Coronavirus Telephone Town Hall with New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, NJ Department of Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli and NJ Department of Human Services Commissioner Carole Johnson

Posted on 04/01/20

Governor Phil Murphy makes a major announcement during his daily coronavirus briefing on March 21, 2020, at Rutgers Law School in Newark (Edwin J. Torres for Governor’s Office).

On Friday, March 27, AARP New Jersey hosted a coronavirus Telephone Town Hall with Governor Phil Murphy, New Jersey Department of Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli and New Jersey Department of Human Services Commissioner Carole Johnson. Listen here to a recording of the live conversation.

Below, you’ll find resources and answers to the most frequently asked questions from our members who joined the call.

Important Information and Resources

For more coronavirus information and New Jersey resources, please visit covid19.nj.gov. You can also call 2-1-1 from 7 a.m. – 11 p.m. for general questions about the coronavirus, or call 1-800-962-1253 at any time for clinical questions about the coronavirus. You can receive text alerts by texting “NJCOVID” to 898-211.

The New Jersey Department of Human Services recognizes this is a time of high anxiety and stress and has expanded the hours of the NJ MentalHealthCares Help Line. Please call 866-202-HELP (4357) to speak with a trained professional who can provide support. The hotline is open seven days per week from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.

For family caregivers looking for more information and resources to navigate this health emergency, please call the Care2Caregivers hotline at 1-800-424-2494 or view the website here.

For the best source of health and medical information, we encourage you to turn to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). You can find that information at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus or by calling the CDC at 800-232-4636.

For the latest information and resources about the coronavirus, please visit AARP’s national website at www.AARP.org/coronavirus.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What precautions should people take when going to the grocery store? What about doctor appointments?

  • Grocery Stores: Commissioner Persichilli shared that people should go into the store alone, and stay six feet away from other individuals while in the store. Touch only the items you are required to get. Use the antibacterial that grocery stores are providing. When you get home, immediately wash your hands for a minimum of 20 seconds. Wipe down the products you purchased, and wipe down any items that are delivered. If you are a senior, check with your local grocery store to see if they are offering senior-only hours.
  • Doctor Appointments: Commissioner Persichilli advised that if you need to see a doctor, call your doctor first. Guidance for physicians is to do an assessment over the phone. If you need to be seen and you are a possible COVID-19 case, it is recommended that you’re the last appointment of the day. Commissioner Persichilli stated that if the assessment over the phone suggests your shortness of breath is severe, that you have any blue discoloration around your lips or fingertips, or if there is any suggestion that your oxygenation is poor, you should go directly to the emergency room. Expanded Medicare coverage will cover virtual checkups with your doctor from the safety of your home. Read more about telehealth and its benefits here.


2. Is it safe to go outside for a walk?

  • Yes, the Governor and Department of Health are encouraging people to go outside and get fresh air. Exercising in open spaces is encouraged for mental and physical health as long as you maintain proper social distancing practices by staying six feet away from others while walking, hiking or biking. You will need to check to see if your local parks, boardwalks, etc. are open or closed. You can find updated information here.


3. Will there be an extension for filing state taxes?

  • New Jersey’s deadline to file state taxes has been extended from April 15, 2020 to July 15, 2020. The deadline to file federal taxes has also been extended to July 15, 2020. Read more here.


4. Will New Jersey have designated testing days for people in high-risk categories such as immune system compromised people or those with blood cancers? Are there any plans to accelerate testing for older adults or essential workers? What about testing for those who are asymptomatic?

  • Because of a shortage of testing capacity, the state is currently only testing those who are symptomatic. This means if you are worried, but don’t have symptoms (including fever, cough, shortness of breath) you cannot get tested right now. Governor Murphy has said that in a perfect world, we would have all the testing equipment we need and all the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) we need, but unfortunately, we don’t have that level of material and support right now. Therefore, the state has made the decision to test symptomatic people only.


5. Where can I get tested?

  • Commissioner Johnson shared that testing locations are only for symptomatic individuals. There are several testing sites throughout the state; you can find all testing sites and hours here. Some testing sites require an appointment. Commissioner Johnson suggested also calling your county services for more information.


6. How are individuals in long-term care facilities being protected?

  • As of March 31, 2020, 81 of New Jersey’s 375 long-term care facilities have reported at least one positive COVID-19 resident. The Department of Health has given these facilities new guidance, which directs them to implement universal masking of all staff and anyone entering the facility.
  • The Department of Health is taking this step to reduce the illness being introduced into these facilities. All symptomatic facility residents – those who are showing respiratory virus symptoms – should be masked while staff is providing direct care.
  • Concerning readmission of residents back into their facilities, and acceptance of new residents, the guidance outlines methods the facilities should use to return or admit patients safely into their facilities. In addition to monitoring them for symptoms, facilities must create separate wings, units or floors to accept asymptomatic residents coming into or returning from the hospital. This may mean moving residents in a facility to create a new wing or new unit. They must limit the staff working between the wings and units as much as possible to avoid spread of the virus. They must create a separate wing or unit to accept COVID-19 positive residents, and they must care for those confirmed or suspected COVID-19 residents in a cohort.
  • When a facility receives information from its local health agency that a resident in the facility or facility staff member has tested positive for COVID-19, the facility should follow the local guidance from the health agency to implement all actions necessary to protect the health and well-being of its residents and staff. You can find more information here.


Listen here to our full discussion with the Governor, Department of Health Commissioner and Department of Human Services Commissioner. They share how to protect yourself and your loved ones, and what the state is doing to protect its older and most vulnerable residents.

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This story is provided by AARP New Jersey. Visit the AARP New Jersey page for more news, events, and programs affecting retirement, health care, and more.

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