With the tri-state area of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut being the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic, authorities in the region don’t have time for shenanigans like a “coronavirus party.”
Social distancing is the order of the day and a New Jersey man was hit with charges after holding what “the renter of the apartment called a ‘Corona Party,'” according to a release from the Ewing Township Police Department.
The statement said police received an anonymous call about a party, and responding officers would disperse 47 people, to include a DJ, gathered in a 515 sq. ft. apartment.
Wade E. Jackson, 47, identified as the apartment renter, was issued summonses for: “Obstructing Administration of Law or Other Governmental Function, and a Violation of Emergency and Temporary Acts.”
Press Release regarding the gathering of individuals referenced by Governor Murphy today.
Posted by Ewing Police Dept. on Saturday, March 28, 2020
On March 21, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy signed an executive order directing the closure of non-essential retail businesses and ordered residents to stay at home until further notice — exceptions were allowed for needed tasks, such as grocery shopping and going to work.
Executive Order 107 stated: “Gatherings of individuals, such as parties, celebrations, or other social events, are cancelled, unless otherwise authorized by any part of this Order. The State Director of Emergency Management, who is the Superintendent of the State Police, shall have the discretion to make clarifications and issue orders related to this provision.”
A press release from the governor’s office added: “When in public, individuals must practice social distancing and stay at least six feet apart whenever possible, excluding immediate family members, caretakers, household members, or romantic partners.”
Social distance is described by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as “remaining out of congregate settings, avoiding mass gatherings, and maintaining distance (approximately 6 feet or 2 meters) from others when possible.”
Murphy responded to the story Saturday on Twitter: “Last night, Ewing Township Police broke up a party with 47 people – including a DJ – crammed into a 550-square foot apartment. The organizer was charged, as they should have been and deserved to be. This is not a game. Stay home. Be smart.”
Last night, Ewing Township Police broke up a party with 47 people – including a DJ – crammed into a 550-square foot apartment. The organizer was charged, as they should have been and deserved to be.
This is not a game. Stay home. Be smart.
— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) March 28, 2020
Not content with just one tweet, the governor would offer another post on the matter.
“Can’t believe I have to say this at all, let alone for the second time. But here we are,” Murphy tweeted. “NO CORONA PARTIES. They’re illegal, dangerous, and stupid. We will crash your party. You will pay a big fine. And we will name & shame you until EVERYONE gets this message into their heads.”
Can’t believe I have to say this at all, let alone for the second time. But here we are.
NO CORONA PARTIES. They’re illegal, dangerous, and stupid.
We will crash your party. You will pay a big fine. And we will name & shame you until EVERYONE gets this message into their heads.
— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) March 28, 2020
The good of the public aside, the reaction online suggests that folks are beginning to grow weary of having their civil liberties restricted and being told what they can and cannot do.
Here’s a sampling of responses from Twitter:
You don’t dictate who I have at my home or when I have them over I hope to hell you get sued for all this.
— Faded (@TerroriserTi) March 28, 2020
You ordered takeout from two restaurants the other night for 20 people. Eat cake.
— Mike (@OldGloryCries_) March 28, 2020
“Name and shame”?? That kind of tyrannical tough talk is very disturbing
— TheMainStreetPatriot (@SusanMainSt) March 28, 2020
State allow liquor store to stay open what do you expect from people!!!
— Bhavesh (@bhavesh2882) March 28, 2020
Corona parties are illegal? Please cite the law and Statute. Again, use tact, not Dictator language and you’ll have better cooperation.
— PJ. (@Familyvalues100) March 28, 2020
Murphy is now a dictator. The cure is worse than the Chinese Flu. Counties with little outbreak need to start opening up so we can keep our sanity. This clown has no plan, no end game. Instead of planning he was worried about windmills and illegals.
— Ruben Sivera (@SiveraRuben) March 28, 2020
You have no right to tell this people what to do in a apartment. There is a constitution. And no they do not deserve to be. Some people do not believe you are the press. Just another Democratic Party trying to take over the American people. The deep state at its best
— Todd freeman (@Toddfre06035501) March 28, 2020
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The longest-tenured writer at BizPac Review, Tom grew up in Maryland before moving to Central Florida as a young teen. It is in the Sunshine State that he honed both his passion for politics and his writing skills.
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