3 Local Monmouth Ocean County Hospitals Bring Back Face Mask Mandates
A new COVID-19 variant is driving an increase in COVID-19 infections in New Jersey and now three hospitals in Monmouth and Ocean counties have reintroduced face mask mandates for patients…
Face mask mandates return to NJ hospitals.
(Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)A new COVID-19 variant is driving an increase in COVID-19 infections in New Jersey and now three hospitals in Monmouth and Ocean counties have reintroduced face mask mandates for patients and visitors. The three local Hackensack Meridian Health hospitals that are requiring face masks are Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank, Ocean University Medical Center in Brick, and Southern Ocean Medical Center in Stafford.
New Jersey's largest healthcare system -- RWJ/Barnabas Health -- urges patients and visitors to wear masks, although compliance is voluntary.
New Jersey is experiencing a rise in new cases and an increase in fatalities due to COVID-19. According to the state's records, available here, there were 558 hospitalizations due to COVID-19 in the state on 9/26/23. There were 536 on 9/19/23 and 475 on 9/12/23.
The new COVID-19 variant XBB1.5, has yet to shown any signs that it is more dangerous than other variants of COVID-19, according to the World Health Organization.
The return of face mask mandates at three local hospitals comes as a new vaccine recently became available. Information on that vaccine's local availability can be found here.
Governor Murphy lifted the public health emergency on March 4, 2022. The governor has not weighed in on the recent face mask requirement at local hospitals however he has not supported the return of face mask mandates publicly. Face masks were a political and social lightning rod.
It's not hard to imagine the enormous outcry from the general public should public health policy makers deem it necessary to wear face masks again. We've been enjoying going out to concerts and fundraisers and church and basically enjoying our public freedoms so much; people would lose their collective minds if that goes down.
GALLERY: Best Moments of Ocean of Love & 95.9 WRAT’s Billboard Radiothon 2023
Lauren HoffmanThe RAT staff with the final tally after 4 days.
Rob CochranGotts going up on the Billboard with the help of the Silverton Fire Department
Rob CochranIndigo Sky with Tom Hanley & Gotts
Rob CochranIntruder 424 with Tom Hanley and Gotts
Rob CochranSoraia checking out Gotts' tent on the Billboard
Rob CochranGotts' new door matt
Rob CochranGotts in the morning on day 2. He made the Billboard his home.
Rob CochranRyan from My Guy Plumbing came by with a generous donation
Rob CochranJackson Liberty High School Basketball made a huge donation!
Rob CochranNAGE Local R2-84 came by with a generous donation.
Rob CochranCheck Mike and Theresa
Jackie FaragoJimmy Steal trying Chef Mike's delicious food.
Rob CochranChef Mike's Crew!
Rob CochranRockin' Robyn live on-air at the Billboard
Rob CochranGarden State Rockets Car Show
Rob CochranThe crowd on Tuesday Night.
Rob CochranKickin’ Wings Band
Rob CochranThe Morning Rat Race: East Side Dave, Gotts, & Carl Craft on top of the billboard early Wednesday morning.
Rob CochranGotts interviewing his Father on top of the Billboard.
Rob CochranThe goats with the RAT Pack
Jackie FaragoThe Ocean County Sheriff's Office
Rob CochranGiant bunny at from the Ocean County 4H Petting Zoo
Rob CochranRock n Roll Chorus
Jackie FaragoHot dogs every night of the billboard!
Rob CochranGotts tried to make a new friend. But the goat was not having it.
Jackie FaragoThis crazy chicken broke out of the petting zoo and ran around the tent stealing food!
Jackie FaragoSanta, Gotts, and Theresa
Rob CochranRocky the Rat even made an appearance Wednesday night
Rob Cochran
Rob Cochran
Rob CochranArties Parties DJ
Megan MoritzNeedlez the Dragonborn - Fire Breather
Megan MoritzThis young man donated his entire piggy bank!
Megan MoritzMegan Moritz
Kyli EngleBuilders General came by with an awesome donation!
Megan MoritzIBEW LOCAL 400 stopped by with a huge donation!
Jackie FaragoThe beautiful smile of Andy Chase.
Jackie FaragoMassive donation from The Szymanski Family!
Kyli EngleAtomic Rob on-air presenting $1000 raised by WRAT listeners playing the plunk tank this past summer!
Rob CochranToms River Fire Department
Rob Cochran
Rob CochranJersey Shore MOPAR with a huge donation!
Rob CochranThe entire WRAT staff came for the final day of the Billboard!
Rob CochranEmergency Services Parade
Rob CochranGotts coming down off the Billboard
Rob CochranGotts after 4 long days finally stepping back on ground and off the Billboard!
Megan MoritzGotts first steps off the Billboard
Rob CochranCrowd waiting to hear the grand total!
Rob Cochran$167,387!!!!! Even more than last year!!!! Go Gotts!
Lauren HoffmanThe RAT staff with the final tally after 4 days.
