CDC Report: PA and NJ Up To 149 Lung Injuries Linked to Vaping

The Center Square

(The Center Square) – The number of lung injury hospitalization cases linked to vaping in Pennsylvania now numbers as high as 149 as of Feb. 25,

according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Nationally, the number of cases involving hospitalizations due to e-cigarette use continues to decline after peaking in September of last year, the CDC reports. Patient reports show that black-market vaping products containing THC – the psychoactive component of cannabis – have played a major role in the outbreak.

Among the 100 to 149 cases reported in Pennsylvania, two deaths have been reported, according to the CDC.

Vitamin E acetate, which commonly does no harm when taken as a supplement, has also been linked to the lung injuries, the agency’s data shows. Medical research indicates it can disrupt lung functioning when inhaled.

In total, there have been 68 deaths associated with the vaping incidents in 29 states as well as the District of Columbia, the CDC reports. In addition, the total number of hospitalizations from such vaping activities is now 2,807, the report says.

—

Hospitalizations Related to Vaping, State by State

State

Frequency

(# of Cases)

Deaths Reported

Alabama

10-49

Alaska

1-9

Arizona

10-49

Arkansas

10-49

California

150-199

Colorado

1-9

Connecticut

50-99

Delaware

10-49

Florida

100-149

Georgia

10-49

Hawaii

1-9

Idaho

10-49

Illinois

200-249

Indiana

100-149

Iowa

50-99

Kansas

10-49

Kentucky

10-49

Louisiana

10-49

Maine

1-9

Maryland

50-99

Massachusetts

100-149

Michigan

50-99

Minnesota

100-149

Mississippi

10-49

Missouri

10-49

Montana

1-9

Nebraska

10-49

Nevada

1-9

New Hampshire

1-9

New Jersey

100-149

New Mexico

10-49

New York

150-199

North Carolina

50-99

North Dakota

1-9

Ohio

10-49

Oklahoma

1-9

Oregon

10-49

Pennsylvania

100-149

Rhode Island

1-9

South Carolina

10-49

South Dakota

10-49

Tennessee

50-99

Texas

200-249

Utah

100-149

Vermont

1-9

Virginia

50-99

Washington

10-49

Washington, D.C.

1-9

West Virginia

10-49

Wisconsin

50-99

Wyoming

1-9

Source: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

published here with permission of

The Center Square

Cancelling County Committee Elections Doesn’t Make Sense

Ambrosino: “

Democrat or Republican county committee members are the backbone of county parties.

HADDON HEIGHTS – After learning of

a report

that state election officials are considering cancelling county committee elections and extending terms for a year Camden County Republican Chairman Rich

Gloucestercitynews.net graphic files

Ambrosino said that was a bad idea that risks disenfranchising voters who also happen to be among the most active members of their local communities.

“The coronavirus has caused some very real public safety concerns and while government is doing its best to keep us all safe some ideas are better than others,” Rich Ambrosino said. “For example, conducting this year’s primary election using only mail-in ballots is sensible, delaying the primary election and extending the deadline to file nominating petitions make sense.”

“Cancelling county committee elections doesn’t make sense and risks alienating the most active members of our communities.” Ambrosino explained, “Democrat or Republican county committee members are the backbone of county parties. The folks who place their names on the primary election ballot to run for county committee are the most local of local activists, they represent our parties at the neighborhood level. These are the people who donate their time and talent to the electoral process.”

“While we all continue to work to keep people safe during this time of crisis it is vitally important we do not alienate any group of voters, especially the most active group of voters” Ambrosino said. “While I am hopeful officials delay the primary election and extend the deadline to file nominating petitions to allow candidates to safely collect additional signatures, I am equally hopeful that officials do not disenfranchise those who want to take an active role in the electoral process by cancelling elections for county committee.”

*Gloucester Township Police Department Presents Blood Donation Drive

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP NJ–The American Red Cross has an Emergency Need for blood and platelet donors of all types to give now.

Inventories are critically low, with only a

1-Day supply of Type O on hand

Please consider donating and help replenish the blood supply for patients in need.

You might not realize how important certain letters are until they\’re gone.

