We know you have questions about coronavirus (COVID-19), how your government is responding to the needs of the community, and what is being done to mitigate the spread of the disease in Camden County. On Thursday, March 26th, at 3:00 p.m. Freeholder Lou Cappelli, Congressman Donald Norcross and Health & Human Services Director Anne E. Walters hosted a virtual town hall on Facebook Live. Residents were invited and encouraged to join in and have their questions answered via live chat and email. The video stream is available here.

Last week, Matt Skoufalos of NJ Pen spoke with a handful of mayors about the early effects of novel coronavirus on their communities and the time that will lapse before those dollars trickle down to the individual families, self-employed workers, and small businesses that need them the most. Mayor Ted Brennan said he’s hopeful that some community block development grants (CBDGs) will again be available to help small businesses in his community recover from COVID-19-related losses. Brennan supports the statewide shutdowns as “fully justified” to “flatten the curve”, he also knows those closures will have an “ancillary impact” on Merchantville's small businesses. Here’s what local mayors had to say. 

the Senate passed a massive stimulus package last night and the House is expected to follow suit). A key feature of the stimulus is individual checks. Checks are supposed to be produced asap, but that could take up to two months. If you use direct deposit, it will be faster. Checks will be $1,200 per adult/$2,400 for married couples filing jointly and an additional $500 per child - income limit $75,000 with a phaseout for higher incomes. Treasury will advance your check based on your most recently filed tax return (2018 or 2019 tax return) so if you need to get your return in today. Your 2019 will not be affected by the stimulus check.

Governor Phil Murphy announced an administrative order permitting additional businesses to operate normal business hours in accordance with Executive Order 107. Effective immediately, the following retail businesses are considered essential and permitted to operate: Mobile phone retail, repair shops; Bicycle shops, only for service and repair; Livestock feed stores; Nurseries, garden centers; and, Farming equipment stores. Local small business nurseries to support include: Haines Farm and Garden; A & J Landscape Supply and Garden Center and McNaughton's Garden Center. The Erlton Bike Shop's website and Facebook page state that it is temporarily closed.

The stimulus deal was the product of a marathon set of negotiations among Senate Republicans, Democrats and the White House that had stalled as Democrats insisted on stronger worker protections and oversight of a $500 billion fund to bail out distressed businesses. The aim of the legislation is to deliver critical financial support to businesses forced to shut their doors and relief to American families and hospitals reeling from the rapid spread of the disease and the resulting economic disruption. A Democratic aide familiar with the proposal said that it would expand unemployment benefits by $600 per week for four months, in addition to what states would provide as base salary compensation. For the average worker, adding the $600 per week would amount to 100 percent of wages and $100 billion dollars in funding for hospitals.

After complaints from Democrats, a $500 billion fund will now have far stricter oversight, in the form of an inspector general and a 5-person panel appointed by Congress, lawmakers said. Companies that accept money must also agree to halt any stock buybacks for the length of the government assistance, plus an additional year. Companies that accept money must also agree to halt any stock buybacks for the length of the government assistance, plus an additional year. Democrats also secured a provision that will block Trump family businesses — or those of other senior government officials — from receiving loan money under the programs

The agreement also includes $350 billion that would establish lending programs for small businesses, but only for those who keep their payrolls steady through the crisis. If the employer continued to pay its workers for the duration of the crisis, those loans would be forgiven.

The Diabetes Foundation is making emergency back-up kits available to eligible diabetics in New Jersey who need to test their blood sugar or administer insulin. Supplies are limited and on a first come first serve basis. You can apply to be wait listed through their website in both English and Spanish. Available kits include: Type 2/Gestational Kit: Glucometer/Lancing Device/Lancets/Glucotabs/Drinks and Snacks; Type 1 Kit: Glucometer/Lancing Device/Lancets/Ketostix/Glucotabs/Drinks and Snacks; Insulin Administration Kit: Pen Needles/Alcohol Swabs/Sharps Container; Insulin Administration Kit: Syringes/Alcohol Swabs/Sharps Container; or, Insulin Administration Kit: With Syringes and Needles.