The NYC mayor, Democrat Bill de Blasio, has triggered anger on social media by announcing that New Yorkers can now report residents for violating social distancing rules, imposed in the city amid the COVID-19 outbreak.
“When you see a crowd, when you see a line that's not distanced, when you see a supermarket that's too crowded -- anything -- you can report it right away so we can get help there to fix the problem", de Blasio said in a video message posted on his Twitter on Saturday.
How do you report places that aren’t enforcing social distancing? It’s simple: just snap a photo and text it to 311-692. #AskMyMayor pic.twitter.com/WQdCcVf1Rl
— Mayor Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) April 18, 2020
The reaction on Twitter has been overwhelming, with netizens calling the act of snitching on fellow residents a form of "tyranny" and noting that some people, including politicians, have been freely breaking the rules.
"Reporting your neighbors for violating "social distancing"? WAKE UP America! This is how tyranny takes hold in the name of 'the public good', a user tweeted.
Ive already sent some doozies to 311-692, as should you! Tell this creep @NYCMayor that #snitching on your fellow New Yorkers is not an admirable trait.
— NotJoe (@NotThatGuyJoe) April 18, 2020
"You mean places like gyms that stay open so that politicians can work out while violating the very stay-at-home regulations they imposed on the city? Those kind of places?", another user wrote.
Some users rushed to ask where they should report violating the First Amendment, which provides for the freedom of assembly.
Where do I report you for violating the First Amendment? pic.twitter.com/zkcCXxKbvS
— Lucy Ferr (@LucyFerr3) April 18, 2020
"How do I report government officials illegally violating the constitutional right to freely assemble? Oh yes, there was another ammendment that guarantees my right to defend against tyranny. Universal Open Carry is a right", another tweet said.
Other users were also frustrated with the fact that de Blasio himself has violated the quarantine guidelines and provided proof, like pictures of the mayor not wearing a protective mask in public.
Does that mean we should call 311 when you are seen violating your rules?
— NJR (@mondonmondo) April 17, 2020
Here is @NYCMayor violating the executive order to wear a mask in public. The same mayor who thought he could get one last workout at the gym after his own order to shut them down. https://t.co/kCN4JvAYzo
— Jehiah (@jehiah) April 18, 2020
@NYPD Mayor Deblasio has said we can report people via pics. I would like to report this big bird looking fool for violating social distancing. pic.twitter.com/PEjOIx9xAI
— rich o (@richo1313_o) April 18, 2020
Earlier this week, New York Governor Cuomo ordered all state residents to wear face-coverings in public to prevent new infections if unable to comply with the requirement to maintain a social distancing of six feet. He also extended the statewide economic shutdown until 15 May.
