>>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR NJTV NEWS IS PROVIDED IN PART BY -- NJM INSURANCE GROUP, SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

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 .

>> THANKS FOR JOINING US TONIGHT, I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

AS THE DUST SETTLES FROM THIS WEEK'S PRIMARY ELECTION, WE ARE STARTING TO GET A CLEARER VIEW OF WHAT THE GUBERNATORIAL RACE WILL LOOK LIKE.

FORMER STATE ASSEMBLYMAN JACK CIATTARELLI CHALLENGES GOVERNOR MURPHY FOR HIS FEET AND LOOKS TO MAKE GOOD ON HIS SECOND BID FOR THAT POSITION.

EARLY REPORTS SHOW MURPHY BROKE A RECORD TUESDAY, RECEIVING THE MOST VOTES CAST FOR A GUBERNATORIAL PRIMARY IN STATE HISTORY.

THAT IS NOT A DETERRENT FOR REPUBLICAN NOMINEE JACK CIATTARELLI, WHO DEFEATED THREE OTHER OPPONENTS AND A STAUNCH LOYALIST OF PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP.

HE SAYS HE'S RUNNING AS A LINCOLN REPUBLICAN, THE MORE MODERATE WING, BUT DOES HE HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO MOVE VOTERS IN AN INCREASINGLY BLUE STATE?

HE WENT ON THE MARKET TODAY IN ONE HAVE HIS FIRST INTERVIEWS SINCE THE PRIMARY WING.

>> Reporter: CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR VICTORY TUESDAY NIGHT.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, WE WORKED VERY HARD OVER THE COURSE OF OUR 16 MONTH MEMORY CAMPAIGN.

HAPPY WITH THE RESULT.

NOW IT IS TIME FOR A ONE-ON-ONE.

>> Reporter: ONE THEME OF YOUR CAMPAIGN SO FAR HAS BEEN PHIL MURPHY DOESN'T COME FROM NEW JERSEY, UNLIKE YOU, THAT HE IS A TRANSPLANT AND NOT SOMEHOW, THAT MAKES HIM OUT OF TOUCH.

WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO SAY THERE?

>> ANYONE WHO STANDS UP AND DECIDES TAXES ARE YOUR ISSUE, PROBABLY NOT YOUR STATE, GOVERNOR MURPHY SAID THAT, ANYONE WHO STANDS UP AND SAYS YOU WANT TO MAKE NEW JERSEY THE CALIFORNIA OF THE EAST COAST, HE SAID THAT, I AM GOING TO QUESTION THE NEW JERSEY ROOTS, AND THE PEDIGREE.

EVEN THE WAY PHIL MURPHY IT'S PIZZA IS DIFFERENT.

>> Reporter: THE STATE IS AWASH IN CASH AT THE MOMENT, WE ARE STARING AT $10 BILLION IN EXCESS REVENUES, LARGELY, IN PART, THANKS TO THE FEDERAL STIMULUS PLAN.

WHAT WILL YOU DO WITH THE $10 BILLION SURPLUS IF YOU WERE GOVERNOR.

>> YOU KNOW I SUED THE GOVERNOR TO PREVENT THE BORROWING, BECAUSE WE DIDN'T THINK HE HAD TO DO WITH IT.

IF HE USED THE ONES OUT OF OLS, HE DIDN'T HAVE TO BORROW A DIME, WENT AHEAD AND BORROWED FOR THE HALF MILLION DOLLARS, NOW WE GOT A 4 1/2 BILLION DOLLARS SURPLUS.

WHEN YOU ADD THE 6 MILLION WE GOT WITH JOE BIDEN, HE IS SITTING ON $10 BILLION.

I WOULD BE WORKING WITH OUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS ALL AROUND THE STATE TO MAKE SURE THERE ARE SUMMER ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS FOR ALL THE LEARNING LOST THAT TOOK PLACE OVER THE PAST YEAR WHEN HE DIDN'T SHOW ANY LEADERSHIP IN GETTING OUR CHILDREN BACK TO SCHOOL.

I WOULD ALSO BE WORKING WITH SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO ENSURE THEIR AIR VENTILATION SYSTEMS ARE STATE OF THE ART, SO THERE IS NO REASON FOR OUR SCHOOLS NOT TO BE OPEN COME SEPTEMBER.

NEXT THING I WOULD BE DOING IS REPLENISHING OUR TRUST FUNDS SO THERE WOULD HAVE TO BE ANY PAYROLL TAX INCREASES COME THIS JULY.

