Safety not an option for churches
Bless their hearts. No doubt faith leaders are eager to reopen their houses of worship whose doors have been closed by the coronavirus pandemic. Several areas across the country are reporting drops in COVID-19 cases and deaths.
But news of these reopenings provides an instructive primer on how to perform these reopenings safely - or unsafely.
In the “unsafely” file: In Washington state - where the nation’s first travel-related coronavirus case was detected - Covenant Christian Church in Spokane opened for spiritual business Sunday.
A newspaper reported that there “seemed to be a large crowd in attendance, all standing close to one another. No masks were evident.” Pastor Ken Peters preached that he felt a duty to fight a “satanic” agenda against a return to normal public worship.
We hope Peters is praying he achieves a different result from that of Bishop Gerald O. Glenn of New Deliverance Evangelistic Church in Richmond, Va. He held church services throughout March against health officials’ advice. Glenn said he would continue “unless I’m in jail or the hospital.”
Glenn died from COVID-19 on April 11.
It’s not just happening in the United States. On Saturday, Reuters reported that more than 40 people tested positive for the coronavirus after attending a service at Gospel Christian Baptist Church in Frankfurt, Germany.
Bear in mind, Germany is being held up to the rest of the world as a shining example of handling COVID-19. “How Germany contained the coronavirus” was the headline over a column published Saturday by the World Economic Forum.
Locally, most churches are erring on the side of caution by staying closed - definitely no fault in that. But we like what we see among churches that are resuming normal worship services after careful deliberation and by instituting wise precautions.
Augusta-area Catholic churches reopened for services Monday after restrictions were lifted by the Diocese of Savannah, which sent extensive guidelines for safety measures to all parishes. For example, worshippers will notice there are no hymnals - unsanitized objects held by multiple people could spread the bug.
Churches are still wisely instructing their most medically fragile and at-risk members to continue to stay home. If you consider yourself safer at home, stay.
Trumpet in Zion Fellowship is holding its annual revival at the Augusta Exchange Club Fairgrounds this week. Many folding chairs under the tent were marked off-limits, and some rows were cordoned off with caution tape, to encourage social distancing. Being in the open air is another bonus in avoiding the virus.
President Donald Trump showed Friday why he’s the favorite among evangelicals and conservative religious voters, by urging the rest of the nation’s governors to allow places of worship to reopen. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp lifted the restriction April 20.
“In America, we need more prayer, not less,” Trump said.
We agree - and would add that one of the best characteristics of prayer is that you can do it anywhere. That circles back to freedom of choice: Don’t go to church if you don’t feel medically safe.
As for defiant pastors elsewhere who insist on packing their pews, we’d encourage them to turn in their Bibles to Proverbs 27:12. One translation: “The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.”
Augusta Chronicle Editorial Staff
29 comments:
It is inevitable that as we re-open we will see cases rise along with deaths. The measure is not that but rather, rates of infection, rates of death (not the current inflated versions we see daily), and the ability of the medical system to manage it. The shutdowns did nothing to eliminate the Wuhan Virus and the stated intent of said shut downs was never virus eradication. Continuing to harp on "# of deaths/day" or "# of new cases" is totally unproductive and does nothing but spread panic. We must be smart, respectful of others, and accept some risk. Those at more risk of infection should take less risk in known situations where this virus is found. Other than this, we must get up, get out, and get on with it.
As with many, the editorial cartoon shows the common misperception that fake and proven ineffective masks in any study, combined with isolation, is some manner of cure, and that if we all stay home, the monster will not eat anybody. They have lost track of the meaning of MITIGATE, which was PURELY to make sure hospitals were not overwhelmed by a mass outbreak.
Meanwhile, all the millions of rodents hide in their burrows and are getting hungry, the same number of hungry hawks circling overhead, the rodents can come out in mass, or do it in small groups, some will escape either way, the only difference being the way will be clear for those who wish to retreat if small groups make their escape attempt, and there will be medic rodents available to treat the half-gobbled. The same number will be eaten, either way, and only spread out over more time.