A, B and O are our main blood groups and when not enough people donate blood, hospital shelves may be empty when a critical patient arrives.

A few missing letters may not seem like a big deal, but for a hospital patient who needs type A, B or O blood, these letters mean life.

Gloucester Township Police Department

American Red Cross Blood Drive

Monday, March 30th

11:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Appointments are preferred. Call 1-800-REDCROSS

MAKE AN APPOINTMENT ONLINE:

Or sign up at

www.redcrossblood.org

and use sponsor code: Gloucester Township Police

Save time on the day of the donation and visit

www.redcrossblood.org/rapidpass

Area hospital patients are counting on you!

Don’t forget to HYDRATE and please remember your ID.

Address/Location

Gloucester Township Police Department

1261 Chews Landing Rd

Gloucester Township, NJ 08021

Contact

Emergency: 9-1-1

Non-emergencies: 856-228-4500

CBD Oil Regulations in Philadelphia and New Jersey

Gloucestercitynews.net (March 18, 2020)–Cannabidiol or CBD oil has long been known to have many health benefits. This therapeutic substance has a worldwide fan base with millions of people using it for its wide range of health-related advantages. Despite its health benefits, the distribution and use of CBD oil in the United States are strictly regulated.

Regardless of its health benefits, the extraction process has made the legalization of CBD oil a hot topic for a long time. Laws regarding its use are different in each state and are applied to both people who want to use CBD oil and pet owners who want to administer it to their pets. So, here is what you need to know about CBD oil regulations in Philadelphia and New Jersey.

CBD Oil Regulations in Philadelphia

Philadelphia is Pennsylvania’s largest city. CBD regulations in this part of the US align with federal laws. CBD can be derived from both hemp and marijuana plants, with different laws for each variety. Federal law and laws applying in the state of Pennsylvania only allow the purchase, sale, and use of CBD oil extracted from hemp, as stated in

the Farm Bill of 2018

. That enables citizens to buy and use the oil without a doctor’s prescription.

Oil extracted from marijuana, on the other hand, is legal only for qualified patients. Selling or

purchasing of oil extracted from marijuana for recreational purposes is illegal

and classified as a misdemeanor.

CBD Oil Regulations in New Jersey

The use of CBD oil needs to align with in-state laws. Just like in Philadelphia, whether the CBD oil is legal or not depends on its derivation. Now, you may be wondering why CBD oil extracted from marijuana is different and deemed illegal compared to its hemp counterpart. That is because oil extracted from marijuana is likely to contain

tetrahydrocannabinol

(THC), a substance known to have psychoactive effects on people. Unauthorized usage of this substance is illegal.

According to the Farm Bill, only CBD oil extracted from hemp that contains little to no THC is legal to be distributed and used without a doctor’s prescription. It has no psychoactive effects, hence can be used in a wide range of products. Just like in Philadelphia, marijuana-derived CBD is illegal for retail sale and use and is only authorized for patients in the Medical Marijuana Program.

CBD Oil for People and Pets

While regulations related to the possession and use of CBD oil are strict at the state and federal level, the product is still very much in demand. While a lot of its health benefits are yet to be scientifically proven, what makes CBD oil such a sought after product for both people and their

beloved four-legged friends

is explained below.

Natural Pain Reliever

Some studies have shown that CBD oil can be used to relieve joint pain in people and animals. It is believed that the effect of cannabis on the brain receptors of humans and some animals helps relieve and manage pain in the body.

CBD Oil for Seizures

Seizures are the most studied application of CBD oil in people. Even though there is limited research on pets, the substance is said to reduce the risk of epileptic seizures in

dogs and cats

as well. Research is not yet definitive, but studies have shown that CBD oil reduces the likelihood of seizures and strokes in pets, children, and adults alike.

CBD Oil for Anxiety

While research is still in its infancy, CBD oil has also been known to help people deal with anxiety and other related disorders like PTSD, social anxiety, and panic disorder. Researchers attribute this to CBD\’s effect on the way our brain receptors react to serotonin. It has also been used to relieve anxiety in pets, but research on that is inconclusive.

