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

HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY, AN INDEPENDENT LICENSEE OF THE BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION, THE PSEG FOUNDATION, AND BY THE CLEAR EMERGENCE ASSOCIATION OF NEW JERSEY, AND SMART HEAT NJ.

FROM NJPBS, THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BRIANA VANNOZZI.

>> A SHOCKING UPSET, NOW OFFICIAL.

TODAY, SENATE PRESIDENT STEVE SWEENEY ADMITS DEFEAT, CONCEDING TO HIS REPUBLICAN OPPONENT, EDWARD DURER.

GOOD EVENING, AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TONIGHT ON NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM LEAH MISHKIN IN FOR BRIANA VANNOZZI.

IT WAS A RESULT MANY DID NOT SEE COMING.

SWEENEY HAS HELD THE POSITION FOR NEARLY 12 YEARS AND IS ONE OF THE MOST POWERFUL POLITICIANS OF THE STATE.

THE NEWLY ELECTED STATE SENATOR IS THE TRUCK DRIVER FOR A FURNITURE STORE WHO HAS NEVER RUN FOR OFFICE BEFORE.

TINA CORRESPONDENT, DAVID CHRIS HAS THE LATEST FROM SWEENEY'S FIRST SPEECH AFTER LOSING REELECTION.

>> THE RESULTS OF TUESDAY'S ELECTIONS ARE IN.

ALL NOTES HAVE BEEN FAIRLY COUNTED.

AND, I, OF COURSE EXCEPT THE RESULTS.

I'M GOING TO CONGRATULATE MR. DART AND WISH HIM THE BEST OF LUCK.

>> IT WAS LIKE A HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMP ON A MORNING AFTER LOSING THE TITLE ON POINTS.

SWEENEY, EXPLAINING WHAT HE THOUGHT HAPPENED.

>> IT WAS A LOT.

12,000 MORE PEOPLE COMPARED TO THIS TIME IN 2017.

>> SWEENEY TOOK VERY FEW QUESTIONS THIS AFTERNOON, BUT IF YOU LISTEN CLOSELY TO THIS SPEECH THAT PRECEDED THE Q&A, YOU HEARD A LAUNDRY LIST OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS THAT COULD ONE DAY BE THE KERNEL OF A GUBERNATORIAL SPEECH.

>> WHAT I SAID IS THAT I AM NOT GOING AWAY, AND I SAY WHAT I'M DOING, I CAN TELL YOU SOMETHING, I HAVE BEEN A BELIEVER IN MAKING NEW JERSEY AFFORDABLE FOR A LONG TIME.

I'VE BEEN THE ONE THAT HAS BEEN THROUGH BATTLES OVER PASSION AND HEALTHCARE COSTS FOR A LONG TIME.

MY VOICE HAS BEEN CONSISTENT BECAUSE IT IS WITH A BLUE- COLLAR WORKER THAT I SEE EVERY DAY.

>> I WOULD HOPE YOU WOULD CONSIDER, I CANNOT SPEAK FOR HIM.

I FEEL IT IS UNFINISHED BUSINESS.

AND PLUS, I HAVE A LOT OF FREE TIME.

I COULD BE HIS DRIVER.

>> JOHN IS A CLOSE FRIEND THAT HAS BEEN SWEENEY'S THIRD DISTRICT ASSEMBLY PARTNER SINCE 2002.

HE SAYS TUESDAY'S RESULTS WERE ABOUT OTHER ISSUES, LIKE BIDEN BEING UNDERWATER IN JERSEY, GENERAL DISCONTENT AMONG VOTERS, AND SOME GENERAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY APATHY.

>> I CAN SEE IT.

I THOUGHT IT THREE OR FOUR WEEKS OUT I COULD LOOK IN HER EYES.

HAD A WAITRESS IN THE SELECTION AND THOSE TWO WERE UPSET ABOUT OTHER THINGS AND THEY HAD MORE INSPIRATION.

AND, AND THEY VOTED MORE ON ELECTION DAY.

>> I GIFTED HER A LOT OF CREDIT BEFORE STANDING UP FOR THE ELECTION THING THIS ACTUALLY HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH ME.

SO, I'M A NOBODY.

THIS IS NOT A REFLECTION ON ME, I GOT OUT THERE.

THIS IS A REFLECTION ON THE VOTERS WANTING TO MAKE A CHANGE.

>> AND THEY ARE FORCING CHANGE IN DEMOCRATIC PARTY LEADERSHIP.

THAT'S WHAT THE PARTY WILL DO TOMORROW WHEN THE SENATE MEETS, AND SENATOR NICK IS EXPECTED TO HAVE ROUNDED UP ENOUGH SUPPORT TO SUCCEED SWEENEY AS A SENATE PRESIDENT.

