By JACK FICHTER/Sentinel staff
A number of residents of Pennsylvania, New York and northern New Jersey decided to travel to Cape May County to spend the shutdown in their second homes, which angered a number of local residents. Some stated the out-of-towners were emptying local grocery stores and bringing their germs from areas that had COVID-19 cases.
At the same time, county Freeholder Director Gerald M. Thornton in a statement urged visitors to stay home during the two-week period.
“Many people have come down to use their second home or to stay with family at the shore while schools are closed throughout most of the country. These additional visitors have put an additional strain on the local supermarkets but could eventually be a burden on the medical system in Cape May County, should a significant outbreak of COVID-19 take place here,” Thornton stated.
“We love all of our visitors from Pennsylvania, North Jersey, New York and further away,” he said. “But this is not the time to be visiting the shore as we try to focus resources needed during this pandemic to our residents.”
Thornton noted reports of limited supplies at certain supermarkets and other stores, which is an issue nationwide but has been compounded locally by the number of visitors to Cape May County. He stated Cape May County has only one hospital and he wanted to ensure its resources are not overtaxed if potentially sick people visit the county causing a mass outbreak.
Also, based on Gov. Phil Murphy’s orders, restaurants are doing take-out only or have closed completely. Movie theaters and many other gathering locations are closed, Thornton stated.
“We are hoping that people act responsibly now so we can minimize the health impacts in as short of a period of time as possible,” Thornton stated. “It would be best if people could stay in their full-time residence for now as we address this current outbreak.”
The newspaper’s readers reacted to the statement when it was posted on the newspaper Facebook page, with more than 20,000 reads and more than 500 comments. Here are a few of the comments:
Steve C. said he had a cruise booked and may not be able to take it, “but out-of-towners think it’s OK to bring a disease here. Be smart, be respectful of others.”
Tracy D. replied, “That’s because you cannot social distance on a cruise and they are a petri dish of infection. Read CDC guidelines, 6 feet apart, no groups greater then 10, stay away from sick people, and wash your hands frequently and don’t touch your face. The people coming down could not be infected anyway. If they stay in their house and practice these guidelines you may not even know they’re present.”
Mary W. wrote “I won’t make the trip until the authorities have cleared it. If you don’t have an understanding of epidemiology, you can’t really see what’s happening. Listen to the authorities, respect the locals.”
Marie M. stated, “A strain on the supermarkets is one but what if they bring the virus with them?
Butch M. posted: “I was over to Cape May this morning. You won’t believe all the out-of-town plates.”
Steve H. replied, “If they would have just closed the county in the first place, none of us here would have any problems getting through this … that was my first reaction when everything was ordered to be closed.”
Joseph C. commented, “Dear Mr. Thornton, Would it be OK if I just pay my taxes and not come to the shore? If people don’t come to the shore, it would dry up and blow away.”
Michelle E. replied: “Thank you! Seems many people don’t care … the streets were flooded yesterday … it’s very frightening for seniors.”
Mary S. posted: “You all understand it too late and no one has what they need to fight this. We should have taken measures weeks ago.”
Scott W. commented, “You’re welcome to come live here, but if your home is elsewhere, please go there. Straining our resources endangers our seniors and coming here makes you a disease vector. Nobody thinks they will spread it, and that’s how it spreads. So do the responsible thing and follow government recommendations and please go home. You can be local or you can visit, but you don’t get to be both. Acting otherwise makes you part of the problem.”
Joe R. replied, “So, let’s take all our tax dollars out of your school system since we don’t use it. You OK with that?
Tom M. weighed in, “Then refund the property taxes I pay! Who do you think you are?”
Linda F. posted, “These people are nuts telling you to stay away.”
Melissa B. stated, “Well if we didn’t have any cases, we will now. With all these people who are selfish and just want to vacation and relax which is fine. But vacation where you live a majority of the year. This isn’t the time to vacation. Pennsylvania has so many cases. I see most of you are from there. Why risk it and bring it here if you don’t know whether you were exposed or not. This is the reason it is getting so bad.”
Bob M. replied, “What if us tourists stayed away from Cape May for the rest of this year, would the locals be happy? Would the town become a ghost town?
Chloe R. replied, “Trust me, we would be more than happy.”
Emily P. posted, “They should go home and stay there like they were supposed to. They didn’t get sent home from work for a vacation, they got sent home from work because there’s a virus out there that’s killing people and we have a lot of older people here that need to buy the stuff but couldn’t because all the shoobies came down here and bought it.”
David H. posted “Vacationed in Cape May last summer. Worst I ever had. People were very unfriendly. Hotel was awful. Wife got food poisoning. Decided never to go back. When I read the nasty comments on here from residents, I know I made the right decision.”
Barry T. commented, “Sunday the restaurant on the corner was standing room only. Majority had P.A. tags.”
Lynne Y. stated, “Put up road blocks. It’s been done for hurricanes. Just reading some of these comments represent the lack of concern for this frightening situation.”
Susan A. replied, “They did it during and after Sandy. Isn’t this just as important? I agree with you!”
Lori P. posted, “We are on skeleton crew down here! You should see the supermarket shelves … empty, with mostly Pennsylvania tags in the parking lot. The weather has been beautiful and the locals can’t get what they need! There is nothing open except take out!”
Kathleen C. commented, “It’s not that the supply shortage, it’s the hording (sic). Nothing allows a government to gain control faster or more effectively than fear.”
