Volume LXXIV, Number 15
Share Some Care Helps Match Donors and Needs . . . . . . . . . 5 Weintraub Calls For Vote-By-Mail, More Participation to Fix Democracy . . . . . . . . . 8 Geriatric Physician Urges Advance Care Planning . . . . . . . . . 11 McCarter, ACP Make Masks to Help Fight Virus . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 PU Men’s Lax Standout Sowers Missing Interaction with Teammates . . . . . 21 PHS Hockey Star Trainor, Stuart Hoops’ Melvin are Top Winter Performers . . . . . . . . . 23
Italy Sings on Federico Fellini’s Centenary . . . 15 Art . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Berkshire Hathaway Fox & Roach Realtors . .16, 17 Classified Ads . . . . . . 28 Mailbox . . . . . . . . . . . 13 New To Us . . . . . . . . . 20 Obituaries . . . . . . . . . 26 Performing Arts . . . . . 18 Real Estate . . . . . . . . 28 Religion . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Topics of the Town . . . . 5 Town Talk . . . . . . . . . . 6
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COVID-19 Cases Continue To Rise, Looking for Peak With 43 cases of COVID-19 in Princeton (31 active positive cases, 11 recovered and released from isolation), including one death last week, of a 92-year-old woman, Princeton Health Officer Jeff Grosser reflected cautiously on the current status of the coronavirus pandemic. “Data coming from around the state is telling us that coronavirus-related deaths in New Jersey have started to flatten,” Grosser wrote in an email Tuesday afternoon. “This does not mean that we have accomplished our goal, but we have started to see early positive effects of social distancing efforts in Princeton, Mercer County, and throughout the state.” New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy stated Monday that health officials are beginning to see a decline in the growth rate of new COVID-19 cases, signs that the curve is flattening. He cited projections that a peak in new cases in New Jersey could come between April 19 and May 11, but he re-emphasized the urgency of New Jersey residents continuing to practice social distancing and to stay at home. Grosser, on the front lines in Princeton’s battle with the disease, observed, “It’s still somewhat too early to tell, but it seems that the percentage increases of new cases are beginning to slow down, which then should lead to less hospitalization, less intensive care, and then less death.” He continued on a warning note, “We need to be cautious even coming close to declaring a victory yet. There are still individuals out there who are going to transmit the virus, and we (Princeton Health Department) will not let up or let the community let up on our great efforts thus far until we protect everyone from this virus. The efforts of the community have been tremendous thus far and we are too close to turning a corner to let up now.” Grosser went on to comment on the challenges facing hospitals. “The surge of coronavirus-related hospitalizations will continue to put stress on our health care system in the coming weeks,” he said. “It may get worse than where we are today, and that is not unexpected based upon the lag of hospitalizations compared to new cases.” Grosser urged residents to stay the course. “Every member of our community Continued on Page 7
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Wednesday, April 8, 2020
In New Format, Council Holds Public Meeting Online Holding its first meeting since the COVID-19 pandemic became a local reality, Princeton Council used Zoom to get back to business on Monday evening, April 6. Council members, Mayor Liz Lempert, and those delivering reports were visible on screen, while members of the public were able to ask questions or provide comments by email. Not surprisingly, discussion of the impact of the coronavirus was the priority. But the governing body also focused on other issues — including the proposed 2020 budget, the Alexander Street Bridge Project, and construction on the Princeton University campus — and passed several resolutions. Municipal engineer Deanna Stockton reported that the reopening of Alexander Street will be at the end of this month, about 10 days later than expected. The road has been closed since fall for replacement of the bridge over the D&R Canal, which is overseen by the state of New Jersey; and replacement of a bridge over Stony Brook and a culvert, coordinated by Mercer County. “Both agencies and contractors have made tremendous progress,” Stockton said. “But it is likely Alexander will not open until the end of April, weather permitting. They had some delay
with underground utility work.” Because of the economic shutdown resulting from the pandemic, Council agreed to a revised schedule for adoption of the 2020 budget, which was introduced last month at approximately $64 million. “The financial picture has changed,” said Municipal Administrator Marc Dashield. “We’re paying attention to revenue sources, and things impacted by the stay-at-home order including municipal court fees, parking fees, and miscellaneous permit fees. We will make some
recommendations for adjustments at the public hearing during the next meeting.” Dashield added that the state has also revised its budget schedule, extending the deadline from April 30 to May 30. He recommended that Council made an amendment at the April 13 meeting to adjust the budget, changing the public hearing and adoption to the meeting on April 27. “But things are changing on a daily basis, so we will continue to look at it,” he said. Councilman David Cohen suggested a Continued on Page 7
PPS Teams Up with Local Organizations To Provide Meals for 500 Students Remote learning is one thing. Remote eating is something quite different. This past month, Princeton Public Schools (PPS) had to figure out how to distribute more than just the varied pre-K through 12th grade coursework to children in homes throughout the district. Distributing food for the more than 500 food-insecure students who rely on the federal free and reduced-price lunch program posed challenges that could not be solved through online electronic channels. As the coronavirus pandemic spread and requirements for schools changed
daily through late March, PPS Superintendent Steve Cochrane, a group of PPS staff members, and community leaders worked together to design, revise, communicate, and implement a plan for distributing thousands of meals to Princeton families in need. The challenge was to protect the health of the children and their families by following Gov. Phil Murphy’s social distancing protocols and at the same time get food to families, many of whom had no access to a car that would enable them to pick up Continued on Page 10
SPLENDOR AMIDST THE BATTLE: As the war against the coronavirus rages on, a solitary visitor enjoyed a moment among the blooming Yoshino cherry trees at the Princeton Battle Monument on Monday . (Photo by Charles R. Plohn)