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

MAKING SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

OUR JOB YOU JADE ARNOLD AS .

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AND, LIKE WORSTED, COMMITTED TO THE CREATION OF A NEW LONG- TERM, SUSTAINABLE CLEAN AIR SYSTEM FOR NEW JERSEY.

>>> THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> GOOD EVENING AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US ON THIS INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY.

IS THE PANDEMIC NEWS WE'VE BEEN RATING FOR.

HUGS, VISITS WITH GRANDPARENTS AND INDOOR GET-TOGETHERS WITHOUT MASKS ARE NOW ALLOWED.

BUT ONLY IF YOU ARE TWO WEEKS PAST BEING FULLY VACCINATED AND GATHERING WITH OTHER FULLY IMMUNIZED PEOPLE.

OR, THOSE AT LOW RISK FOR SEVERE DISEASE.

THE LONG-AWAITED GUIDELINES FROM THE CDC LOOSENS SOCIAL RESTRICTIONS AND GIVES US A GLIMPSE AT POST-PANDEMIC LIFE.

SO FAR, MORE THAN 861,000 RESIDENTS MEET THAT CRITERIA, HAVING RECEIVED EITHER THEIR SECOND DOSE OR ONE OF J&J'S SINGLE SHOT VACCINATIONS.

MORE THAN 2.5 MILLION TOTAL SOTS HAVE BEEN PUT IN ARMS FOR THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION TODAY TOUTING THAT EXCESS, HALF 1 MILLION OF THOSE TOTAL DOSES TO LACE AND JUST THE LAST SEVEN DAYS.

THE SUPPLY DEMAND IMBALANCE EXPECTED TO SHIFT DRAMATICALLY IN A MATTER OF WEEKS WITH A STEEPER PARENT FOR MASSIVE SHIPMENT OF NEW DOSES AT THE BEGINNING OF APRIL.

THE CDC ANNOUNCEMENT IS LIKELY TO BE AN ADDED INCENTIVE FOR PEOPLE TO REGISTER FOR THEIR VACCINE.

WHAT DO THE RECOMMENDATIONS MEAN FOR YOU?

OUR RAVENS ANTENNA REPORTS.

>> Reporter: IF YOU ARE A FRIEND OR YOUR FAMILY MEMBER ARE BOTH VACCINATED, YOU CAN HAVE DINNER TOGETHER.

WEARING MASKS WITHOUT DISTANCING.

DINNER WITHOUT DISTANCING, JUST ONE EXAMPLE GIVEN BY THE CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL ON THE NEW COVID-19 VACCINATION GUIDELINES.

THE AGENCY'S GUIDANCE STATES THAT THOSE WERE EARLY VACCINATED CAN GATHER INDOORS WITH OTHER FULLY VACCINATED PEOPLE WITHOUT MASKS OR DISTANCING.

CAN GATHER INDOORS WITH UNVACCINATED PEOPLE FROM ONE OTHER HOUSEHOLD WITHOUT MASKS OR DISTANCING, IF NO ONE IS AT HIGH RISK.

IN THE CDC SAYS YOU SHOULD STILL CONTINUE TO WEAR MASKS UNTIL SOCIAL DISTANCING AND MASK , WHEN VISITING AND VACCINATED PEOPLE FOR MULTIPLE HOUSEHOLD WORK UNVACCINATED PEOPLE AT HIGH RISK.

>> THERE'S STILL A SMALL RISK THAT VACCINATED PEOPLE COULD BECOME WITH MILD OR ASYMPTOMATIC DISEASE.

AND, POTENTIALLY EVEN TRANSMIT THE VIRUS TO OTHERS, WHO ARE NOT VACCINATED.

UNDERSTANDING THE SLIGHT OF THIS RISK IN VACCINATED PEOPLE AND THE RISK OF TRANSMITTING THE VIRUS TO OTHERS OR NOT VACCINATED IS AN ONGOING AREA OF RESEARCH.

>> Reporter: ACCORDING TO THE GUIDES, SOMEONE IS CONSIDERED FULLY VACCINATED TWO WEEKS AFTER RECEIVING THE SECOND DOSE OF THE MODERNA OR PFIZER EXE NOR SINGLE DOSE OF THE J&J VACCINE.

>> SO, OVER 90 % OF THE POPULATION IS NOT YET VACCINATED.

AND IT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE SURE IN THE CONTEXT OF 60,000 CASES A DAY THAT WE PROTECT THOSE WHO REMAIN UNVACCINATED AND REMAIN VULNERABLE.

SO, WE ARE DOING OUR BEST TO DO THAT.

