SOUTH RIVER–With the number of residents testing positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) increasing on a daily basis, Mayor John Krenzel updated residents about the status of South River as of March 29.
“As it is, I think many are suffering from information overload. I suggest taking a break from the news. Take a walk, a bike ride, watch a movie, especially a comedy,” Mayor John Krenzel said in a prepared statement.
Krenzel said there are two more people in the borough who tested positive, and they are quarantined.
With the total number of positive cases in South River up to 12, Krenzel said the borough can expect more.
“Every day I hold a meeting with various officials in town to gauge where we are and what has to be done. In turn, we also attend various meetings with county and state officials,” Krenzel said. “Of course, all of these meetings are done either over the telephone or on the ‘net. And all of this is done so that we can give you the most up-to-date accurate information.”
Krenzel said residents should follow the borough on Facebook and sign up for Nixle.
“The situation is fluid and keeps changing. If you are not signed up, do so now. If you are not tech-savvy, find someone who is signed up and get your information from that person. Don’t rely on hearsay and rumors,” he said in the statement.
“Finally, I am concerned about how many people are suffering from sleep deprivation or are depressed. There is no need to worry. Be concerned, yes; worry, no. Our parents and grandparents survived the Great Depression and World War II when life was a lot harder than it is now,” Krenzel said. “Back then there was no social net. Now there is. We will get through this. We are literally all in this together. The virus does not discriminate. Rich or poor, citizen or immigrant, anyone can get it.”
Krenzel said to use common sense.
“You have heat, water, electricity, telephone service and internet, this is not [Superstorm] Sandy. Remember to practice personal hygiene: wash your hands, socially distance yourself, [and] sneeze and cough on your arm and not in your hand,” Krenzel said in the statement.
“Be kind to each other [and] help each other. Check in on the elderly and homebound. Check in on your neighbor,” Krenzel said. “If you don’t know your neighbor, you have the perfect opportunity to see if they need something and introduce yourself at the same time and we will all get through this together. God bless you and God bless South River.”