>> 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.

>>> IT IS VETERANS DAY, AND WE WANT TO START BY THANKING THOSE WHO HAVE SERVED AND ARE CURRENTLY SERVING.

OUR STATE AND COUNTRY ARE INDEBTED TO YOU.

I AM LEAH MISHKIN IN FOR BRIANA VANNOZZI.

WE BEGIN TONIGHT WITH SOARING CONSUMER PRICES , AND INFLATION HITTING A 3 DECADE HIGH IN OCTOBER, RISING TO 6.3%.

WHERE WILL THIS IMPACT YOU?

NATIONALLY, THE PRICE OF GAS HAS GONE UP BY $1.23.

YOU HAVE PROBABLY ALSO NOTICED HIGHER PRICES AT THE GROCERY STORE.

A DOZEN EGGS NOW COST POINT $.41 MORE.

A GALLON OF MILK IS UP POINT $.28, AND YOU ARE PAYING $1.65 MORE FOR A POUND OF BEEF.

TO NO SURPRISE, IT IS NOT WELCOMING NEWS TO PEOPLE HERE IN NEW JERSEY.

WHO HAVE ALREADY HAD A STRUGGLE THROUGH A PANDEMIC.

CORRESPONDENT, JOANNA GAGIS , SPOKE TO SOME SHOPPERS IN WEST ORANGE.

>> IS STEADILY AFFECTING US.

>> PRICES ARE DEFINITELY HIGHER THAN WHAT THEY WERE.

SNACKS FOR MY KIDS ARE SUPER HIGH.

>> GROCERY SHOPPERS, LOADING UP ON THEIR WEEKLY FOOD ARE LINING UP ON THEIR WALLETS A BIT MORE THAN USUAL THESE DAYS, AS THE COST OF GROCERY ITEMS ARE AMONG EXPERIENCING RECORD HIGH INFLATION.

>> WHERE I'M SEEING IT THE MOST IS THE MEAT SECTION, PARTICULARLY TODAY I NOTICED IT IN CHICKEN AND LAMB, DID NOT KEEP ME FROM BUYING THEM, BUT YOU NOTICE THEY ARE SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER THAN THEY HAVE BEEN IN THE PAST.

>> IT GOES BEYOND MEAT, THE COST FOR MILK, EGGS, AND PEANUT BUTTER ARE ALSO SPIKING, IN FACT, CONSUMERS SAY AN OVERALL 6.27 PERCENT JUMP IN PRICES IN OCTOBER COMPARED TO LAST YEAR, THE HIGHEST INFLATION RATE SINCE 1990, ACCORDING TO THE U.S. LABOR DEPARTMENT.

AND, IT IS FORCING SOME FAMILIES TO MAKE ETHICAL CHOICES.

>> WE ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT, HOW CAN YOU BUY THIS INSTEAD OF THAT, AND MAYBE LIKE DIFFERENT, YOU KNOW, THE STORE-BOUGHT PRICE, RATHER THAN THE GRAND PRIZE.

>> AND THE CONSUMER ENERGY ALLIANCE SAYS IT SOMETIMES THE CHOICE IS WHETHER TO EAT, OR HEAT YOUR HOME.

>> 30% OF FELLOW AMERICANS ARE LIVING PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK, AND I MEAN THEY DON'T HAVE $40 WORTH OF SAVINGS.

SO, YES, THEY MAKE THOSE DRASTIC CHOICES AS TO HOW MUCH FOOD THEY CAN BYE.

>> AND IT'S NOT JUST THE PRICE OF GROCERIES THAT IS GOING UP.

AMERICANS ARE SPENDING THAT 15% MORE ON GOODS OVERALL THAN BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.

AND, THE PRICE AT THE PUMP, WELL, THAT IS CAUSING A LOT OF PAIN.

>> YOU KNOW, 355.

>> YES.

THAT'S WHY WE PUT A LOT EVERY TWO WEEKS.

>> ONE WEEK, TWICE.

>> ONCE A WEEK WE DO.

>>, TREE SPENDING EACH TIME?

>> THERE WE GO, $40 PER >> THAT ENDS UP BEING ABOUT $300 A MONTH.

SO, WHILE THE INCREASES, MUCH LIKE YOUR GROCERY LIST, THE ANSWER IS LONG AND VARIED.

>> WHAT WE ARE FEELING RIGHT NOW, A PIPE PART OF THE COVID PANDEMIC, WENDY, THE ECONOMY SHUT ON THE ENERGY PRODUCTION AND WAS NOT ENOUGH DEMAND DURING THE PANDEMIC TO JUSTIFY PRODUCTION COSTS.