I THINK IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT PEOPLE WHO ARE VACCINATED, THERE IS INCREASING DATA THAT SUGGESTS THEY MIGHT GET BREAKTHROUGH INFECTIONS WITH LESSER AMOUNTS OF DISEASES, LESS THAN DRAMATIC DISEASE.

>> THIS NEW CDC GUIDELINES IS THAT IT GENERALLY DOES NOT APPLY TO PUBLIC SETTINGS, DOES NOT APPLY TO HEALTHCARE SETTINGS IN GENERAL.

>> Reporter: DURING A PRESS CONFERENCE, DR. TINA 10 SUGGESTED THAT THE GUIDELINES ARE A SMALL STEP ON A LONG PATH TO REACH TURNING BACK TO NORMAL.

>> RIGHT NOW, WE ARE NOWHERE NEAR THE DESIGN.

WE ARE NOWHERE NEAR THE COVERAGE THE VACCINATION COVERAGE THAT WE WOULD LIKE.

>> THIS ISN'T A GAME A FREE-FOR- ALL, EVERYBODY RIP OFF YOUR MASKS AND HAVE THE PARTIES.

>> Reporter: ATTENDS WARNINGS OR ECHO DR. STEPHANIE SILVEIRA, DIRECTOR OF HEALTH AT LAPEER STATE UNIVERSITY.

DR. SILVERA SAID IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT AS LONG AS PEOPLE ARE SUSCEPTIBLE, THE VIRUS CAN CONTINUE TO MUTATE AS LONG AS IT HAS A HOST.

>> WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO STARVE THE VIRUS TO POSTS.

IT IS STILL POSSIBLE TO GET MILD OR MODERATE ILLNESS EVEN AFTER YOU ARE VACCINATED.

SO MUCH LIKE WEARING A MASK PROTECTS THE OTHER PERSON, MORE THAN IT PROTECTS YOU, BEING VACCINATED IS THE REVERSE.

SO YOU ARE PROTECT IT WHEN YOU'RE VACCINATED.

YOU HAVE A LOT OF PROTECTION.

BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT EVERYBODY ELSE IS PROTECTED FROM YOU.

YOU CAN STILL POTENTIALLY BE SPREADING THE ILLNESS AND WHAT WE DON'T WANT TO DO IS HAVE A FULLY VACCINATED PERSON COME IN CONTACT WITH SOMEBODY WHO IS UNVACCINATED, AND AT HIGH RISK.

AND SO WHAT THIS PANDEMIC HAS TAUGHT US I THINK FROM THE BEGINNING UNTIL WHERE WE ARE NOW IS WE NEED TO LOOK AT RISK AS A COMMUNITY, AND NOT AS AN INDIVIDUAL.

>> Reporter: IT IS STILL UNCLEAR HOW LONG THE VACCINES WILL PROVIDE IMMUNITY AGAINST THE VIRUS.

DR. TAN AND DR. SAVILLE SAY THEY ARE NOW WORRIED THAT THOSE WHO ARE FULLY VACCINATED COULD STILL BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO COVID VARIANCE.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I'M RAVEN SANTANA.

>>> THAT CDC GUIDANCE DOESN'T TOUCH ON VISITATION AT HER LONG- TERM CARE CENTER AND NURSING HOMES WHERE CASES AND DEATHS HAVE DROPPED SIGNIFICANTLY.

BUT HAVING DISAPPEARED ALTOGETHER.

NEARLY 300 OF THE FACILITIES HAVE AN ACTIVE OUTBREAK AS OF TODAY ACCORDING TO THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT.

THIS, AS THE STATE REPORTS ANOTHER 2200 NEW POSITIVE TESTS , AND 20 MORE LIVES LOST ACROSS THE STATE.

NURSING HOMES WILL LIKELY REMAIN A SENSITIVE SUBJECT WITH GOP LAWMAKERS LAUNCHING A FULL- SCALE ATTACK ON THE GOVERNORS MANAGEMENT OF THE PANDEMIC INSIDE THOSE HOMES.

AS FAMILIES AND ADVOCATES LABOR LAME ON HIS POLICIES FOR CONTRIBUTING TO THE DEATHS OF ROUGHLY 8000 PEOPLE.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS.

>> Reporter: WHAT HAPPENED IN THESE FACILITIES IS A DISGRACE.

ELLIS FLOOR WEPT, FRAMED BY ZOOM AND SHE TOLD AN ALL REPUBLICAN PANEL THE WRENCHING STORY OF HOW ABOUT HOW HER MOTHER DIED ALONE IN A NURSING HOME DURING THE PANDEMIC, ONE OF CLOSE TO 8000 VULNERABLE VICTIMS KILLED BY COVID IN NEW JERSEY LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES.