Conclusion

CBD oil has been proven beneficial to both people and animals. Despite this, federal and state laws remain strict regarding their use. Both Philadelphia and New Jersey only authorize the use of CBD oil extracted from hemp while those extracted from marijuana are illegal. Therefore, before purchasing or using CBD oil in Philadelphia, New Jersey or anywhere else in the US, make sure everything is in compliance with the law.

Pine Hill Borough COVID-19 Update

In an attempt to do our part in flattening the Coronavirus (COVID-19) curve, as well as protect our community and employees, the borough hall will close to the public at

12:00pm today, Monday, March 16, 2020, and will not reopen until further notice. In addition to the following instructions, you can call 856 783-7400 during regular business hours (See “Hours of Operation” in the left-hand column of this site for those times) to obtain information or for questions that might not be addressed. Lastly, Wednesday evening hours will be suspended until further notice.

Additional Closings

Pine Hill Senior Citizens Center

All Pine Hill Parks & Sports Complexes

Clerk’s Office

Marriage licenses – see the instructions for “Making an in-person appointment by telephone” at the bottom of this information list.

Mercantile License – Under “Depts”, “Municipal Clerk”, and the line titled “The Municipal Clerk also provides the following”, printout from this site and submit by mail.

Pet License – Under “Depts”, “Municipal Clerk”, and the line titled “The Municipal Clerk also provides the following”, printout from this site and submit by mail.

Solicitor License – Under “Depts”, “Municipal Clerk”, and the line titled “The Municipal Clerk also provides the following”, printout from this site and submit by mail.

Street Opening Permit – Under “Depts”, “Municipal Clerk”, and the line titled “The Municipal Clerk also provides the following”, printout from this site and submit by mail.

OPRA Request – Under “Depts”, “Municipal Clerk”, and the line titled “The Municipal Clerk also provides the following”, printout from this site and submit by mail.

Police Department

The Police Department continues to work with all community stakeholders to ensure 24/7 continuity of service throughout this fluid situation. The department has established plans and taken measures to ensure law enforcement services are not unreasonably disrupted and that all employees have been provided with the means to prevent or mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

Compliance Inspections

Until further notice, all Code Compliance follow-up inspections are suspended. If you currently have a Code Compliance violation notice with an abate by date, you may disregard it, however, please note that the violation will still be active and must be abated once you receive a new date. (The new date notification will not be sent until the COVID-19 virus issues is “under control”.

Construction Office Rental Properties & Zoning

Construction permits are being accepted via mail or in the drop box outside of the Municipal Building. Please see the Construction Office’s page on this site for the necessary forms. Once processed you will be contacted regarding the fee. Please direct any permit questions to Lisa Kensil at 856-783-7400 x 202.

Municipal Court

The court scheduled for Tuesday, March 24, 2020, @ 6:00pm, has been cancelled. Those scheduled to appear will be notified of their new appearance date.

Traffic violation not requiring mandatory court appearance can be paid online @ www.njmcdirect.com

Criminal payments can be mailed or placed in the drop box located at the front entrance to the Borough Hall. (Note that the video recorded drop box is emptied every morning, and periodically throughout the night by the police department)

Rental Properties

Until further notice, all annual rental inspections are suspended.

Rental properties can be registered by completing the Rental Registration Form and submitting the $50 fee via mail or in the drop box outside of the Municipal Building. Please see the Rental Properties page on the Borough website for the form. Please direct any rental property questions to Lisa Kensil at 856-783-7400 x 202.

If you require a Certificate of Occupancy (CO) inspection before being allowed to move into your property, please call 856 783-7400, ext. 202, for instructions.

Tax Office

Property Owners not in the Tax Sale can make online tax payments @ WWW.pinehillboronj.com by going to “Depts”, scrolling down to “Tax Office” then clicking on “We now accept payment online by Clicking Here”. Once clicked, you will be directed to a secure page for instruction.

If your property is in Tax Sale, the sale is postponed until further notice.

Planning and Zoning application must be in person. Call to make an appointment.

Zoning

Zoning applications are being accepted via mail or in the drop box outside of the Municipal Building. Please see the Planning and Zoning page on the Borough website for the application. Zoning applications are $20 and need to include a copy of your site survey. Please direct zoning questions to Karen Keyek at 856-783-7400 x 209.

