Not So "Happy" 5th COVIDersary

Freedom in New Jersey took a holiday for 2 years and we are still paying for it.

Five years ago, our own constitution-loving Governor Murphy decided New Jersey needed to win the 'Most Oppressive Lockdown' trophy for “our protection”. While other states merely dipped their toes into pandemic panic, Murphy dove headfirst, implementing the most draconian and utterly baffling COVID measures this side of a dystopian novel. The mostly democrat-run legislature sat on their hands and watched the tyranny without a peep of protest. Remember those three-month retail shutdowns? Six months of indoor dining in an outdoor tent? And let’s not forget the years of muzzling our children’s faces in schools.

Ah, the good old days of 'following the science' straight off a cliff.

Apparently, in New Jersey, we've decided history is just a suggestion. No need to revisit the 'Murphy Mandates,' no need to question the legislature's rubber-stamp approval. After all, why learn from past mistakes when you can just repeat them with gusto? Because, you know, ignoring history has never caused any problems...ever.

The Death of Retail

Residents of New Jersey experienced drastically restricted in-person commerce, effectively accelerating the existing trend toward online shopping. The immediate shift to online retail had a profound impact on brick-and-mortar businesses, especially smaller retailers, who struggled to adapt. Today, five years later, the repercussions are still evident. The widespread adoption of e-commerce during the lockdowns created a lasting shift in consumer behavior that is now affecting chain stores. While other economic factors are also at play, it's clear that the lockdown measures, particularly in states like New Jersey with more stringent policies, significantly accelerated the transformation of our consumer-based society.

We are still, years later, suffering the consequences of those reckless decisions, as New Jersey's retail landscape crumbles, with mall locations bearing the brunt of the devastation. Major chains like Macy's and Foot Locker are shuttering their doors within our malls, while Forever 21 abandons prominent locations like Cherry Hill and Deptford, leaving gaping vacancies that once held vibrant businesses. Joanne Fabrics and Big Lots are following suit, contributing to the ever-growing list of retailers deserting these once-thriving hubs. The Hamilton Mall in Mays Landing stands as a stark testament to this decline, with Level Up Entertainment, Norman's Hallmark, and PacSun all succumbing to the economic fallout. This pattern is not merely a reflection of evolving consumer preferences; it is the direct and infuriating result of government overreach that forced us into an online existence, systematically dismantling the businesses that formed the backbone of our communities. They sacrificed our livelihoods on the altar of misguided policy, and, worse, they effectively trained us to abandon our local stores and embrace the convenience of online shopping. Now, we are left to navigate the wreckage of their decisions, with our communities hollowed out and our local economies shattered.

Below is a chart detailing New Jersey's lockdown restrictions, a shining example of government 'logic.' Note the six-month gym ban, a stroke of genius, compared to the mere four months for casinos. Clearly, the virus understands the difference. And who could forget keeping liquor stores open while shutting down public parks? Because nothing combats a pandemic like forced isolation and a readily available supply of spirits. New Jersey was expected to stay inside and embrace the state-sanctioned descent into madness.

The Death of the People

While the tragic devastation within New Jersey's nursing homes has rightfully drawn significant attention, it's crucial to acknowledge that the 'Murphy Mandates' inflicted casualties far beyond those vulnerable facilities. The sweeping suspension of 'elective' surgeries, a term that proved tragically deceptive, created a healthcare bottleneck with deadly consequences. Medical professionals know that many elective issues will become urgent, meaning that delayed care will have bad patient outcomes.

On March 23rd, 2020, Governor Murphy's order effectively halted essential procedures, disregarding the plight of those suffering from chronic pain and those awaiting critical diagnoses… Of course, abortion services were considered essential, so that particular 'elective' procedure faced no such delays.

The result was a series of fatal errors. Patients died, some from delays, others from self-imposed postponements born of fear and many canceled their ‘elective’ procedures because they were told to. The significant increase in New Jersey heart disease deaths (approximately 50%) in April 2020 strongly suggests that the Murphy Mandates and constant fear porn COVID updates were a contributing factor.