>> BASICALLY THE FACILITIES WERE LEFT ON THEIR OWN TO MANAGE IN THE RESIDENCE, TO DIE.

>> APPARENTLY, NO ONE GIVES A ABOUT THIS LOSS OF LIFE.

AND THAT IS SHAMEFUL.

AND IT SHOULD BE SAID.

>> Reporter: FRUSTRATED REPUBLICANS ORGANIZE THIS EVENT AFTER DEMOCRAT FAILED TO KEEP THEIR PLEDGE TO CALL BIPARTISAN HEARING ON HOW COVID RAVAGED JERSEYS NURSING HOME POPULATION .

LIKING SUBPOENA POWER, THE PANEL COULDN'T COMPEL ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS TO TESTIFY AND NON-ACCEPTED INVITATIONS.

SO, ANGRY REPUBLICANS VENTED.

BE MAGGIE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION HAS SHOWN NO INTEREST THEMSELVES IN FIGURING OUT WHERE MISTAKES WERE MADE, ADMITTING THAT, AND MAKING SURE THAT WE TAKE CORRECTIVE ACTION.

>> Reporter: THE PANEL POINTED TO SO-CALLED SMOKING GUN, THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH DIRECTED THAT ADVISED NURSING HOMES THEY COULDN'T REFUSE PATIENT'S ADMISSION, EVEN IF THEY TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID.

FOR WITNESS LINDA MORELLA, THAT ORDER PROVED FATAL FOR HER MOM.

>> I BREAK BLAME THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION FOR HAVING THAT ORDER.

TO SEND COVID POSITIVE PATIENTS AND NURSING HOMES.

AND ALSO, THAT THEY COULDN'T BE TESTED.

>> Reporter: THE GOVERNOR'S RESPONSE, PERHAPS NURSING HOMES MADE MISTAKES.

>> IT WAS CRYSTAL CLEAR.

IF YOU WERE GOING TO READMIT A FORMALLY COVID POSITIVE RESIDENT, THEY HAD TO BE SEPARATED BY FLOOR, BY WING, BY BUILDING.

IF YOU CANNOT DO THAT AS A FACILITY, YOU ARE MANDATED TO COVER THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, AND RAISE YOUR HAND AND SAY WE CAN DO THIS.

PLEASE HELP US FIND A DIFFERENT SOLUTION.

NOW DOES THAT MEAN EVERY DIFFERENT OPERATOR DID THE RIGHT THING?

MY FEAR IS THAT SOME DID NOT DO IT.

>> HOW DO YOU REGULA GATE PATIENT, UNLESS YOU KNOW THEY HAVE OR DON'T HAVE COVID IF YOU DON'T TEST THEM?

MAC SENATOR JOE CANNOT SHE SAYS THE PANEL SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON WHAT WENT WRONG, BUT THE ADMINISTRATION CALLS IT NAKEDLY POLITICAL GIVING THE UPCOMING ELECTIONS.

ONE NONPARTISAN ADVOCATE WHO TESTIFIED BEFORE THE PANEL AGREED IT IS ON A POLITICAL MISSION.

>> EVERYONE HAS A POSITION, PEOPLE WANT TO GET ELECTED.

AND OBVIOUSLY, WANT TO BE POWERFUL.

I WAS SURPRISED AT HOW, FROM THE VERY START IT WAS VERY VINDICTIVE, IT WAS VERY CLOSED.

IT HAD A VERY SET AGENDA.

>> Reporter: RICHARD MALIK TESTIFIED SUNDAY THE PANDEMIC ONLY MODIFIED PRE-EXISTING PROBLEMS WITH THE NURSING HOME INDUSTRY, CITING A RECENT GAO STUDY THAT SHOWED 82 % OF THEM HAD POOR INFECTION CONTROL LONG BEFORE COVID.

HE ALSO CRITICIZED WEEK INSPECTIONS AND TOOTHLESS SANCTIONS BY NEW JERSEY'S DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND A LACK OF FEDERAL OVERSIGHT.

>> AND THE FAILURES BY THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION, BY CMS TO ADEQUATELY ADDRESS THESE ISSUES, AND THAT LEFT IT UP TO THE STATES.

AND THAT WAS UNFORTUNATELY, VERY IMPERFECT.

NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH EVERY HOLDS FACILITIES ACCOUNTABLE FOR ENSURING THAT THEY ONLY TAKE IN RESIDENCE AND THEY PROVIDE GOOD CARE FOR.

UNFORTUNATELY, THERE IS PLENTY OF BLAME TO GO AROUND FOR WHAT HAPPENED IN NEW JERSEY NURSING HOMES.

>> Reporter: IS AT MURPHY'S BIGGEST MISTAKE WAS TRUSTING THE NURSING HOME INDUSTRY TO PROPERLY QUARANTINE COVID PATIENTS.

