Dear Friends & Neighbors:
Please be assured that maintaining the health, safety and well-being of the people of city of Cape May remains our top priority. The city’s essential workforce, notably our first responders, continue their vigilant operations on your behalf.
The city’s Coronavirus Task Force communicates regularly, and City Manager Jerry Inderwies actively participates by teleconference with the Cape May County Coronavirus Task Force.
On Sunday, March 22, Jerry, Deputy Mayor Tricia Hendricks, City Solicitor Frank Corrado and I participated in a teleconference with the Governor’s Office for southern New Jersey counties and municipalities, to review the governor’s recent executive orders. Along with several freeholders and mayors, I asked for more specific information about the availability of coronavirus testing. While the highest incidence of coronavirus currently affects our northern neighbors, the people of southern New Jersey must be protected and cared for.
We should all comply with the governor’s executive directive: stay in your homes; wash your hands regularly with soap and water; keep a distance of at least 6 feet from others; cough or sneeze into a tissue or your elbow; use disinfectant wipes on household surfaces, doorknobs, phones, computers and other regularly used items; and call your primary care physician if you don’t feel well, have some respiratory discomfort and an elevated temperature. People who do not exhibit coronavirus symptoms will likely not be tested. Take precautions in the best interests of yourself, your family and your neighbors.
We are exploring ways to facilitate communication between the city and the public, including convening virtual open public meetings for City Council, the Planning and Zoning boards, and the Shade Tree and Historic Preservation commissions. Consult the city’s website regularly for updates on city operations and news about the coronavirus crisis.
Many of the city’s hotels and motels have closed temporarily. While our restaurants are not open for sit-down meals, many are open for takeout and delivery.
There has been concern about out-of-state visitors who may be coming to Cape May as a refuge. Our governor has urged people in nearby areas to stay at home. We can protect ourselves by practicing social and physical distancing. We can all get together again when coronavirus is no longer a threat.
Please be patient and calm. Take every precaution to keep yourself safe. Use your phone and computer to stay in touch with family and friends. Read that novel you never finished. Binge watch old TV shows. Search for worship services that are being live-streamed. Do the household things on your “To-Do” list that you have put off.
We don’t know what the consequences of this time will be. We must stay strong, responsible and good-willed to deal with whatever this crisis holds for us and our community. Together we will manage. Together we will prevail. Together we will enjoy good times again.
Clarence “Chuck” Lear, Cape May mayor