Instructions for making in person appointments by telephone:

You can call 856 783-7400 during regular business hours (See “Hours of Operation” in the left-hand column of this site for those times)

Address/Location

Pine Hill Police Department

48 West 6th Avenue

Pine Hill, NJ 08021

Contact

Emergency: 9-1-1

Non-emergencies: 856-783-1549

William F Burrows of Pennsauken/Audubon

William F Burrows was called to the Lord on Monday, March 2, 2020. William, “Bill” was a devoted son, brother, uncle, husband and grandpop. He was fiercely loyal to his family and loved and cared for them with all his heart. Bill was born in Camden on January 6, 1938 and lived most of his life in Pennsauken and more recently in Audubon, NJ. He was a devout Christian and a lifelong member of the Pennsauken Gospel Hall.

Bill is predeceased by his parents, William and Betty Burrows, four sisters, Catherine, Betty, Emma and Lillian, and great niece, Kimberly O’Neil. Bill is the widower of his late wife whom he adored, Elizabeth Burrows.

Bill is survived by his nieces and nephews Carl Heller, Jr (Sarah), Allen Black, Debbie O’Neil and Holly Preston (John), and great nieces and nephews, Carl Heller III, Ava Heller, Katie Heller, Steven O’Neil and Jared Preston. By his late wife Elizabeth Burrows, Bill is survived by her children, James Sell (Margaret), Stephen Sell (Vera), Linda Dickinson (James) and Carolyn Kemble (Walter) and grandchildren Kaitlin, Kelsey, Morgan (Michael), Macy, Kyle and Delaney and great grandchild Russel.

Services under the direction of the Etherington & Creran Funeral Homes, 400 White Horse Pike, Oaklyn, NJ. Locustwood Memorial Park, Cherry Hill.

Starting March 30 Camden County College Will Move Classes Online

(Blackwood, NJ) – In order to ensure the health and well-being of students, faculty, and staff, along with the larger community we serve, Camden County College will temporarily move classes to online instruction until further notice.

Classes will be suspended at 2pm on Saturday, March 14 for student Spring Break, which has been extended through March 29 to facilitate the transition to online learning. When classes resume on Monday, March 30, students will attend classes remotely.

“Camden County College will remain fully open and operations will continue uninterrupted, including online learning, student services, advising, and registration,” said Don Borden, President of Camden County College. “The College has been preparing for the impact of the COVID-19 for several weeks, and will use the extended break to finalize our increased webinar and distance learning capabilities to meet the needs of the College community.”

Students will be notified how to access their classes by their instructors. In a very limited number of cases, students may still attend classes in person. Accommodations will be made for students without access to a computer or the internet.

Utilizing remote instruction for classes allows the College to balance the need for continuation of essential services with the health of the College community. The move also follows guidelines established for social distancing by decreasing the population on our campuses and instructional locations.

Camden County College encourages students, faculty, and staff to avoid unnecessary travel, especially to areas with high concentrations of COVID-19 reports, and to continue healthy best practices such as handwashing and social distancing. All College-related travel has been canceled.

Information and updates will be provided regularly at

www.camdencc.edu/coronavirus

Camden County College Camden County College is one of the largest community colleges in New Jersey and ranks among the top nationwide in terms of associate degree graduates. Thanks to its technology-rich physical resources – located in Blackwood, Camden and Cherry Hill – and its highly-qualified, dedicated employees, the college has created a tradition of quality education and a reputation of agile, responsive service. Camden County College sustains a vibrant academic community characterized by imaginative teaching, caring student services, energetic management and collegial discussion of diverse ideas and opinions. More information can be found at www.camdencc.edu.

Murphy Requests Federal Government Re-Open Affordable Care Act Enrollment in New Jersey

TRENTON – Responding to the global COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Phil Murphy today requested the federal government open a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) in New Jersey to allow uninsured and underinsured residents to enroll in health coverage through the federal health insurance

exchange.

The Governor’s request was issued in a letter sent to U.S. Department Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar and U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Seema Verma.

