District 10 Lawmakers Question Governor’s Directive for Mandatory Masks in Public

Governor Phil Murphy announced today that he is requiring residents to wear masks outdoors due to the coronavirus.

The District 10 legislators, Senator Jim Holzapfel and Assemblymen Greg McGuckin and John Catalano (R-10) released the following statement in response:

“If people are comfortable wearing masks, they should feel free to do so. What we are asking for is choice. Requiring masks without any clear rationale is troubling.

“Is this decision based on hard evidence, or as a salve to calm anxiety as residents are bombarded with conflicting statistics about the virus and its impact?

“This new directive, four months into the health emergency, feels arbitrary and hollow. We all would benefit from knowing more about Murphy’s justification and motivation.

“Residents should use common sense, avoid crowds and physical contact, and keep your distance.”