWS AT THE STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE.

CORRECTIONS OFFICERS ARE BEING A CHARGE TONIGHT FOR ASSAULTING A SERIOUSLY INJURED INMATE AT NEW JERSEY'S ONLY FEMALE PRISON.

THE OFFICERS FROM THE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY COULD FACE YEARS OF THEIR OWN TIME BEHIND BARS.

THE CHARGES WERE FILED IN AN ONGOING INVESTIGATION BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE AFTER AT LEAST SIX WOMEN SAY THEY WERE SEVERELY BEATEN BY THE OFFICERS IN AN INCIDENT LAST MONTH.

OUR SENIOR WRITER, COLLEEN O'DAY IS FOLLOWING THE ANNOUNCEMENT AND JOINS US NOW AT THE LATEST.

COLLEEN, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SAID IT HIMSELF TODAY THAT THIS FACILITY HAS A LONG, AND UGLY HISTORY OF ABUSE.

WHAT PROMPTED THE INVESTIGATION NOW?

>> Reporter: SO, THIS WAS AN INCIDENT THAT BEGAN ON JANUARY 11th IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS EXTENDING INTO THE 12th.

THERE WERE TWO EXTRACTION TEAMS OF OFFICERS, EACH LED BY A SERGEANT THAT WENT TO EXTRACT WOMEN FROM THEIR CELLS.

IN ONE CASE, A WOMAN COMPLIED, BUT STILL, SHE WAS, SHE SUBMITTED THE ALLEGATION.

SHE WAS PUNCHED.

SHE WAS LEFT WITH A FRACTURED EYE SOCKET.

IN ANOTHER CASE, A WOMAN DID NOT COMPLY.

SHE WAS PEPPER SPRAYED.

WHILE SHE WAS HELD UP AGAINST THE WALL, SHE WAS PUNCHED 28 TIMES IN THE FACE, AND SHE HAD BLEEDING AND A CONCUSSION.

SO, THE ALLEGATIONS WERE HERE FOR THE THREE OFFICERS THAT WERE CHARGED.

THE FIRST CHARGE IS WHAT WE HEAR COMING OUT OF THIS INCIDENT.

>> IS HER CRIMINAL CHARGES.

WHAT ABOUT THE OTHER OFFICERS INVOLVED?

WE KNOW THREE THAT WERE MENTIONED IN THE ANNOUNCEMENT TODAY.

>> ATTORNEY GENERAL SAID THAT THE INVESTIGATION IS CONTINUING.

HE SAID THERE WERE MORE THAN TWO DOZEN OFFICERS AND OTHER STAFF, PERHAPS WHO WERE INVOLVED IN THIS INCIDENT.

SO, DEFINITELY MORE CHARGES ARE COMING.

THERE ARE ALSO OTHER VICTIMS.

HE SAID A TOTAL OF SIX THE DEMS.

THESE CHARGES ADDRESSED TWO WOMEN SO FAR.

>> CALLING, WE KNOW THAT LAWMAKERS AS OF LATE HAVE BEEN CALLING FOR THE HEAD OF THE CORRECTIONS DEPARTMENT TO STEP DOWN.

WHAT ARE YOU HEARING ON THE GROUND ABOUT THAT NOW?

DOES IT SEEM LIKE THERE MAY BE SOME SHAKEUP IN LEADERSHIP THERE?

>> SO FAR, TO DATE, THE GOVERNOR HAS CONTINUED TO EXPRESS HIS PORT FOR MARCUS HICKS, THE CORRECTIONS COMMISSIONER.

HE SAID THAT HE HAS BEEN ACTING APPROPRIATELY IN THIS INCIDENT, AND HE HAS SAID HE HAS NOT LOST CONFIDENCE IN HIM.

THAT HAS NOT STOPPED LEGISLATORS FROM BOTH PARTIES AND BOTH HOUSES TO CALL FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO REPLACE HIS.

>> WAS THERE ANY INDICATION TODAY THAT INKS MAY BEGIN TO CHANGE?

SOME OF THESE REFORMS THAT WE TALKED ABOUT IN THE PAST.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO SAY YES.

THERE'S THE LEGISLATIVE HEARINGS.

