{"articles":[{"reaction_config":[{"text":"Yes","color":"#624960","stance":"yes"},{"text":"Maybe","color":"#edb723","stance":"maybe"},{"text":"No","color":"#4ac6ec","stance":"no"}],"id":43619,"title":"Should Police Arrest or Fine People Violating Social Distancing Orders?","html_content":"

by Causes | 4.3.20

What's the story?

As states and cities struggle to slow the spread of COVID-19, some localities are giving their stay-at-home orders teeth in the form of fines or charges for lack of adherence to these guidelines.

What are states doing?

In Lakewood, New Jersey, a couple who held a party with 40-50 guests were charged with endangering the welfare of their five children who were present at the party. The husband was also charged with violating New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy’s March 21 executive order banning social gatherings due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
One state over, in New York City, Mayor Bill de Blasio has made those who violate its social distancing policies subject to a court summons and fines of $250-500. This includes people who disobey officers’ orders to disperse, keep moving, or maintain distance.
Of the fines, de Blasio says:

“[I]f anyone doesn’t listen, then they deserve a fine at this point. I don’t want to fine people when so many folks are going through economic distress, but if they haven’t gotten the message by now, and they don’t get the message when an enforcement officer’s staring them in the face ... that person then deserves the fine, so we’re going to proceed with that.”

Punishing social distancing dilettantes with fines isn’t exclusive to the East Coast, either. In San Francisco, violations of California’s social distancing restrictions are also punishable by fines or citations. However, law enforcement is by and large relying on residents to comply with the social distancing guidelines of their own volition.
The issue of COVID-19 social distancing affecting children’s social lives isn’t limited to the U.S. In the U.K., the North Yorkshire police department tweeted that it had received reports of a group of 40 children asking irresponsibly in violation of social distancing measures. The department pled parents to “act responsibly and enforce government guidelines.”

What do you think?

Do you think people who gather in violation of social distancing guidelines should be charged? If yes, what should their punishment be? Should parents who allow their children to gather in violation of social distancing guidelines receive fines? Take action above, then share your thoughts below.

—Lorelei Yang

(Photo Credit: iStock / David Tran)

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I am old school Republican in regard to equality (not democratic or like the liberal of today, as they are as racist and sexist today as they ever were; changing their tactics only and none of their values... Rather to the likenesses of President Lincoln and President Grant.) I don't think that any individual group has the right to determine the value of another individual or group; which is the reason I am against abortion where a single woman can decide alone the value of the life growing within her womb. I don't believe the federal government should have any real say on this issue, I believe that individual states should look into whether or not abortion fits within the state's values. I am more modern conservative in that way; I believe the federal government should set guidelines for the states to govern themselves under, and not much more than that. I'm less socially conservative on other topics: I don't care about same sex marriage, marry whomever you want, just make sure it's to the right person and actually work through difficult times, don't just go for a convenient divorce... and people can identify as whatever they want, just don't ask for special privileges regarding these social issues... No special treatment for anyone based on age, sex, race, ethnicity, sexual preference, religion, class, etc. because that is also racist, sexist, etc. We are all created equal, with \"created\" being the operative word. Jesus said that a man is not defiled by the things a man puts into his body but by what comes out of his heart. We are not made different by the color of our skin, the food we eat, the music we listen to, the television we watch, but by our words and actions. See the handbook on Conservative Republicanism for all other values.","twitter_id":null,"facebook_id":null,"youtube_id":null,"google_plus_id":null,"website":null,"slug":"just.dave","issue_count":8,"is_following":null,"influence_score":1590,"influence_level":30,"follower_count":62,"following_count":96,"position_count":219,"id":"90odJdxE","partner_id":null}],"article_comment":{"flagged":false,"id":1227060,"body":"Do this and youre just providing a precedent to force people to undergo unwilling medical or related treatment because the mob thinks its a good idea. \n\nThis will only result in rejection, rebellion, and placing peace officers at risk by forcing them into possibly violent confrontations and/or exposure to infected persons. ","parent_type":"Article","parent_id":43619,"created_at":"2020-04-04T21:12:43.949Z","liked":false,"like_count":1,"links":{"self":"https://www.causes.com/comments/1227060","likers":"https://www.causes.com/api/v1/likers?likeable_id=1227060&likeable_type=Comment"},"article_id":43619,"shareable_image_url":"https://n.causes.com/share-images/comments/1227060.png","note":{"text":"No","color":"#4ac6ec","stance":"no"},"note_text":"No","note_color":"#4ac6ec","user_id":"9XKR3o5r","liker_ids":["90odJdxE"]}}

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