Smith votes for $8.3 billion in new funding to combat the disease
The House of Representatives and Senate have passed extensive, bipartisan legislation to stem the threat of the coronavirus, or COVID-19, and help fund the development of new testing, prevention and treatment methods.
“I am pleased to support and vote for this $8.3 billion emergency appropriations bill to provide an added infusion of funding to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other federal agencies already working to protect US citizens,” said Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) the ranking member of the House subcommittee on global health.
“This comprehensive bill, and the widespread support it received, will help expedite funding for testing, prevention and treatment,” Smith said. “Prevention is, as they say, worth a pound of cure, and the better we can prevent and contain COVID-19 from spreading, the less impact it will have on our communities.”
The House approved the measure, HR 6074, the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2020, in a 415-2 vote Wednesday night. The Senate passed the House bill 96-1 Thursday. It now heads to President Trump for his signature and final enactment.
“The legislation will help support the development and manufacturing of vaccines and other medical supplies, as well as grants for state and local public health agencies and organizations,” Smith said. “It also provides loans for affected small businesses, and funds evacuations and emergency preparedness activities at U.S. embassies and other State Department facilities, humanitarian assistance and support for health systems in the affected countries abroad.”
Residents of the Fourth Congressional District can find additional information at the State of New Jersey Health Dept. or county health department websites, including those in Mercer County, Monmouth County and Ocean County.
Questions about the coronavirus can be posed to health experts at NJ’s Coronavirus Hotline: 1-800-222-1222.
The CDC also provides information on its website, including updates on the coronavirus and a guide on precautions people can take to protect themselves. Additionally, the US Environmental Protection Agency today advised Americans on the best types of disinfectants with a recommended list.
March 5, 2020
WEST WINDSOR, NJ (MERCER)–At 5:33 pm, March 4, 1010, Police Dispatch advised all available Units that an 29 year old, Autistic adult male had run away from his caregiver in the parking lot of Wegmans. Further information was relayed via the Communications Center that the adult male had a disagreement with his caregiver and ran away in the direction of the Target store. K9 Officer Zicha arrived on scene and met with the caregiver who advised him that the victim commonly runs away after an argument, but usually this occurs when they are in Hamilton Township. Therefore, the male was unfamiliar with the area of Nassau Park (including the surrounding wooded area/waterways with sundown approaching at 5:52 pm). In addition, the adult male would sometimes not return until the next day. Multiple units arrived and began a systematic search of the nearby stores and the walking paths in & around the Nassau Park Pavilion. Traffic Officer/Drone Pilot McQuade deployed his Drone while K9 Officer Zicha & his partner K9 Hodge began a search along the wooded areas surrounding Nassau Park Pavilion including the area of the D&R Canal (*see attached photo, using thermal imaging, of K9 Officer Zicha & K9 Hodge as provided by Drone Pilot McQuade*). The Communications Center advised Princeton PD and Lawrence Twp. of the unfolding incident and requested they check their areas that abut the Nassau Park border. As the WWPD continued their arduous store to store search for the missing man, Ptl. Pollini and Ptl. LaForge were advised by staff at Michael’s that there was a subject fitting the description of the individual. Ptl. LaForge subsequently located the male at the rear of the store. The male was ultimately reunited with the Program Manager without any further incident.
Chief Garofalo wanted to thank our partners at Princeton PD and Lawrence Twp. PD for their assistance. In addition, Chief Garofalo wanted to praise the actions of our Communications Center & our Officers who worked together seamlessly and with all of our resources to locate the man. Chief Garofalo is fully aware how this situation could have easily had a much different and tragic ending.
March 5, 2020
Church Street is closed from Main Street to Johnson Drive.
Allentown, NJ (Monmouth)–There is sewer line maintenance work going on today. As such, Church Street is closed between Main Street and Johnson Drive. Traffic is being redirected onto Johnson Drive, to Mechanic Street, to Broad Street, and back onto Main Street. It is estimated that this work will continue until 3PM today. If work needs to continue tomorrow, the same closures will be in effect. There will be traffic delays in the area. Please plan accordingly. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.