>> WE HAVE BLACK LEADERS WONDERING, WHO PARTY BOSSES WERE LISTENING TO.

>> IF THE PRODUCTS WERE PLACED, WHERE NOW THE SUDDEN PRESIDENCY IS NOT REFLECTIVE OF THE VOTING CONSTITUENCY, IT'S A SPIT IN THE FACE OF BLACK VOTERS, MOST SPECIFICALLY, BLACK AND LATINO WOMEN VOTERS.

>> SENATOR TODAY SAID THAT NOTHING ABOUT HER CANDIDACY FOR SENATE PRESIDENT, WHICH SHE ANNOUNCED LAST WEEK HAD CHANGED.

BUT, FROM THE LOOKS OF IT, THAT CANDIDACY IS MORE SYMBOLIC THAN POTENTIALLY SUCCESSFUL.

MEANWHILE, EDWARD DURER, WHO IS SCHEDULED TO MEET SUPPORTERS TODAY TO DECLARE VICTORY.

>> THIS GUY, WHO IS APPARENTLY A DANGEROUS GUY, DAN AND I WERE TALKING ABOUT HIS TWITTER FEED OR FACEBOOK, THE STUFF THAT IS ON THERE IS OUTRAGEOUS.

AND, I WANT TO BE UNEQUIVOCAL.

I DO NOT WELCOME THIS IN ANY WAY, SHAPE, OR FORM.

>> MURPHY'S ASSESSMENT, NOTWITHSTANDING THE THIRD DISTRICT ONCE WHAT THE THIRD DISTRICT ONCE.

WHETHER IT ACTUALLY LIKES IT OR NOT.

AND, SOMETIMES, GROUND SHAKING CHANGE HAPPENS JUST LIKE THAT.

I AM DAVID CRUZ, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> TURNING NOW TO ANOTHER TIGHT RACE.

THE RACE FOR NEW JERSEY GOVERNOR.

ACCORDING TO THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, GOVERNOR PHIL MURPHY IS THE PROJECTED WINNER.

JACK CIATTARELLI'S TEAM SAID THEY DON'T BELIEVE THE REMAINING BALANCE WILL LEAD TO A WIN, BUT THEY WANT EVERY VOTE COUNTED TO SEE IF THE MARGIN IS CLOSE ENOUGH TO ASK FOR A RECOUNT.

SO, NOW THAT THE DEADLINE FOR ALL MALE IN AND PROVISIONAL BALLOTS HAS COME AND GONE, WHAT IS THE PATH FORWARD FOR JACK CIATTARELLI?

JOINING US NOW IS A SENIOR WRITER AND PROJECT EDITOR, COLLEN O'DEA.

GREAT TO HAVE YOU ON THE SHOW.

SO WHERE DO YOU THINK WE STAND WITH BALLOT COUNTING QUESTION >> SO RIGHT NOW, THE COUNTING OF PROVISIONAL BALLOTS CONTINUES.

IT IS GOING PRETTY SLOWLY.

BUT, WE CERTAINLY HAVE SEEN CHANGES IN THE NUMBERS AS THESE VOTES ARE COUNTED.

GOVERNOR MURPHY CURRENTLY HAS 1.3 MILLION VOTES, JACK CIATTARELLI HAS ABOUT 1.23 MILLION VOTES.

THIS IS AS OF 10:00 A.M., ACCORDING TO THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, IT IS THE MOST RECENT NUMBERS THAT WE HAVE.

THAT IS A MARGIN OF ABOUT 72,000 VOTES.

OR, 2.8% IN CHANGE.

WHICH, IT IS ONLY GOING UP OVER THE LAST SEVERAL DAYS AS WE HAVE SEEN THESE RESULTS TRICKLING IN.

>> AND WHERE DOES THAT MARGIN HAVE TO BE TO ASK FOR A RECOUNT?

>> SO, THE JACK CIATTARELLI CAMPAIGN TOLD US A COUPLE DAYS AGO THAT THEY WANTED TO SEE A MARGIN OF ABOUT 1% OF THAT WOULD MAKE IT WORTH THEIR WHILE.

THEY THOUGHT, TO ASK FOR A RECOUNT.

OBVIOUSLY, WE ARE WAY ABOVE THAT AT 2.8%.

AND, CERTAINLY, THE WAY THE RESULTS HAVE BEEN COMING IN, IT DOES NOT LOOK LIKE WE ARE GOING TO GET THERE.

YOU KNOW, MURPHY'S LATEST KEEPS INCREASING.