BUT IN INDUSTRY SPOKESMAN MAINTAINS THE NOTION THAT NURSING HOME PROVIDERS COULD'VE PREVENTED COVID-19 FROM ENTERING THEIR BUILDINGS, OR PREVENTED IT SPREAD BY FOLLOWING CDC, CMS AND DOH LINES IS WRONG.

BECAUSE THE EARLY GUIDANCE RELIED ON SYMPTOM-BASED INTERVENTIONS THAT WERE INEFFECTIVE AGAINST THE VIRUS THAT SPREADS THROUGH ASYMPTOMATIC CARRIERS.

THE REPUBLICANS PLAN ANOTHER HEARING MARCH 19 TO EXAMINE THE IMPACT OF MURPHY'S COVID POLICIES ON JERSEY BUSINESSES.

I'M BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> AND WAS A WEEKEND OF WASHINGTON DRAMA WITH THE SENATE NARROWLY PASSING PRESIDENT BIDEN'S $1.9 TRILLION CORONAVIRUS RELIEF BILL.

IT'S AN EARLY SIGNATURE VICTORY FOR BIDEN'S FIRST 100 DAYS IN OFFICE.

AT FIRST, IT WILL NEED FINAL APPROVAL FROM THE HOUSE.

IT IS SET FOR TUESDAY BOAT TO GREENLIGHT THE CHANGES MADE IN THE SENATE.

IF IT PASSES, WHAT IS IN IT FOR JERSEY?

MORE THAN $9 BILLION, TO START, BUT WHO GETS WHAT?

BOB MENENDEZ WAS THERE FOR THE LATE NIGHT VOTE, AND HE JOINS US NOW.

SENATOR, I KNOW IT WAS A LONG WEEKEND.

BUT THE BILL APPEARS POISED TO BE READY FOR SIGNATURE.

WHAT IS IN IT FOR NEW JERSEY?

>> WELL, THIS IS ONE OF THE GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENTS I THINK OF A LONG TIME.

ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT WAYS IN WHICH WE BRING AN END TO THE PANDEMIC AND CREATE RELIEF FOR THE ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES THAT THE PANDEMIC HAS BROUGHT US.

SO, FOR EXAMPLE, ABOUT ALMOST $3.7 MILLION HOUSEHOLD IN NEW JERSEY WILL GET THE $1400 CHECK ON AVERAGE, IT WILL COME OUT TO CLOSER TO $2600 PER HOUSEHOLD.

THAT IS NEARLY 9.6 BILLION DOLLARS THAT WILL COME TO NEW JERSEY WHEN NEW JERSEY FAMILIES.

WE WILL HAVE AN ESTIMATED $10 MILLION IN DIRECT AID TO THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY, AND TO ITS MUNICIPALITIES.

ABOUT $6 BILLION TO THE STATE, AND ABOUT $1.8 BILLION TO THE COUNTIES, AND $1.8 BILLION TO NEW JERSEY CITIES.

AND THEN FINALLY, ONLY BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO CONTINUE TO GO ON, BUT FINALLY, NEW JERSEY HOSPITALS THAT HAD BEEN TREATED DISPROPORTIONATELY WRONG, WE HAVE RECOUPED MONIES THAT THEY SHOULD BE GETTING AS PART OF A PERMANENT FUNDING FIXTURE.

AND OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS ALONE THEY WILL GET ADDITIONAL $170 MILLION -- $107 MILLION.

SO THESE ARE JUST SOME OF THE MANY BENEFITS THAT ARE GOING TO COME TO NEW JERSEY ON HIS FINAL PASSAGE.

>> Reporter: THERE WERE CONCESSIONS THAT HAD TO BE MADE.

WE ARE TALKING MINIMUM WAGE, $15 AN HOUR.

WE ARE TALKING SOME UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS THAT YOUR COUNTERPARTS IN THE HOUSE HAD REALLY PUSHED FOR.

IS THIS THE VERSION OF THE BILL THAT YOU WERE HOPING TO SEE GET THROUGH?

>> WELL, LOOK.

IN A $1.9 TRILLION BILL, WE ARE NOT GOING TO GET EVERY SINGLE THING YOU WANT.

BUT I THINK OVERWHELMINGLY, WHEN YOU LIFT CHILDREN OUT OF POVERTY, WHEN YOU HELP NEW JERSEY, AS A STATE DEAL WITH THE CHALLENGES IT RECEIVED DURING THE COVID CRISIS, AND ECONOMIC SHORTFALLS.

WHEN YOU HELP COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES, WHEN YOU HELP DIRECT FAMILIES TO THE TUNE OF ALMOST $9.5 BILLION, I THINK THIS IS AN ENORMOUS SUCCESS.

