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The Highland Park Planet will be honoring those Highland Park residents who have died, but who cannot be honored formally until the COVID health crisis subsides. —————————————————————————————————————-

The following is a Rutgers University news announcement. —————————————————————————————————————

Cheryl A. Wall, a Board of Governors Zora Neale Hurston Professor of English long admired for her expertise in African-American literature, American literature and feminist criticism, died Saturday. Dr. Wall, a well-regarded professor at Rutgers University-New Brunswick School of Arts and Sciences for nearly 50 years, had been planning to retire at the end of the academic year. A recipient of the Warren I. Susman Award for Excellence in Teaching, Wall received numerous fellowships and awards, including being named a Board of Governors Professor of English in 2006 before she was named the Zora Neale Hurston Professor of English in 2008. 

“We are profoundly saddened by the loss of this amazing scholar, teacher and citizen of the university,’’ President Robert Barchi said. READ MORE

“If you are concerned about the outside of food packages being contaminated, I suggest that you wash your hands or sanitize your hands before you sit down to eat any food that you might’ve taken out of those containers. And guess what, washing your hands before you eat is a best practice even when we’re not in a pandemic,” said Don Schaffner, an extension specialist in food science and distinguished professor in the Department of Food Science in the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences. “Soap should absolutely not be used to wash food,” Dr. Schaffner said. “It’s not designed for that. Soap can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea if ingested. READ MORE

Saint Peter’s University Hospital is in need of surgical masks
and is asking volunteers to sew masks. The masks need to mold around the nose and
have the ability to insert a filter. A tutorial to
make such a mask is available by clicking here (this particular mask
allows the use of elastic or ribbon). 

Local craft and fabric stores sell remnants online and offer
curbside pick-up. If someone is having difficulty acquiring fabric, please
contact Susan Choma at delaneysusan@outlook.com. 

For additional information please contact Jim Choma, at
732-745-8581; JChoma@saintpetersuh.com. 

READ MORE

Given all that’s going on in the world right now, the U.S.
Census may seem like a relatively unimportant concern. But the hundreds of
billions of dollars that will be apportioned based on this year’s census count
will impact our classrooms, our public health facilities, our representation in
government, and countless programs that directly impact the lives of all
community members. So today, on Census Day, please make sure to fill out your
census (it only takes 5 minutes!) and please help spread the word. Complete your form now:www.my2020census.gov.

Rebecca Hersh, executive director of Main Street Highland Park, added these thoughts about the census:

“We urge all New Jerseyans to Complete the United States 2020 Census and be counted. We need ALL New Jerseyans to be counted! READ MORE

Middlesex County officials, in partnership with the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, will open a drive-thru COVID-19 testing site on Wednesday, April 1 at New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission Kilmer Vehicle Inspection Center, 33 Kilmer Road, Edison. READ MORE

The number of residents infected with the COVID-19 Coronavirus has risen to 16, a number that does not include a Highland Park police officer who went into self-quarantine after testing positive for the virus that has quickly defined the era. READ MORE

Three more Highland Park residents tested positive for the COVID-19 Coronavirus, bringing the townwide total up to 15 residents infected.
READ MORE

Order Also Prohibits All Social Gatherings, Mandates Work From Home Arrangements for Employees When Possible, and Invalidates Any Conflicting Local and County Regulations READ MORE