AND NOW THE ECONOMY IS RECOVERING.

IT'S NOT LIKE LIVING A SWITCH.

IT TAKES A LONG TIME TO GET THAT PRODUCTION RAN BACK UP TO WHERE IT WAS TO MEET CURRENT DEMAND.

>> THE BITING AND MISTRESS AND THE FEDERAL RESERVE BOTH SEBI INFLATION WE ARE EXPERIENCING NOW IS TRANSITORY, TEMPORARY, AND WILL GO AWAY AS SOON AS THE SUPPLY CHAIN PROBLEMS ARE RESOLVED.

I DISAGREE WITH THAT.

I BELIEVE THAT THE SUPPLY CHAIN IS ONLY ADDING MINIMALLY TO THE INFLATION PROBLEM.

>> Reporter: BUT, SOME GROCERS ARE FIGURING OUT HOW TO WORK AROUND THE SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES.

>> IF THOSE PRODUCTS ARE ON THE LOADING DOCK SOMEWHERE, OR THEY ARE OVERSEAS, SOME COMPANIES ARE MAKING INVESTMENTS TO HIRE THEIR OWN JUST LOCAL FIRMS TO GO OUT AND GET THOSE PRODUCTS.

>> BOTH BUTLER AND BUSTER POINT TO THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION'S EFFORTS TO CUT PRODUCTION OF NATURAL GAS HERE IN THE U.S. AM A PART OF HIS CLEAN ENERGY STRATEGY IS AFFECTING THE PRICE OF FUEL, WHICH TRICKLES DOWN TO THE SUPPLY CHAIN, AND EVEN INTO THE PRICES YOU PAY TO HEAT YOUR HOME AND HE SAYS THE FED IS NOT RAISING INTEREST RATES, WHICH ARE TYPICALLY DONE TO STAVE OFF SHARP INFLATION RATES.

>> WAS NEVER TAKEN THIS POSITION IN THE 40 YEARS SINCE THEY STARTED MONITORING THE MONEY SUPPLY TO CONTROL INFLATION.

THIS IS THE FIRST TIME ALONG THAT PERIOD THAT THEY HAVE NOT BEEN OUT IN FRONT OF INFLATION.

I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS POLITICALLY MOTIVATED OR NOT, THAT IS CERTAINLY A POSSIBILITY.

>> WHEN INTEREST RATES ARE LOW, LIKE THEY ARE NOW, MORE PEOPLE ARE OUT BUYING CARS, WHICH ALSO HAVE SUPPLY ISSUES, AS WELL AS HOMES, LEADING TO SPIKES IN THOSE PRICES.

HE SAYS OF INTEREST RATES DON'T RAISE SOON, WE COULD SEE INFLATION SPIKES LIKE WE DID IN THE EARLY 90s, THAT HAD 13%, AND LED TO A RECESSION.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM JOANNA GAGIS.

>> MOST PEOPLE WHO DON'T HAVE INSURANCE THROUGH THEIR JOBS SIGN UP FOR OPEN ROMANS.

AS NEW JERSEY POLICY PERSPECTIVES LATEST REPORT SHOWS, BECAUSE HEALTH INSURANCE IS SO CLOSELY TIED TO EMPLOYMENT HERE IN THE UNITED STATES, IS OFTEN PEOPLE WHO ARE LOW INCOME WHO ARE MOST LIKELY TO BE UNINSURED.

SINCE THEY ARE WORKING PART- TIME JOBS OR AT PLACES THAT DON'T OFFER BENEFITS.

NEW JERSEY CITIZEN ACTION HEALTHCARE PROGRAM DIRECTOR, MAURA COLLINS JOINS US NOW.

>> IT'S GREAT TO SPEAK TO YOU AGAIN.

LOOKING AT THIS LATEST POLICY PERSPECTIVE REPORT, WHAT STOOD OUT TO YOU THE MOST?

>>, THIS REPORT IS A SO TIMELY AND GETS US A REAL PICTURE OF WHO ARE REMAINING UNINSURED ARE.

AND, IF NO SURPRISE, BUT IT REALLY BEGS OUR ATTENTION.

ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE, IF YOU READ THIS REPORT IS AN EQUITY ISSUE THAT IS SCREAMING FOR OUR ATTENTION.

NEW JERSEY BLACK AND HISPANIC RESIDENTS STILL CONTINUE TO FACE THE GREATEST BARRIERS WHEN IT COMES TO AFFORDING HEALTH COVERAGE.

AND, THAT IS DUE TO SOME LONG- STANDING INEQUITIES THAT REALLY OFFER THOSE TO FIX.

