March 16, 2020
The New Jersey Doctor-Patient Alliance (NJPDA) is a state-wide organization of over 300 physicians and surgeons along with their patients who advocate for access to high-quality healthcare for all New Jerseyeans.
The NJDPA commends Teaneck’s Mayor Mohammed Hameeduddin for his decisive action in requesting self-quarantines among the residents of Teaneck in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. This bold and necessary leadership should be a model for other mayors and elected officials who are already beginning to face the same crisis in their own surrounding towns and cities.
“The NJDPA urges our other elected officials, including Governor Murphy, to follow suit in requesting self-quarantines throughout the state to protect all New Jerseyans,” says Peter DeNoble, MD, FAAOS, orthopaedic surgeon and president of the NJDPA.
The full force of this pandemic has barely been felt in New Jersey, yet several of our citizens have already died and hospitals are nearing capacity. At this point, it is crucial that New Jersey officials implement all measures within their powers to contain this dangerous virus. If Physicians and Health Care Providers have not stopped wearing ties, long sleeved shirts and white coats please do so immediately.
In the coming weeks, the healthcare community is anticipating an onslaught of COVID-19 cases, much like has been seen around the world including China, Iran, and Italy that will likely very soon overwhelm our healthcare resources, including the frontline workforce of nurses, doctors, and other hospital personnel themselves.
It is incumbent upon all New Jerseyeans to take this pandemic extremely seriously and practice strict social distancing immediately. This is a matter of life and death for many of our friends, family, and fellow citizens.