Face Masks Only Required Outside When You Can’t Social Distance

Many New Jerseyans are steaming mad about Governor Phil Murphy’s recent executive order regarding extending the requirement to wear masks while outdoors.

There’s still confusion. There shouldn’t be. I want to help calm everyone down. The reporting about this has been inaccurate, inflammatory and reckless.

I know that people are very upset that indoor dining and other indoor activities remain closed.

No doubt that it’s significantly hurting the Atlantic City Casinos and many innocent restaurant owners and employees.

However, The Governor’s outdoor face mask order is only in effect when social distancing is not possible.

When you’re in your own backyard, or at the beach, or running, or walking, or doing any outdoor activity ... The Governor is not mandating that you must wear a face mask.

There’s more than enough to be unhappy about during COVID-19 without having unnecessary stress introduced into your daily life.

These are tough times. I just learned about the existence of a new malady. It’s called “Broken Heart Syndrome.”

A limited study from research professionals at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio suggests that it is caused by stress from the pandemic.

I believe it. The syndrome is officially known as stress-induced cardiomyopathy or Takotsubo syndrome. It happens when the muscles of the heart constrict. It causes symptoms such as chest pain or shortness of breath.

So, let’s not stress out over something like wearing face masks outdoors when you can’t practice proper social distancing.

I know that many are upset with Governor Murphy and think that he’s intentionally moving too slow to fully reopen New Jersey.

I am convinced that Governor Murphy is doing what he feels is best to keep the citizens of New Jersey safe.

And, he makes his decisions with his eyes wide open, recognizing the pain, economic and otherwise that it’s causing.

Here’s a real life example. I have a dear friend who is down to his last $ 20,000. Before COVID-19, he was a highly successful restaurant owner for more than 40 years.

His cash burn rate is $ 10,000 per-week just to stay closed. He’s two weeks from ruination. He’s both scared and sick about it.

Let’s stay close and support each other in every way humanly possible.

I will continue to support Governor Murphy when ever and where ever I can. I will respectfully disagree, only when necessary.

We’re all in this together. We have to find the capacity to stop tearing each other apart.

SOURCE: Cleveland Clinic Study regarding “Broken Heart Syndrome”