>> AND WHAT ARE SOME OF THOSE VARIOUS CUSTOMER >> SOME OF THE BARRIERS THAT EXIST, THIS REPORT POINTS OUT, IN A LOT OF DETAIL, BASICALLY THAT IF YOU ARE BLACK, HISPANIC, OR HAVE LESS EDUCATION, IT IS MUCH MORE LIKELY THAT YOU WILL NOT HAVE ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE HEALTH COVERAGE.

AND, WE KNOW THAT MANY BLACKS, IN PARTICULAR, DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO JOBS THAT OFFER JOB- BASED COVERAGE.

MANY OF OUR LATINOS ARE SHUT OUT OF PROGRAMS BECAUSE THE ELIGIBILITY BARRIERS.

AND THAT REALLY IS A DETERMINING FACTOR IN WHETHER OR NOT INDIVIDUALS CAN GET AFFORDABLE COVERAGE.

>> RIGHT, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN GOING UP ARE NOT NEW TO THIS REPORT.

>> CORRECT, IT IS NOT NEW.

AND I WILL SAY, I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT DURING THE PANDEMIC, WE SAW A SHARP RISE IN THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE ENROLLED IN OUR PUBLIC COVERAGE PROGRAMS, BECAUSE OF THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

PEOPLE ENROLLED IN PUBLIC COVERAGE PROGRAMS WERE ABLE TO STAY ENROLLED, THERE WAS MORE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE TO THEM, AND THAT RESULTED IN HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS BEING ABLE TO ACCESS MORE AFFORDABLE COVERAGE THROUGH OUR ACA MARKETPLACE, THROUGH MEDICAID, THROUGH CHIP AT A REALLY CRITICAL TIME.

BUT, WHAT WE CONTINUE TO SEE, BASED UPON THIS REPORT IS THAT, AS THIS PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY ENDS, WE NEED TO CONSIDER HOW WE DON'T REVERSE COURSE, AND HOW DO WE COME OUT OF THIS, AND TAKE STEPS TO ENSURE THAT WE DON'T WORSEN THE PERSISTENT RACIAL AND ECONOMIC DISPARITIES THAT WE SEE IN HEALTH COVERAGE.

>> WHAT STEPS DO YOU THINK NEED TO BE TAKEN CUSTOMER >> WE KNOW THAT WE NEED TO DIVERSIFY OUR OUTREACH AND COMMUNICATIONS.

WE HAVE TO MEET PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE IN A WAY, AND THROUGH CHANNELS THAT THEY USE.

>> A LOT MORE NEEDS TO BE DONE.

>> LEFT TURN ONTO TROPICAL STORM IDA.

PEOPLE ACROSS NEW JERSEY WERE HIT HARD WITH DEVASTATING FLOODING.

WHILE THERE IS A STATE PROGRAM CALLED BLUE ACRES, WHICH GIVES PEOPLE WHO LIVE AND FREQUENTLY FLOODED HOMES, THE OPPORTUNITY TO SELL AND GET OUT.

IT'S BEEN HELD UP AS A NATIONAL MODEL FOR HOW TO ADAPT TO CLIMATE CHANGE., DOES THE PROGRAM HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO ADDRESS THE DAMAGE DONE BY IDA?

AND, THE DAMAGE TO COME FROM FUTURE STORMS?

FUTURE SENIOR CORRESPONDENT, BRENDA FLANAGAN WENT TO REDBRIDGE , WHICH HAS MORE BUYOUT THAN ANY OTHER TOWN TO EXAMINE THE PAST AND FUTURE OF THE PROGRAM.

>> YOU CAN'T KEEP DOING THIS.

I GOT WATER THEY CAME IN MY BACK DOOR THIS TIME.

LIKE NIAGARA FALLS.

>> Reporter: ANITA EVANS REMEMBERS THE NIGHT THERE WAS FLOODWATER THROUGH HER NEIGHBORHOOD TRANSFORMING THE COLONIAL SECTION OF WOODBRIDGE INTO A RIVER.

FRIENDS NEXT-DOOR RECORDED RELENTLESSLY DOUBLING UP, FILLING THEIR FIRST FOUR.

RESIDENTS FACE POTENTIAL FLOODING WHENEVER HEAVY RAINS FALL.

THEIR HOMES, BACK UP TO PUMPKIN PATCH BROKE.

IT LOOKS HARMLESS, BUT FLOWS THROUGH NOTORIOUS RED RIVER FLOODPLAIN.

SO THEN, WOODBRIDGE ASKED HOMEOWNERS IF THEY CONSIDERED SELLING THEIR HOUSES THROUGH NEW JERSEY'S BLUE ACRES PROGRAM.