THERE BEEN ASSURANCES FROM THE MARKET SIX AND OTHERS IN DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS THAT THINGS SHOULD BE CHANGING, AND YOU KNOW, WHEN THIS HAPPENED ON JANUARY 11, WE HAVE NOT REALLY SEEN ANY CHANGES.

>> A LOT OF QUESTIONS STILL AHEAD.

COLLEEN O'DAY, THANKS SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU, BREE.

>> Reporter: 2 MILLION RESIDENTS HAVE SUBMITTED JOBLESS CLAIMS SINCE THE PANDEMIC HAS HIT.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS THE LATEST REPORT AND TODAY'S TOP BUSINESS NEWS.

RHONDA.

>> RIHANNA, THE JOB MARKET IS NOT WHERE WE WANTED TO BE, BUT THE TRENDS ARE MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

FOR THE THIRD STRAIGHT WEEK, FEWER NEW JERSEYANS FILED NEW UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS.

MEANTIME, THE DEPARTMENT SAYS IT CONTINUES TO UPGRADE ITS SYSTEM.

IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO PAY OFF THE EXTENDED FEDERAL UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS APPROVED BY CONGRESS, ABOUT 75,000 WORKERS HAD A LAPSE IN BENEFITS AND ARE STILL WAITING FOR THEIR PAYMENTS.

MORE THAN THREE QUARTERS OF NEW JERSEY BUSINESS LEADERS THINK THE ECONOMY WILL IMPROVE OVER THE NEXT 12 MONTHS.

THAT IS ACCORDING TO A SURVEY BY A SLIM BASED PROVIDENT BANK.

BUT THE CEO, TONY SAYS THERE IS LESS CONFIDENCE ABOUT JOB CREATION.

>> I THINK IT'S ABOUT PEOPLE GETTING REHIRED BACK INTO POSITIONS THAT EXISTED.

WE ALSO DON'T KNOW WHAT THE PARADIGM LOOKS LIKE RELATIVE TO A PEEP HOLE WANT TO OPERATE MORE EFFICIENTLY DOWN THIS PROCESS AND SOME OF THOSE JOBS COME BACK.

MY SENSE IS THAT MAJORITY OF THEM WILL.

IT'S DIFFICULT TO TELL.

>> ANOTHER SURVEY FINDING, REMOTE WORK WILL CONTINUE TO BE A TREND.

A TOP NEW JERSEY CEO IS STEPPING DOWN.

KENNETH FRAZIER, WHO LEADS KENILWORTH BASED MERCK WILL RETIRE IN JUNE.

HE'S BEEN OUTSPOKEN ABOUT COMBATING RACISM IN AMERICA AND PROMOTING DIVERSITY.

WITH HIS RETIREMENT COMES THE REMINDER ABOUT THE LACK OF DIVERSITY IN CORPORATE AMERICA.

ONCE HE DEPARTS, THERE WILL ONLY BE THREE LAKH CEOs LEADING THE FORTUNE 500 COMPANIES.

>> UNIT NEW JERSEY U.S.

SENATOR CORY BOOKER HAS REINTRODUCED HIS BABY BILL WHICH COUNSELED THE GOVERNMENT TO PLACE $1000 IN A SAVINGS ACCOUNT FOR EVERY NEWBORN IN THE U.S.

THE HILL FAILED TO WIN APPROVAL TO LAST CONGRESSIONAL SESSION, BUT HAS A BETTER CHANCE THIS YEAR NOW THAT THERE IS A DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS.

THE SENATE MAJORITY LEADER, CHUCK SCHUMER, IS ONE OF THE SPONSORS.

THE PROCESS WITH INTEREST ABOUT $1000 INVESTMENTS WOULD GROW TO $50,000 BY THE TIME THE NEWBORN TURNS 18, PROVIDING THAT YOUNG ADULT WITH THE NECESSARY FINANCIAL RESOURCES TO HELP FOR COLLEGE, OR TO HELP BUY A HOME.

NOW, HERE'S A LOOK AT TODAY'S TRADING ON WALL STREET.

I AM RHONDA SCHAFFLER.

THOSE WERE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>> THIS WEEKEND, JOIN RHONDA SCHAFFLER TO LOOK AT HOW EMPLOYEES ARE SLOWLY RETURNING TO THE OFFICE.

WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE NOW?

IT IN A POST COVERT WORLD?