Lori P. replied, “I know! But you know how it is down here on the island! It’s worse, because we don’t get as many deliveries in the winter, as you know!”
Patricia S. commented, “The shelves are empty all over the country. Cheeto in charge did not take this seriously a month ago when he should have. I have been watching the live update map (because I was scheduled for a school trip to Africa) and watched as the red dots began spreading from China to all over Asia and Europe. We should have been quarantined since Valentines!”
Judi D. posted, “I don’t have a summer home in Cape May. I always hoped to someday have one, or maybe a permanent home. After the bitchy, mean-spirited display I’ve been seeing on “Cruel” Cape May, it’s doubtful I’ll even come back for vacation. How very convenient to blame the “outsiders” for empty shelves in grocery stores.”
James W. stated, “So what is the big deal? I live here and I would not turn my back on anyone getting out of the cities. We handle the rush during the summer, why can’t we handle the influx of those who own homes? If you’re afraid, stay in. Remember we are in it together.”
Michael K. posted, “Dear homeowners who pay taxes on their second home. Please do not come here but don’t forget to send your checks in!”
Sharon M. replied, “This is no time for vacation! You need to stay away from people for the safety of all of us. Social distancing is the only way to beat this. Concern for your own comfort or boredom is second to keeping your fellow Americans, friends and families safe. …”
C.J. commented, “You can be on vacation and still practice this new phenomenon created in the past couple of weeks called “social distancing.” You’re basically saying take the risk of infecting your home area instead wherever you may want to go? What happened to land of the free…. Freedom to move about as one wants. Starting to seem like Cuba with this ideology. Visitors just coming for something to do, I get it. But if I had a shore home, I would damn sure use it whenever the hell I wanted to. I wouldn’t have it for someone else to tell me when I could enter my own home.”
Kevin R. stated, “Rude, mean spirited, cabbage! If people have houses here, in any capacity, they have a right to come whenever they want. The folks here and the county council love collecting those taxes and give precious little.”
Bob S. replied, “I live in Cape May, the majority of Cape May’s year around population are elderly. By coming here people are risking lives and taxing resources that grocery stores are not prepared for, it is not in season and national companies aren’t going to change their order/delivery plans.”
Jeff K. commented, “There’s nothing mean spirited about suggesting people use common sense during an emergency.”
Liz T. replied, “Many people from Cape May County evacuated to other cities and states during Hurricane Sandy and other major storms. I never remember people getting shamed or made to feel unwelcome during those disasters….just saying.”
Tony H. replied, “The difference is there was no choice but to evacuate from the storm. A virus on the other hand is not something you decide to go take a drive to the Jersey shore. If you lose a loved one, I’m sure your view point on the next pandemic will be different.”
Liz T. answered with, “I just can’t believe people are so hateful of people using a house that they own. I understand that supermarkets are depleted but that is everywhere. And many people have hoarded supplies (even locals). I don’t want anyone to die. Not one of my loved ones or one of yours. Nobody asked for this disease. It’s horrible. It just amazes me how judgmental and rude and noncaring people can be.”
Eileen R. posted, “They closed the Outer Banks to stop the spread and guess what? There is zero infected people there and it will probably remain that way. It’s too bad if you own a second home there.”
Eddy N. commented, “With a two-week incubation, they are probably infected already or came to an already infected area.”
Amy S. posted, “While picking up my daughter’s albuterol inhaler the other day, the pharmacy lady told me she received the last one in stock. Our pharmacies are not prepared for extra people who may need medications during this offseason time especially during a pandemic! One of many reasons/examples to remain in your primary residence.”
Susan C. stated, “Dear Freeholders. This notice is unacceptable.”
Francis S. replied, “What’s unacceptable is entitled and selfish people spreading the virus and making this problem worse by not staying home like they should. You people are unbelievable.”
Dorene C. posted, “Why come down, anyway? Nothing is open. Can’t eat in restaurants. Can’t go to the bars. Can’t go to church. Still too chilly to go swimming. The boardwalk’s not opening up any time soon. The grocery stores are picked over. So why bother?”
Roxanne P. commented, “If they’re coming from other states, they should bring their own supplies from home. And I’m not trying to be mean.”
Dan C. replied, “Flattening the curve does not in any way shape or form mean you should be traveling simply because you pay taxes.”
Tony H. posted, “To any ‘second home owner,’ sell it and stick to one house, I promise we won’t miss you.”
Erin K. commented, “Considering people are threatening our families and community with their selfishness, we are being incredibly tolerant. If you have a problem with us speaking out about it, then don’t ever come back.”
Marie H. commented, “I don’t have a problem with people speaking their mind, just rude, mean spirited people and people that have no authority to tell others where to go and what to do. Wasn’t planning on leaving my home as instructed. Could (not) care less if I ever see any of these shore towns again. You rip people off every summer anyway and then cry all the way to the bank.”
Dana B. posted, “It’s for two weeks, not a whole season, you pay taxes and mortgage for a place you only go to stay for a few months out of the whole year but are going to complain when there’s a pandemic going on and asked for people’s safety and health to not come down for two weeks, get over yourselves and start thinking about others!”
Reid M. posted, “My compliments to Mr. Thornton for a lucid and diplomatic statement backed by solid reasoning. You have every right to disagree, but it doesn’t change the reality that we have limited resources at this time of the year. Our senior population doesn’t need the exposure from visitors at this time. Our schools are closed along with our eating establishments and bars and we are under curfew at night. Please stay home.”