SO, WHETHER THE CAMPAIGN WILL CHANGE THEIR MIND AND DECIDE TO DO A RECOUNT ANYWAY, OR A PARTIAL RECOUNT OF, YOU KNOW, CERTAIN COUNTIES DESPITE THE FACT THAT WE ARE OVER THAT 1%, I DON'T KNOW.

>> RIGHT.

AND AS FAR AS WE HEARD, THEY WANT EVERY VOTE COUNTED BEFORE THEY CONCEDE, HAVE THEY TOLD YOU ANY DIFFERENTLY IN THE LAST 24 HOURS CUSTOMER >> ECMO HAVE NOT HEARD THEM SAY ANYTHING DIFFERENTLY.

EVERY VOTE COUNTING, THAT'S WHAT THEY'VE ASKED FOR.

THEY SAID THEY THOUGHT THEY MIGHT HAVE A GOOD IDEA WITHIN 48 HOURS, THAT WAS TWO DAYS AGO.

BUT, SO FAR TODAY, WE HAVE NOT HEARD FROM THEM.

SO, NOT SURE IF THEY'VE CHANGED THEIR MIND ABOUT THAT.

>> OKAY, AND WHEN DO WE EXPECT THAT PROCESS TO BE COMPLETED?

THE VOTING AND COUNTING OF THE VOTES?

>> SO, THE VERY LAST DAY THAT VOTES WILL BE COUNTED WILL BE NOVEMBER 13th BECAUSE THAT THE LAST DAY THAT YOU CAN SUBMIT A LETTER TO TRY TO FIX A POTENTIAL PROBLEM WITH YOUR RIGHT AND OR YOUR MAIL-IN BALLOT OR YOUR PROVISIONAL BALLOT.

SO, THAT'S REALLY CLOSE UPON US, SO WE WOULD EXPECT SOME NEWS, I WOULD THINK BY THE END OF THE WEEK.

>> RIGHT.

ALL RIGHT, WELL, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING WITH US, WE APPRECIATE IT.

>> IN QUEUE.

>> PFIZER IS OFFICIALLY ASKING THE FDA TO EXPAND ELIGIBILITY FOR ITS BOOSTER SHOT TO ALL ADULTS AGES 18 AND ABOVE.

THE FDA ORIGINALLY RECOMMENDED AGAINST ROOSTERS FOR ALL ADULTS TWO MONTHS AGO.

BUT WILL REPORTEDLY GRANT PFIZER'S REQUEST THIS TIME AS WE HEAD INTO A HOLIDAY SEASON THAT WILL SEEM WITH MORE IN PRISON GATHERINGS.

HERE IN NEW JERSEY, SIX WHEN 10 MILLION PEOPLE IN THE STATE ARE FULLY VACCINATED AT THIS POINT.

HOSPITALIZATION NUMBERS ARE DOWN, AND SO OUR VISITS TO THE ICU.

THE NUMBERS ARE FAR FROM WHERE WE WERE THIS TIME LAST YEAR.

JOINING US NOW IS THE FORMER COMMISSIONER OF THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND CURRENT PRESIDENT AND CEO OF UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL IN NEWARK.

DR., THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AND YOUR TIME.

SO, HOSPITALIZATIONS ARE GOING DOWN BUT WE SEEN THAT HAPPEN BEFORE.

ARE YOU WORRIED ABOUT A POSTHOLIDAY BOOM?

>> SO, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME.

I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND WHAT WE WENT THROUGH LAST YEAR, AND HOW IT IS DIFFERENT THIS YEAR.

EVEN THOUGH WE CAN EXPECT AN INCREASE IN HOSPITALIZATIONS, I DON'T ANTICIPATE IT TO BE NEARLY AS BAD.

REMEMBER LAST YEAR, WE RECEIVED EXPONENTIAL INCREASE, AT THIS TIME THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY AND CERTAINLY AN INCREASE HERE IN NEW JERSEY AS WELL.

RIGHT NOW, THE VIRUS IS HITTING MORE AND MORE PEOPLE WHO ARE VACCINATED.

AND, THAT IS A DOWN TO THE VIRUS BEING SPREAD.

AND THE NEW VACCINES FOR KIDS AGED 5 TO 11, THAT IS AN ENTIRE CHUNK OF THE POPULATION THAT WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO VACCINATE YET AND PEOPLE ARE LINING UP TO DO THAT.

THANKFULLY.

AND, SIGNIFICANT NUMBERS.

AND SO, I DO HOPE THAT THE INCREASES THAT WE EXPECT TO SEE WITH THE COLD WEATHER, AND GETTING INDOORS WON'T BE NEARLY AS BAD.

IN FACT, UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL, WE ONLY HAVE THREE PATIENTS AS OF THIS MORNING WITH COVID-19.

