The Jaffe Briefing - August 4, 2021
STATEWIDE – New Jersey is often in a New York state of mind, which makes the Big Apple’s landmark decision to require vaccination cards in public indoor spaces by Sept. 13 to be particularly newsworthy. Mandates are a critical way to finally get rid of the delta variant. If you want to go to a restaurant, or a gym or a play, or a movie, get vaccinated. If you don’t want to be vaccinated, then move up to the hills, somewhere, and live out your days with the satisfaction that you did not bend to “the man.” Congrats to you. It is time to play hardball, in one of the most congested places in America, as New Jersey can’t return to normal until naysayers finally realize the critical role they play in eliminating COVID. No, for the nth time, it is not someone else’s problem. Convenient appointments await at covid19.nj.gov.
STATEWIDE – It seems some New Jerseyans are finally getting the message. A spike in the Delta variant is prompting an increase in the number of our residents getting their first COVID vaccination. NJ 101.5 reports that more than 141,000 state residents got their first jabs of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines or the sole shot of the Janssen vaccine between July 20 and Aug. 2. That’s the most shots in a two-week period since June and the numbers are up 42% since July 4. Another way of putting it: over those two weeks, 1.6% of New Jersey residents received their first COVID vaccine doses, pushing the overall share of the population that’s at least partially vaccinated to 66.2%. New Jersey now has the seventh-highest vaccination rate among states, which is great. Perhaps requiring proof of vaccination cards will finally get us over the 70% rate as flu season approaches, yet again. And we don’t need wishy-washy messages, like this gem from GOP gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli: “I’m vaccinated, I would suggest that people get vaccinated but I have great respect for vaccine choice. I think it’s a personal decision.”
BEDMINSTER – Just because you were once the U.S. President, it doesn’t mean you can use the Presidential seal on your private marketing materials for the rest of your life. At least that is the claim of a watchdog group in DC, which has filed a criminal complaint against Trump’s golf club in Bedminster, which seems to be plastering the seal on the tee markers. While some don’t consider this a big deal, rising to the level of national debate, there is a federal law that prohibits the use of the seal to give “a false impression of a sponsorship or approval” from the U.S. government, NJ.com reports. Now if the government can also remove the Presidential seal from all of Trump’s silk pajamas and skivvies, well, that would be news, too.
BRIEFING BREATHER
“Mustache shields” were a real thing during the Victorian area.
STATEWIDE – Have you seen those pretty, little spotted lanternflies this summer? Yes? Good. Now, kill them. Stomp on them. Set them ablaze. Do whatever you can do to wipe them off the planet, according to the state Department of Agriculture. The state has issued a death warrant for these invasive bugs, native to Southeast Asia and first appearing in New Jersey three years ago. It has since spread throughout the state, with sightings recorded in every county. The spotted lanternfly feeds on the sap from more than 70 plant species, including much-needed grapevines, maples, black walnut, and economically-important plants. This flying thing creates a whole bunch of destruction, which is why the state has launched bedbug.nj.gov to spread the message. If you see one, email
ASBURY PARK – With word that Jessica Springsteen failed to qualify for the Olympic individual jumping finals at Tokyo's Equestrian Park last night, the Springsteen faithful can only assume the judges were blind, biased or just had no idea who they were dealing with. Sure, call us a bit slanted here. So, while Springsteen didn’t succeed in going solo, perhaps she will be like Dad and perform better when she reunites with her group. Jessica rides again Friday night as part of America's four-rider entry in the jumping team event. This time, we bet she’ll be the Boss.
IN OTHER IMPORTANT NEWS
CAPE CANAVERAL, FL. – While it now seems like anyone with a couple of bucks and a rocket ship can blast off into space, the Federal Aviation Administration says it’s time to make some important clarifications. An “astronaut” is more than just a billionaire blasting off to the stars, powered by ego. Now, to meet the definition of an astronaut, you need to fly more than 50 miles above the Earth’s surface, and you actually need to do stuff when you are floating up there. To earn your wings, you must demonstrate “activities during flight that were essential to public safety, or contributed to human space flight safety.” So, flying up, flying down, putting on a cowboy hat and giving the thumbs’ up to all the media you collected at the landing point doesn’t exactly count.
THIS DAY IN HISTORY
It was this day in 1994 that Howard Stern drops out of the race for New York governor, paving the way for grossly underqualified reality stars to run for elected office.
WORD OF THE DAY
Berate – [bih-RAYT] – verb
Definition: To scold or condemn vehemently and at length
Example: I was singled out and berated for squishing a spotted lanternfly.
WIT OF THE DAY
“Faith is about doing. You are how you act, not just how you believe."
– Mitch Albom
BIDEN BLURB
“I know what I believe, I know what I want to do, and I'm just comfortable saying it, and laying it out there.”
-Joe Biden
WEATHER IN A WORD
Cooler