Sen. Bob Menendez Unmasks To Promote Vaccines At Newark Event

NEWARK, NJ — “Either we’ll be part of the solution or we’ll be one of the statistics … I’d rather us be part of the solution.” So said an unmasked U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez, who visited Newark on Monday to push for the COVID-19 vaccination effort.

Menendez, who has been fully vaccinated against the disease, took off his face mask during a news conference to mark the grand opening of the Hope & Esperanza Community Health Center in the North Ward of Newark.

The move – which is in step with state and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines – was intended to “promote the vaccine and its safeness,” according to a statement from the senator.

• See related article: NJ 'Can Do Away' With Masks Outdoors If Vaccinated, Gov. Murphy Says

At Monday’s event, Menendez, the highest-ranking Latino member of Congress, urged members of the Latino and Black communities to get vaccinated “as soon as possible.”

Other prominent New Jersey Latino leaders in attendance who are fully vaccinated included New Jersey Sen. Teresa Ruiz and Newark council members Luis Quintana and Anibal Ramos.

In appealing to the African American community, Menendez also noted that U.S. Senator Cory Booker and Newark Mayor Ras Baraka are fully vaccinated, as well.

Although the racial gap is shrinking, vaccination rates in the Latino and Black communities have been lagging since the rollout began, the senator said.

“If you love your neighbor, if you love your family, if you love those who you work with, if you love those who you worship with, you have to get vaccinated,” Menendez urged. “We can end the pandemic and return to our life as it once was. But the only way we will do that is by getting overwhelmingly vaccinated.”

• See related article: NJ Gov Says 2nd Shots Lag In Newark, Irvington, Orange, East Orange
• See related article: Newark Trying To Hike COVID Vaccine Numbers With 'Pop-Up' Sites
• See related article: Newark Coronavirus Update: Vaccine, Case, Death Totals

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