Governor Murphy’s Social Distancing Mandate Disregarded at Abortion Clinics

March 26

I rushed to an office supply store to purchase ink before Governor Phil Murphy’s “stay at home” order canceling gatherings and closing all non-essential businesses went into effect. The store had implemented social distancing policies by taping red squares near the checkout counter to prohibit customers from standing too close to one another. Despite some retail stores proactively implementing safety measures, many are now closed because of their non-essential status. The governor did allow what his administration considers essential businesses to remain open, but they must follow his policy of keeping people at least six feet away from others.

But there is one industry that is refusing to comply – the abortion industry. It is appalling that these abortion facilities are considered by the Murphy administration to be essential. As normal, our state government has made an allowance for those who profit off the destruction of human life. Informed medical consent laws and parental consent laws do not apply to the abortion industry in NJ. Apparently, neither do social distancing guidelines.

According to state media, the Governor has been irate that people have been disregarding his “stay at home” order by continuing their social gatherings and thereby increasing the risk of spreading COVID-19, especially in close spaces. To more effectively enforce public safety, Attorney General Gurbir Singh Grewal has said, “[T]here will be criminal consequences. . .The time for warnings is over. And the time to ensure compliance by using all of the tools available to us is here.” This includes up to $1,000 in fines and up to six months in prison.

This past Saturday, the Pilgrim Medical Center abortion clinic in Montclair, NJ, had 49 women plus companions crammed into their small space – a clear violation of social distancing safeguards that essential businesses must follow. This is just another example of the abortion industry putting its bottom line above all else, including public safety amid a pandemic!

Governor Phil Murphy and his administration are to blame for risking the spread of COVID-19 at abortion clinics across this state. Therefore, we must contact the Commissioner of the Department of Health, Judith M. Persichilli, and express our disappointment and concern for these women who are at a higher risk of exposure in these tight spaces.