By: Jared Evan
While Governors across America are calling for limits to the amount of people that can gather for Thanksgiving in their own homes as COVID cases have been ticking up, in NY several sheriffs have resisted the orders.
Last week, Cuomo announced a new 10-person cap on parties and other gatherings in private residences, including apartments and houses.
NY Post pointed out that in a scathing Facebook post on Saturday, Fulton County Sheriff Richard Giardino questioned the legality of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s orders.
“Frankly, I am not sure it could sustain a Constitutional challenge in Court for several reasons including your house is your castle,” the sheriff wrote in the Saturday post.
“And as a Sheriff with a law degree I couldn’t in good faith attempt to defend it Court, so I won’t,” he said.
“We have limited resources, and we have to set priorities, so obtaining a Search Warrant to enter your home to see how many Turkey or Tofu eaters are present is not a priority,” Giardino wrote
Giardino is not the only sheriff in New York rebelling against Cuomo.
Erie County Sheriff Tim Howard said his office would ignore the indoor gathering limit.
“I have no plans to utilize my office’s resources or deputies to break up the great tradition of Thanksgiving dinner,” Erie County Sheriff Tim Howard said in a release Friday morning.
“This national holiday has created longstanding family traditions that are at the heart of America, and these traditions should not be stopped or interrupted by Governor (Andrew) Cuomo’s mandates.”
75th District New York State Assembly member Richard Gottfried was outraged at the sheriff refusal to invade people’s privacy and violate their basic freedoms.
“He’s endangering lives. I think it’s shocking for a law enforcement officer — an elected official — to say that.”
Howard also posted on Facebook ““My office will respect the sanctity of your home and traditions, and I encourage you to follow your heart and act responsibly, as well as do what best for your family.”
The idea of people taking responsibility appears to be highly unpopular as New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said Monday he restricted indoor gatherings to 10 people, down from 25. California Gov. Gavin Newsom took similar actions.
Meanwhile AP reported; New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s stay-at-home order went into effect Monday.
Washington’s Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee ordered gyms, bowling alleys, movie theaters, museums and zoos to shut down indoor operations. Stores must limit capacity to 25%.
People from different households will be barred in Washington from gathering indoors unless they have quarantined.