WITH REGARD TO THE $4 BILLION SURPLUS, I WOULD BE GIVING BACK MONEY TO THE PEOPLE OF NEW JERSEY, LET'S GET THEM A TAX REFUND.

HE RAISED TAXES, HE DIDN'T HAVE TO, HE BORROWED MONEY, GIVE IT BACK.

>> Reporter: IT LOOKED LIKE IT WAS GOING TO BE DIRE BACK THEN.

THE BORROWING MADE SENSE WHEN HE BORROWED, DID IT NOT?

>> YOU WERE ON THE SCENE WHEN THE GREAT RECESSION HIT, WE HAD A REVENUE, WE CLOSED A $6 BILLION BUDGET GAP WITHOUT RAISING TAXES OR BORROWING A DIME.

THIS GOVERNOR DECIDED HE DIDN'T WANT TO TIGHTEN THE BELT, HE WANTED TO BORROW MONEY TO BALANCE OUR STATE BUDGET, WHICH OUR CONSTITUTION SAYS IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

THE SUPREME COURT DIDN'T AGREE.

>> Reporter: THERE ARE 1 MILLION MORE REGISTERED DEMOCRATS THAN REPUBLICANS, JUST IN RECENT YEARS, THE DEMOCRATS HAVE ADDED 200,000 TO THE REPUBLICANS' 100,000, HOW DO YOU CARRY A CAMPAIGN ON TO VICTORY IN THAT CLIMATE?

>> THERE MAY BE MORE DEMOCRATS, BUT THEY ARE NOT STUPID.

PHIL MURPHY'S DECISIONS HAVE FAILED US, AND HIS TAX POLICIES ARE RUINING THE ECONOMY, IT IS GOING TO HAPPEN.

BUT YOU ALSO KNOW AS A STUDENT OF POLITICAL HISTORY, REPUBLICANS HAVE WON SIX OF THE LAST 10 GUBERNATORIAL ELECTIONS HERE IN NEW JERSEY.

OVER THAT SAME SPAN, EVERY TIME A DEMOCRAT TOOK THE WHITE HOUSE, GUESS WHAT HAPPENED?

NEW JERSEY ELECTED A REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR.

LET ME BRING UP ONE OTHER THING, PHIL MURPHY LOST HIS MIDTERMS.

TWO YEARS AGO, REPUBLICANS DID SOMETHING WE HADN'T DONE IN 28 YEARS.

WE PICKED UP SEATS IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE.

I THINK ALL THAT SAYS THAT I AM IN PRETTY GOOD SHAPE.

THERE IS A LOT OF HARD WORK, BUT I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO THE RACE.

>> Reporter: WE WILL BE WATCHING, IT LOOKS LIKE AN INTERESTING MATCH UP.

>> JUST AFTER SECURING HIS OWN NOMINATION THIS WEEK, HE ENDORSED FORMER U.S. SENATE CANDIDATE BOB YOU CAN AS THE NEXT LEADER OF THE STATE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

THAT BLESSING ALL BUT SEALED THE DEAL FOR A FORMER FORTIS THE MICHAEL X WHO LOST HIS BID TO UNSEAT BOB MENENDEZ IN 2018 AND SPENT A WEEK IN THE EFFORT USING $36 MILLION OF HIS OWN MONEY ON THE RACE.

IN A STATEMENT, CIATTARELLI CALLED HIM THE BEST POSSIBLE LEADER FOR THE GOP AT THIS TIME.

HE HAS ALSO SECURED THE ENDORSEMENT OF THE CURRENT HEAD OF THE REPUBLICAN STATE COMMITTEE.

THE PARTY IS SCHEDULED TO FORMALLY VOTE HIM IN ON JUNE 15th.

>>> NEW COVID-19 RELATED CONCERNS ARE RISING THIS WEEK.

PLANS ANNOUNCED YESTERDAY BY THE CDC TO HOLD AN EMERGENCY MEETING JUNE 18th, LOOKING INTO RARE BUT HIGHER THAN EXPECTED REPORTS OF HEART INFLAMMATION IN YOUNG MEN WHO HAVE RECEIVED THE MODERNA AND PFIZER VACCINES.

