Westfield Student Asks: Why Are Beaches Open, Graduations Not?

WESTFIELD, NJ — Why should people be allowed to frolic at the Jersey Shore beaches this weekend, but high school seniors can't graduate together in June?

That's what Westfield High School's senior class president wants to know. She asked the governor that question in a viral Instagram post on Tuesday. The post earned more than 28,000 likes in two days.

Westfield senior Alexis Hammer posted her letter to New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy on the social media site, writing, "High school graduation will be safe because everyone can spread six feet apart from each other in an outdoor setting, and we'll be wearing face masks."

On May 13, Gov. Murphy issued an order allowing graduations and other gatherings that respect social distancing, but only if they follow certain rules.

Executive Order 142 allows gatherings in vehicles. Attendees must remain in their same car throughout the gathering, and the vehicle must remain closed unless there is six feet of distance between other vehicles or individuals. People outside their cars have to wear face coverings.

Some schools have opted to plan virtual gatherings anyway.

Westfield hasn't announced final plans yet. On Monday, Westfield Mayor Shelley Brindle wrote in a nightly coronavirus update, "As we anticipate the upcoming graduation of the Westfield High School Class of 2020, I wanted to let you know that the town has been in touch with Dr. Dolan, WHS principal Mary Asfendis, and the WHS PTSO President to offer any assistance and support we can provide for a creative and appropriate way to celebrate this enormous occasion. I look forward to honoring our seniors on this milestone achievement."

Hammer's post elicited more than 12,000 comments. Several were people who simply wrote "@govmurphy" so the governor would see it. But not everyone supported the message.

One man posted a link to a website in which a Massachusetts immunologist has shared what it's like to watch people struggle with coronavirus.

The man wrote, "There is no way that parents who are excited and kids who are happy to see one another again are going to remember to be socially distant with the excitement. ... And that's just with people who believe there's an actual virus threat. Have you seen these buffoons gathering in groups and protesting? You don't think any of those people live in Westfield? As the president of a labor union, I spend most of my time learning about this stuff and trying to keep employees safe. It's absolutely not responsible to be arguing for people to be LESS careful under the circumstances ... Graduation is a big deal. Maybe fight to have one down the road when the time is right. PS: Opening beaches isn't safe either."

On Tuesday, Gov. Phil Murphy announced 1,055 news cases and 162 more deaths in the last 24 hours due to coronavirus. The total cases in New Jersey climbed to 149,013, with 10,586 deaths.

On April 30, the death rate reached a peak, as 460 New Jerseyans lost their lives to the virus in 24 hours, or one person every three minutes. The number of new deaths then began to gradually decline.

This week, Murphy began announcing plans to reopen businesses, facilities, and day cares in phases.

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