Opinion: New York Issues “Stay at Home” Order, is New Jersey Next?

This should come as no surprise at all. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has ordered a statewide lockdown today that will take effect this Sunday night as America fights back against the China Coronavirus.

Governor Cuomo’s leadership has been outstanding. None of this is about politics, but, I predict here and now that if President Donald Trump wins a second term, Cuomo will be the Democrat nominee for President in 2024.

His stewardship of this crisis has been steady. He inspires confidence. He has also been non-partisan and has worked very well with President Trump.

It reminds me of how well former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie worked with former President Barack Obama during Superstorm Sandy.

And, that was during the peak of a Presidential election, when Sandy hit our state hard on October 29, 2012.

The restrictions that take effect this Sunday night in New York State include:

All non-essential businesses will close, except, grocery stores, pharmacies and other essential operations.

It bans all outside team activities; basketball, baseball and other team sports, etc.

All non-essential government and private-sector employees will work from home.

“We have to do it, we have to be serious,” Cuomo said. “Everyone has personal freedom and everyone has personal liberty and I’ll always protect that.”

“But everyone also has a responsibility to everyone else,” he said.

New York coronavirus cases have grown to more than 7,100 cases across the state. New York City has more than 4,400 cases.

Governor Cuomo confirmed that any violators will be fined. He also wants to create an alignment with with New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Delaware.

So many people have been asking me, “Is New Jersey next?”

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has been regularly following California Governor Gavin Newsom’s lead on many issues, even before the Coronavirus.

Newsom issued an executive order for all of California to stay home. He has stated that if he didn’t take this action that half of California’s 40 million residents could contract the Coronavirus.

Cuomo followed right after Newsom. I expect Governor Murphy to follow suit in the near future. This is not confirmation of a New Jersey “lock down.“ It’s my considered opinion only.

And, please remember, when you hear the term “lock down,” it’s not a quarantine. You won’t be trapped. Even if this occurs in New Jersey, everyone will be permitted to leave to purchase food, medicine, gasoline and other essentials.

There is no need to panic. Stay calm. Follow the President’s direction and that of his team of experts, who thoroughly update America on a daily basis.