THE AGENCY IDENTIFY 226 REPORTS THAT MIGHT MEET ITS WORKING CASE DEFINITION OF THE HEALTH CONDITION, THOUGH THAT NUMBER REPRESENTS A SMALL FRACTION OF THE TENS OF MILLIONS WHO HAVE BEEN FULLY VACCINATED IN THE U.S. ACROSS NEW JERSEY, MORE THAN 4 1/2 MILLION RESIDENTS ARE FULLY IMMUNIZED AS THE CASE COUNT CONTINUES DROPPING, 190 FOR NEW CONFIRMED TESTS AND FOUR ADDITIONAL DEATHS REPORTED TODAY.

BUT AS RESTRICTIONS LIFT AND THE PACE OF VACCINATIONS FLOWS, THE RISE OF A NEW COVID-19 VARIANT HAS MANY HEALTH EXPERTS PARADE.

THE DELTA STRAIN, FIRST IDENTIFIED IN INDIA, IS NOW GLOBAL AND HERE IN THE STATE.

BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS.

>> WE ARE NOT DEALING WITH THE SAME VIRUS LAST YEAR, THIS IS A MORE DANGEROUS VIRUS.

>> Reporter: DR. SHARIF SUSPECT THIS NEW DELTA VARIANT PROBABLY FLEW INTO THE AIRPORT AFTER IT AROSE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WORLD WHERE IT IS NOW KILLING MORE THAN 600,000 PEOPLE EVERY DAY IN INDIA.

THE DELTA STRAIN NOW DOMINATES NEW UK COVID-19 INFECTIONS BY MORE THAN 90%.

IN NEW JERSEY, VIRAL SEQUENCING FOUND THE VARIANT IN 30 CASES, AN ESTIMATED 3% OF NEW COVID-19 INFECTIONS HERE.

HEALTH EXPERTS WANT YOU TO KNOW THE SIGNIFICANCE.

>> THIS IS POTENTIALLY WHAT IS GOING TO CAUSE THE NEXT BIG WAVE OF COVID-19.

IT IS MORE CONTAGIOUS THAN WHAT WE HAVE SEEN IN THE PAST, IT IS MORE SEVERE, SO, THERE IS A HIGHER HOSPITALIZATION RISK.

>> Reporter: WHO IS MOST AT RISK?

DATA SHOWS DELTA VARIANT CASES TRIPLED IN SCHOOL KIDS AGED SEVEN TO 11.

KIDS TOO YOUNG TO BE VACCINATED.

>> WE ARE ALREADY SEEING THE CASE RATES ARE HIGHER IN SCHOOLCHILDREN THAN ANY OTHER GROUP, AND WHILE IT MIGHT NOT BE AS SEVERE FOR CHILDREN IN TERMS OF RISK OF DEATH, THERE IS STILL, WE ARE FINDING, AND A OF CASES NOW IN CHILDREN, WE HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THAT WILL MEAN AS THEY CONTINUE TO GROW OLDER.

>> PEOPLE GET SICKER THAN THE ORIGINAL STRAIN.

>> Reporter: THE DELTA STRAIN'S MUTATED INTO A FORM MORE EFFICIENT AT INFECTION.

SIX CASES ARE DELTA VARIANT.

>> IT HAS CHANGED, THE VIRUSES HAVE CAMOUFLAGED, AND IT HAS FOUND A CAMOUFLAGE THAT IS A LITTLE BETTER AGAINST OUR IMMUNITY THAN THE OLD VIRUSES.

THIS IS DEVOLUTION.

>> Reporter: THEY DON'T WORK QUITE AS WELL AGAINST DR. AND PFIZER VACCINES IS 64% EFFECTIVE AGAINST THE ORIGINAL VIRUS, 94% AFTER THE SECOND DOSE.

BUT A RECENT STUDY SHOWS AGAINST THE DELTA STRAIN, PFIZER IS JUST 33% EFFECTIVE AFTER A SINGLE DOSE.

HOWEVER, THE SECOND SHOT BOOSTS THAT PROTECTION TO 88%.

>> IT IS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT TO GET THAT SECOND DOSE, WHILE THERE IS SOME PROTECTION, IT IS THE SECOND DOSE THAT REALLY BOOSTS AND GETS YOU WHERE YOU WANT TO BE.

>> Reporter: DR. EDWARD LIFSHITZ IMPLORED PEOPLE WHO GOT THEIR FIRST DOSE, BUT BLEW OFF GETTING A FOLLOW-UP SHOT, TO RECONSIDER.

>> IT IS NOT TOO LATE, IF YOU ARE MORE THAN THE FOUR WEEKS PAST, YOU THINK, OH, I HAVE ALREADY MISSED A MONTH, WHY BOTHER NOW?