Those pushing to leave on own schedule merely are throwing off the unknown schedule of the other rodents, and for this they beat and burn out those who are tired of not even trying.
Unfortunately those at greater risk cannot control the reckless behavior of those at lower risk and may, of necessity, come into contact with them.
The 30 year old healthy UPS driver Mr. Burntumber parties in the Ozarks all Memorial Day weekend, then delivers a package to the frail Mrs. Jabberwocky on Tuesday.
Mrs. Jabberwocky dies 7 days later of Covid-19.
YOU tell Mrs. Jabberwocky's family that, although she did what you suggested by staying home and staying safe, and that Mr. Burntumber did what you suggested by getting up, getting out, and getting on with it, that the rates of death and the ability to manage the infections is within acceptable parameters.
YOU tell Mrs. Jabberwocky's family that her death, although tragic, was inevitable.
YOU tell Mrs. Jabberwocky's family that, well, maybe she should have not ordered food and medicine that might be delivered by the hale and hearty and asymptomatic Mr. Burntumber, that maybe she should have just joined the stupid, maskless hoardes at the local supermarket since her death was inevitable anyway.
"Von Hadden", if she had an ICU bed and ventilator available, that outcome is as good as it gets. The entire point of "manageable levels" of infection rate in the first place... So that critically ill might get critical care which MIGHT change the outcome (but which muchly has not seemed to make much difference worldwide among those hit hardest, the elderly and infirm, among which I number).
You undoubtedly avail yourself of those unable to stay home with a fake mask covering their face, or you would have starved to death by now, but apparently your desires for "safety" do not extend those folk and all those they serve. In short, it seems mainly to be base self interest rather than any true concern, where folk who help you out, and everyone with whom they interact, are expendable so long as they serve you and your pals.
Staying home with a mask is no CURE. It will save not even one life minus immunity of survivors or development of a vaccine or until it runs its course and mutates to non-dangerous strain. Folk should sit home and starve for help, starve for affection, starve for food, starve for that which makes life worth living, and they will....just as soon as you never leave your house for any reason until a vaccine widely available. Remember, you might KILL somebody if you leave.
Van:
What would you have us all do? Bunker in until a vaccine comes available in 12-18 months? There is no silver bullet here and to portray me as careless re: Mrs Jabberwocky is a misdirection at best and you know it. We have to get out and get on with it in a prudent, respectful way and yes, take some risk; the same as we did with polio, measles and any number of other life changing virus' and bacteria. This is not the plague, people are not dropping in the streets and the math does not support a longer term lock down on the whole. Hot spots? Sure. Risk groups, yes. Everyone else get out and get on with it.
Bee here:
Isn't Von Hadden's scenario merely anecdotal? Any science of how many Mrs. Jabberwockys this has happened to? Just askin'.
God bless.
Bee
If only Mrs. Jabberwocky had lived in Illinois, Michigan, Pennsylvania, or some other such enlightened place where the state leadership really knows how to lockdown
and show how it's done to defeat that awful, terrible coronavirus, she would still be alive. Tsk, tsk.
Bee, as of the last official count, 100,540.
Bee, as someone with bad lungs, an autoimmune system out of whack, and high blood pressure, and elderly, I know anything touched might have just been sneezed upon. I place no items in my car without wiping them down, no bags from store go in car, junk mail pitched immediately and hand/s sanitized, ditto delivered packages which get wiped down, contents removed and wiped, or with limited lifespan of virus, and if item not able to be wiped, it is welcome to sit a nice long while before it handled. Such are the nice old Catholic books which arrived today from a nice 74yr old lady who mailed them, and I am quite sure she washed her hands after handling my check.
UPS standing orders are to leave packages, not meet customers, and not require signing on paper or pads.
Our latest contrarian post was simply contrary...it was not meant constructively.
"Von Hadden" would it not make more sense to shoot delivery drivers? Think of the lives it would save.
I liked the Augusta-area Catholic churches response, but it is easy to see how the politics is coming into play. Because the effectiveness of the social distance guidelines, the virus was never a threat. The political trolls are having a field day, its even obvious in the religious blogs.