SOME COMPANIES SAY THEY ARE PLANNING TO STAY REMOTE PERMANENTLY.

WATCH OUR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL SATURDAY MORNINGS AT 10:00 A.M. >>> THE FATE OF A CONTROVERSIAL PIPELINE IS HEADING FOR THE NATION'S HIGHEST COURT , AND IT COULD BECOME A FACTOR IN ALL FUTURE PIPELINE CONSTRUCTION ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

THE U.S. SUPREME COURT ON WEDNESDAY AGREED TO HEAR AN APPEAL OF THE PIPELINE COMPANY WHICH IS PLANNING TO BUILD A $1 BILLION, 120 MILE NATURAL GAS PIPELINE FROM THE MARCELLA SHELL REGION IN PENNSYLVANIA STRAIGHT ACROSS THE DELAWARE INTO MERCER AND HUNTERDON COUNTIES.

THE QUESTION IS WHETHER THE COMPANY CAN USE EMINENT DOMAIN TO TAKE STATE LAND TO BUILD A PIPELINE.

THE PLAN WAS PROPOSED TO BRING MORE NATURAL GAS TO THE NORTHEAST, BUT THE DEMAND FOR FOSSIL FUELS IS GROWING.

CRITICS ARGUE, PIPELINES LIKE THIS ONE HURT ECOSYSTEMS AND CONTRIBUTE TO CLIMATE CHANGE.

>>> FINALLY TONIGHT, AFFECT AND ACCESSIBLE TREATMENTS ARE ALSO KEY PARTS OF THE SOLUTION TO THIS PANDEMIC.

SOME PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES ARE SHIFTING THEIR FOCUS BACK TO THERAPEUTICS.

NOW, THE VACCINE DISTRIBUTION IS UNDERWAY.

NEW STUDIES HAVE SAID MERIDIAN HEALTH IS FINDING DRUGS ONCE CONSIDERED CONTROVERSIAL ARE NOW PROVING TO BE HIGHLY BENEFICIAL FOR PATIENTS.

WITH ROUGHLY A YEAR OF THE PANDEMIC UNDER OUR BELT, HEAVILY INVOLVED IN OUR COVID TREATMENTS?

SR.

CORRESPONDENT, BRENDA FLANAGAN TAKES A DEEPER LOOK.

>> SOMEBODY SHOULD TAKE A LOOK AT THIS, IS WHAT THEY ARE SAYING.

>> Reporter: IT'S A MEDICAL HEADS-UP FOR DR. DANIEL VARGA.

RESEARCHERS AT MERIDIAN HEALTH STUDY HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE, THE POLITICALLY CHARGED COVID THERAPY PROMOTED BY THE FORMER PRESIDENT THAT DISCOUNTED BY THE FDA.

TURNS OUT, THE LIMITED SURVEY SHOWS IT MIGHT BENEFIT CERTAIN COVID PATIENTS.

>> WE NOTICED THAT THERE'S A CORRELATION BETWEEN GETTING HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE AND NOT HAVING TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL.

>> Reporter: HACKENSACK MERIDIAN DATABASES HAVE STUDIED THE OUTCOMES OF MORE THAN 1200 PATIENTS WITH MILD SYMPTOMS.

ABOUT 100 OF THEM GOT HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE, AND OF THOSE, JUST 22% REQUIRED SUBSEQUENT HOSPITALIZATION.

COMPARE THAT TO THE REST.

ABOUT 31%, ABOUT ONE IN THREE OF THOSE WHO DID NOT RECEIVE THE DRUG NEEDED TO BE HOSPITALIZED.

IT'S AN UNEXPECTED RESULT, GIVEN WHAT OTHER RESEARCHERS HAVE FOUND ABOUT HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE.

>> IT DOES NOT HELP.

BUT, YOU KNOW THAT HAPPENS WITH A LOT OF DIFFERENT DRUGS.

YOU'RE TRYING TO FIND THE CLINICAL POPULATION FOR WHICH IT WORKS.

SHOULD WE DEFINITIVELY MAKE SURE EVERYBODY GETS TREATED WITH HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE?

I THINK THE ANSWER WOULD BE NO.

>> Reporter: BUT IT SETS OF NEW RESEARCH AS NEW THERAPIES POP UP TO COMBAT THE NEW VIRUS.

POLITICS, IN PARTICULAR, USED HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE FROM THE START.