AND ONE THAT IS SEWED DEADLY NECESSARY AT THIS TIME.

>> Reporter: VERY QUICKLY, LET'S JUST TALK ABOUT TOMORROW.

THE HOUSE CANNOT AFFORD TO HAVE ANY DEFECTIONS IF THIS IS GOING TO CLEAR ITS WAY TO PASSAGE.

DOESN'T LOOK LIKE THAT WILL HAPPEN?

AND CAN EVERYONE GET ON BOARD WITH THE CHANGES THAT HAD TO BE MADE?

>> I THEY WILL SEE THE GREATER GOOD THAT IS IN THE LEGISLATION.

THERE ARE A FEW TWEAKS TO IT, CERTAINLY LOSING THE $15 MINIMUM WAGE WILL BE DISAPPOINTING, AS IT WAS TO MEET AS SOMEONE WHO VOTED FOR IT.

TOO MANY OF MY HOUSE COLLEAGUES , THEY MAY BE DISAPPOINTED WITH SOME OF THE SHAVING OFF OF THE UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS ALTHOUGH IT WAS EXTENDED FOR A LONGER PERIOD OF TIME.

BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY THEY'RE GOING TO KNOW THAT THIS AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN IS REALLY NEEDED TO DO EXACTLY THAT.

TO RESCUE AMERICAN FAMILIES, TO PUT IN INTO THE PANDEMIC, AND TO BE RIGHT OUR ECONOMY FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE.

>> Reporter: ALL RIGHT, SENATOR BOB MENENDEZ, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.

>> THANK YOU.

>> EXACTLY WHAT FACTORS DETERMINES WHEN OUR STATE REOPENS ONE YEAR TO THE PANDEMIC, BUSINESSES SAY THEY STILL DON'T HAVE AN ANSWER.

>>> AND RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS TONIGHT ANSWERS.

>> Reporter: THE STATES BUSINESS COMMUNITY IS ONCE AGAIN ASKING GOVERNOR MURPHY FOR MORE CLARITY AROUND HER REOPENING PLAN.

IN A LETTER SENT TO THE GOVERNOR, THE GROUP KNOWN AS "NEW JERSEY BUSINESS COALITION" SAYS IT WANTS SPECIFICALLY DATA POINTS AND REOPENING PLANS.

MICHELLE SAYS THE COALITION ALSO WANTS TO SEE AN INCREASE, AND NEW APPROACH TO INDOOR AND OUTDOOR CAPACITY LIMITS.

THERE'S A PERCEPTION OUT THERE THAT OUR ECONOMY IS OPEN, AND WE ARE NOT.

THEIR CONTINUED SIGNIFICANT RESTRICTIONS IN PLACE.

AND THAT IS FOR SMALL BUSINESSES, MAIN STREET BUSINESSES, AS WELL AS CHILDCARE FACILITIES.

>> Reporter: THE COALITION STATES THAT WITHOUT A CLEAR REOPENING PLAN, NEW JERSEY WILL CONTINUE TO SUFFER ECONOMICALLY.

MEANTIME, THE NGA PEACH SAID ON THEIR COMMITTEE IS IN SUPPORT OF 10 BILLS DESIGNED TO HELP NEW JERSEY BUSINESS, INCLUDING LEGISLATION TO PROVIDE MILLIONS IN THE ADDITIONAL SUPPORT TO SMALL BUSINESSES THROUGH THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY.

EVEN WITH CURRENT BUSINESS RESTRICTIONS IN PLACE, TOURISTS ARE EAGER TO GET BACK TO ATLANTIC CITY.

THAT IS ACCORDING TO A SURVEY BY STOCKTON UNIVERSITIES LAURA D LEVINSON INSTITUTE OF GAMING HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM.

THE LEAD RESEARCHES FACULTY MEMBER BILL KENNEDY.

>> 72 % OF THE RESPONDERS THAT THEY PLAN TO VISIT WITHIN THE NEXT SIX MONTHS.

AND OF THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE VISITED, AFTER THE REOPENING, OVER 80 % SAID THEY PLAN TO VISIT IN THE NEXT SIX MONTHS.

SO FORWARD-LOOKING, I THINK IT IS EXTREMELY POSITIVE.

>> Reporter: THAT SURVEY WAS CONDUCTED IN JANUARY AND EVERYWHERE.

THE GATEWAY PROJECT IS TAKEN ANOTHER STEP FORWARD, AMTRAK HAS REPORTED A $25 MILLION CONTRACT TO RELOAD UTILITIES.

THAT'S THE NECESSARY STEP BEFORE WORK BEGINS ON THE HUDSON RIVER TUNNELS.

