Don’t accuse Josh Gottheimer of timidly responding to a COVID 19 outbreak at the Paramus veterans’ home that ultimately killed 81 people.

Frank Pallotta, the Republican challenging Gottheimer in CD-5, did just that in a Facebook live chat the other day and the congressman is firing back.

The congressman’s office says that upon learning of the outbreak back in April, he took action. Along with fellow Democratic Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr., Gottheimer asked the U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the VA Inspector General to launch an investigation. In the subsequent weeks, the VA assigned 90 nurses to the facility and the New Jersey National Guard sent medics.

Moreover, Gottheimer and Pascrell also worked with state officials to review protocols, collaborate on best practices and help triage residents with pressing medical needs, according to the congressman’s office.

More recently, the congressmen have called for the CEO of the nursing home to resign.

On one hand, Pallotta’s comments are what you expect to hear from a challenger – and the type of remarks an incumbent might just ignore.

But Gottheimrer seems to be saying that politics about COVID-related deaths is out of bounds.

For the record, Pallotta faulted Gottheimer for not showing leadership and for failing to criticize Gov. Phil Murphy.