IF YOU COMPARE THAT TO LAST YEAR, IT'S WELL OVER 50 BY THIS POINT.

SO, WE ARE ANTICIPATING AND HOPING THAT BECAUSE WE'VE MADE SO MUCH PROGRESS WITH VACCINATIONS IN NEW JERSEY, WE WILL HOPEFULLY NOT BE AS BIG OF AN INCREASE.

>> AND WHAT ABOUT STAFFING?

WE SEEN IN OTHER HOSPITALS BECAUSE OF THE VACCINE MANDATE THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE LEAVING THEIR POSTS.

ARE YOU SEEING THAT UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL?

>> EVERY HOSPITAL IN NEW JERSEY AND THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY IS STRUGGLING WITH STAFFING UNFORTUNATELY.

WE ARE NO EXCEPTION.

STILL ABLE TO MEET SAFE RATIOS IN THE CLINICAL AREAS OF THE HOSPITAL WHERE IT MATTERS THE MOST.

BUT, I CAN TELL YOU THAT THAT'S NOT EXHAUSTING EVERY SINGLE OPTION, AGENCY STAFF YOU KNOW, RETENTION BONUSES, SIGN-ON BONUSES FOR NURSES IN RETICULAR.

ARE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO RETAIN STAFF, HERE.

AND THAT'S ONLY GOING TO BE WORSE AND WORSE AS WE GO FORWARD BECAUSE THE GREAT RESIGNATION IS A PHENOMENON THAT A LOT OF FOLKS ARE REASSESSING THEIR CAREERS AND REASSESS THING, YOU KNOW, THE TIME THEY WANT TO SPEND AT HOME.

ALL THAT IS HAPPENING IN HEALTHCARE AS WELL.

AND SO, WE ARE GOING TO BE SEEING THESE TRENDS AT THE SAME TIME.

WE ARE STILL VERY, VERY BUSY SO EVEN THOUGH WE ONLY HAVE THREE PATIENTS WITH COVID- 19, OUR ICU IS FULL, HOSPITALS COMPLETELY FULL RIGHT NOW PATIENTS WHO ARE EITHER DELAYED OR DEFERRED BY CAROL COMING IN SICKER, MENTAL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ISSUES.

THERE'S A LOT IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE PANDEMIC THAT IS GOING TO CONTINUE TO STRAIN US AS IN TERMS OF OUR RESOURCES.

>> IF I CONTINUE KNOWING WE ARE HEADING INTO THIS BUSY RUSH RIGHT NOW WITH THE HOLIDAYS COMING UP?

>> IT DOES CONCERN ME AND THE FACT IS, THE WINTER TENDS TO BE EXTREMELY BUSY WITH SICK PATIENTS.

ON NORMAL YEARS, EVEN PRE- PANDEMIC.

AND AGAIN, WE SEE THESE WORKFORCE CHALLENGES AND WORKFORCE SHORTAGES CRASHING AGAINST A VERY HIGH DEMAND RIGHT NOW.

EVEN IF THAT'S NOT FOR COVID- 19.

BUT, INDIRECTLY, IT IS RELATED TO THE PANDEMIC AND ALL THE AFTERMATH ASSOCIATED WITH THAT.

SO, WE ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT HER OPTIONS IN TERMS OF MANAGING THAT RISK.

>> PERFECT, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME TODAY, I APPRECIATE IT.

>> NO PROBLEM, TAKE CARE.

>>> 10,200 KIDS BETWEEN THE AGES OF 5 AND 11 HAVE RECEIVED A PFIZER PEDIATRIC COVID-19 VACCINE.

ACCORDING TO THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.

THAT NUMBER HAS CLIMBED BY ABOUT 1000 SINCE MONDAY.

STILL, MANY PARENTS ON THE FENCE SINCE THERE IS NOT LONG TERM VACCINE DATA AVAILABLE YET.

BUT, WE DO KNOW A LITTLE ABOUT THE LONG-TERM IMPACT OF COVID- 19.

HACKENSACK MERIDIAN HEALTH HAS SET UP A PEDIATRIC COVID-19 CARE CENTER TO HELP KIDS SUFFERING FROM LONG-TERM SYMPTOMS.

RAVEN SANTANA SPOKE TO ONE TEEN WHO FEARED SHE WOULD NEVER DANCE AGAIN BECAUSE OF THE SO- CALLED LONG-HAUL EFFECT.

>> I HAVE SHARED MY STORY WITH MANY PEOPLE WHO ARE DEBATING GETTING THE VACCINE.

