As the COVID-19 pandemic rages, local communities have been inventing new ways to honor first responders who are fighting on the frontlines of the virus.

One way of celebrating front line workers has become somewhat prominent in New Jersey, having occurred at the least twice in Hudson County. In North Bergen, this was exactly the case.

Gov. Phil Murphy and Mayor Nicholas Sacco had previously honored some healthcare workers at Palisades Medical Center for their outstanding work during the pandemic on Twitter. Now, Mayor Nicholas Sacco has taken the celebration to the hospital.

A parade took place on April 14 around the hospital on River Road in North Bergen, paying tribute to the men and women working tirelessly and risking their lives daily to tend to the sick and battle the COVID-19 pandemic.

Vehicles from the North Bergen Police Department and North Bergen Emergency Medical Services paraded along with North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue and other local police departments to honor the “hospital heroes.”

The celebration was mutual, in fact, as hospital workers and staff stood outside waving and holding signs expressing their thanks to the first responders.

In addition, Mayor Sacco joined with state Assembly members Angelica Jimenez and Pedro Mejia to send hundreds of lunches to the hospital for the healthcare workers.

“We are thankful for everyone working on the front line, and this is a small gesture of appreciation,” said Mayor Sacco.

Video of the event shows crowded streets which appear to be counter-productive to Gov. Murphy’s social distancing directives. In the past, Murphy has even specifically cautioned against such drive-by parades, which usual don’t amass crowds on the sidewalk.

However, this was a unusual instance where the recipients of the drive-by parade came outside to show their support for those supporting them.

In the wake of the video, Gov. Murphy’s comments on drive-by parades become more relevant. Gov. Murphy said residents have got to be very careful in regards to drive-by parades.

“I think they’re incredibly emotional. And it allows folks to express their appreciation or acknowledgement in the case of someone who’s passed,” Murphy continued. “I don’t think there’s one quick answer on that. But I think we’ve have to be very careful because we want people to stay at home.”

According to Gov. Murphy, even if you’re in a car by yourself, you are going out. Murphy thinks residents need to hold drive-by parades in moderation.

For updates on this and other stories, check www.hudsonreporter.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Daniel Israel can be reached at disrael@hudsonreporter.com.

Many public events and gatherings have been cancelled due to Gov. Phil Murphy’s stay-at-home order to curtail the further spread of the Coronavirus.

While some adults struggle to cope with the cancellation of a concert or wedding, children miss their play dates and birthday parties, leading some parents to resume scheduling these events despite the stay-at-home order and social distancing measures.

In Weehawken, the township has even warned parents to stop scheduling play dates and hosting birthday parties because children are susceptible to COVID-19.

Despite the restrictions, the township of North Bergen found a way to celebrate one local resident’s birthday in style, regardless of the social distancing.

The North Bergen Police Department arranged a very special Happy Birthday greeting for a local boy named Adrian on April 14.

Sgt. Echeverria, P.O. Yousef, and P.O. Guillen cruised past his home in their police vehicles to wish Adrian a very happy 12th birthday. A classic rendition of Happy Birthday blasted from police car speakers.

Nearby, family and neighbors sang along and cheered. A video shows officers delivering the special birthday message.

“Happy birthday buddy! On behalf of the North Bergen Police Department and the Township of North Bergen, we want to wish you a happy birthday,” an officer announced to the 12-year-old. “12 is a great age my man, have fun and enjoy!”

In the video, the police officers stayed in or right beside their vehicles while residents remained at their doorstep, more than six feet away.

The North Bergen Police Department reminds everyone to stay at home and stay safe. Currently, North Bergen has been deemed a COVID-19 hotspot by Gov. Phil Murphy, and is expected to see a rise in the number of residents who test positive for the virus and potentially die from COVID-19.

Residents are advised to follow North Bergen official social media pages, in both English and Spanish, for daily updates or to visit the township’s website at www.northbergen.org or the COVID-19 Information Hub at covid19.nj.gov.

For updates on this and other stories, check www.hudsonreporter.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Daniel Israel can be reached at disrael@hudsonreporter.com.

As the COVID-19 pandemic worsened this spring, Gov. Phil Murphy ordered the closure of nonessential businesses to limit the spread of the virus.