The overall heart-related case volume across the Mid-Atlantic area (New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania) where the strictest COVID shutdowns were enforced saw 65% decrease in elective and a 40% drop in nonelective case decline in cardiac treatment. People didn’t show up for their cardiac appointments. It is well known that delays in cardiac testing can lead to death because undetected heart conditions. Without timely diagnosis and intervention, the chances of survival significantly decrease.

To read in more detail click here for Murphy Murder Part 1 and Murphy Murder Part 2.

Placebo Mask

Remember the 'science-driven' Murphy Mask Mandates. Remember April 6th, 2020? The day indoor masks became mandatory, followed by the glorious outdoor mask mandate in July? Apparently, fresh air is just another vector for viral spread. Never mind the complete absence of randomized clinical trials proving their efficacy. Never mind the data that suggests... well, let's just say it didn't do much. But hey, who needs evidence when you've got a mandate to enforce? It's a testament to the power of political will over scientific rigor, a masterclass in 'just because we said so.'

What About the Children?

Children endured masks in school, day after day, under the solemn declaration that it was their 'only protection.' The perceived threat to their lives was so extreme, only a thin piece of cloth could save them. Except... guess what? Turns out, children were statistically less likely to die from COVID-19 than, say, slipping in the bathtub. And those school-aged kids, the 5-17 crowd? A grand total of four COVID deaths during the mask mandate era. Four. Meanwhile, suicides in that same age group reached 59. Apparently, sacrificing their social development, mental health, and the simple ability to breathe comfortably was a risk deemed acceptable by the COVID gods. A shining example of 'better safe than sorry' that reached a point of cruel irrationality.

Two years. Two years of mandatory masks on children, a grand experiment in 'safety' that conveniently ignored the human cost. The result? A youth mental health pandemic, a generation riddled with developmental delays, anxiety disorders, and a profound sense of isolation. The constant fear, the stifled communication, the disruption of social interaction, gender confusion – it all took its toll. We're seeing the fallout now: increased suicide attempts, crippling social anxiety, a generation glued to their phones because that was their only form of social interaction, and a struggle to navigate basic interpersonal relationships. And here we are, in this school year of 24/25 still picking up the pieces. Educators are left to clean up the mess, a mess they didn't create...or did they? Let's not forget the teachers' union, lead by Sean Spiller, those paragons of child welfare, who viciously fought to keep those masks on, even in 2022. They called it 'educational malpractice' to remove them, even writing articles to that effect. Apparently, their definition of 'malpractice' involves prioritizing political posturing over the actual well-being of children. A shining example of the long-term consequences of short-sighted mandates, and the self-serving agendas that prolonged them. A legacy that will haunt us for years to come.

And if the destruction of the mental health of New Jersey kids wasn’t enough, let's not forget the academic wreckage. New Jersey's standardized test scores, once a point of pride, have taken a nosedive. Data from the state's Department of Education paints a grim picture: proficiency rates in math and reading remain stubbornly below pre-pandemic levels. The learning loss is particularly acute in districts serving low-income communities, where the digital divide and lack of resources compounded the challenges of remote learning. We're talking about a drop in math proficiency that just can’t recover. The long-term implications of this academic backslide are staggering, a ticking time bomb for a generation robbed of their potential.

The High Price of 'Safety'

And so, we're left to tally the wreckage. The 'Murphy Mandates,' a series of devastating policies, left a trail of destruction far exceeding the official COVID-19 toll. Five years later, we still grapple with the consequences: lost loved ones from healthcare mandates, lockdown-ravaged businesses, and mentally suffering teens and young adults. Masked and isolated, a generation endured two years of social deprivation, leading to a youth mental health pandemic and a catastrophic decline in academic performance. The numbers are stark: plummeting test scores, rising anxiety rates, and a generation struggling to regain its footing. All in the name of 'safety.' A cautionary tale, indeed. A history lesson we must learn, lest we condemn ourselves to repeat it.