IT'S DEFINITELY BEEN CONTROVERSIAL TO PEOPLE WHO ARE DEBATING GETTING IT BECAUSE AT FIRST, THAT'S WHAT WE THOUGHT, LIKE MADE EVERYTHING HAPPEN, BUT IN REALITY, IT WAS ME CONTRACTING COVERED.

SO, GETTING THE VACCINE CAN PROTECT YOU FROM THIS COVID AND FROM ALL THE SYMPTOMS THAT I HAVE.

>> 60-YEAR-OLD ALLIE IS PLEADING WITH TEENS TO GET VACCINATED AFTER SHE CONTRACTED THE COVID DELTA VARIANT IN AUGUST AND BATTLED LONG-HAUL COVID SYMPTOMS FOR MONTHS, FORCING HER TO STOP DOING WHAT SHE LOVES MOST, DANCING.

>> USING MY LEGS TOO MUCH IN DEATH, THEY WOULD JUST BE SORE.

AND IF I WAS USING MY ARMS TOO MUCH THEY WOULD BE SORE, SO IT WAS JUST PAIN FROM WHATEVER I WAS USING TO AN EXTENT AND THEN I WOULD HAVE TO SLOW MYSELF DOWN WEEK SO THAT I COULD, AND FROM THE EXERCISE COME THE BRAIN FOG AND PAIN.

>> HER CONCERNS ARE ECHOED BY MOM, LESLIE WHO SAYS HER DAUGHTERS ONYX WINNABLE BEHAVIOR AND PAIN WENT ON FOR MONTHS, WHILE DEVASTATING, SHE SAYS SHE'S THANKFUL HER DAUGHTER HAD AT LEAST ONE LAYER OF PROTECTION AS HER BODY THOUGHT TO RECOVER.

>> IF YOU HAVE ONE LAYER OF PROTECTION AND THEN YOU GET THE VARIANT, YOU, AND YOU CAN GET SYMPTOMS AND GET SICK, YOU CAN SEE HOW MUCH SICKER YOU CAN GET WITHOUT THE VACCINE.

>> THE REASON TO VACCINATE IS BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE A GREAT ADDICTION AS TO WHO WILL HAVE COVID AND TO WON'T.

AND COVID CAN BE REALLY A BAD EFFECT ON CHILDREN.

IT CAN INFECT THEIR SCHOOL PERFORMANCE, IT CAN AFFECT HER AS A PERFORMANCE AND REALLY, YOU KNOW, IF THERE JUNIOR HIGH'S GOAL GOING TO COLLEGE IT CAN REALLY HAVE A STRONG EFFECT ON THEIR LIFE.

SO, I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO VACCINATE.

>> DR. CATHERINE IS THE PEDIATRIC HOSPITALIST DIRECTOR OF THE COVID RECOVERY CENTER AT HACKENSACK MERIDIAN CHILDREN'S HEALTH.

SHE SAID SHE STARTED THE CLINIC IN APRIL AFTER AN INFLUX OF PARENTS LOOKING FOR ANSWERS FOR LINGERING SYMPTOMS IN CHILDREN.

DR. KRAUSER STRESSES THAT ADDING YOUR CHILD VACCINATED TO PROTECT THEM FROM SEVERE SYMPTOMS OF LONG-HAUL COVID.

>> AND WITHIN APRIL AND MAY WE REALLY SAW ABOUT 4 TO 5 A MONTH.

THIS JUST A FEW, A COUPLE EVERY OTHER WEEK AND THROUGHOUT SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER, WE WERE'S BEING 4 TO 5 A WEEK, SO MANY MORE THAN WE HAVE BEFORE.

AND, THE NUMBER IS INCREASING AND WE CONTINUE TO GET DEMAND, NOT JUST IN NEW JERSEY BUT FOR PEOPLE ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.

SO, IF YOU FEEL LIKE YOUR CHILD HAS COVID, YOU'RE NOT ALONE.

>> IF I HAVE TO ESTIMATE THOSE IN TREATMENT IN NEW JERSEY, IT'S PROBABLY UNDER 500 BUT I WOULD SAY THAT THOSE THAT ARE IN TREATMENT ARE WE UNDERESTIMATING THE AMOUNT OF PATIENTS THAT ACTUALLY HAVE SYMPTOMS.

ONE OF THE REAL CHALLENGES WE HAVE IS A LOT OF KIDS DID NOT KNOW THEY HAD IT.

RIGHT QUESTION MARK NOT TESTING CAN VERY EARLY ON, AND EVEN NOW, I THINK SOME PARENTS ARE JUST KEEPING THEM HOME, THEY MAY NOT GET THAT TEST AND SO THEY MAY NOT KNOW UNTIL LATER IN THE STILL HAVING PERSISTENT PAIN OR FATIGUE THAT OH, MY CHILD HAD ANTIBODIES AND I HAVE NO IDEA THAT THEY HAD AN INFECTION.