>>> AND OFFICIAL WITH THE GATEWAY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION SAID HE IS ENCOURAGED BY THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION'S COMMITMENT TO THE PROJECT.

THE APPROVAL, THE LATEST COVID RELIEF PACKAGE SENT STOCKS SOARING, HERE'S A LOOK AT WALL STREET TRADING.

AND THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>>> PROGRESSIVES HAVE BEEN DEBATING THE IDEA FOR YEARS.

THE UNIVERSITY OR GUARANTEED BASIC INCOME, LEVELING THE LAYING FIELD.

IN PATERSON, THE CITY COUNCIL PREPARES READY TO BITE GIVING QUALITY BY FAMILIES MONEY FOR YEAR.

NO STRINGS ATTACHED.

THE LAND COMES AS URBAN MAYORS ACROSS THE COUNTRY GRAPPLE WITH THE EFFECTS OF THE PANDEMIC, LIKELY TO LAST FOR YEARS TO COME.

BUT IS THIS MONEY ENOUGH TO TURN THE TIDE?

LEAH MISHKIN HAS THE STORY.

>> Reporter: THE BILLS HAVE BEEN PILING UP AS A RESULT OF THE PANDEMIC.

>> I JUST STARTED WORKING ON THEM A MONTH AND A HALF AGO.

YEAH.

BECAUSE I HAD ALSO CONTRACTED CORONAVIRUS, SO THAT WAS REALLY, YOU KNOW, IT WAS IN THE WAY.

I COULD WORK FOR A WHILE.

MY MOM WAS ALSO SICK.

SHE DIDN'T CATCH CORONAVIRUS, BUT YOU KNOW, SHE IS OLDER.

SO, IT WAS REALLY HARD.

I HAD TO STOP WORKING.

>> Reporter: BUT WOULD'VE EXTRA $400 A MONTH, NO STRINGS ATTACHED FOR ONE YEAR ME TO THIS MOM OF THREE?

>> THAT WOULD DEFTLY BE A GREAT HELP.

>> ACTUALLY IT'S STEMS FROM DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.'S THIRD AND FINAL BOOK.

WHERE WE GO FROM HERE.

AND THERE HE ADVOCATED FOR A GUARANTEED INCOME.

>> Reporter: PATERSON AND NEWARK ARE CITIES PARTICIPATING IN THIS PROGRAM, WHICH ARE MEANT TO REPLACE THE CITY'S SAFETY NET.

THE PROGRAM LOST IN STOCKTON, CALIFORNIA WERE $125,000 -- PEOPLE GOT $500 A MONTH.

THE RESULT, THE RECIPIENTS OF THE INCOME WERE LESS DEPRESSED, AND THE CASH ENABLED RECIPIENTS TO FIND FULL-TIME EMPLOYMENT.

>> THE DATA SHOWS THAT 40 % OF THE MONEY WENT TOWARDS GROCERIES.

>> Reporter: JENNIFER CLAY SAYS THAT'S WHAT SHE WOULD SPEND THE MONEY.

>> FOR MY TABLE.?

THIS FORMER HEALTHCARE WORKER SAID SHE STOPPED WORKING WHEN SHE GOT COVID LAST YEAR.

>> I WAS IN THE HOSPITAL FOR WEEK.

AFTER THAT I DIDN'T WANT TO GO BACK TO WORK.

>> Reporter: SO HOW TO GET THE MONEY?

PATERSON RESIDENTS CAN APPLY AND A TEAM AT THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA WILL RANDOMLY SELECT 110 PARTICIPANTS TO RECEIVE $400 A MONTH OR ONE YEAR.

>> NO CRITERIA?

>> YES THERE IS A CRITERIA.

INDIVIDUAL CANNOT MAKE MORE THAN $30,000.

THE FAMILY CANNOT MAKE MORE THAN $80,000 IN A FAMILY IS DESIGNED AS A SPOUSE.

>> Reporter: THE CENTER FOR GUARANTEED INCOME RESEARCH AT PENN TOLD US IN A STATEMENT THAT IT GOES TO SEE HOW THE $40 MAY IMPACT PHYSICAL FUNCTIONING MENTAL HEALTH, INCOME VOLATILITY, CONSUMPTION, EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION, FAMILY DYNAMICS.

STRESSING COPING, OPEN MATTERING, HOUSE WHO FOOD SECURITY, AND COVID-19 VARIABLES.

WE MAKE NO, THAT IS NOT ENOUGH.

THAT IS NOT EVEN FOR GROCERIES.

AND THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE STARVING.

