getting strict about COVID 19 regulations

[Brightmoon]

This man got jail time in Maryland. NYC will give you a $50 fine if you take public transportation (MTA) without a mask. Though they’re fair about it , the MTA will give you a free mask if you ask for one.

 

[dzheremi]

Isn't prison one of the worst places to go if you're trying to contain the spread of covid?

 

[Brightmoon]

I thought so too , but since prisons already have a big problem with Covid I don’t think it makes much difference as he was going to spread it and potentially kill people anyway . I don’t have much sympathy for him as I live near the former NYC epicenter . Btw no one here goes out without masks . They won’t let you in the stores either. We all know people who have died from this.

 

[Isilwen]

The punishment seems to fit the crime!

 

[Brightmoon]

I think a year was a little too much, 3 months would have been better. But I don’t think spreading a killer disease is something to take lightly either which is probably why the judge gave him a year

 

[Hank77]

I think a year was a little too much, 3 months would have been better. But I don’t think spreading a killer disease is something to take lightly either which is probably why the judge gave him a year

If the punishment is severe enough it will make other people think twice.

 

[grasping the after wind]

If the punishment is severe enough it will make other people think twice.

That's what they said about the war on drugs.
Shouldn't there be a law that was broken before someone is sent to prison?

 

[pescador]

That's what they said about the war on drugs.
Shouldn't there be a law that was broken before someone is sent to prison?

Apparently a law concerning the wearing of a mask in public was broken.

 

[grasping the after wind]

Apparently a law concerning the wearing of a mask in public was broken.

Which law was that ? When did the legislature pass that law?

 

[mkgal1]

That's what they said about the war on drugs.
Shouldn't there be a law that was broken before someone is sent to prison?

There was a law broken. He broke the law against hosting large gatherings 2x during a contagious pandemic.

From the article:
Maryland's Covid-19 social distancing rules banned gatherings of more than 10 people, according to the office of Gov. Larry Hogan.

Myers was convicted Friday of two counts of failure to comply with an emergency order.

After being confronted by law enforcement at his home in Hughesville, Maryland, on March 22, Myers agreed to disband the first gathering of about 50 people, after initially being "argumentative" with officers, the state's attorney's office said.

Myers held a second party with more than 50 people only five days later, though, which he refused to end, according to prosecutors.

"Officers told Myers to disband the party, but again he was argumentative claiming he and his guests had the right to congregate," the release stated. "Beyond being argumentative, Myers directed his guests to stay in defiance of Governor Hogan's Orders and the officers' lawful orders to disband the party." "Maryland man sentenced to 1 year in jail for holding large parties, violating state's Covid-19 rules - CNN" Maryland man sentenced to 1 year in jail for holding large parties, violating state's Covid-19 rules​

 

[pescador]

Which law was that ? When did the legislature pass that law?

I don't follow the laws of states where I don't live (or travel to), but if the guy was arrested for not wearing a mask in public then an applicable law must exist. Why do you think there is no applicable law, since one exists in every state?

 

[mkgal1]

I thought so too , but since prisons already have a big problem with Covid I don’t think it makes much difference as he was going to spread it and potentially kill people anyway . I don’t have much sympathy for him as I live near the former NYC epicenter . Btw no one here goes out without masks . They won’t let you in the stores either. We all know people who have died from this.

The man arrested in Maryland was doing more than going without a mask in public. He was hosting large gatherings in defiance of social distancing laws.

 

[grasping the after wind]

I don't follow the laws of states where I don't live (or travel to), but if the guy was arrested for not wearing a mask in public then an applicable law must exist. Why do you think there is no applicable law, since one exists in every state?

I don't trust law enforcement or state bureaucrats as much as you must if you think they always have solid legal authority to arrest those they arrest. I unaware of any law passed by any legislature requiring people to wear masks or be imprisoned. Which statute passed by a state legislature are you referring to?

 

[grasping the after wind]

The man arrested in Maryland was doing more than going without a mask in public. He was hosting large gatherings in defiance of social distancing laws.

What social distancing laws are you referring to? When did the legislature pass those laws?