>> DR. KRAUSER INSISTS EARLY INTERVENTION IS KEY TO TREATING LONG-HAUL COVID.

TREATMENT INCLUDES MUSIC THERAPY FOR BRAIN FOG, TALK THERAPY FOR ANXIETY, AND PHYSICAL THERAPY FOR JOINT SWELLING AND MUSCLE ACHES.

>> I SEE SOMEWHAT A MONTH OR TWO AFTER THE INFECTION, AND WE END UP GETTING THEM INTO PHYSICAL THERAPY OR, WE GET THEM INTO SOME OF THE OTHER TREATMENTS, THEY HAVE A SHORTER COURSE OF THIS LONG-HAUL OR SYNDROME.

AND MOST OF THEM ARE RECOVERED BY SIX MONTHS.

BUT, THOSE THAT WE ARE SEEING MAYBE A YEAR AFTER HAVING THE INFECTION, STILL HAVING SOME LINGERING SYMPTOMS, THERE A LITTLE BIT HARDER TO TREAT.

>> DR. KRAUSER ADVISES ANYONE WHO THINKS THEIR CHILD IS EXPERIENCING LONG-HAUL COVID TO SPEAK TO A PEDIATRICIAN, OR VISIT THE CLINIC.

SHE STRESSES THAT GETTING VACCINATED IS THE BEST WAY TO PREVENT CONTRACTING COVID OR THE PAINFUL AND LENGTHY SYMPTOMS OF LONG-HAUL COVID.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM RAVEN SANTANA.

>> SUPPORT FOR THE MEDICAL REPORT IS PROVIDED BY HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY.

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

>>> INFLATION IS ON THE RISE, THE HIGHEST IT'S BEEN IN DECADES.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOUR DAY-TO-DAY BUDGET?

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS THE ANSWER, PLUS ALL THE TOP BUSINESS HEADLINES OF THE DAY.

RHONDA?

>> LEAH, WHEN IT COMES TO MAKING ENDS MEET, MORE OF US ARE FALLING BEHIND AS THE RATE OF INFLATION IS SURPASSING GROWTH AND WORKER WAGES.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SAYS OVER THE PAST 12 MONTHS, INFLATION WAS RAISING 6.2% FOR THE HIGHEST LEVEL IN 30 YEARS.

WAGES IS MEASURED BY THE EMPLOYMENT COST INDEX, AND GROWING JUST SLIGHTLY ABOVE 4%.

HERE IS A LOOK AT HOW MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE THINGS ARE, AS YOU CAN SEE, FOOD COSTS ARE RISING, ESPECIALLY FOR MEAT AND OTHER PROTEINS IT HAS BEEN A HUGE JUMP IN GAS PRICES NEARLY 50%.

CLOTHING AND SHELTER COSTS ARE HIGHER TOO, AND THERE'S ALSO BEEN A BIG BUMP UP IN THE PRICE FOR USED CARS.

LAWMAKERS ARE LOOKING TO CHANGE THE WAY NEW JERSEY FORECAST ITS ANNUAL TAX COLLECTIONS.

THIS, AFTER THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION LAST YEAR BORROWED $4 BILLION OVER FEARS OF A REVENUE SHORTAGE THAT NEVER CAME TO PASS.

A BILL APPROVED BY A SENATE COMMITTEE CALLS FOR BUDGETING REFORMS, INCLUDING MANDATING SPENDING PROJECTIONS, AS WE HEAR FROM NJ SPOTLIGHT BUDGET AND FINANCE WRITER, JOHN REITMEYER.

>> REVENUE FORECASTING IS DIFFICULT, NEW JERSEY HAS A HUGE BUDGET, IT'S NEVER GOING TO BE PERFECT BUT I THINK THE IDEA IS TO SORT OF WHITTLE AWAY THAT MARGIN OF ERROR THAT WE OFTEN SEE.

>> FIND OUT MORE ABOUT READING JOHN'S STORY ON NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG.

A COURT VICTORY FOR NEW BRUNSWICK-BASED JOHNSON AND JOHNSON.

>>> THE SUPREME COURT OF OKLAHOMA OVERTURNED A $465 MILLION OPIOID RULING AGAINST J&J, SAYING THE COMPANY CANNOT BE HELD LIABLE FOR THE STATES OPIOID CRISIS.

IN RESPONSE, J&J SAID ITS ACTIONS RELATED TO THE MARKETING AND PROMOTION OF PRESCRIPTION OPIOID MEDICATIONS WERE APPROPRIATE, AND RESPONSIBLE.

