Kansas will be interesting to watch as they have very few people reported to be infected.

Their numbers at the moment might have something to do the lowest per capita testing in the country.

Well, as Rose pointed out, on themselves frst of all.

But then I’d put it on the idiot priest who just had to get all his folks together for an in-person sermon

I realize that and that was the reason for my post. There may very well be a lot more people infected, that’s why I said they’ll be interesting to watch.

Well, I’m not comfortable with “the state” getting into the enforcement business of policing gatherings, especially churches.

Especially since the vast majority of churches are making good faith effort to do the right thing and keep their congregants safe.

Being a Kansan myself, I’m not happy with the legislature doing this. Now I happen to know that nearly all of the religious establishments near where I live have already gone to virtual services so I tend to think that most of them have figured out there is no reason to gather for at least until the stay at home is lifted. This all came about because of two churches in the Kansas City area who made a big fuss.

In any case here is a good reason why this is a stupid thing for them to do.

https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2020-03-29/coronavirus-choir-outbreakhttps://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2020-03-29/coronavirus-choir-outbreak

No one’s First Amendment rights are being violated because they are temporarily being asked to not congregate in a particular building.

I’m reminded of this passage from John 4.

19 “Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. 20 Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.”

21 “Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”

I’ll bet there is not a single member on this board who agrees with the churches that want to keep gathering.

There might be someone who would agree with the legislative action on some narrow principled grounds (which, in fact, the KS legislature did), but I haven’t seen anyone take that stand yet.

1 Like

.
.
Actually I don’t have a problem with churches having services for more than 10 people under certain conditions.

For me it’s not about 10 people with that number being more or less, the important point would be distance and cleaning.

I’d provide an exception for Church services with the following conditions:

  • Clergy remain in the main alter area and don’t intermix with congregants.
  • Attendees are required to maintain required social distances from others except for immediately family members living in the same household who can sit together.
  • After a service is complete, the church is required to disinfect the main seating area prior to holding the next service.

Separation and cleaning rules make more sense to me.
.
.
.
.WW, PHS

1 Like

I’ll take that bet.

1 Like

So I guess those who blame Trump for not having a nationwide lockdown were right. He should have declared a nationwide lockdown, taken over the police power from the states, had those church goers, and anyone else he wanted to, arrested.

You linked to an article, not to someone on this board.

2 Likes

I know. A judge decided and everything. My church is congregating on FB live. But if people choose to pack the pews, that’s their business.

This includes the well and unwell. If the well want to stay well, they’d best chose wisely.

I didn’t say it was proof you were wrong, I just said I would take the bet. The video is evidence that there are plenty of seemingly normal people out there who are acting irresponsibly in the name of religion.

1 Like

THe point, though, is that it becomes my business when the guy who is now carrying COVID because he picked it up from some fellow congregant is the mailman on my USPS route.

1 Like

In a nation of 300million people, “plenty” doesn’t mean much. There are “plenty” of people taking just about any crazy stance you want to look for.

That doesn’t mean a single one of them post on this board.

I don’t want to take your money. When you find one here, please just let us know.

1 Like

Yes, indeed.

It doesn’t mean they don’t either.

Will do!

How do you know that he doesn’t already have it?

If you’re taking precautions, even if he does have it, you’re good.

1 Like

Wonder when they are going to shut down the abortion clinics?

Shut down churches but not those “clinics”?

1 Like

I don’t.

I’m just saying that someone who wouldn’t have otherwise picked it up by going to a church service is now another vector of spread. I just gave an example of who that could be.

Each person who picks up the virus from doing something he didn’t have to do becomes another walking vector to others. (Whether by attending a church service or any other unnecessary activity.) The one who spreads it to me (or you) made his decision my business (or yours).