Only essential businesses are allowed to operate, and only under certain rules. Restaurants are open for takeout and delivery only. Occupancy is limited in establishments still open to the public.

But some businesses are not adhering to the guidelines, so North Bergen officials are now taking steps to enforce social-distancing regulations.

The North Bergen Police Department and Health Department will conduct inspections to ensure compliance and will issue summonses to non-compliant businesses.

Township officials have released a list of COVID-19 social-distancing regulations for local businesses. Officials are calling on business owners and managers to observe these rules. The directives mirror the executive order signed by Gov. Murphy.

Mayor Nicholas Sacco said it’s important that all residents do their part by making sure local businesses follow the rules.

“The essential businesses that have remained open during this crisis must take steps to ensure that their employees and customers are safe, and we will take action if necessary to make sure that they do,” Sacco said. “This is a situation where lives are at stake, and we will take these directives very seriously in order to keep our residents safe.”

Social-distancing regulations

Occupancy must be limited to 50 percent of the stated maximum store capacity. Hours of operation must be established exclusively for senior citizens and high-risk individuals wherever possible.

Physical barriers are required between customers and cashiers, or six feet of distance between those individuals. Six feet of spacing must be marked in checkout lines.

Workers and customers are required to wear cloth face coverings while on the premises, except where doing so would inhibit an individual’s health or where the customer is accompanied by a child under two years of age. Workers are required to wear gloves when in contact with customers or goods. Businesses must provide, at their expense, face coverings and gloves for their employees.

Residents are encouraged to speak up if they witness a business violating the regulations. To report violations, residents can call the North Bergen Police Department at 201-392-2100.

The NBPD released a message of gratitude and hope on social media to residents who are abiding by the social-distancing measures.

“COVID-19 has altered our way of life, and we want to thank the residents of North Bergen for adjusting to it,” the NBPD wrote. “In order to flatten the curve, please continue practicing social distancing and travel only when necessary.”

Residents are encouraged to follow the township’s social media pages, which are available in both English and Spanish and are updated multiple times per day, as well as the township’s website at northbergen.org.

For more information, residents can call the NJ COVID-19 Hotline at 1-800-222-1222 or visit covid19.nj.gov.

For updates on this and other stories, check www.hudsonreporter.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Daniel Israel can be reached at disrael@hudsonreporter.com.

Dominick Marino, president of the Professional Firefighters Association of New Jersey, has died, according to a post on the association’s social media.

Marino was a North Bergen native who had been a firefighter in the township.

He served for more than 25 years as a firefighter in the North Bergen Fire Department and North Hudson Regional Fire Rescue, retiring from active service in 2011. He held multiple leadership positions in the firefighter union locals in both departments.

According to the association, Marino served for many years as 2nd Vice President and Treasurer of the PFANJ, the chartered state association of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), before becoming president in 2008.

Marino also served as the North Bergen Firefighter union president prior to the formation of the North Hudson Regional Fire & Rescue (NHRFR). He was the NHRFR union president after its inception.

North Bergen Mayor and State Senator Nicholas Sacco called Marino a great public servant and offered his condolences to the family.

“We are profoundly saddened by the death of Mr. Marino,” Sacco said. “We join his family, friends and loved ones in their mourning and wish them strength and grace during this difficult time.”

U.S. Senator Robert Menendez, who worked with Marino to help 9/11 responders, said he would miss Marino’s advice.

“Dominick Marino was a tireless and vigorous advocate for New Jersey’s firefighters,” Menendez said. “Truly one of our state’s bravest, he never backed down from a fight and put the health and safety of his members first and foremost.”

Menendez said he was proud to work with Marino to develop and pass the Firefighter Cancer Registry, extend lifetime benefits for 9/11 heroes, and increase federal investments to ensure firehouses have the staffing and equipment they need to protect local communities.

“I will always appreciate and miss Dominick’s counsel on some of the most pressing issues facing our first responders,” Menendez said. “My heart goes out to his family, loved ones, and all the members of the Professional Firefighters Association of New Jersey mourning this tremendous loss.”

Commended by Gov. Murphy

Gov. Phil Murphy also lamented the loss of his friend Marino, recalling his bravery.

