PARK COMMISSION TAKING ‘EYES ON EAGLES’ ONLINE
The Mercer County Park Commission’s Nature Programs will be offering select public programming online in response to social distancing and stay-at-home orders. The popular “Eyes on Eagles” program will be held virtually on Sunday, May 10 and Sunday, June 7 beginning at 2 p.m., allowing viewers to take a closer look at bald eagle nesting behavior in Mercer County. These online programs are free; users can register in advance through the meeting links.
The hour-long webinars will feature current footage collected safely from one of the nests located in the County Park system, along with bald eagle history and interpretation provided by Park Commission naturalists and the Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ. Key moments in the lives of the young eaglets will be highlighted in these two programs where viewers may see different activity such as nesting and branching. Naturalists will share up-to-date information on the eagles through your own virtual spotting scope and share the unique story of the eagles at Mercer Lake. This program is presented in partnership with Conserve Wildlife Foundation, the Wildlife Center Friends and PSE&G.
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For the safety of the eagles all public viewing must be done from a distance. Bald eagles and many bird species are sensitive during their nesting season. Park patrons must remain on marked trails at all times; disturbance to wildlife will cause harm, where they may refuse to return in the future. Public programs will provide important tips to park users on “eagle etiquette,” including information on federal regulations prohibiting the disturbance of bald eagle nests.
“Eyes on Eagles” virtual programming will conclude with a Q&A session for the public to ask any questions about eagles. Participants will be able to submit questions in advance of the program to krypkema@mercercounty.org. Questions can also be asked through the chat feature in the webinar.
To join this program, visit the following links:
May 10: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_NBjIuSD5S1WnyaCw-9FEeQ
June 7: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_by26wrUqQZK1krzbHTSyrg
Conserve Wildlife Foundation is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to the protection and conservation of New Jersey’s endangered and threatened wildlife and their habitats. Wildlife Center Friends is a supportive partner of the Mercer County Wildlife Center, a facility of the Mercer County Park Commission.
To learn more about bald eagle programming opportunities, please visit www.mercercountyparks.org or www.conservewildlifenj.org.
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Photo Caption: “Eyes on Eagles” programming will now be offered online, providing a unique perspective on nesting eagles.
Mercer County testing sites -- Quaker Bridge Mall and Trenton
Mercer County, in collaboration with health care and municipal partners, is operating an appointment-only, drive-up testing site for COVID-19 at Quaker Bridge Mall in Lawrence, and appointment-only pop-up testing sites in Trenton for individuals who lack transportation to the mall location. The Trenton sites are open in each city ward one day a week.
Testing will be provided for symptomatic Mercer County residents age 18 or older who have an appointment. In addition to fever, cough and shortness of breath, symptoms of COVID-19 can include chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat and new loss of taste and smell.
If you are symptomatic for COVID-19 and want to be tested, contact your primary health care practitioner. If a test is needed, your doctor will fax a prescription to the Mercer County health call center at 609-630-4031, and the center will contact you to schedule an appointment. If you voice an inability to get to Quaker Bridge Mall, you will be offered an appointment at a Trenton pop-up site along with instructions on when and where to go. If you do not have a doctor, call an urgent care facility or call the Henry J. Austin Health Center in Trenton (609-278-5900) to arrange for screening.
For the health, safety and security of staff at the Quaker Bridge Mall testing site, patients will not be permitted to leave their vehicles. Walk-ups are not permitted at that testing location.
You must have an appointment to be tested. Those who show up at a testing site without an appointment will not be able to be tested.
If you have questions about the testing process, call 609-337-4081 Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Español, call 609-436-5038 Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
The testing sites are collaborative efforts between the County of Mercer, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton, Capital Health System, St. Francis Medical Center in Trenton, the Trenton Health Team, Henry J. Austin Health Center, the City of Trenton, Lawrence Township and Quaker Bridge Mall management.
If you believe you may have symptoms of COVID-19, the State of New Jersey’s COVID-19 Information Hub provides a self-assessment tool that will help you determine whether you should be tested. Visit self.covid19.nj.gov.
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Giving Tuesday movement plans May 5 day of unity
Giving Tuesday is a global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world.
In addition to the normally scheduled #GivingTuesday in December, the Giving Tuesday movement is launching #GivingTuesdayNow, a global day of unity to take place on May 5, 2020, as a response to the unprecedented need caused by COVID-19.
