NJ Governor Lashes Out Again, This Time At Mask Mandate Critics

NEW JERSEY — Gov. Phil Murphy had issued a strong message to anyone who continues to downplay the spread of the coronavirus among children.

"When they say 'only,' they are saying that they are perfectly willing to accept children landing in the ICU or dying from COVID," Murphy said during a news conference on Monday. "They won't say it out loud, but it's exactly what they are saying, and I cannot be kind about that. It shouldn't come as any surprise that we will reject that in its entirety. We are not going to sacrifice the health of any child, any educator, any family or any community."

He made the comments four days after announcing that New Jersey students, educators, staff and visitors must wear face masks in school buildings - regardless of vaccination status - when the new school year begins in September, at least to start the year. Read more here: NJ K-12 Students Must Wear Masks This Fall, Gov. Murphy Says

"We're not going to surrender our kids to this virus, unlike those who are opposed to this common sense plan," Murphy said. "On one side, those who are willing to sacrifice our kids for politics. On the other, those of us committed to doing everything we can to protect them."

He also made the comments after announcing that there are now 13 children who have been hospitalized with the coronavirus, including two in intensive care. He blasted those who would use the word "only" in front of that number, citing the seven deaths of children under the age of 18 since the pandemic began in March 2020.

"They are saying that they are fine with kids, many still too young to get vaccinated, contracting COVID," Murphy said. "They are saying that they will just accept an untold number of asymptomatic children spreading the delta variant among their educators and friends in schools or taking COVID home to spread among their families and communities. They are saying that they will accept outbreaks that shut down schools just like what's happened in other states without masking requirements where entire districts are shut down with hundreds if not thousands of kids and educators exposed."

"We're not going to surrender our kids to this virus, unlike those who are opposed to this common sense plan," Murphy said. "On one side, those who are willing to sacrifice our kids for politics. On the other, those of us committed to doing everything we can to protect them."

It is the second time in a week that Murphy has publicly criticized those who have criticized his policies surrounding the pandemic.

During a news conference in Union City last week, Murphy interrupted himself to clap back at a group of anti-vax protesters carrying signs reading "No Forced Injections" and "Forced Medical Procedures Are Crimes Against Humanity." Read more: NJ Governor Loses His Cool With Anti-Vaccine Protesters

On Monday, Murphy did say he wouldn't allow the spread of the virus to shut down schools, reiterating his position that schools must be open for full-time in-person instruction with no remote option.

"Having our schools open for full-time, in-person instruction is critical for our recovery, especially for working families, and especially for working moms," Murphy said. "The past 17 months have called upon us to all be a little bit more selfless, and a bit less selfish. A few of our fellow New Jerseyans could use a reminder that this is not a 'me moment.' This is an 'us' moment."