Montville Mayor Issues Coronavirus Statement

Press release from the Township of Montville:

March 27, 2020

Mayor’s Message 3/27/20

MONTVILLE TOWNSHIP

Mayor Frank W. Cooney

Friday, March 27, 2020 Public Alert Announcement Livestreaming on Facebook At

11:00 A.M.

Opening Statement:

- As the Mayor of Montville Township, along with the Township Committee Members, our most important responsibility, and, may I add, one that we all take extremely serious, is the health, safety and well-being of every citizen of Montville Township. Our Community has many, many, great people, and all who live and work here are integral to our community.

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Having noted that, we at the Township have all been working very hard over the last few weeks, since the initial outbreak of the Novel Coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19) up to today’s pandemic situation. And as you may or may not know, as of yesterday (March 26, 2020) the United States has the dubious distinction of being the country with the most presumed positive Coronavirus-2019 cases in the entire world country. On a positive note, we do not have the most deaths, but that unquestionably can change.

Additionally, our State of New Jersey, with the highest population density in the U.S., unfortunately has the second highest number of presumed positive COVID- 19 cases in the nation (6,876), and 81 Deaths. Here in Montville Township, as of today, we have 16 presumed positive cases, and thankfully, no deaths.

The crush of the Coronavirus cases in the Tri-State Area is something that all of us must take as a Life or Death Situation, and if you think that it can’t happen to you, even when you take precautionary measures such as I did; I assure you it can and I am living proof.

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- Which leads us to this point: Montville Township’s First Responders, Law Enforcement Officers, Staff and Health Officer/Public Health Nurses/Staff have been working around the clock to protect and serve our community’s citizens. Over the course of this pandemic outbreak we have taken certain measures that we strongly believe are in the best interest of our residents: such as closing down all our Parks, Playgrounds, Buildings and Facilities. However, we have received numerous complaints of our residents, young and old, outright disregarding these protective measures. Please understand our staff are working very hard to assist those truly in need, and we cannot afford to take time away from our first responders essential duties to address those few residents who are violating the rules and therefore putting others within our Community and themselves at risk. The following information has been frequently disseminated and shared by our Health Officer Aimee Puluso: to Maintain Social Distancing, to Frequently wash hands, practice good respiratory etiquette by coughing/sneezing into elbows, avoid ill persons, stay home as much as possible, and monitor yourself daily for symptoms (fever, cough, difficulty breathing).

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- In Closing, we all understand these are very challenging times for us all, but they are absolutely essential. Although the elderly and the chronically ill are most effected by COVID, members of our community of all different ages are being affected, and some are battling for their lives. By following our safety guidelines we will get through this together. Please remember, we all have to do our part, big or small.

This press release was produced by the Township of Montville. The views expressed here are the author's own.