I WOULD STILL ENCOURAGE YOU, EVEN WITH THAT DELAY, IT IS LIKELY THAT SECOND DOSE WILL HOST THOSE ANTIBODIES AND WILL GIVE YOU EXCELLENT PROTECTION.

>> Reporter: FOR FOLKS WHO RESIST GETTING VACCINATED, IT IS A STRUGGLE, BUT THE EPIDEMIOLOGISTS POINT OUT INDIA'S VACCINATION RATE SITS AT 3.4% AND IT IS TRAGICALLY OVERWHELMED BY THE VARIANT.

IN THE U.S., THE PRESIDENT SET A GOAL OF VACCINATING 70% OF ADULTS BY JULY 4th, THE SAME TARGET THE GOVERNOR WANTS TO HIT IN NEW JERSEY.

THAT IS WITH JUST ONE DOSE.

NEW JERSEY'S DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH IS USING PAMPHLETS, RADIO SPOTS, AND PHONE CALLS TO AGGRESSIVELY ALERT THE 8% OF NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS WHO SKIPPED THEIR SECOND SHOT.

THIS RACE, VACCINE VERSUS VIRUS VARIANT, IS NOW A MARATHON.

>> I HAVE MANY COLLEAGUES WITH FAMILY IN INDIA, AND I AM VERY OPTIMISTIC WE ARE NOT GOING TO GET INTO THAT SITUATION AGAIN, THANK GOODNESS.

THIS DISEASE IS STILL OUT THERE, IT IS NACVE TO PRETEND IT IS NOT.

>>> WITH JUST A HANDFUL OF DAYS LEFT ON THE SCHOOL CALENDAR, PARENTS OFFERED EMOTIONAL TESTIMONY THIS MORNING DETAILING WORRIES ABOUT THE MASK MANDATE, STILL IN PLACE FOR STUDENTS.

DURING A FACEBOOK LIVE EVENT HOSTED BY S&P MINORITY LEADER JON BRAMNICK, PARENTS AND COMMUNITY ACTIVISTS BLASTED THE GOVERNOR FOR KEEPING THE REQUIREMENT IN SCHOOLS.

EVEN ASKED MASKING AND SOCIAL DISTANCE RESTRICTIONS LIFTED IN JUST ABOUT EVERY OTHER SECTOR OF LIFE.

THEY POINTED TO THE PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF MASK WEARING ON YOUNG KIDS AND THOSE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS, IT IS NOT THE ONLY CHALLENGE SCHOOLS WILL FACE WHEN STUDENTS HEAD BACK IN PERSON THIS FALL.

DISTRICTS HAVE A BETTER SENSE OF HOW MUCH LEARNING LOSS STUDENTS EXPERIENCED DURING THE PANDEMIC.

HE NEW REPORT COMPILED TEST ASSESSMENTS AND IT DOESN'T PAINT A PRETTY PICTURE.

EDUCATION WRITER AND FOUNDING EDITOR JOHN MOONEY HAS THE DETAILS.

THIS IS REALLY THE FIRST TIME THAT ANY OF THESE DISTRICTS ARE GETTING A LOOK AT THIS IMPACT, AND OVERALL, WHAT DO WE KNOW?

>> IT WAS A REALLY INTERESTING EXERCISE, THE STATE IS, AS YOU KNOW, THE STATE TESTING IS CALLED SLA, BUT THEY WANTED TO CONTINUE TO GET SOME INFORMATION ON HOW KIDS WERE DOING.

SO, THEY ASKED DISTRICTS, THEY REQUIRE DISTRICTS TO SUBMIT THEIR OWN LOCAL ASSESSMENT DATA ON STUDENTS.

DATA TAKEN OVER THE COURSE OF THE YEAR.

SUBMITTED THAT TO THE STATE, SO THERE WOULD AT LEAST BE SOME KIND OF MEASURE, AND LOCAL DISTRICTS HAD SAID THEY ARE MEASURING BEST.

AND, YOU KNOW, IT SHOWED, UNFORTUNATELY, WHAT WE HAVE KNOWN ABOUT OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM, NOT JUST IN NEW JERSEY, BUT REALLY NATIONWIDE FOR A LONG TIME.

THERE ARE WIDE GAPS, FIRST OF ALL, THERE ARE A LOT OF KIDS WHO AREN'T DOING PARTICULARLY WELL, THIS CASE, A THIRD OF KIDS WERE BELOW GRADE LEVEL.

