The Jaffe Briefing - December 20, 2021

**This is the final issue of the Jaffe Briefing in 2021! We will be back Monday, Jan. 3, 2022**

STATEWIDE – The fact that the lede story is about COVID is, well, downright deflating. The hope was all this public emergency stuff would be in the rearview mirror. But now as every Minute-clinic is once again overrun with antsy people eager for COVID tests, the talk is, once again, about how we can all keep ourselves safe. On Sunday, New Jersey had 6,533 confirmed cases, setting a record for the number of consecutive days with more than 6,000 cases. Gov. Phil Murphy is not talking “lockdown” at the moment, as that is just not feasible or politically palatable. But there are other ways to clamp down, he says. If people don’t get vaccinated, wear masks or socially distance, we can see 10,000 new cases daily. Tough to put a clever little spin on this one.

STATEWIDE – Schools are also challenged, as teachers and students limp toward the holiday break, eager to mercifully take a well-earned break from one another. State school leaders are concerned about all these students who are now quarantining – tens of thousands of kids sitting at home, twiddling thumbs.  Sen. Troy Singleton is concerned, like everyone else, about learning loss, and is suggesting a new policy called “test and stay,” NJ.com reports. Potentially-infected students could still go to school with their chums by taking a series of rapid COVID tests each day. As long as they remain “negative,” they can stay in class. Seems like a sensible compromise, as opposed to these kids at home playing Xbox, while parents try to earn a living.

ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL – U.S. President Phil Murphy? Some think that has a good ring, just in case Joe Biden doesn’t run again and the Democrats need some fresh meat for the primaries. The Record reports about how Murphy met with Democratic strategist Jim Carville, now vice chair of the Democratic Governors Association and would lose absolutely nothing if he dipped a toe in the swamp of national politics Moreover, just the idea of a Murphy v. Chris Christie race for president would be the holiday gift that snarky writers like us can enjoy throughout an entire election season.

BRIEFING BREATHER

In the 16th Century, Turkish women could initiate divorce if their husbands didn’t provide enough coffee.

PILESGROVE – As Santa is known for coming down the chimney, he knows a thing or two about fire safety. So when he was riding on a fire engine Saturday to spread holiday cheer, he immediately saw the problem: smoke coming from the eaves of a house on Auburn Road. With firefighters in tow, he raced to the house with the firefighters to alert the family. It seems that embers from wood burning in a stove had gotten into a wall, NJ.com reports. Luckily, the damage was limited, thanks to the fast-acting Santa. It was noted the house is in a really rural area of town, and, without the eagle-eyes of Saint Nick, the damage would have been much, much worse. Extra cookies and milk for Santa.

IN OTHER IMPORTANT NEWS

COLUMBUS, Ohio – So, is it a real high school? Or a football team that claims to be affiliated with a high school? First, Bishop Sycamore High School got clobbered by some Florida powerhouse team, embarrassed on ESPN. Then, state education officials began calling the entire high school a “scam.” Even Gov. Mike DeWine is now involved, demanding an investigation into what, exactly, this alleged school is supposed to be. “Ohio families should be able to count on the fact that our schools educate students and don’t exist in name only as a vehicle to play high school sports,” DeWine said. It seemed Bishop Sycamore didn’t enroll any students other than football players and didn’t meet any standards for academics or student safety. Inquiries were launched after the team was blown apart, 58-0, in August and folks began asking questions. Perhaps if the team actually won, all would have been well, at least for another season.

THIS DAY IN HISTORY

A lifetime of love, honesty and undying commitment was made this day in 1993, when Donald Trump marries Marla Maples.

WORD OF THE DAY

Congenial – [kun-JEEN-yul] – adjective

Definition: Pleasant, friendly, or suitable.

Example: In our congenial way, we want to thank you for reading the Jaffe Briefing all year. We will be back in January!

WIT OF THE DAY

"The U.S. is 240 years old. No wonder we have difficulty achieving and maintaining an election."

- Rick Aaron 

BIDEN BLURB

“We have to protect that sacred right to vote, for God's sake."

-Joe Biden

WEATHER IN A WORD

Frigid