And so it continues. Power tripping governors are at it again. A new round of nonscientific restrictions are spewing forth from those who know nothing but want to be seen as protective, while simply being authoritarian.
Consider New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy. He now not only wants in-home gatherings limited to 10 for Thanksgiving dinner — with no hugging or kissing — now he’s also come out against singing and loud talking. < https://nj1015.com/murphy-administration-avoid-singing-loud-talking-at-thanksgiving-nj-top-news-for-1117/?trackback=fbshare_mobile >
Oregon Gov. Kate Brown is ready to jail people for holding “large parties” or for not wearing masks. Violators could face up to 30 days in jail, a fine of up to $1,250 or both, according to one report. < https://www.lawenforcementtoday.com/governor-who-ignored-nightly-riots-in-portland-threatens-jail-time-for-large-parties/ >
While some people in law enforcement won’t arrest people, others are asking for snitches to report on bars and restaurants violating any lockdown provision decreed by Brown.
And in Wisconsin, Gov. Tim Walz took matters further. No social gatherings with other households, no gatherings of more than 10 people, no in-person dining, sports, gyms, and anything else that brings people together, verboten, bowling alleys, Bingo halls, theaters, receptions, private parties, celebrations, and entertainment, bye-bye. Of course, stopping people from doing things that make life enjoyable is for their own good, said virtually every tyrant in world history. < https://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2020/11/11/gov-tim-walz-announces-new-covid-19-restrictions-earlier-restaurant-and-bar-closing-times/ >
And let’s not forget the gross hypocrisy of California Gov. Gavin Newsom violated his own orders when he attended a birthday dinner at a posh Napa Valley restaurant with more than 10 people and no one wearing masks. This is the guy who told people they could eat at restaurants as long as they put a mask on between bites. (Good thing The French Laundry isn’t a “see food” restaurant.) As the New York Times said it in a headline, Newsom’s message is “Do as I say, not as I dine.” Newson apologized, calling his decision “a bad mistake.” We wonder if he means it was unsafe or he was disappointed that he was caught? (This is the same governor who closed public schools while sending his children to a private one.)
We’d be remiss by not mentioning California state legislators who attended a conference in Maui, Hawaii as California official were issuing guidance about not traveling out of state.
So far, there’s been no increase in Pennsylvania’s restrictions beyond a request for a mandatory test or 14-day self-quarantine if someone comes into Pennsylvania from another state, but even the administration knows that’s almost impossible. What will they do, have the state police block traffic along Routes 202 or 95, or Creek Road to stop people entering from Delaware? Blockade the bridges from New Jersey? In the meantime, if you work out of state, you may travel back and forth every day, where is the logic?
And, of course, there’s also the Borough of West Chester with its $300 fine for not wearing a mask in public, even if you’re just walking along by oneself and not within any arbitrary antisocial distance.
So, who should people listen to, what should they do? Well, Chester County commissioners are telling people to apply for financial relief for childcare subsidies, according to a press release issued by the county on Nov. 19.
“The Commissioners announced the $10 million in childcare subsidies last month for Chester County families requiring childcare services. They also announced $5 million for childcare providers, understanding that they may see an increase in childcare enrollments and require assistance purchasing additional personal protective equipment, providing training and making needed changes to facilities,” the release said.
One must wonder how many families need the extra help because Gov. Tom Wolf this past spring decided that the income those families had, came from nonessential businesses and that the family breadwinner was engaged in a nonessential job. We note that Pennsylvania lawmakers just voted to use over a billion dollars in federal virus relief to plug a state budget gap, over the objections of restaurants and small business. https://www.pennlive.com/politics/2020/11/remaining-13-billion-in-coronavirus-cash-to-prop-up-pa-state-budget-rather-than-help-ailing-industries.html
As many of us foresaw months ago when the first lock downs were initiated, government action would force many people onto a taxpayer-funded dole. Yes, power hungry governors be trippin’, tripping over the bodies of lives they helped to devastate, and then doubled-down with more restrictions.