One of the best ways to get involved is in your own community. Giving Tuesday has created a directory to help you find organizations, events and ways to give back in your own community.
Some ways to give are:
• Support health care workers by donating supplies, advocating for them and staying home;
• Give to the organizations that you love most -- no amount is too little and nonprofits need our support;
• Help out small businesses by buying gift cards or writing an online review;
• Combat loneliness by reaching out to a neighbor, relative, seniors or veterans.
How are you giving back? Share on social media with the hashtag #GivingTuesdayNow and inspire others to give even when we're apart.
HAVE GENERAL QUESTIONS ABOUT COVID-19?
The NJ Poison Control Center and 211 have partnered with the State to provide information to the public on COVID-19:
Call: 2-1-1
Call (24/7): 1-800-962-1253
Text: NJCOVID to 898-211
Visit covid19.nj.gov or nj.gov/health for additional information
PREVENTION
To ensure the lowest chance of obtaining the virus, and spreading the virus to others:
- Practice social distancing.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after you have been in a public place or after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
- Avoid touching your nose, eyes and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when you have to go out in public; for example, to the grocery store or to pick up other necessities. Do not use a facemask meant for a health care worker. The cloth face cover is not a substitute for social distancing.
- If you are in a private setting and do not have on your cloth face covering, remember to always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, or use the inside of your elbow. Throw used tissues in the trash and wash your hands or clean them with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces
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SYMPTOMS
Symptoms can appear between 2-14 days after exposure, though some people may not have any symptoms while still being contagious. It's also important to consider whether you've been in contact with an infected person, as well as any symptoms you may be experiencing. In addition to fever, cough and shortness of breath, symptoms can include chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat and new loss of taste or smell.
If you believe you've been infected and you are not in immediate danger, you should contact your doctor by phone. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911, and notify the dispatch personnel that you may have COVID-19.
COVID-19 Symptom Checker.
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COPING WITH STRESS
If you’re feeling stressed, anxious or depressed due to COVID-19, please call New Jersey's MentalHealthCares Helpline at 866-202-HELP (4357) or visit njmentalhealthcares.org for emotional support, guidance, and mental health referrals as needed. You also may call the SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 (TTY 1-800-846-8517).
BUSINESS ASSISTANCE
For information on COVID-19/Novel Coronavirus and its impact on businesses – including resources, assistance and regulations -- visit the State of New Jersey business portal and the Mercer County Office of Economic Development.
CENSUS 2020
It’s not too late to complete your 2020 Census form! It's safe and easy, and it’s your opportunity to bring education, health care, housing and political power to your community.
People across America are keeping their families and communities safe and healthy by staying home, or serving the public by providing essential services. Responding to the Census yourself — is another way to do your part and help keep your community strong.
If the paper form you received in the mail doesn’t work for you, you can respond online or by phone. There are so many ways to count yourself in the 2020 Census -- don’t wait! To respond online, visit https://my2020census.gov/login; to respond by phone, call 844-330-2020 (English) or 844-468-2020 (Spanish).
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JOBS AND HIRING
Did you lose your job or have your hours reduced as a result of COVID-19? Businesses across New Jersey need thousands of workers for immediate hire. Learn more about who is hiring in your community at jobs.covid19.nj.gov. The New Jersey Department of Labor & Workforce Development has prepared a frequently asked questions document for workers affected by the coronavirus emergency.
CONSUMER COMPLAINTS
If you receive a call from a scammer or suspect price gouging, please report it to the Division of Consumer Affairs at (973) 504-6240 or https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/.
CURRENT STATUS
The New Jersey Department of Health on May 4 announced 1,621 new positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of positive cases in the state to 128,269 with 7,910 deaths. The most positive cases are in Bergen County, which has 16,282; Mercer County has 4,594, with 256 deaths. To view Mercer County data by municipality, please visit the Mercer County COVID-19 Dashboard at https://arcg.is/1y1eHO. Please note that municipal data lags behind the state data and will update as information becomes available. Visit the New Jersey Department of Health's COVID-19 Dashboard for more statewide information.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on May 4 announced 29,763 new positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of positive cases in the United States to 1,152,372 with 67,456 deaths, with 55 locations (50 states, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, North Mariana Islands and U.S. Virgin Islands) reporting cases. For more information, visit cdc.gov.
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