AT LEAST IN THE ASSESSMENTS.

AND THEN, THERE IS PARTICULARLY WIDE GAPS WITH BLACK STUDENTS AND HISPANIC STUDENTS AND THE STUDENTS WITH LIMITED ENGLISH.

IS SO, IT IS A DATA POINT, IT IS A SNAPSHOT IN TIME, IT IS NOT NECESSARILY ENCOURAGING.

>> WHAT DO DISTRICTS DO WITH THIS INFORMATION NOW THAT THEY HAVE IT AND NOT A SURPRISING THAT LEARNING LOSS HIT THAT POPULATION OF STUDENTS JUST LIKE COVID-19 HIT THE SIMILAR DEMOGRAPHIC OF COMMUNITIES.

>> I THINK IT CERTAINLY REINFORCES THE NEED THAT THERE IS GOING TO HAVE TO BE SOME EXTRAORDINARY STEPS TAKEN.

I DON'T THINK WE CAN JUST WALK BACK IN AND THINK STUDENTS ARE GOING TO BE WHERE THEY WERE WHEN WE LEFT IN JUNE.

THAT IS THE MESSAGE, THAT WE REALLY HAVE LIKELY TAKEN A REAL STEP BACK AND CERTAINLY HAVEN'T CLOSED THESE GAPS.

THERE IS GOING TO HAVE TO BE EXTRAORDINARY MEASURES LIKE SUMMER SCHOOLS AND ACCELERATED PROGRAMS TO AT LEAST HELP THESE KIDS CATCH UP A BIT.

>> THE FEDERAL MONEY COMING, CAN ANY OF THOSE DOLLARS SPENT TO ADDRESS ISSUES LIKE LEARNING LOSS?

>> THAT IS WHAT IT IS FOR, IT IS SUPPOSED TO PAY FOR THESE KIND OF PROGRAMS, AS WELL AS THE REMEDIAL ONES.

THERE IS A LOT OF MONEY, WE ARE TALKING 2+ BILLION DOLLARS.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, HAS ALWAYS.

TO READ HIS FULL STORY AND TAKE A DEEPER LOOK AT THE LEARNING GAPS BETWEEN STUDENTS, HAD TO NJTVNEWS.ORG.

>>> THE IDEA OF A VACCINE PASSPORT REMAINS CONTROVERSIAL IN NEW JERSEY, THE GOVERNOR SIGNED EQUITY ISSUES, SIGNING LEGISLATION TODAY, CREATING A TASK FORCE SOLELY DEDICATED TO STUDYING THE RACIAL AND HEALTH DISPARITIES.

BUT MORE AND MORE BUSINESSES ARE REQUIRING CUSTOMERS TO SHOW PROOF THEY HAVE HAD THE VACCINATION AND SOME INDUSTRIES SAY THEY ARE DONE WAITING FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO COME TO A CONSENSUS ON USING THE HEALTH PASS.

THEY ARE CREATING THEIR OWN VERSION.

>> Reporter: IN ROUGHLY 3 WEEKS, NEW JERSEY HAS CHANGED ITS STATUS FROM NOT THERE YET TO UNDER REVIEW WHEN IT COMES TO CREATING AN APP TO DIGITIZE YOUR VACCINE CARD.

NEW YORK STATE HAS ALREADY DONE IT, PARTNERING WITH IBM WATSON HEALTH TO CREATE EXCELSIOR.

>> IT IS GOOD WE CAN DIGITIZE YOUR VACCINATION, BUT TO THEN USE THAT, THAT GETS YOU INTO SOMETHING, WHEN WE ARE STILL NOT WHERE WE NEED TO BE ON EQUITY, CONCERNS ME.

AND EVEN NOT INTENTIONALLY, TO BE DISCRIMINATORY.

ARE WE CONSIDERING TECHNOLOGY, DIGITIZING THIS SYSTEM, THE ANSWER IS YES.

>> SEVERAL SYSTEMS ARE UNDER REVIEW TO MAKE CONSUMER ACCESS TO THE IMMUNIZATION RECORDS FOR COVID-19 MORE ACCESSIBLE, SO, MORE TO COME ON THAT.

>> Reporter: PRIVATE COMPANIES ARE ONE STEP AHEAD.

ATLANTIC HEALTH HAS PARTNERED TO GIVE ANY PATIENTS VACCINATED IN NEW JERSEY A WAY TO GET A DIGITAL VACCINE CARD.