“Dominick Marino didn’t just run into burning buildings, he knocked down walls to protect his fellow firefighters,” Murphy said. “He put his heart and soul into everything he did for his members, and in doing so he exemplified everything you ever could want from a leader.

Murphy said that one of the great honors of his governorship was signing the Thomas P. Canzanella 21st Century First Responders Protection Act, noting that the bill could just as easily have carried Marino’s name because of the dedication he showed in getting the legislation passed.

“I will miss his friendship and good counsel, and his regular check -ins, including this week,” Murphy said. “He was one of a kind. My deepest condolences go out to his family, his membership, and the entire New Jersey firefighting community.”

Marino was 61. It is not clear what the cause of death was, nor if it was COVID-19 related.

Marino leaves behind his wife Ellen and two children.

For updates on this and other stories, check www.hudsonreporter.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Daniel Israel can be reached at disrael@hudsonreporter.com.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to devastate New Jersey, Gov. Phil Murphy has extended the State of Emergency and stay-at-home order. Residents have been left to their own devices to stay sane and entertained.

In North Hudson, municipalities have gotten creative in coping with life during social-distancing measures.

North Bergen has started the Bruin Bear Hunt to show township pride and to provide children with an activity. Residents are encouraged by Mayor Nicholas Sacco to place a teddy bear in their windows for others to find, like a live-action version of the game “I Spy.”

In Secaucus, the local fire department drove around town with the Easter Bunny, providing a parade for kids to watch from inside.

Now, neighboring Guttenberg is taking a similar approach.

Step up and ‘clap-out’

Mayor Wayne Zitt and the town council encourage Guttenberg residents to participate in a town wide “clap-out” in support of essential workers on the front lines.

It aims to build a sense of community and togetherness. The round of applause will honor the EMTs, nurses, doctors, firefighters, law enforcement officers, and others fighting on the front lines.

The clap-out can be part of a daily routine. Each evening at 7 p.m. residents are asked to open their windows or front doors and clap to show their support and thank all essential workers and their families.

Residents must remain indoors.

Zitt advised residents to continue to practice social distancing. No one should gather on the street, individuals should remain a minimum six feet apart, and masks and gloves should be worn at all times.

“Guttenberg is a strong and enduring community,” Zitt said. “We can, and will, get through this together.”

As of April 11, there were 120 residents who tested positive for COVID-19. Ten have died as a result of complications from the virus.

For updates on this and other stories, check www.hudsonreporter.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Daniel Israel can be reached at disrael@hudsonreporter.com.

New Jersey residents have been ordered to stay at home by Gov. Phil Murphy to help curtail the spread of the COVID-19 virus, and many people have been left to their own devices to pass the time during this period of self-isolation.

While some ponder the best way to spend their free time between working from home or remote instruction for school, others struggle with never-ending boredom or cabin fever as a result of being laid off or unable to work.

A number of creative activities are keeping residents, especially children, busy during these trying times.

In North Bergen, the township is trying to entertain residents and show pride in the community. Mayor Nicholas Sacco is encouraging all residents to show their Bruin Bear Pride with a town-wide Bruin Bear Hunt.

Bear hugs

“During these trying times we need to be creative on how we share our North Bergen pride and put a smile on the faces of people all throughout our community,” Sacco said. “Please place a Teddy Bear in your window to allow kids and adults to go on a #bruinbearhunt while out for a much-needed walk or drive.”

To participate, residents have been asked to put a teddy bear in their window that is visible from the street. No interaction with others is needed, and the event abides by all social-distancing recommendations.

Residents can participate in the Bruin Bear Hunt and search for teddy bears while walking their dogs, and or going for a drive or a walk to spend time outside during the stay-at-home order.

Sacco reminded residents it’s vitally important to continue practicing social distancing, good hygiene, and hand washing at all times.

Participants are asked to share pictures of the teddy bears in their windows on social media to spread township pride. The event aims to create a sense of community despite the forced isolation and self-quarantine.

“Let’s all have some fun and share some positivity,” Sacco said. “Use these hashtags if you would like to share your pics #bruinbearhunt in #bearcountry.”

For updates on this and other stories, check www.hudsonreporter.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Daniel Israel can be reached at disrael@hudsonreporter.com.