Mayor Brennan recorded a video message for the Borough of Merchantville regarding COVID-19 on May 7th. His message included the unfortunate announcement of the Borough’s first coronavirus death; clarification of passive recreation park use; the requirement to wear face coverings when working at or patronizing essential businesses; and, availability of testing by appointment regardless of symptoms for anyone over 18 at the Barrington Rite Aid site. The mayor thanked residents for all their hard work and patience.

Merchantville is filled with neighbors going the extra mile to help each other and the community. It is also home to frontline workers like lifelong Merchantville resident Laura Panarello. As an assistant nurse manager for Virtua Health’s satellite emergency rooms in both Camden and Berlin, Ms. Panarello is familiar with the impact Covid-19 continues to have on our area. She took a few moments to speak with me about this time and how the hospital, and she, manage to juggle patients amid the pandemic. For staff on the frontlines this virus was something of an unknown. Says Ms. Panarello, “the most difficult part, especially in the very beginning, was keeping up with all the information being presented. This is a totally new virus, but came from a family of viruses that we already knew about. So, we had some base knowledge, but as we were studying the novel coronavirus and how and who it affected, things were rapidly changing.”

She quotes Monty Python’s famous line, “no one expects the Spanish Inquisition,” adequately summing up the reality that while this pandemic was never expected, practices already in place ensure that staff and patients may continue to receive needed care safely. Hygiene practices such as meticulous handwashing and sanitizing high-touch areas already a daily occurrence help keep staff and patients protected from the virus.

Like many others in her position have reported, one of the more difficult repercussions in the hospital setting is limiting loved ones with patients. Family sitting beside is no longer permitted and more precautions put into place require patients and their visitors to adhere to practices intended to keep them and others in the hospital safe.

Outside of the hospital, Ms. Panarello finds solace in her garden. Taking in sunshine and fresh air as often as the weather permits helps keep her mentally strong and rejuvenate her for a return to the frontlines. 

Merchantville proudly supports Laura and all of our frontline workers. And Laura’s thoughts for Merchantville? “One of Merchantville’s best attributes is the sense of community. I have lived here my whole life, and despite social distancing people are still looking out for one another. We know our neighbors and we are checking in on each other. Do mental health checks too. Calling someone or writing them a letter could impact their entire day.”

Between April 26th and May 4th there have been nine (9) new cases in Merchantville bringing the Borough total to 25 residents. Most recent Covid-19 cases include resident males in their 50's, 60's and 70's and females in their 60s. The Camden County Department of Health has announced 3,542 cases in Camden County today and 186 total fatalities. Freeholder Director Louis Cappelli, Jr. stated, “We have reached a difficult stage in this pandemic, one where the mixture of positive and negative developments can make it difficult to tell just how much progress we are making. Rest assured, we are better off today than we were two months ago when this pandemic began. Testing is more accessible than it has been at any other point, our hospitals are not overwhelmed with patients, and we have been able to reopen our parks that sat closed for nearly a month. Our means for fighting this virus have not changed, and the importance of exercising them has only been heightened. Stay home unless you must go out, do not attend or organize social gatherings of any kind, and wear a mask or face cover when you cannot maintain proper social distancing. Together, we will get through this and we will be stronger for having done so.”