Covid-19 News and Resources

• We posted this last week but it's worth repeating every newsletter - New Jersey has a Covid-19 website where you can find all the information you need on the virus and our state's response to it. You can also take a look at the Covid-19 Scenarios and Benefits Available (pdf) and then use the website above to find out how you can get the benefits that apply to you. 
   
• Do you, or your business, have personal protective equipment like exam gloves, masks (etc.) that you can donate? New Jersey hospitals are looking for donations right now. Use this form to donate. 
   
• There are now multiple locations for Covid testing in NJ. Many of them require appointments or to be referred by a doctor, or are only open to residents of that county. Find a local testing site here and read up on what the requirements are for that location. This site also has a symptom checker to see if you need to be tested. 
   
• If you have Covid-19, or even suspect you do, you have to quarantine yourself for 14 days. Legislation has now been passed in New Jersey that prohibits employers from firing employees who have to leave work for this reason. 
   
• The State of New Jersey worked with mortgage lenders to get them to agree to a 90 day grace period for those who are having financial difficulty paying their residential mortgage This means no mortgage payment for 3 months, no fees and no bad credit because of it. This is only available to those in financial difficulty and you have to apply. More information here. 
   
• More workers will now be able to receive paid leave benefits in New Jersey. If you can't work because of this crisis, this might be able to help you. 
   
• The Washington Post is providing access to this story for free to help calm fears going around right now. Use common sense, especially if you are in a high risk group, but in general, "Don’t panic about shopping, getting delivery or accepting packages".
   

Take Action!
Things you can do while you #stayhome

• Join ATNJ in asking your legislators to support the bill to help strengthen Vote by Mail in New Jersey. Voting from home is not just a good idea overall, it's also a particularly good idea while we are fighting this pandemic! 
   
• Rather than give their employees sick leave for Covid-19, Jeff Bezos and his Whole Foods CEO are suggesting that these employees "donate" their paid leave days and share them with other workers who need to stay home. Sign this petition by MoveOn to let the owner of Amazon know what you think of his actions. Keep in mind that this is from the man who owns  the company that paid $0 in taxes, and got over 100 million in government rebates, in 2018 even though it showed a profit of 11 billion dollars that year. 
   
• Activists are still asking for the New Jersey government to do the right thing and release ICE detainees. There are already detainees in two facilities who have tested positive for Covid and releasing them will help to slow the spread, protecting their lives and the lives of people who work in those facilities. Help by signing this petition by Make the Road New Jersey and this one by Jobs and Equal Rights for All. 
   
• The New Jersey chapter of the Sierra Club is asking everyone to submit public comments on the NESE pipeline project. The deadline is April 6, so don't delay. 

Virtual Events
Check out any of these events that you can attend while staying safe in your home