“With COVID-19 now a pandemic and confirmed cases increasing in New Jersey and across the country, it is imperative that we take all appropriate actions to increase access to screening, testing, and treatment related to COVID-19. While I have coordinated across state agencies to take emergency action to facilitate access to screening, testing and access to care for the residents of New Jersey, more can be done to ensure every individual has access to appropriate health care during this crisis,” Governor Murphy wrote. “Therefore, as New Jersey transitions from a State Based Exchange on the Federal Platform to a State Based Exchange, I respectfully urge the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to authorize a Special Enrollment Period in New Jersey to allow individuals to access affordable health insurance options through the federal platform.”

Several states that operate a State-Based Exchange have already established a Special Enrollment Period in response to COVID-19. However, federal action is required for the establishment of an SEP in states that operate on the federal platform, Healthcare.gov. Governor Murphy is calling for a special enrollment period of at least 60 days for all eligible uninsured and underinsured persons to purchase health coverage through the federal platform, and for that coverage to be in place as soon as possible.

“With no vaccine in place and a high degree of uncertainty about the direction that the virus will take, increasing access to health coverage will play a role in managing this outbreak. Similar to actions CMS has taken in the past during major weather events such as hurricanes, creating a SEP is a responsible action that will benefit individuals, as well as contribute to the management of this public health crisis,” added Governor Murphy.

“As the state responds to the COVID-19 situation, we want to ensure that residents have the coverage they need to access testing and treatment if necessary. We have taken action to require carriers regulated by the state to waive cost sharing for COVID-19 testing. However we can do more and, in this case, we need the federal government’s assistance,” said Department of Banking and Insurance Commissioner Marlene Caride. “Clearly, we do not want residents to be apprehensive about seeking treatment because they are not insured or concerned about medical bills. We are asking the federal government to establish a special enrollment period for our residents, and for that coverage to be in place as soon as possible.”

U.S. Senator Bob Menendez and 24 of his colleagues recently sent a letter requesting a Special Enrollment Period for consumers in response to COVID-19. Senator Menendez and U.S. Senator Cory Booker also introduced legislation to support the response to the pandemic including to create a special enrollment period for individuals impacted by COVID-19, among other initiatives. The Governor’s letter may be found here.

For the latest information on novel coronavirus, please visit www.nj.gov/health or call 1-800-222-1222 or 1-800-962-1253 (if using out-of-state phone line).

Mega Millions Jackpot $90,000,000

Thousands of New Jersey Players Win Prizes

TRENTON (March 16, 2020) – The Mega Millions jackpot has rolled to $90 million! James Carey, New Jersey Lottery executive director, announced that in the Friday, March 13,

drawing, 14 players matched four of the five white balls drawn making each ticket worth $500. Four of those tickets were purchased with the Megaplier option, multiplying the prize to $2,000. Moreover, 20,229 other New Jersey players took home $94,780 in prizes ranging from $2 to $800, according to Carey. The winning numbers for the Friday, March 13, drawing were: 07, 22, 37, 43, and 44. The Gold Mega Ball was 22, and the Megaplier Multiplier was 04.

The next drawing will be held Tuesday, March 17, at 11:00 pm. All New Jersey Lottery Mega Millions tickets must be purchased before 10:45 pm to participate in the drawing. Mega Millions tickets cost just two dollars; by adding the Megaplier option for an extra dollar per play, players can increase their non- jackpot winnings up to five times. Mega Millions tickets are sold in 46 participating jurisdictions. Drawings are held on Tuesdays and Fridays.

VIDEO-Coronavirus Tips (that don’t involve hoarding toilet paper)

THE BEST WAY TO WASH YOUR HANDS

Keep yourself and others safe from the coronavirus with these CDC tips. Instead of touching start greeting people hands-free! Find 20 seconds of your favorite song … and let the whole bathroom hear it every time you wash your hands! Make everyone around you put a quarter in a jar when they touch their eyes nose or mouth … or cough into something besides a tissue or their elbow!

COVID-19 can be serious particularly for people with heart disease. But you can help slow its spread. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Stay home when you are sick. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.