O’Scanlon & DiMaso: Masks Requirement Should be Cautious, Not Draconian
Senator Declan O’Scanlon and Assemblywoman Serena DiMaso (both R-Monmouth) today commented on news that the Governor signed an executive order requiring face masks in certain situations outdoors:
Sen. Declan O’Scanlon and Aswm. Serena DiMaso commented on news that the Governor signed an executive order requiring face masks in certain situations outdoors. (Pixabay)
“We have to be reasonable, cautious, but not draconian,” said O’Scanlon. “The Governor’s statements today have indicated that masks could be required for people congregating in large groups and cannot social distance; which is pretty much in line with what has been said from the beginning. We have to see what the actual executive order says first to ensure it’s not overreaching. If you are outside jogging avoiding people you shouldn’t be mandated to wear a mask, but if you’re crowded together–like we saw with the government made disaster of the MVC reopening–then we should be smart and cautious and throw on a mask.”
Bucco Presses Murphy for Plan to Address Long Lines & Hazards at Randolph MVC
Says Similar Scenes Occurring at NJMVC Agencies Across NJ
Senator Anthony M. Bucco (R-25) sent a letter (click here for PDF) to Governor Phil Murphy today calling for a plan to help Randolph Twp. and other New Jersey communities that have been overwhelmed by a crush of people who are seeking to conduct business at newly reopened New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) agencies.
People queued up at 3 a.m. this morning outside the Randolph MVC to try to gain service today after many failed to get through long lines yesterday. (SenateNJ.com)
Bucco noted that he made a request more than two months ago of MVC Chief Sue Fulton asking for an overview of the Commission’s plan to avoid the chaos that’s new occurring at MVC agencies across New Jersey. He never received a response.
District 10 Lawmakers Question Governor’s Directive for Mandatory Masks in Public
Governor Phil Murphy announced today that he is requiring residents to wear masks outdoors due to the coronavirus.
The District 10 legislators, Senator Jim Holzapfel and Assemblymen Greg McGuckin and John Catalano (R-10) released the following statement in response:
Senator Holzapfel and Assemblymen McGuckin and Catalano today questioned the Governor’s order calling for mandatory masks in the outdoors. (NJ Division of Parks & Forestry)
“If people are comfortable wearing masks, they should feel free to do so. What we are asking for is choice. Requiring masks without any clear rationale is troubling.
Doherty: Thank Gov. Murphy For Your Long Wait at MVC
‘Failing to Plan is Planning to Fail’
Senator Michael Doherty released the following statement in response to the blatant failures of the Murphy administration as it neglected to adequately prepare for the reopening of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) that had been shut down since March due the COVID-19 lockdown:
Sen. Michael Doherty responded to the blatant failures of the Murphy administration as it neglected to adequately prepare for the reopening of the MVC. (Wikimedia)
“After a four-month lockdown, the MVC that New Jerseyans returned to was an utter nightmare. Long lines wrapped around the agencies, negatively impacting those waiting in the heat and humidity as well as the communities surrounding the centers. Many residents were turned away without any help or guidance. The failure to properly plan for this reopening is an absolute disgrace.
Senator Pennacchio Questions Latest Murphy Executive Order on Wearing Masks Outdoors
Asks Why Masks Weren’t a Priority for Nursing Homes?
At a time when the CDC is considering no longer calling COVID an epidemic because of a low mortality rate, the Governor is doubling down on his executive orders by mandating New Jersey Citizens wear masks outdoors.
Senator Pennacchio today questioned Governor Murphy’s justification for his order calling for mandatory wearing of masks outdoors. (Pixabay)
“As usual, the Governor’s latest decree is arbitrary and unsupported by data,” said Senator Joe Pennacchio. “The effectiveness of masks, especially those that fail to meet the most effective N95 standards, is debatable.”
National and International Health Institutes have been consistently sending mixed messages about wearing masks.
The World Health Organization advises the use of masks for those who are sick and people who are caring for the sick.
“For people who want to take an active role and feel safer in a mask, they should, but I’m concerned the Governor’s actions are based more on political science than science,” said Pennacchio. “The best way to protect yourself and others is to practice social distancing. Avoid close contact with others when possible, and limit the duration of exposure when maintaining space isn’t practical.”
Senator Pennacchio added that the focus of the administration should be on having sick Covid patients, and those recently exposed to those patients, remaining in home isolation.
Murphy’s order requires masks to be worn outdoors.
