Irresponsible behavior, irresponsible words, actions, or words that are not based on fact, they have to be called out. They have to be called out. I’ll just leave it at that. Is that fair to say? - Governor Phil Murphy, August 9, 2021
Yes Governor, that is fair to say, and parents are going to take your advice and call you out.
On August 6, 2021, Governor Murphy signed Executive Order EO251 requiring school districts to maintain a policy on requiring masks indoors on school premises, while stating,
“We will continue to closely monitor the science and data, and will lift this mandate when we can do so safely.”
He reiterated that the exceptions (a-h) remain unchanged from the 2020-2021 school year.
On August 23, 2021 during the coronavirus briefing, he announced the signing of Executive Order 253, mandating all PreK-12 school personnel to be fully vaccinated or undergo regular testing at a minimum of 1-2x per week. When asked whether he was aware that some school districts are effectively circumventing the mask mandate by allowing parents to sign an attestation on how the mask inhibits the child’s health (exception 1a of EO251), he replied,
On August 23, 2021 at 10pm the board attorney for Middletown Township, was personally contacted by someone in Governor Murphy’s administration, warning the board attorney that if the board of education proceeded with the resolution, the State of NJ would immediately sue the Middletown School District, seeking an injunction.
Earlier this day, during a press conference, he reminded everyone that a governor in another state has gone so far as to threaten defunding schools if they try to put masking requirements in place. He feels comfortable criticizing other Governor’s threats, yet, Governor Murphy has now gone so far as to threaten to sue school districts maintaining a policy for indoor mask requirements and exceptions, even after his very own spokeswoman confirmed that EO251 did not prescribe the way a school district is to carry out its’ policy.
On August 24, 2021, Middletown Township School District, hometown to Governor Murphy, was scheduled to vote on an exceptionally reasonable policy, which complied with EO251, and would allow the school district to accept self-attestations and/or parental attestations if the mask inhibited the individual’s health.
On August 24, 2021, upon reading the entirety of EO253, it was discovered that Governor Murphy snuck in a clause. A clause which he failed to mention at his press conference the day before when he was specifically asked how he felt about school districts empowering parents to make personal health decisions for their children. He did mention this clarification in his written press release of EO253. Now, some with days away from starting the school year, per (#9) of EO253:
How underhanded of Murphy, that the day before the Middletown School District was to vote on the approval of their policy (which was in compliance with EO251) he took the opportunity to sneak in a new clarification of EO251 with the signing of EO253. He avoided press questions knowing that he would take severe action against the schools and parents.
Parents want to know, is this clarification of the EO supported by science or politics?
After all, he said it best when reminding the citizens of NJ to
“leave the politics out of it, and to to not get political about this because that’s the last thing we need right now.”
Governor Murphy was clearly irritated that Middletown Township School District took the stand to be the leader and hero that NJ Children need. Governor Murphy didn’t like seeing that the citizens of NJ do not require a paygrade to know their constitutional rights, as it is inherent within us (unlike him).
It was obvious that Governor Murphy feels threatened by those of us who are more intelligent. This man allowed his insecurities to get the best of him, when others took a stand to be the true leaders their communities and children desperately need. We understand this may be hard for Governor Murphy to admit out loud, or accept within.
Governor Murphy should not have underestimated that we, THE PEOPLE, didn’t anticipate this reaction from him. He does, by all means, meet all the criteria of tyranny. He rules by abusing his unmitigated and unrestrained authority over OUR state...because let’s be honest, he didn’t even move to NJ until his thirties. You see, tyranny is no substitute for leadership, and those of us know not to confuse the two.
Middletown Township School District, and many other school districts throughout OUR state, exposed and challenged Governor Murphy’s poorly thought out tactics. We knew it was likely to provoke him, and we knew it would result in retaliation. We knew Middletown would be a target of his vengeance, though, a 10pm personal phone call threatening to sue if parents were allowed to make personal health decisions for their children per exceptions (a-h)? Now, THAT was something.
In conclusion, it is fair to say we need clarification on Governor Murphy’s clarifications in EO253 which now require medical exemptions from a medical professional specifically for exceptions a-c as included in EO251:
When doing so would inhibit the individual’s health, such as when the individual is exposed to extreme heat indoors.
When the individual has trouble breathing, is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove a face mask without assistance.
When a student’s documented medical condition or disability, as reflected in an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Educational Plan pursuant to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, precludes the use of a face mask.
Board of Education Members, don’t say we didn’t warn you.
Due to yet another, last minute, blatant, retaliatory move, with no compelling evidence, science, or data, Governor Murphy rushed to put our children in K-12 schools in danger, and yet again, completely removed any judgement or decision making at the discretion of the school district. Though common sense would tell anyone responsible for children, that it would be unsafe to have a child’s airways covered when in a school building or classroom without air conditioning in excessive heat, or that if a child is unconscious, incapacitated, or unable to remove a mask without assistance, that the mask would be removed - BUT, not in NJ, thanks to Governor Murphy. Per EO253, our school districts are no longer empowered to use their judgement and discretion. I mean, that would after all, be a violation of his EO.
Should our school districts anticipate phone calls from Governor Murphy’s administration at 10pm threatening lawsuits if children are allowed to remove masks indoors in excessive heat? Should we inundate our medical professionals with phone calls to seek common sense (impossible to get) medical exemptions? We need some clarification - because the reality is, schools are opening, and it is hot, and the safety of our children is more important than his politics
Like Governor Murphy said on August 9, 2021, “Irresponsible behavior, irresponsible words, actions, or words that are not based on fact, they have to be called out. They have to be called out. I’ll just leave it at that. Is that fair to say?”
My mom and dad always raised me saying, “speak when you’re angry, and you will make the best speech you will ever regret.” In Governor Murphy’s case, we can replace speak with sign and replace speech with executive order.