MANY APPLIED, INCLUDING ANITA.

>> I'M AFRAID I'M NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO EVEN SELL MY HOUSE.

>> I NOTICE A NEIGHBORHOOD UP SIGN.

SHE'S GOT HERS IS SELLING.

>> SHE'S EVACUATED AND YOU KNOW, THIS LAST ONE.

I'M DONE.

I MEAN, WE'VE BEEN FIGHTING THIS SINCE WE MOVED IN HERE, AND 89.

AND, WE HAD THE FLOODS.

I MEAN, YOU KNOW.

YOU JUST CAN'T LIVE LIKE THIS.

>> WE WANT THOSE PEOPLE TO GET TO A BETTER PLACE AND WE ARE WILLING TO SUPPORT THEIR APPLICATIONS TO BLUE ACRES TO GET BUYOUTS AND WE ARE GOING TO HOPE THAT THEY STAY IN TOWN WHEN THEY LOOK FOR ANOTHER LOCATION.

>> MAYOR DON McCORMICK WANTS RESIDENTS TO STAY LOCAL, BUT ACRES DEMOLISHES EVERY HOUSE IT BUYS, REMOVING HOMES AS FLOOD RISKS, BUT ALSO AS TAX RATE DOUBLES.

BUT, JERSEYS BLUE ACRES PROGRAM AIMS TO BREAK AN EVEN MORE EXPENSIVE CYCLE THAT OCCURS WHENEVER FLOOD DISASTERS STRIKE ADVOCATES SAY.

NEW JERSEY IS ONE OF THE LEADING STATES IN REPETITIVE CLAIMS IN THE NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM.

SO, WE HAVE WHAT IS THIS KIND OF CYCLE OF CONTINUOUSLY REBUILDING, GETTING DAMAGED, AND REBUILDING AGAIN.

>> WHAT WILL EFFECTIVELY DO IS THROWING GOOD MONEY AFTER THAT?

WHEN A DISASTER BECOMES THE FEDS ARRIVED WITH THEIR BUCKETS OF CASH.

>> DEP COMMISSIONER, IS NOT SURE HOW MUCH FEDERALLY TO EXPECT POST IDA, BUT JERSEY HAS NOW GOT SEVERAL MILLION DOLLARS DEDICATED ANNUALLY FROM THE STATES CORPORATE BUSINESS TAX TO SPEND.

AND THEY WANT TO REWORK THE LAKERS TO ADDRESS HOMEOWNERS MAY CONCERN WHEN THEY CAN ENTER BUYOUTS, ESPECIALLY IN THE HOT REAL ESTATE MARKET.

>> HAD A REALTOR CALL ME AND TELL ME THAT I CAN GET LIKE $500,000 FOR THIS HOUSE.

>> THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DOES NOT ALLOW US TO DO MORE THAN FAIR MARKET VALUE.

AT THE DAY BEFORE THE EVENT.

HOW DO WE LET THE STATE DOLLARS COME IN?

AND PROVIDE A LITTLE BIT MORE OF AN INCENTIVE FOR FOLKS TO ACTUALLY TAKE IT?

>> SO FAR, BLUE ACRES HAS BEEN MORE THAN $200 MILLION TO CLOSE DOWN 775 HOUSES IN 20 TOWNS ACROSS JERSEY.

WOODBRIDGE LEADS THE PACK WITH AN HUNDRED 66 BUYOUTS, MOST AFTER SUPER SOME STANDING IN THEIR WATSON AVENUE NEIGHBORHOOD.

THIS IS A TITLE TRIBUTARY OF THE WOOD RIDGE CREEK, DURING SUPER STORM SANDY, THE WATER AROUND HERE GOES ABOUT 8 OR 9 PP WAY OVER MY HEAD.

THERE WERE 10 HOMES STANDING ON THIS BLOCK.

THEY'VE ALL BEEN DEMOLISHED UNDER THE BLUE ACRES PROGRAM.

A RUTGERS MAP SHOWS HOW BLUE ACRES BASICALLY BOUGHT OUT MOST OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> ANYTIME THAT WE SEE FOLKS MAP WITHIN THAT HIGH-RISK AREA, THE GOAL IS TO GET THEM OUT OF HARMS WAY AND RESTORE THE FLOODPLAIN FOR THE HABITAT.

>> IS BEEN RE-CREATED AS A WILDLIFE AREA, AND NATURAL GUARD AGAINST STORM SURGES, NOW PLANTED WITH INDIGENOUS TREES PROTECTED INSIDE PLASTIC TUBES, AND THREADED BY A NEW WALKWAY, STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION.

