New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) is on vacation with his family at his Italian villa while coronavirus cases are spiking in his state.
“Listen, I’m no different than any other family,” Murphy commented during a Monday briefing on Monday, Fox News reported. “After this past 17 months, just having a few days together is something that I think all of us want to do with our family, and I’m looking forward to that.”
The governor reportedly departed last Tuesday to visit his 23-room multi-million dollar villa in Umbria and will return to New Jersey next Thursday.
Murphy faces reelection this year. His Republican opponent, Jack Ciattarelli, derided Murphy for leaving the state while it struggles with the coronavirus.
Meanwhile, New Jersey reported an additional 1,263 confirmed coronavirus cases and three additional confirmed deaths Sunday as the number of individuals hospitalized continued at the highest level since the middle of May, according to NJ.com:
The Garden State’s seven-day average for newly confirmed COVID-19 cases increased to 1,461. That’s up 24% from a week ago and nearly 341% from a month ago as officials say the highly transmissible delta variant continues to drive increases, especially among unvaccinated people. The Delta variant accounted for 90% of positive tests sampled in New Jersey in the most recent four-week span available ending July 24, according to state data.
In a Saturday social media post, Murphy shared a coronavirus update but several followers were quick to point out his vacation.
“Enough about all the deaths and people sick from this PANDEMIC. how about some pictures from the vacation your on in Italy?” one person replied.
“So still going to Italy?????? Please stay there!!!!! We need a new governor!!!!!” another user commented.
“How’s Italy Mr 1% Elitist,” yet another person wrote.