Grants available to minority-owned small businesses
Grant applications for the Fiserv Back2Business Grants for Small Business Program, which will award up to $10,000 to minority-owned businesses that have been impacted by COVID-19 and social unrest, are now open for eligible small businesses in New Jersey. The application deadline is Feb. 26
The Back2Business Grant is a part of a larger Fiserv initiative to equip minority-owned small businesses with vital education, coaching and capital to fuel community growth, creating sustainable business and shared value for all. In addition to the grant, the program includes opportunities for mentorship and access to technology solutions that enable revenue generation.
Applicants can find more information and apply for the grant at https://aeoworks.org/fiserv/.
NJEDA defers pre-registration for Phase 2 of loan program
TRENTON -- The pre-registration for Phase 2 of the Small Business Emergency Assistance Loan Program will be deferred, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) announced. Pre-registration was scheduled to open on Wednesday, Feb. 10. The Authority has not announced a new date for the program.
The Authority deferred the launch of the program to accommodate the rollout of additional federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) financing for small businesses, which had not been announced when the NJEDA was preparing to launch the Small Business Emergency Assistance Loan Program.
The NJEDA will share additional updates on the Emergency Assistance Loan Program and other COVID-19 relief resources as they become available. Information will also be shared on the state’s COVID-19 Business Hub: https://cv.business.nj.gov.
VACCINATIONS
Mercer County hosts two vaccination sites – one at CURE Arena in Trenton, in partnership with Capital Health, and the other at Mercer County Community College’s West Windsor campus. An extremely limited number of doses are available at this time due to a supply shortage at the federal level. In order to receive a vaccination from Mercer County, you must first register with the NJ Vaccine Scheduling System (NJVSS) at https://covidvaccine.nj.gov. No walk-ups can be accommodated at the vaccination sites. You will be notified when it is time for you to schedule an appointment. When you go to get vaccinated, remember to wear clothing that makes your upper arm accessible.
|
If you need assistance with NJVSS, visit covid19.nj.gov/vaccinehelp or call New Jersey’s toll-free COVID-19 vaccination hotline at 855-568-0545.
For information on getting the second dose of the vaccine, click here.
For information on vaccination eligibility, locations and more, visit the state’s vaccine website at https://covid19.nj.gov/vaccine. Even if you are eligible for receiving a vaccine, an appointment may not be immediately available to you due to significantly limited vaccine availability.
Current COVID-19 vaccination eligibility:
• Paid or unpaid individuals working in a health care setting
• Residents of long-term care facilities and other congregate settings
• Frontline first responders
• Individuals age 65 and older
• Individuals age 16 to 64 who have at least one medical condition, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which increases the risk of severe illness from the virus.
TESTING
Mercer County offers a free at-home saliva test for COVID-19 in partnership with Vault Health Services. The saliva test is available to County residents 14 years or older and anyone employed as a first responder or health care worker in Mercer County. Details on the at-home testing program can be found on the COVID-19 Testing page on the County website.
An updated list of COVID-19 testing locations in Mercer County can be found on the Trenton Health Team’s website: https://trentonhealthteam.org/covidtests/.
CURRENT STATUS
The NJ Department of Health on Feb. 8 announced 2,218 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 (established through PCR testing), bringing the cumulative total of confirmed cases in the state to 647,194 and 25 additional confirmed COVID-19 deaths, bringing the cumulative total to 19,824 confirmed deaths and 2,187 probable deaths. Mercer County's 101 new confirmed cases bring its cumulative total to 24,473, with 798 confirmed COVID-19 deaths and 39 probable 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 Feb. 8 announced 91,762 new positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the cumulative total of positive cases in the United States to 26,852,809; and 1,455 additional deaths, bringing the cumulative total to 462,037 with 55 locations (50 states, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, North Mariana Islands and U.S. Virgin Islands) reporting.
|
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 (general COVID-19 questions): 2-1-1 (24/7)
Call (medical COVID-19 questions): 1-800-962-1253 (24/7)
Call (vaccine appointment support): 1-855-568-0545 (8a-8p)
Text: NJCOVID to 898-211 to receive alerts
Visit covid19.nj.gov or nj.gov/health for additional information
COPING WITH STRESS
If you’re feeling stressed, anxious or depressed due to COVID-19, please call New Jersey's Mental Health Hotline at 866-202-HELP (4357) or visit njmentalhealthcares.org for emotional support, guidance, and mental health referrals as needed. You also may contact:
• SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline: Call 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 (TTY 1-800-846-8517).
• Crisis Text Line: Text “NJ” to 741741
• Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-572- 7233
• Family Helpline: 1-800-843-5437
• Listing of additional resources.
HEAL, NJ Health Care Workers COVID Hope & Healing Helpline, provides live COVID crisis counseling support, 7 days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. to all New Jersey health care workers, their families, and caregivers statewide, with emergency support available 24/7. Call 1-833-416-8733 or visit healhealthcareworkers.com.
|
RISE, NJ First Responders COVID Hope & Healing Helpline, provides live COVID crisis counseling support, 7 days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. to all New Jersey first responders, including police, firefighters, EMS, National Guard, military and veterans, their families, and caregivers statewide, with emergency support available 24/7. Call 1-833-237-4325 or visit risefirstresponders.com.
|
JOBS AND HIRING
Did you lose your job or have your hours reduced as a result of COVID-19? The State of New Jersey has created a resource page to help you connect to benefits and resources you need while you are trying to safely get back to work, as well as some tips for coping with the stress of losing a job: covid19.nj.gov/work. For a listing of employment opportunities, visit jobs.covid19.nj.gov.
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’s COVID-19 Business Resources page.
PREVENTION AND SYMPTOMS
How COVID-19 spreads:
COVID-19 spreads easily from person to person, mainly by the following routes:
• Between people who are in close contact with one another (within 6 feet).
• Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, breathes, sings or talks.
People who are infected but do not show symptoms can also spread the virus to others.
|
To ensure the lowest chance of obtaining the virus, and spreading the virus to others:
• Wear a face mask that covers your nose and mouth in public settings and when around people who don’t live in your household. Masks help stop the spread of COVID-19 to others.
• Practice social distancing -- stay at least 6 feet (about 2 arms’ length) from other people who are not from your household in both indoor and outdoor spaces.
• 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. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol.
• Stay home if you are sick, except to get medical care.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, or use the inside of your elbow.
• Avoid touching your nose, eyes and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily.
Symptoms can appear between 2-14 days after exposure, though some people may not have any symptoms while still being contagious. Symptoms can include: fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea.
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
|