DONALD TRUMP USED IT AS ONE OF THE BIGGEST GAME CHANGERS IN THE HISTORY OF MEDICINE.

IN MARCH, THE FDA GRANTED EMERGENCY USE AUTHORIZATION FOR THE ANTIMALARIAL DRUG AS A COVID THERAPY.

>> I FEEL, AS THE EXPRESSION GOES, WHAT DO WE HAVE TO LOSE?

>> Reporter: MANY DOCTORS CONCLUDED VALID SCIENCE SHOWED IT WAS NOT EFFECTIVE IN TREATING COVID.

IN JUNE, THE FDA FOUND HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE'S UNLIKELY TO BE EFFECTIVE IN TREATING COVID-19.

IN LIGHT OF ONGOING SERIOUS CARDIAC ADVERSE EVENTS, OTHER POTENTIAL SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS, IT REVOKED AUTHORIZATION.

HACKENSACK STUDY FOUND NO CARDIAC SIDE EFFECTS.

HE NOTED IT'S POLITICS IS NOT ALWAYS HELPFUL.

>> IT HURTS BECAUSE THESE THINGS NEED SERIOUS, DELIBERATIVE QUESTIONING.

NOT, YOU KNOW, KNEE-JERK SORTS OF REACTIONS TO THE FIRST OBSERVATION SOMEBODY FINDS.

>> Reporter: HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE IS NOT A STANDARD OUTPATIENT TREATMENT, BUT THERE ARE MEDICATIONS DOCTORS USED TO TREAT THE FORM PRESIDENT FOR COVID-19 AT HOLY NAME.

DOCTORS SAY THE IV INFUSIONS HELP CUT THE NUMBER OF HIGH- RISK COVID PATIENTS WHO END UP HOSPITALIZED FROM 14 TO JUST 6% SINCE DR. THOMAS BURCH.

>> WE HAD THE FIRST REALLY EFFECTIVE THERAPY FOR COVID, AND WE HAVE TRIED SO MANY DIFFERENT THINGS, AND THIS IS THE FIRST ONE THAT REALLY MAKES A PROFOUND DIFFERENCE.

>> Reporter: MORE THAN 600 INFUSIONS SO FAR, HE SAYS WITH REMARKABLE ABILITY TO STOP THE VIRUS WITHIN 48 HOURS.

ESPECIALLY IF IT IS GIVEN EARLY ON.

>> IT REALLY SHUTS IT DOWN AND ALLOWS THE IMMUNE SYSTEM TO ELIMINATE IT.

IT LEADS TO RAPID DECREASES IN VIRAL LOAD IN THE NOSE, AND PEOPLE FEEL BETTER SOONER.

>> Reporter: BURCH RECOUNTED ONE VERY SICK PATIENT WHO RECEIVED TREATMENT.

>> TWO DAYS LATER, HE STARTED LIFTING WEIGHTS AND SAID I AM RESTORED.

HE WAS 91 YEARS OLD.

>> Reporter: HE OFFERS THE TREATMENT WITH NO OUT-OF-POCKET COST WITH PATIENTS WHO BENEFIT MOST.

I AM BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT.

THE CATCH UP ON ALL THE BIG STORIES FOR THE WEEK AT THE REPORTERS ROUNDTABLE WITH DAVID CRUISE LIVE TOMORROW MORNING AT 10:00 A.M. ON THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

SHOW KICKS OFF A REPUBLICAN SENATOR ON THE GOVERNORS CURFEW LIFT, AND WHY HE SAYS IT DOES NOT GO FAR ENOUGH.

THEN SEASONED REPORTERS WAY ON THIS WEEK'S HEADLINES.

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL SO YOU NEVER MISS A THING.

I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI.

FROM THE ENTIRE NEWS TEAM, THANKS FOR BEING THE BEST.

SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>> MGM INSURANCE GROUP, SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

PS ENG, WE MAKE THINGS WORK FOR COMMUNITIES.

AND, HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY.

AN INDEPENDENT LICENSEE OF THE BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION.

>> THE WORLD LIES ENTIRELY ON GREEN ENERGY.

LOCATED OFF THE COAST OF ATLANTIC CITY, THE OCEAN WHEN PROJECT WILL PROVIDE RENEWABLE OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY.

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

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