TRENTON, N.J. – Toddlers as young as two will now be required to mask up in day care, the latest in Gov. Phil Murphy’s arsenal to battle Covid-19.
Assemblyman Kevin Rooney said this is government overreach and naivete at its worst.
“The governor has kept us all in the dark about exactly what science supports his dictates,” Rooney (R-Bergen) said. “But his latest mandate has me wondering: did he take part in raising his own kids? I think not.”
Rooney said his office has been flooded with phone calls and emails from concerned parents and child care providers. They want to know what they are supposed to do if a child won’t wear a mask. What are the consequences?
Many child care centers are still reeling from worker shortages and possible permanent closures because of Murphy’s lockdowns. Parents are finally returning to the office, some scrambling to find child care and others concerned their child will be refused care for refusing to mask up.
“The governor has taken an already stressful situation and made it worse,” Rooney said. “He keeps telling us all options are on the table. There’s no common sense at his table.”