>> WHAT WE WANT TO DO IS INCREASE THE FUNCTION AS MUCH AS WE CAN, AND CREATE A PLACE THAT PEOPLE CAN RIDE THEIR BIKE OR WALK THEIR DOG.

>> THE PROBLEM WITH BLUE ACRES?

IT'S EXPENSIVE, AND MANY HOMEOWNERS, PARTICULARLY ALONG THE COAST ARE ABANDONING THE LIFESTYLE THEY LOVE, EVEN THOUGH THEY KNOW THE FLOODWATERS ARE INEVITABLE.

THE ONE SOLUTION?

>> YOU DON'T NECESSARILY HAVE TO TELL EVERYONE THEY HAVE TO LEAVE AN AREA THAT IS A HIGH RISK AREA, BUT WHEN THE PROPERTIES ARE DESTROYED, IT WHICH THEY INEVITABLY WILL BE, YOU DON'T REBUILD THEM.

>> BACK ON JORDAN ROAD, FOLKS FEEL DIVIDED.

STEPHANIE HAS APPLIED FOR A BLUE ACRES BUYOUT, BUT HER HEART IS NOT IN IT.

>> MY FIRST HOME, LOVE IT.

SO, BUT, I DO HAPPENED AND I GOT FLOODED.

>> SO, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?

>> I DON'T KNOW.

I WOULD LOVE FOR BLUE ACRES TO BE THE LAST OPTION.

>> IN WOODBRIDGE, I AM BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> THE LATEST COVID VACCINATION NUMBERS ARE OUT AND 6.11 MILLION PEOPLE HERE IN NEW JERSEY HAVE GOTTEN FULLY VACCINATED.

ON THE CONTROVERSY SURROUNDING MASK MANDATES, AND NEW MONMOUTH UNIVERSITY POLL EARLIER THIS MONTH SAMPLED 811 ADULTS NATIONALLY.

THEY FOUND 61% ARE IN SUPPORT OF REQUIRING FACE MASK IN SCHOOL.

THAT IS DOWN 5% FROM SEPTEMBER.

THE POLL ALSO ASKED ABOUT VACCINE MANDATES.

59% BELIEVE TEACHERS AND STAFF SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO GET THE SHOT.

53% THINK SCHOOLCHILDREN 12 AND UP SHOULD BE MANDATED TO GET THE VACCINE ALSO.

BUT, WHEN IT COMES TO KIDS 05 TO 11, THAT SUPPORT DROPS TO JUST 44%.

IT DROPS EVEN FURTHER DOWN TO 34% WHEN THE POLL SPECIFICALLY ASKS PARENTS.

NO MATTER WHICH SIDE HE STENT, LONG-TERM COVID SIDE EFFECTS ARE SOMETHING MANY ARE STRUGGLING WITH TODAY.

JOINING US NOW IS THE CHIEF OF THE DIVISION OF COGNITIVE NEUROLOGY AT RUTGERS JOHNSON MEDICAL SCHOOL, DR. WILLIAM WHO.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

SO, YOUR LATEST STUDY FOCUSES ON BRAIN FOG AND ITS CONNECTION TO COVID-19.

CAN YOU GIVE US SOME EXAMPLES OF WHAT PATIENTS ARE EXPERIENCING?

>> YEAH.

I THINK FOR THE PAST YEAR OR SO, WE HAVE NOTICED A LOT OF PATIENTS AFTER THE RECOVER FROM THE ACUTE COVID, BE A MILD INFECTION OR SOMETIMES WHEN THEY DON'T HAVE ANY SYMPTOMS, THEY CAN STILL NOTICE THEIR THINKING BECOMES SLUGGISH.

IT TAKES THEM LONGER TO DO THE SAME THINGS THAT THEY USED TO DO VERY WELL.

OR, THEY HAVE A HARD TIME FINDING THE RIGHT WORDS TO EXPRESS HIMSELF OR REMEMBERING WHAT THEIR SPOUSES OR THEIR BOSSES HAVE ASKED THEM TO DO.

AND THIS HAS BEEN VERY TROUBLING FOR MANY PEOPLE, AND SOMETIMES, THE DEGREE OF MEMORY ISSUES AND THINKING ISSUES ARE SO, IT IS SO SIGNIFICANT AND INTERFERES WITH THE WORK AND WITH THE DAILY ACTIVITIES.

>> AND ARE YOU SEEING A PATTERN AS FAR AS WHEN THESE SYMPTOMS START TO HAPPEN?

