Editorial: Attacking COVID, not religion: New York City, state have the right approach
The two Brooklyn federal judges who reviewed New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s new temporary COVID restrictions in stretches of that borough and Queens both rightly decided that the rules do not unfairly intrude on religion. The lawsuits seeking to set aside the 10-person cap on worship services, one brought by Orthodox Jews and the other by Brooklyn Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio, were properly denied by Judges Kiyo Matsumoto and Eric Komitee.
Matsumoto noted, in fact, that Cuomo gave extra latitude to faith, as nonessential gatherings of any size are banned entirely. However, still undefined is what comprises a nonessential or an essential gathering. Along those lines, the government must tell the public exactly what level of infection puts an address in the red or orange or yellow zone. Clarity will help advance public health; confusion is the government’s worst enemy.
Nonetheless, as the rules have been set and given judicial okay, all people must comply, regardless of creed or color. It’s a political fact that Cuomo and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio eroded their own credibility by giving their political blessing to Black Lives Matter protests. We can’t turn back time; we must remain on guard against the virus.
Big fines that that city has started handed out are a good sign, designed not to punish, but as stern reminders to follow the law. If there’s no enforcement, COVID-19 will surely resurge.
One noticeable objector, Borough Park jerk Heshy Tischler, was arrested by cops Sunday night. While it’s not a crime to make signs that saying that Cuomo hates Jews or killed seniors, Tischler is charged with inciting a riot and orchestrating a mob attack on reporter Jacob Kornbluh: really bad stuff.
Free exercise of religion is a cherished right. So is freedom to assemble and protest, even in a hot spot. But time, place and manner matter. Lives remain at stake.
———
©2020 New York Daily News
Visit New York Daily News at www.nydailynews.com
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