FINALLY, LEMONADE STANDS RUN BY NEW JERSEY KIDS ARE NOW OFFICIALLY LEGAL UNDER A BILL SIGNED THIS WEEK BY GOVERNOR MURPHY, CHILDREN ARE ALLOWED TO TEMPORARILY RUN A BUSINESS WITHOUT NEEDING TO GET A MUNICIPAL PERMIT.

NOW, HERE IS A CHECK ON TODAY'S STOCK TRADING ACTION.

I AM RHONDA SCHAFFLER AND THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT PROVIDED BY NEW JERSEY MONTHLY MAGAZINE, COVERING ALL OF NEW JERSEY.

WHAT TO DO, WHERE TO GO, AND SO MUCH MORE.

ON LOCAL NEWSSTANDS, AND ONLINE AT TRAN20MONTHLY.COM.

>> OVER TO WOODBRIDGE TOWNSHIP, SIX CENTRAL JERSEY MAYORS HAVE HIRED LAWYERS TO PREPARE FOR POSSIBLE LEGAL ACTION.

AS PRESIDENTS REMAIN CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THEIR DRINKING WATER.

LAST MONTH, THE MIDDLESEX WATER COMPANY REPORTED HIGH LEVELS OF THE CHEMICAL PFO A IN ITS DRINKING WATER.

IT WAS A VIOLATION OF RECENTLY ENACTED STATE STANDARDS FOR THE TOXIC SUBSTANCE FOR THE WATER UTILITY SERVES CUSTOMERS IN WOODBRIDGE, EDISON, CARTER, TOUCHING, CLARK, AND SOUTH PLAINFIELD.

LEADERS IN THOSE TOWNS AND SAY THEY ARE EXPLORING THEIR LEGAL OPTIONS AGAINST THE WATER COMPANY.

AS WELL AS THE CHEMICAL COMPANY.

WHICH MAY BE ORIGINALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE POLLUTION.

IN A STATEMENT, MIDDLESEX WATER COMPANY DECLINED TO COMMENT ON ANY PENDING LITIGATION.

BUT, SAID IT IS EXPLORING OPTIONS TO DEALING WITH THE POLLUTION IN THE SHORT TERM.

WHILE PERMANENT UPGRADES ARE MADE TO THE TREATMENT PLANS.

3M, MEANWHILE SAID IT ACTED RESPONSIBLY, ADDING, IT WILL VIGOROUSLY DEFEND OUR RECORD OF ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP.

>> TO COLLECTIVELY, WE HAVE NUMBER 300,000 RESIDENTS HURT SO, THAT'S A PRETTY BIG CLASS.

AND, WE ARE GOING TO PARTICIPATE IN THE CLASS ACTION LITIGATION.

IS GOING TO BE A LONG TIME.

WE MIGHT NOT KNOW FOR YEARS IF WE GET ANY RECOVERY, BUT AT WHAT COST US ANYTHING BECAUSE THE LEGAL FEES ARE TAKEN OUT OF THE RECOVERY.

SO WE ARE GOING TO SUE THE COMPANY WITH THAT CLASS, AND POSSIBLY MIDDLESEX WATER COMPANY THOUGH, THE REAL CULPRIT IS 3M COMPANY BECAUSE THEY MAKE THE PFO A CHEMICAL THAT IS SUCH A PROBLEM RIGHT NOW WITH THE WATER.

>> NEW JERSEY WILL BAN SINGLE- USE PLASTIC BAGS AND STYROFOAM FOOD CONTAINERS IN MAY OF NEXT YEAR IN AN EFFORT TO BE MORE GREEN.

AND, AS OF LAST WEEK, RESTAURANTS IN THE GARDEN STATE ARE NOW BANNED FROM GIVING OUT PLASTIC STRAWS, UNLESS A CUSTOMER SPECIFICALLY ASKS FOR ONE.

BUT, SOME WITNESSES HAVE BEEN SLOW TO ADJUST TO THE NEW ROLES.

CORRESPONDENT, MELISSA ROSE COOPER TAKES A LOOK AT WHERE THE STATE IS CRACKING DOWN ON STRAWS AND HOW RESTAURANTS ARE HANDLING THE CHANGE.

>> TO ME, STRAWS IN PARTICULAR, WHICH IS WHAT WE ARE ALL TALKING ABOUT THESE DAYS ARE A LUXURY ITEM.

THEY'RE NOT NECESSARY TO DRINK A BEVERAGE.

>> IT'S BEEN ALMOST 5 YEARS SINCE MARILYN STOPPED GIVING CUSTOMERS PLASTIC STRAWS AT HER RESTAURANT IN ASBURY PARK IN AN EFFORT TO HELP PROTECT THE JERSEY SHORE AND KEEP IT CLEAN.