HOW LONG AFTER YOU, YOU KINDA HAVE CLEARED COVID?

>> YEAH.

I THINK WE SEE ABOUT TWO TYPES OF THE EMERGENCE, AND HOW THE BRAIN FOG SYMPTOMS EMERGE.

ONE IS THAT PEOPLE FEEL THIS RIGHT AWAY, DOING THE ACUTE COVID, BUT THEY FEEL SICK, AND THEY FIGURE THAT THIS KIND OF SLUGGISH THING IS JUST PART OF THE ILLNESS, BUT EVEN AFTER THEY ARE COUGHING AND BREATHING BETTER, THE SLUGGISH THINKING DOES NOT GET BETTER.

AND ANOTHER TYPE WHICH IS A LITTLE MORE INTRIGUING, THEY ALSO ANY OF THE BRAIN SYMPTOMS DURING THE ACUTE COVID, BUT ABOUT TWO OR THREE WEEKS OR SOMETIMES A COUPLE OF MONTHS AFTER THE RESOLUTION OF RESPIRATORY SYMPTOMS, THE BRAIN SYMPTOMS START TO COME ON.

SOMETIMES BECOME HEADACHES, SOMETIMES THEY ARE SLEEP DISTURBANCES.

BUT, IT'S REALLY, IT VARIES BETWEEN PEOPLE.

>> AND WE KNOW IF THIS IS PERMANENT?

CAN IT LEAD TO OTHER BRAIN DISEASES DOWN THE LINE?

LIKE DEMENTIA, FOR EXAMPLE CUSTOMER >> I THINK THESE ARE REALLY IMPORTANT QUESTIONS, BUT FOR THE PEOPLE WHO ARE LIVING WITH THIS CONDITION, AS WELL AS FOR THOSE OF US WHO TAKE CARE OF PATIENTS WITH ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE AND OTHER MORE AGE- RELATED DISORDERS.

I THINK THIS IS AN AREA THAT WE ARE ACTIVELY INVESTIGATING.

WE SEEN SOME PEOPLE WHO THESE SYMPTOMS IMPROVE, OR REMAIN STEADY OVER THE COURSE OF MONTHS, AND SOMETIMES THREE MONTHS, SOMETIMES SIX MONTHS, AND THE OTHER, THE SYMPTOMS PERHAPS PERSISTED FOR MORE THAN A YEAR.

BECAUSE WE ARE ONLY INTO THIS PANDEMIC A LITTLE OVER A YEAR, WHETHER THESE LATER GROUPS AND SYMPTOMS WILL RESULT AT TWO YEARS OR THREE YEARS DOWN THE ROAD, IT'S AN OPEN-ENDED QUESTION.

AND WE WANT TO KNOW IF AN INFECTION LIKE THIS INCREASES YOUR RISK FOR FUTURE BRAIN DISEASES, LIKE STROKES AND ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE.

AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE STUDYING AS WELL.

>> WELL, WE WILL KEEP AN EYE ON THE STUDY AS YOU PROGRESS.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AGAIN.

THANK YOU.

>>> WE TURN NOW TO NEWARK WHERE 200 PROTESTERS TOOK TO THE STREETS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON IN IRON BELTS A RALLY AGAINST THE CONSTRUCTION OF A PROPOSED NATURAL GAS POWERPLANT AT THE PASSAIC VALLEY STORAGE COMMISSIONS TREATMENT PLAN.

IS TO KEEP THE FACILITY RUNNING DURING FUTURE POWER OUTAGES, AN IDEA DEVELOPED AFTER SUPER STORM SANDY.

BUT, OPPONENTS ARE PUSHING FOR THE PLANT BACKUP POWER TO COME FROM RENEWABLE SOURCES.

RATHER THAN FOSSIL FUELS.

AND, THE PROCESSING PLANT THAT WILL TURN TREATED SEWAGE INTO BIOSOLIDS.

RESIDENTS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT INCREASED TRUCK TRAFFIC, SERVING THE PLANT IF IT IS BUILT PER THE MARCH CAME JUST HOURS AFTER GOVERNOR MURPHY SIGNED A NEW EXECUTIVE ORDER COMMITTING THE STATE/GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS IN HALF BY 2030.

MURPHY ALSO ANNOUNCED A $33 MILLION COMMITMENT TO PUTTING NEW ELECTRIC BUSES AND TRUCKS ON NEW JERSEY ROADS.

TAILPIPE POLLUTION FROM THE TRANSPORTATION SECTOR IS THE GARDEN STATES LARGEST SOURCE OF CLIMATE WARMING GREENHOUSE GASES.