“Does the Governor know something we don’t know? Does he have evidence that masks are needed out of doors?” asked Pennacchio. “According to Dr. Angelo DeLucia, an epidemiologist and professor of molecular virology and cancer biology at Ohio Medical School, there is not enough data to make decisions about wearing masks outdoors. It seems the Governor knows something about wearing masks outdoors that the professor does not.”
Kean: Senate Republicans United Against Democrats’ New Effort to Hijack Legislative Redistricting & Disenfranchise Voters
Says Proposed Constitutional Amendment Another Thinly Veiled Attempt by Entrenched Democratic Incumbents to Avoid Competitive Election Districts
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean announced that the entire Senate Republican caucus is opposed to a proposed constitutional amendment being fast-tracked by legislative Democrats that would disenfranchise New Jersey voters by delaying the upcoming redistricting process unnecessarily. He urged concerned citizens to weigh-in prior to a public hearing that was hastily scheduled for tomorrow.
Sen. Tom Kean warned that a proposed constitutional amendment being fast-tracked is another thinly veiled attempt by entrenched Democratic incumbents to avoid competitive election districts. (SenateNJ.com)
“This is just the latest in a series of efforts by Democrats in recent years to hijack the redistricting process for partisan gain,” said Kean (R-21). “Their past efforts were shot down with unanimous disapproval from the public, media, and good-government organizations. This newest effort is another thinly veiled attempt by Democrats to maintain an iron grip on the Legislature after two decades of control.”
Doherty: Murphy’s Mask Mandate Represents a Clear and Present Danger to New Jersey
Senator Michael Doherty blasted Governor Phil Murphy for his arbitrary and unscientific approach to responding to the coronavirus, including a new mandate that will force New Jerseyans to wear masks even when outside.
Sen. Michael Doherty blasted Gov. Phil Murphy for his arbitrary and unscientific approach to responding to the coronavirus. (Pixabay)
“Governor Murphy has used the opportunity presented by the coronavirus to initiate a big government power grab,” said Doherty (R-23). “His unilateral and oppressive actions are destroying the economy and will now negatively impact everyday New Jerseyans outside in the summer sun.
Connors, Rumpf & Gove to Governor: Don’t Let Motor Vehicles Services Become Another Unemployment Debacle
Senator Christopher Connors, Assemblyman Brian Rumpf, and Assemblywoman DiAnne Gove are calling on Governor Murphy to take swift action and direct the necessary resources to Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) facilities that were overwhelmed on the first day of opening after closing during the state of emergency.
Connors, Rumpf & Gove called on Gov. Murphy to take swift action and direct the necessary resources to MVC facilities that were overwhelmed on the first day of opening after closing during the state of emergency. (NJMVC)
“The debacle that was yesterday’s reopening of state Motor Vehicle Commission facilities is completely unacceptable. Motorists who were forced to stand in lines for hours have every right to be infuriated. Motorists who have to go to a facility in the near future are right to demand corrective action so hours-long wait times is not the new normal.
Corrado: Motor Vehicles Commission Earns Failing Sticker for Inspection Station and Agency Reopening
Senator Kristin Corrado called the situation today at New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission agencies and inspection stations across the state an embarrassment that never should have happened.
This horrendous lines and delays at New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission facilities across the state is an embarrassment that never should have happened, Senator Corrado said. (SenateNJ.com)
“Like most of the state, MVC has been closed down for almost four months,” Corrado said. “During that time, they should have planned a strategy to deal with reopening, but today it is crystal clear they are unprepared. People, waiting for many hours to complete necessary transactions, are living a nightmare.”
Bucco: NJMVC’s Disaster Should Have Been Averted
Senator Bucco Warned Chief Administrator of Backlogs and Requested a Plan Two Months Ago
Long lines, three-hour wait times, traffic blocking roads and highways. That’s the scene many New Jersey drivers are finding at Motor Vehicle Commission agencies across the state.
Senator Bucco warned NJMVC about severe backlogs and the need for a re-opening plan two months ago, but it was ignored and the result is playing out in extremely long lines and slow service today. (Wikimedia Commons)
“It is exasperating,” said Senator Anthony M. Bucco. “Agencies have been shut down for months, and there are significant backlogs of renewals and transactions that must be completed. I as much as predicted this two months ago and I asked the commission for a plan. They ignored me, they ignored New Jersey residents, and this is the result.”