 

[grasping the after wind]

There was a law broken. He broke the law against hosting large gatherings 2x during a contagious pandemic.

From the article:
Maryland's Covid-19 social distancing rules banned gatherings of more than 10 people, according to the office of Gov. Larry Hogan.

Myers was convicted Friday of two counts of failure to comply with an emergency order.

After being confronted by law enforcement at his home in Hughesville, Maryland, on March 22, Myers agreed to disband the first gathering of about 50 people, after initially being "argumentative" with officers, the state's attorney's office said.

Myers held a second party with more than 50 people only five days later, though, which he refused to end, according to prosecutors.

"Officers told Myers to disband the party, but again he was argumentative claiming he and his guests had the right to congregate," the release stated. "Beyond being argumentative, Myers directed his guests to stay in defiance of Governor Hogan's Orders and the officers' lawful orders to disband the party." "Maryland man sentenced to 1 year in jail for holding large parties, violating state's Covid-19 rules - CNN" Maryland man sentenced to 1 year in jail for holding large parties, violating state's Covid-19 rules​

A rule is not a law and governors do not have legal authority to pass laws.

 

[Brightmoon]

Well reckless endangerment is against the law

 

[seeking.IAM]

I'm a big fan of COVID-19 precautionary measures and following common sense guidelines, but America's answer to everything seems to start with "lock them up," which is silly, and why we incarcerate more folks than anywhere else in the world. Can't we find any more creative ways to give consequences?

What are you in for?
"Armed Robbery, what about you?"
"I threw 2 parties."

 

[Halbhh]

... When did the legislature pass those laws?

Maryland, March 2020 apparently:

MD HB1663
MD - HB1663

Is this enough to satisfy your question?

 

[Hank77]

Which law was that ? When did the legislature pass that law?

It would depend on the state but I would think most states, if not all states, have statutory laws like these in California.

Beyond that, California statutory law gives the governor and state public health officials broad powers to battle public health emergencies—powers that would seem extreme on the average day. The Emergency Services Act authorizes a governor to assign the Department of Public Health duties to mitigate the effects of an emergency like the current pandemic. And DPH has independent statutory authority to take measures necessary to prevent the spread of a disease. DPH orders under either authority are enforceable by county sheriffs and any local peace officer. Failure to comply with public health orders—like disobeying a gubernatorial emergency directive—is a misdemeanor. County health officials also have clear statutory authority to order any preventive measure in their jurisdiction that is necessary to protect the public health, and to take any action they deem necessary to control the spread of communicable disease. Violating those orders also is a misdemeanor. There is no statutory objection to California ordering its citizens to wear masks; on the contrary, California law authorizes it.
Can the Government Force Americans to Wear Masks? | The Recorder

 

[mkgal1]

A rule is not a law and governors do not have legal authority to pass laws.

I'm not a lawyer....but what point is there of governors and their public health officials to decide what's best for each state, if it's only perceived as suggestions?

According to this article, each state governor has authority to manage disasters on a state level:

From article:
Posts shared widely on Facebook claim that U.S. governors do not have the authority to close businesses, force residents to stay home, or shut down religious institutions “without legislative due process and consent.” This claim, which speaks to the actions taken by governors amid the coronavirus pandemic, is false.

According to the Tenth Amendment, included in the U.S. Constitution’s original Bill of Rights, “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people” (here). As explained by David J. Barron, U.S. Circuit Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, “The Tenth Amendment endows the people with the right to choose and define their local government” (here).

Management of disasters or emergencies are one such power given to state governments, led by elected governors. -
"False claim: Governors do not have the authority to close businesses, force residents to stay home, or shut down religious institutions | Article [AMP] | Reuters"​

The National Governors Association, a bipartisan organization that defines itself (www.nga.org/about/) as “the voice of the nation’s governors,” says, “governors are responsible for ensuring their state is adequately prepared for emergencies and disasters of all types and sizes. Most emergencies and disasters are handled at the local level, and few require a presidential disaster declaration or attract worldwide media attention” (here). False claim: Governors do not have the authority to close businesses, force residents to stay home, or shut down religious institutions​