>> YOU CAN GO TO OUR WEBSITE, WE EXPLAINED THE VACCINE CARD PROGRAM.

>> EASY ACCESS FOR PATIENTS TO GET ACCESS TO THEIR RECORDS AND BE ABLE TO SHARE IT AND HAVE PEACE OF MIND OF HAVING IT.

>> Reporter: CHIEF DIGITAL INNOVATION OFFICER EXPLAINS, ANYONE WITH A SMART PHONE CAN SCAN THE QR CODE TO CERTIFY ITS VALIDATION.

A GREEN CHECK WILL APPEAR, A RELIABLE TOOL FOR BUSINESSES LOOKING TO OPEN BACK UP SINCE VACCINATION CARDS ARE EASILY PORTABLE.

THIS TECHNOLOGY GIVES COMPANIES THE COMFORT OF RELIABLE SOURCE, WHETHER IT IS HEALTHCARE OR STATE LIKE IN NEW YORK.

>> PROCESS, WE CAN VERIFY THAT, AND REALLY, THEY ARE ABLE TO SHARE THAT WITH OUR PARTNER.

FOR PLACES YOU ACTUALLY NEED TO MAYBE USE IT FOR CONVENIENCE OF ACCESS, WHETHER THAT IS LARGE STADIUMS OR AIRPORTS OR TRAVEL, THEY ARE INTEGRATED IN THOSE LOCATIONS, SO YOU CAN SHOW IT TO SOMEONE EASILY ON YOUR PHONE, BUT IF YOU WANT TO SCAN THAT CODE TO STREAMLINE ACCESS, THAT IS WHAT THAT PARTNERSHIP IS ABOUT.

IT IS OUR SECURE SYSTEM, IT IS VERY SECURE AND WE HAVE PARTNERED WITH ONE OF THE LEADING SECURE PLAYERS, IN THIS CASE, YOU ARE ONLY SHARING YOUR VACCINATION RECORD.

>> ANYTIME TECHNOLOGY CAN PROVIDE EASE OF ACCESS AND CONVENIENCE, WE CERTAINLY WELCOME THOSE OPPORTUNITIES.

>> Reporter: NEW JERSEY BUSINESS AND CEO SAYS THERE ARE ABOUT 33% LESS SMALL BUSINESSES IN THE STATE THAN IN JANUARY OF 2020, WHILE THE TECHNOLOGY MAY BE A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, SHE SAYS IT IS NOT THE PRIORITY.

>> THE NUMBER ONE PRIORITY IS WE NEED OUR WORKERS BACK AND WE NEED THEM BACK RIGHT NOW.

>> BUSINESSES NEED TO FIGURE IT OUT, THAT IS NOT WHAT WE ARE ABOUT, WE JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE ATLANTIC IS GIVING PEOPLE DATA.

OVER 1 MILLION PATIENTS A YEAR, WE HAVE GIVEN OVER HALF 1 MILLION VACCINATIONS.

IT IS ABOUT THE CONSUMER BEING EMPOWERED.

>> Reporter: THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING OF WHAT IS POSSIBLE.

>> TODAY IT IS YOUR VACCINATION RECORD, TOMORROW, YOUR MEDICATION AND MEDICAL HISTORY TO SHARE WITH A DIFFERENT DOCTOR.

>>> A FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS FINALLY RELEASING PANDEMIC RELATED SAFETY RULES FOR THE WORKPLACE, AND IT IS NOT GETTING THE REACTION OFFICIALS HOPE IT.

>> Reporter: LABOR ADVOCATES ARE DISAPPOINTED BY THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION'S NEW RULES ON COVID-19 WORKPLACE SAFETY.

THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION, OR OSHA, HAS ISSUED MANDATORY SAFETY RULES AIMED AT PROTECTING WORKERS FROM COVID-19.

BUT THOSE RULES, WHICH REQUIRE EMPLOYERS TAKE STEPS TO REDUCE THE CHANCE OF TRANSMISSION, ONLY APPLY TO WORKERS IN HEALTHCARE SETTINGS.

IT IS A SETBACK FOR LABOR ADVOCATES WHO WANTED BROADER REQUIREMENTS.

ONE UNION LEADER CALLED THE NEW STANDARDS A BROKEN PROMISE TO MILLIONS OF WORKERS.

>>> NEW JERSEY WORKERS WHO HAD TO MISS WORK DUE TO COVID-19 VACCINE SIDE EFFECTS OR BECAUSE THEY HAD TO QUARANTINE COULD BE GETTING RETROACTIVE SICK LEAVE UNDER A NEW BILL.