>> Reporter: GEORGE CRUZ, WHO WAS ON AND RAISED IN PATERSON SAID THE CITY THE WORST HE IS SEEN IT SINCE 1969 BECAUSE OF THIS PANDEMIC.

>> $400 IS LIKE PENNIES.

I EVERYTHING GOES UP, EVERYTHING GOES UP AND NOBODY DON'T HELP NOBODY SURVIVE.?

OVER HALF $1 MILLION IS COMING FROM THE CEO OF TWITTER SO WE CAN PROVIDE CASH ASSISTANCE TO 110 PEOPLE IN PATERSON.

>> Reporter: APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE OPENED AT THE END OF THE MONTH FOR THE MAYOR SAYS AND THOSE SELECTED WILL GET THERE FIRST INSTALLMENT OF MONEY ON THE DEBIT CARD IN JUNE.

FEMA HOPEFULLY I CAN WIN THE LOTTERY.

>> Reporter: I'M LEAH MISHKIN, FOR IN J SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> MEANTIME IN CAMDEN, THE MAYOR IS STEPPING DOWN.

IN A LETTER TO THE PUBLIC, MAYOR FRANK MORAN ANNOUNCED HIS RESIGNATION EFFECTIVE EIGHT MONTHS BEFORE HIS TERM IS SET TO HIM.

HE SAYS AFTER 30 YEARS AS AN EMPLOYEE HE NEEDS TO TAKE CARE OF HIS PHYSICAL SELF, AND ENJOY HIS FAMILY.

HE TOOK THE HELM AS THE CITY WAS IN THE MIDST OF A MAJOR REVITALIZATION EFFORT, AND WILL NOW NEED TO PULL OUT OF THE PANDEMIC THAT IS DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECTED ITS RESINS.

WHEN YOU DO THE PANDEMIC, HOW ARE OUR KIDS DOING?

EXPERTS SAY STUDENTS ARE SUFFERING FROM MORE INTENSE SYMPTOMS OF ANXIETY, DEPRESSION AND OTHER MENTAL ILLNESS THAN PRE-CORONAVIRUS.

ROUTINES ARE STILL UPENDED, MILESTONES MISSED, AND SOME HAVEN'T SET FOOT INSIDE THE CLASSROOM FOR 12 MONTHS.

HOW ARE THEY COPING?

>> I HAVE BEEN A LITTLE DEPRESSED BECAUSE I WAS TRYING TO LIFT UP MY GRADES AT SCHOOL AND I HATE TO BRING BACK GRADES TO MY MOM AND DAD.

BUT IT IS REALLY TOUGH TO CONCENTRATE AT HOME.

>> I MISS HAVING LUNCH WITH MY FRIENDS, AND HAVING RECESS, AND ALSO JUST BEING IN THE CLASSROOM ALL DAY.

>> Reporter: KIDS REFLECTING AND MARKING THE ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF NEW JERSEY SCHOOLS SHUTTING DOWN DUE TO COVID.

SINCE THEN, SOME ARE BACK IN THE CLASSROOM.

OTHERS HAVE BEEN LEARNING REMOTELY FROM HOME THE WHOLE TIME.

>> I FEEL VERY SAD, AND ALSO IT IS NOT FAIR FOR ME BECAUSE ONE DAY I ASKED MY MOMMY THIS, IF AL CAN GO TO SCHOOL, WHY CAN I?

>> Reporter: LUCAS WHILE STEEN SEES HIS LITTLE SISTER HEAD UP TO PRE-K EVERY DAY EVEN AS HIS TOWN REMAINED CLOSE FOR MOST OF THE SCHOOL YEAR.

HE IS NOW BACK IN A HYBRID MODEL, BUT NOTHING ABOUT IT IS NORMAL FOR HIM.

>> I WANT TO GO FOR A ONE WEEK H DAY FOR FIVE DAYS.

>> Reporter: EVEN HIGH ACHIEVING STUDENTS HAVE FOUND THEMSELVES STRUGGLING THIS YEAR, TRYING TO FOCUS AND NOISY HOME ENVIRONMENTS OR WITH UNRELIABLE TECHNOLOGY.

>> I FELT UNCOMFORTABLE BECAUSE IT IS VERY LOUD BECAUSE OUR DAD IS ON CALLS, AND I CAN'T REALLY UNDERSTAND MY TEACHERS WELL.

WHEN MY TEACHER TALKS.

AND SHE IS CLICKING, AND I CAN'T HEAR IT.

AND I AM TOO EMBARRASSED TO ASK HER TO SAY THAT AGAIN.

>> Reporter: THESE FEELINGS ARE MORE THAN AN INCONVENIENCE.