MORE ON THE GOVERNORS CLINICALS, CHECK OUT HER ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT WRITER, TOM JOHNSON'S STORY ON NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG .

MORE RELIEF ON THE WAY FOR SMALL BUSINESSES.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS BEEN IS THAT JUST MIGHT HELP FOLKS REMAIN STUCK FOLKS STAY AFLOAT PROPOSAL THE TOP BUSINESS HEADLINES OF THE DAY.

>>> THE NEW JERSEY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY IS ROLLING OUT ANOTHER PROGRAM TO HELP SMALL BUSINESSES.

THE AUTHORITIES VOTED TO CREATE THE MAINSTREET MICRO BUSINESS LOAN PROGRAM, WHICH WILL PROVIDE FINANCING OF UP TO $50,000 FOR BUSINESSES WITH 10 OR FEWER FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES.

NONPROFITS AND HOME-BASED BUSINESSES CAN ALSO APPLY FOR 10 YEAR LOANS WITH A LOW INTEREST RATE.

IF CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS ARE MET.

IN THE MEANTIME, THE A.D.A.

ALSO FINALIZED RULES FOR ITS TAX CREDIT PROGRAM, WHICH AIMS TO SUPPORT MIXED-USE TRANS DEVELOPMENTS AROUND THE STATE.

NEW JERSEY BUSINESSES OWNED BY MILITARY VETERANS ARE FACING CHALLENGES AND ARE IN NEED OF HELP.

AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE HEAD OF THE NEW JERSEY STATE VETERANS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, COLONEL JEFF KENT TORE SAYS BUSINESSES ARE NOT GETTING ENOUGH ACCESS TO STATE CONTRACTS.

>> WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO COMPETE IN THE OPEN BID PROCESS, WE NEED THE HELP TO GET THE ACCESS TO CAPITAL, WE NEED THE HELP IN GAINING ACCESS TO MARKETS AND NETWORKS, AND YOU KNOW, WE DON'T NORMALLY HAVE THAT.

WE JUST ARE ASKING FOR THE STATE TO STEP UP, AND REALLY, SUPPORT THIS GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS THAT REALLY RAISE THE RIGHT HAND AND SAID YES, SEND ME, I WILL GO TO PROTECT AMERICAN IDEALS.

>> ELSEWHERE, LAWSUITS OVER JOHNSON & JOHNSON'S TALK PRODUCTS WILL NOW BE HEARD IN NEW JERSEY.

A U.S. BANKRUPTCY JUDGE IN NORTH CAROLINA RULED CASES MUST BE HEARD HERE, WHERE J&J IS BASED.

THE COMPANY WAS TRYING TO GET THOSE CASES HEARD IN THE SOUTH, BECAUSE OF FAVORABLE LEGAL PRECEDENTS IN THERE.

AT&T UNIT FACES THOUSANDS OF LOSSES FROM CUSTOMERS WHO CLAIM THEY DEVELOPED CANCER FROM ASBESTOS INTEL PRODUCTS THAT SOMETHING THE COMPANY HAS DENIED.

ACCORDING TO WRITERS, J&J HAS PAID $3 BILLION IN SETTLEMENTS AND VERDICTS AND TELL CASES ALTHOUGH, IT HAS PREVAILED AND SOME OF THEM.

NOW LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT TODAY'S STOCK MARKET ACTION.

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

>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT IS PROVIDED BY THE MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION OF NEW JERSEY AND A SMART HEAT NJ.

>>> MAKE SURE YOU TURN INTO ANTIBUSINESS PEAK WITH RHONDA SCHAFFLER THIS WEEKEND.

SHE PUTS THE BUSINESS OF SPORTS AND FOCUS!

HOW TEAMS OPERATE OFF THE FIELD AND BEHIND THE SCENES.

RHONDA TALK TO INDUSTRY LEADERS ABOUT THE CHALLENGES OF RUNNING A TEAM, HERE IN NEW JERSEY.

CHECK IT OUT ON OUR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL SATURDAY AT 10:00 A.M. >>> WE END TONIGHT WITH A TRIBUTE TO OUR VETERANS.

PARK MIDDLE SCHOOL IN SCOTCH PLAINS IS RENAMING AT SCHOOL TO HONOR ONE MAN WHO SERVED AMONG THE FIRST BLACK MILITARY PILOTS IN THE UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES DURING WORLD WAR II.

CORRESPONDENT, RAVEN SANTANA SPOKE TO THE FAMILY OF THE AIRMEN WHOSE NAME NOW SHINES BRIGHT AT THE SCHOOL.