THE BILL WOULD COVER TWO WEEKS OF SICK LEAVE AND WOULD APPLY TO WORKERS REGARDLESS OF HOW LONG THEY HAVE BEEN EMPLOYED.

IT WOULD BE RETROACTIVE TO THE START OF THIS YEAR AND WOULD CONTINUE UNTIL THE END OF SEPTEMBER.

THE LEGISLATION IS HEADING TO THE FULL SENATE AFTER THE BILL WAS VOTED OUT OF COMMITTEE.

>>> THE FUTURE OF THE CHILDCARE INDUSTRY OF NEW JERSEY WAS THE TOPIC OF AN EVENT TODAY POSTED BY FIRST LADY TAMMY MURPHY.

ADVOCATES SAID THE INDUSTRY NEEDS MORE FINANCIAL SUPPORT.

CONGRESSWOMAN BONNIE WATSON COLEMAN SAYS ONE BIG ISSUE IS LOW PAY FOR BOTH CHILDCARE WORKERS AND CARE FACILITY OWNERS.

>> THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO MAKE A LIVABLE WAGE THEMSELVES.

BECAUSE DURING THIS PANDEMIC, MANY OF THESE CHILDCARE CENTERS PROVIDERS HAVE USED THEIR OWN CREDIT CARDS, HAVE GONE INTO THEIR OWN THAT TO KEEP THINGS GOING.

>> Reporter: OTHERS SPOKE ABOUT THE DIFFICULTY IN FINDING CHILDCARE THAT IS AFFORDABLE.

THE U.S. GOVERNMENT HAS -- IF THE TREATMENT IS PROVEN TO WORK.

A CLINICAL TRIAL IS UNDER WAY.

THE DRUG IS AN ORAL ANTI-VIRAL TREATMENT DESIGNED TO STOP COVID-19 FROM PROGRESSING AND CAN BE GIVEN EARLY ON.

>>> HERE IS A CHECK ON THE WALL STREET NUMBERS TODAY.

>>> JOIN RHONDA FOR THE BUSINESS BEAT WITH A DEEP DIVE ON THE STATE'S HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY AND THE FUTURE BEYOND THE PANDEMIC.

INCLUDING BREAKTHROUGHS IN BIOTECH AND THE EXPANSION OF TELEHEALTH.

YOU CAN FIND IT SATURDAYS AT 5:00 P.M. AND SUNDAY MORNINGS AT 9:30 A.M. >>> OVER THE YEARS, JERZY HAS GOTTEN A BAD RAP UP THE HOME OF ALL-WHEEL REFINERIES, MAJOR AIRPORTS, THE LIST GOES ON.

BUT THIS IS THE GARDEN STATE, WITH MORE THAN 9000 FARMS PUMPING MORE THAN $1 BILLION INTO THE ECONOMY.

IT APPEARS MORE MILLENNIAL'S ARE TALKING THEIR OWN BAD RAP AS TECH OBSESSED CREATURES THE CHALLENGES AND HARD LABOR OF FARM LIFE.

>> Reporter: I AM HERE AT SPRINT RUN DAIRY FOR A SMALL FAMILY OPERATION IS MAKING A BIG IMPACT.

THE MILK PUMPED IN THIS BARN HERE BEHIND ME GOES TO WHOLESALERS AND STORE SHELVES, BUT IT ALSO GOES DIRECTLY TO THE COMMUNITY.

DANIEL HAS A DEGREE IN DAIRY SCIENCE.

HE USED HIS EDUCATION AND PASSION TO TURN HIS FAMILY'S FARM INTO SPRING RUN DAIRY, A BUSINESS THAT IS BOTH TOUGH AND FULFILLING.

>> YOU WAKE UP TO MILK COWS, FEED COWS, TAKE CARE OF THEIR OFFSPRING, TAKE CARE OF THEIR FIELD CROPS THAT ARE GOING TO FEED THE COWS, AND THEN YOU FINISH OFF WITH MILKING COWS AGAIN.

>> Reporter: HE TOOK OVER AT 24, JOINING A GROWING GROUP OF MILLENNIAL'S TAKING OVER FAMILY FARMS.

TODAY HE TURNS 32 AND WORKS ALONGSIDE HIS MOTHER, FATHER, AND FIANCE CHURNING OUT MILK.

