Even as confirmed deaths from COVID-19 rose above 200 today in Virginia, a few dozen people gathered on Capitol Square to protest Governor Ralph Northam’s stay at home orders.
Families, with their kids, lounged on the lawn in front of the Governor’s mansion. Few work face masks, some were shaking hands. At one point, capitol police stepped in and asked folks to spread out.
“This is harassment and fear. You should be allowed to meet because your civil rights are you have freedom of assembly,” responded Scott Moffat, a pastor from Goochland.
Opponents of stay-at-home orders have organized similar events in other states - including Michigan, North Carolina and Kentucky.
Susan Moffat says here in Virginia, the Governor’s orders to shut down certain businesses cost her her job at Costco.
“Who is it that determines who is essential and not? Isn’t it essential for somebody to have a job, to take care of their family?” she said.
Governor Northam has repeatedly said the state has to get the health crisis under control before officials can deal with the economic fallout. Research released this week from the University of Virginia shows if social restrictions are eased after the June 10th deadline it could still result in a surge of new cases that would overwhelm Virginia’s hospital systems.
But many in the crowd were skeptical of the science, labeling it fear-mongering. John Loewen’s doubts rise from a distrust of the Governor, he called the June 10th order “ludicrous.”
A spokeswoman for Governor Ralph Northam says he’ll continue to make decisions based on science and data and that he’s “grateful to the millions of Virginians who are taking this seriously.”
This report, provided by Virginia Public Radio, was made possible with support from the Virginia Education Association.
