Jersey City Times Staff

With COVID-19 wreaking its fifth straight week of havoc on Jersey City, the city’s municipal council met Wednesday night to consider the first reading of an ordinance to freeze rent and ban late payment penalties on all units subject to rent control. Spurred by the pandemic, the ordinance, if passed, would remain in effect through August 1. Debate on its scope was spirited.

School leaders yesterday said the digital divide has long been realized but now it was hitting home.

And like the challenges other health care providers face during this coronavirus epidemic, home care agencies are now struggling to balance the sudden need for more protective gear, workforce shortages, unexpected costs and uncertain revenues. But in caring for people in private homes — instead of institutions — many of these struggles remain out of public view.

Campus walk-throughs have gone virtual, decision dates have been delayed for many, enrollment trends are uncertain, but counselors say the kids will be alright.

While there are some signs the impact of the coronavirus may be lessening in New Jersey, state officials have distributed guidelines to help hospitals allocate patient resources if there are widespread shortages of things like ventilators or other critical-care supplies.

Very few people are questioning the governor’s sincerity. In general, he’s gotten high marks for his handling of the coronavirus crisis. But his executive order this week closing all state and county parks has managed to unite progressives and conservatives in opposition to the new rules.