>> HAD MANAGERS HAVE DRINKS THROWN AT THEM, HAD PEOPLE GO ON FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM, AND SAY REALLY HEINOUS THINGS ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT AND ABOUT ANIMALS AND THE ENVIRONMENT, AND ABOUT US.

BUT, YOU KNOW WHAT QUESTION MARK IF YOU HAVE A CONVICTION, YOU HAVE TO WALK THE WALK AND NOT JUST TALK THE TALK.

>> SHE STARTED OFFERING ALTERNATIVE STRAWS MAY OUT OF MORE EGO FROM THE MATERIAL, LIKE REID AND AVOCADO.

EVENTUALLY SOME CUSTOMERS CAME TO EXPECT THIS.

SO, SHE'S THRILLED TO SEE A STATEWIDE PLASTIC STRAW BAN IS NOW IN EFFECT.

>> I THINK IT IS LONG OVERDUE, AND AWESOME.

I AM AN ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVIST.

I HAVE OWNED RESTAURANTS AND WORKED ON THE JERSEY SHORE MY ENTIRE LIFE, AND I LIVE AND BREATHE THIS WATER, AND IF WE DON'T HAVE A HEALTHY OCEAN AND A HEALTHY TOURISM, WE DON'T HAVE A RESTAURANT.

>> THE BAN ON PLASTIC STRAWS IS THE FIRST OF SEVERAL MEASURES THE STATE IS TAKING TO CUT DOWN ON POLLUTION.

IN MAY, ALL CARRY OUT PLASTIC BOXES FROM CONTAINERS WILL ALSO BE PHASED OUT.

ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCATES, APPLAUDING THE LEGISLATION, SAYING IT IS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

>> IN THE FALL OF 2020, WHICH IS MORE CLEAN UP THAT YOUR DIGITAL PANDEMIC, BUT ON THE ONE DAY, OUR VOLUNTEERS PICKED UP OVER 10,000 STRAWS ON OUR BEACHES.

AND, THAT'S JUST A SNAPSHOT OF WHAT PLASTIC STRAWS AND MATERIALS ARE OUT THERE IN THE ENVIRONMENT.

AND THIS FALL OF 2002, VOLUNTEERS PICKED UP OVER 35,000 STRAWS.

NOW, THAT IS AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF PLASTIC DEBRIS IN OUR OCEAN.

SO, THE STATEWIDE PLASTIC, THE STATEWIDE LEGAL USE PLASTIC LAW THAT IS GOING TO BE COMING INTO EFFECT IS ADDRESSING SOME OF THOSE SOURCES OF POLLUTION, SOME OF THOSE ITEMS THAT ARE PLAGUING OUR WATERS AND TEACHERS AND CAUSING IMPACTS TO MARINE LIFE.

>> CUSTOMERS WITH LOCAL SAY THEY DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE VAN, AND IT'S ABOUT TIME ONE WAS PUT IN PLACE.

>> I THINK PEOPLE ADAPT AND ADJUST.

I THINK YOU COULD PROBABLY BEEN WATER BOTTLES TOO.

A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE HYDRO- FLASKS NOW, THE METAL CONTAINERS THAT THEY REUSE ALL THE TIME.

IT'S JUST GOING TO BE CONTINUOUS AND BE PART OF OUR USE.

SO I DON'T THINK IT'S A PROBLEM BANNING IT AT ALL.

>> I SEEM LIKE BAMBOO STRAWS, THOSE ARE NICE.

AND, YEAH, I'VE SEEN DIFFERENT VARIATIONS.

I THINK IT IS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

BUT, IDEALLY, THERE WOULD BE NO STRAWS.

>> PLASTIC STRAWS ARE ONLY SUPPOSED TO BE GIVEN OUT IF A CUSTOMER REQUEST THEM.

ANY BUSINESS VIOLATING THE BAN COULD FACE FINES OF UP TO $5000.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>> THAT DOES IT FOR US THIS EVENING, BUT TUNE INTO CHAT BOX WITH SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT, DAVID CRUZ, TOMORROW NIGHT AFTER STEVE SWEENEY'S CONFESSION TODAY, DAVID LOOKS AT WHERE THE DEMOCRATS IN THE STATE GO FROM HERE.

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR THE GOVERNOR'S AGENDA.

TO TUNE IN, JUST HEAD OVER TO OUR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL, TWITTER, OR FACEBOOK PAGE AT 6:30.

FROM OUR ENTIRE TEAM, THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US TONIGHT, AND WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

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RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AND, THE OCEAN WIND PROJECT BY ORSTED.

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