Coronavirus USA Update: New Jersey Activates National Guard To Help Combat COVID-19

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said Monday that the State National Guard will be called in to help prevent the spread of coronavirus. The governor hopes that the National Guard can help “in any way necessary.”

The State National Guard’s role will be to help with the testing, distribution of food to kids who are affected by school closings and assisting in the accommodation of patients by helping to set up and convert buildings into facilities for self-quarantine. Brig. Gen. Jemal Beale also said that “logistics, transportation, traffic control, security, and engineering works” are part of their role.

According to Fox News, Gen. Beale appealed for help from the public in slowing the spread of the virus. He asked the people to “wish (them) luck” as well as to do safety measures, such as washing their hands on a regular basis and practicing social distancing.

Gov. Murphy said the state will also be implementing a rule that all restaurants and bars are closed to dine-in customers. The restaurants should only offer delivery or takeout. Cinemas, night clubs, fitness centers, gyms, casinos and similar businesses should close at exactly 8 p.m. starting Monday.

New Jersey has been hit hard by the virus, and according to NorthJersey.com hospitals have been trying to accommodate the influx of patients. At the Holy Name Medical Center, wave after wave of patients forced the hospital to work hand-in-hand with other nearby medical centers to treat patients.

Despite this, a man being treated at the Hackensack University Medical Center became the third person to die from COVID-19 in the state. The death was the second in Bergen County, where 61 patients have tested positive for the virus.

Some people found ways to stay positive despite the general hysteria and panic gripping the population. Times Square has been cleared, and people have been taking advantage of the eerie calm. From parkour artists to first-time tourists, everyone took in the sights and sounds minus the usual crowd.