THEY ARE SIGNS OF REAL STRESS THAT KIDS ARE EXPERIENCING, LEADING TO NEARLY 30 % INCREASE IN DEMAND FOR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES THIS PAST YEAR, BUT IT IS NOT JUST THE QUANTITY, IT IS THE SEVERITY THAT CONCERNS HER.

>> SEVERE DEPRESSION, SEVERE ANXIETY, KIDS REALLY HAVING TO MONKS AND IN MULTIPLE AREAS OF THEIR LIVES.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS MANY STUDENTS ARE SUFFERING IN SILENCE, HIDING IN THE ROOMS, LOSING AUTOMATION FOR LIFE.

A FEELING JEAN IS A BOLT HE CAN RELATE TO.

>> THE CHANGE THAT MAKE SCHOOL MEANINGFUL, AND MAKING IT WORTH COMING EVERY DAY GETTING YOU EXCITED TO GET OUT OF BED.

THOSE ARE KIND OF GONE.

SO TO LITTLE BIT DISHEARTENING.

>> Reporter: AND MANY YOUNGER KIDS ARE FORGETTING WHAT LIFE EVEN FELT LIKE BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.

AND IN SABRES PRACTICE, THE KIDS HAVE BEEN HOME FOR YEAR ARE SUFFERING THE MOST.

>> THE HYBRID STUDENTS, I THINK HAS BEEN KIND OF NEGLECTED IN TERMS OF HARD ASSIST FOR THEM, BUT THOSE KIDS ARE REALLY STRUGGLING BECAUSE IT IS A LOT TO ASK OF THEM AND THEIR TEACHERS, FRIGHT FRANKLY THAT THERE IS CONSTANT CHANGES IN CONSTANT UPHEAVAL.

>> Reporter: ADRIAN DAVIS IS A MIDDLE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL IN TRENCH IN A SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS BEEN CLOSED SINCE LAST MARCH.

SHE IS SEEING A SHARP DECLINE IN STUDENT ENGAGEMENT DESPITE THEIR BEST EFFORTS TO CONNECT WITH THE KIDS.

>> WHEN YOU LOOK AT THOSE METAL HEALTH CHALLENGES THAT ARE MANIFESTING THEMSELVES AND THEN YOU LOOK AT THE ACADEMIC DECLINE, IT IS DEFINITELY AN EDUCATIONAL CRISIS.

>> Reporter: WHAT DO YOU THINK WILL BE THE IMPACT ON THESE KIDS IF SCHOOL WAS STILL CLOSED IN SEPTEMBER?

>> IS GOING TO BE LONG-LASTING, WELL BEYOND WHENEVER WE OPEN UP.

WE WILL SEE THE RESIDUAL RESULTS ACADEMICALLY, SOCIALLY AND EMOTIONALLY.

>> KIDS WHO EXPERIENCE LONELINESS AND ISOLATION WILL SUFFER INCREASED DEPRESSION RATES, UP TO NINE YEARS AFTER THE ISOLATING EVENT HAS TAKEN PLACE.

>> Reporter: MEANING, IT WILL BE A LONG ROAD AHEAD TO HELP THESE KIDS THRIVE.

>>> AND THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT, BUT HAD OVER THE IN J SPOTLIGHT.ORG AND CONTINUE FOLLOWING OUR REPORTING.

I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI FOR THE ENTIRE NEWS TEAM .

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

WE WILL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

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

NJM INSURANCE GROUP.

SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN A 100 YEARS.

AND BLUE HORIZON BLUE CROSS OF NEW JERSEY AN INDEPENDENT LICENSE OF THE BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHILED ASSOCIATION.

>>> MJM INSURANCE COMPANY HAS BEEN SERVING NEW JERSEY POLICY HOLDERS FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

BUT JUST WHO ARE THEIR POLICY HOLDERS?

THEY'RE SOCIAL SERVICE AND NON-PROFIT PIONEERS WHO LEND A HELPING HAND.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY INNOVATORS.

THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO PROVIDE OUR SKILLED LABOR.

AND OUR HOMEGROWN CHAMPIONS.

THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE OUR STATE A GREAT PLACE TO CALL HOME.

NJM.

WE HAVE NEW JERSEY COVERED.

>>> IF YOU NEED TO SEE A DOCTOR, RWJ BARNABUS HEALTH HAS TWO EASY DAYS.

YOU CAN SEE AN URGENT CARE PROVIDER 24/7 ON ANY DEVICE WITH OUR TELEMED APP, OR BOOK A VIRTUAL VISIT WITH A MEDICAL PROVIDER OR SPECIALIST, EVEN AS A NEW PATIENT.

YOU'VE TAKEN EVERY PRECAUTION, AND SO HAVE WE.

DON'T DELAY YOUR CARE ANY LONGER.

RWJ BARNABUS HEALTH.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.