>> MOST FARMERS AREN'T TURNING THEIR LAND AND EQUIPMENT AND FARM ENTITIES OVER TO A YOUNG PERSON THAT DOESN'T HAVE A LOT OF KNOWLEDGE, SO, IT REQUIRES YEARS AND YEARS OF WORKING WITH YOUR PARENTS AND YOUR FAMILY OR WHOEVER YOUR FARM REVOLVES AROUND, TAKING THAT KNOWLEDGE AND LIFE EXPERIENCE TO BE ABLE TO MANAGE AND TAKE OVER A FARM.

>> Reporter: IT IS ALL ABOUT CREATING SOMETHING THAT WORKS.

ONE MODERN WAY HE IS REACHING CUSTOMERS IS THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA.

>> THE LIFE BLOOD OF THE FUTURE FARM IS DIVERSITY.

ESPECIALLY IN THE DAIRY INDUSTRY, AGRICULTURE AS A WHOLE IS MOSTLY A COMMODITY CROP.

WE ARE PRICE RECEIVERS, WE TAKE A PRICE RATHER THAN SET A PRICE.

I AM MOVING IN THE DIRECTION WHERE I CAN BOTTLE MY OWN MILK AND SELL IT TO THE PUBLIC, THAT WAY I AM A PRICE CENTER RATHER THAN A PRICE TAKER.

>> Reporter: A MOVE HE MADE WHEN MANY FARMERS WERE FORCED TO DUMP MILK BECAUSE OF A BOTTLENECK IN PROCESSING AND BOTTLING PLANTS FORCED TO SHUT DOWN.

COWS WERE STILL PRODUCING MILK AND DAN THOUGHT IT WOULD TO PIVOT TO KEEP THE BUSINESS AFLOAT AND HELP HIS COMMUNITY THAT FACED MILK SHORTAGES.

>> THE PANDEMIC HAS ALTERED HOW WE ARE DOING IT BECAUSE WE WERE ALWAYS JUST SELLING MILK AS A COMMODITY, NOW WE ARE PROCESSING IT SO WE CAN SELL IT TO NEIGHBORS AND FRIENDS AND COMMUNITY.

WE ARE REALLY REACHING OUT, GIVING PEOPLE THE ABILITY TO COME RIGHT TO THE FARMER, HAVE THAT CONNECTION WITH THE LOCAL FARMER TO SEE RIGHT WHERE THEIR FOOD IS PRODUCED.

>> OUR FARMERS ARE THE MOST INNOVATIVE IN THE WORLD IN NEW JERSEY, WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT, THAT WE ARE 9 MILLION PEOPLE COMPRESSED IN 5 MILLION ACRES OF LAND.

IN JUNE IS NATIONAL DAIRY MONTH AND SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE PRESENTED THE FAMILY WITH A PROCLAMATION, RECOGNIZING THE SIGNIFICANT IMPACT FARMERS HAVE ON THE STATE ECONOMY AND COMMUNITY.

>> THEY HAVE BEEN AMAZING IN THE FACT THEY DID PIVOT.

WE SAW WHOLESALERS BECOME RETAILERS, WE SAW FARMERS DOING CSA'S AND HAVING HOME DELIVERY AND SCHEDULED TIMES, ANYTHING THEY NEEDED TO DO TO BE ABLE TO GET LOCAL PRODUCTS.

>> Reporter: IT IS VITAL NEW JERSEY DOESN'T LOSE FARMS TO DEVELOPMENT AND THAT STARTS WITH EDUCATION.

>> WE DO FARM TO SCHOOL, FARM TO TABLE, ANY NUMBER OF WAYS TO BE ABLE TO INTRODUCE A YOUNGER GENERATION TO MAKE SURE THEY UNDERSTAND THAT WE CAN PRODUCE THESE THINGS RIGHT HERE IN OUR STATE AND HAVE IT WITHIN OUR US ON YOUR TABLE.

>> Reporter: WITHOUT COMMUNITY SUPPORT, THAT CAN'T HAPPEN.

>>> THAT DOES IT FOR US THIS WEEK, BUT THERE IS PLENTY OF NEWS TO CATCH UP ON.

COLLEEN O'DEA GUEST HOSTS AROUND THE TABLE, WATCH IT SATURDAY AT 6:00 P.M. AND SATURDAY AT 10:00 A.M..

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI, FOR THE ENTIRE NEWS TEAM, THANKS FOR WATCHING, HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

>>> THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

BARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AND THE OCEAN RING PROJECT.