>> MALCOLM NETTING HIM DIED ON SEPTEMBER 14th 2020 BUT HIS LEGACY WILL LIVE ON HERE AT PARK MIDDLE SCHOOL WHERE A RENAMING CEREMONY WAS HELD IN HIS HONOR.

>> I CAN HEAR MY FATHER'S VOICE IN MY HEAD SAYING CALM DOWN, DEBORAH.

MY DAD WAS COOL, CALM, COLLECTED.

SO POSITIVE.

RIGHT NOW, I KNOW HE IS LOOKING DOWN ON THIS, AND FEELING SUCH HONOR.

>> WELL THE DAUGHTER SAYS HER DAD DID NOT VIEW HIMSELF AS A HERO, THERE'S NO DENYING THAT HE WAS.

HE WOULD HAVE BEEN 102 ON OCTOBER 1st WAS A RESIDENT OF SCOTCH PLANE FOR ALMOST A CENTURY AND WAS A TRAILBLAZER AS A MEMBER OF THE TUSKEGEE AIRMEN, THE FIRST BLACK MILITARY PILOTS IN THE UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES WHO FOUGHT DURING WORLD WAR II.

THERE ARE AN INSPIRATION FOR GENERATIONS AND PRESERVING THEIR LEGACY IS CRITICAL, WHICH IS WHY HAVING THE SCHOOL NAMED AFTER HIM ON VETERANS DAY IS SO IMPORTANT.

>> MALCOLM WAS SELECTED TO BE A PART OF THE ARMY EXPERIENCE, TO SEE IF AFRICAN-AMERICANS, CADETS WERE AS INTELLIGENT AS WHITE CADETS.

HE BECAME A MEMBER OF THE FIRST TO RACIALLY INTEGRATED FIGHT VIDEO CLASS, IN 2007, MALCOLM WAS AWARDED THE CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL.

MALCOLM WAS INVITED TO BOTH BARACK OBAMA'S INAUGURATION STRAIGHT >> THE SCHOOL RENAMING AS A PERMANENT HONOR THAT THE PRINCIPAL SAYS WILL INSPIRE BOTH STUDENTS AND STAFF TO ALWAYS REMEMBER THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS THAT NETTING HIM HAD BOTH ON AND OFF THE BATTLEFIELD.

>> I'M HOPING THAT OUR STUDENTS WILL LEARN TO BE INSPIRED BY THE LEGACY OF MALCOLM AND THE TUSKEGEE AIRMEN, THEIR SERVICE, THEIR DEDICATION, THEIR BRAVERY, THEIR COMMITMENT TO TRUE CHANGE AS A PART OF THE REDEVELOPMENT PLANS, AS THE GRAND MARSHAL OF THE PARADE, OUR STUDENTS CAN TRULY LOOK TO A HOMETOWN HERO NOW THAT WE HAVE A SCHOOL NAMED AFTER HIM.

>> IN THE WEEKS LEADING UP TO THE CEREMONIES, STUDENTS HAVE BEEN PARTICIPATING IN EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES TO LEARN ABOUT THE SQUADRON OF THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN MILITARY PILOTS AND ABOUT MR. NOTTINGHAM'S LIFE.

>> IT'S OF COOL KNOWING THAT HE WENT HERE AND HE SAT WHERE YOU WERE.

>> IT'S COOL BECAUSE I KNOW HE SERVED FOR US AND THAT HE WAS IMPORTANT AND HE WENT TO THE SCHOOL AND HE WALKED IN THE HALLWAYS AND SAT IN THE SEATS THAT WE DID.

>> EVERYBODY GOT TO BE ACKNOWLEDGED, AND MANY OF THE STUDENTS CAN LEARN ABOUT IT.

>> TO HIS LEGACY CONTINUE TO INSPIRE CITIZENS OF THIS TOWN, STATE, AND NATION FOR YEARS TO COME.

ON BEHALF OF A GRATEFUL COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY TODAY, I FEEL I CAN ONLY AND PROPERLY BY SAYING, MR. NOTTINGHAM, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

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

>> THAT DOES IT FOR US THIS EVENING.

IF YOU MISSED ANY OF THE HEADLINES THIS WEEK, CHECK OUT REPORTERS ROUNDTABLE WITH SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT, DAVID CRUZ.

HE WILL TALK WITH HOLLY SHIP EASIER AND LOOK AT THE CHANGES IN LEADERSHIP IN STATEHOUSE.

TUNE INTO OUR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL, TWITTER, OR FACEBOOK PAGE AT 10:00 A.M.

TOMORROW MORNING.

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

>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY THE MEMBERS OF NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCATION, MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

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.