New Jersey Gym Owner Flaunts Defiance Of COVID-19 Restrictions

December 14, 2020, 9:40 am

The unfortunate thing about COVID-19 safety guidelines is that in order for them to work, everyone has to follow them. So if too many people are flouting the rules, the spread only grows, forcing those of us who have been diligently staying home since March to stay home even longer, while countries like New Zealand go ahead and fully eradicate the virus and reopen completely.

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It’s infuriating to know such disregard is happening, and even more infuriating, at this point, over nine months into the pandemic, to watch people even boast about it.

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But New Jersey gym owner Ian Smith doesn’t spare any thoughts for others.

Smith has made a point of defying any COVID-19 protocols put in place by New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, and has for most of the year. Atilis Gym in Bellmawr reopened in May — earlier than gyms were allowed to reopen in NJ — and no “consequences” have forced any change.

A recent video shows Smith standing in the middle of his crowded gym, where no one in sight is wearing a mask, flipping through signs for the camera.

“We have over $1 million in fines,” the first one reads. “We have had our business license stripped. We have had our doors locked and barricaded. We have been arrested and have over 60 citations. Today we will pass 84,000 visits to our facility.”

Smith laughs at someone walking by who flips off the camera as he moves to a sign taunting Murphy specifically, saying he’ll see the video and fine the gym $15,000, “but…free men don’t ask permission. Or for forgiveness.”

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While some people who watched the video congratulated him for sticking to his guns, others are so, so tired of this type of American that harps on “freedom” without any concern over the consequences their actions have on others.

We should have this conversation. Not just throw out words like “freedom” and “safety” thinking we just did a mike drop.https://t.co/f20Sdai9cb

— American Butterfly (@AmercnButterfly) December 13, 2020

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The people who are not wearing masks, who continue going to indoor venues en masse without masks, who continue to deny science are forcing those of us who do wear masks and stay home to do so for much longer.

They are not patriotic.
They are selfish.

— Tom Noonan (@TomTheBert) December 13, 2020

This is exactly what these idiots miss, the responsibility part. And if you’re gonna exercise freedom in a democracy, you need to exercise that freedom responsibly in accordance with laws. Otherwise we have, anarchy.

— JRossi (@JeffRossi_) December 13, 2020

It also stems from the West’s (particularly the USA) extreme focus on individualism. People would rather do whatever they feel like rather than have a minor inconvenience that can help their community and save lives

— Young Sweet Jones (@Gangladesh) December 14, 2020

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It was also pointed out that Smith was behind the wheel in a fatal drunk driving incident as a young adult, leading many to conclude this willful disregard for the lives and safety of others is nothing new for him.

Apparently he thinks the the law should not apply to him. I am sure if he was of a different color he would still be in jail for the drunk driving or arrested for failure to pay his fines

— Monica (@monicanola11) December 14, 2020

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So much of the blame for people not staying home to slow the spread of COVID-19 in the United States can be placed on the government for not providing economic relief from the fallout of lost wages and/or business, but sometimes the line between people who have to make an impossible choice, and people who simply get off on defying the government no matter who gets hurt in the process is clear. 

Whether there’s ever any enforcement of this $1 million+ in fines Atilis Gym has racked up remains to be seen.

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*First Published: December 14, 2020, 9:40 am