"You undoubtedly avail yourself of those unable to stay home with a fake mask covering their face, or you would have starved to death by now, but apparently your desires for "safety" do not extend those folk and all those they serve."
Yes, I shop for food. Yes, I do wear a real face mask and, yes, I maintain the required 6 feet distance. So, your accusation is baseless.
"Folk should sit home and starve for help, starve for affection, starve for food, starve for that which makes life worth living, and they will....just as soon as you never leave your house for any reason until a vaccine widely available. Remember, you might KILL somebody if you leave."
I have not suggested anyone starve. That's your silly hyperbole. I will go out, only as needed and not to frolic in a pool with strangers in the Ozarks, and I will use the precautions that will limit the spread of the virus."
""Von Hadden" would it not make more sense to shoot delivery drivers? Think of the lives it would save." Suggesting murder is more hyperbolic silliness.
"... the virus was never a threat."
Tell that to the 100,540 dead.
Van Hadden aka Anonymous K wants you to stay locked down until November 3rd. But he is fine with his political party lobbying for federal funds to kill the unborn during the pandemic and with the Governor of New York stuffing thousands of seniors into infected nursing homes.
Bee here:
Van Hadden, you mean to say there have been 100,540 people who died of COVID-19 because a 30-something delivery driver dropped a package at their door? Oh my! Well, then, the solution seems simple: either stop delivering packages or tell everyone to disinfect them before opening them.
Whew, glad that's cleared up!
God bless.
Bee
P.S. 100,450 people is approximately 0.03% of the U.S. population (approx. 329,706,000). That's 3 tenths of 1 percent of the population had died of this illness. But all of us should be afraid...be very afraid!
Bee here:
Correction! That's 3 one hundredths of 1 percent.
God bless.
Bee
"hyperbolic silliness"....this is Von Hadden-speak for him nearly grasping the concept of sarcasm.
As if his entire (appears alcohol infused) Mrs Jabberwocky Vs The Homicidal Death Merchant UPS driver was anything but hyperbole.
"Van Hadden, you mean to say there have been 100,540 people who died of COVID-19 because a 30-something delivery driver dropped a package at their door?"
No, it was plain to the average reader that my post was a hypothetical. I guess you just aren't average or you might have picked up on that.
What's isn't hypothetical is that all of the 100,540 - now 101,364 - contracted the virus from someone or something that an infected person touch, coughed on, or otherwise contaminated. The irresponsible Mr. Burntumber did not take the threat seriously, nor did he consider the people he might come in contact with. He acted very selfishly and, as a result, poor Mrs. Jabberwocky is dead.
And, yes, Bee, you should take great comfort in knowing that the number of dead is a very very small portion of the U.s. population. I'm sure that their families will appreciate your concern.
Bee, it is pretty easy to see "Von Hadden" the same guy who trolls the site. His reply to above could not help but trumpet how perfect he was in every way with the largest capital "I" possible with every self-assigned superlative, and HE was not going to infect anybody, unlike folk in the Ozarks.
The fact his parish is likely stuffed with coastal Catholic beach house owners whom this past weekend's restraint was on national news display all weekend had nothing to do with his picking on the ignorant Ozarks, and it is nearly certain he will dress down those who support his chain smoking/imbibing/tanning/internet trolling lifestyle, right after drinks.
From KGUN Tucson: "Teamsters Local 104 said in a news release Thursday they believe at least 36 employees of a key UPS distribution facility in Tucson have tested positive for the coronavirus, three of whom were admitted to intensive care units."
And I thought I was making up the deadly UPS guy .
Von Hadden aka Fake Catholic Priest,
I was watching Otto Preminger's The Cardinal tonight. It portrayed the Catholic Church on the even of Vatican Disaster II. I was shocked between the similarities between the modern Democratic Party and the Nazis. Enjoy Hell
I find the fascination some here exhibit over the "identity" of those who post humorous. I also find it sad, but that's probably just me.
Bob, after singing loudly in the chorus of "Your're driving them away with your insipid Spirit of Vatican Two theology," for you to switch gears and say those of us who do not share your views are now have parishes, "...stuffed with coastal Catholic beach house owners..." is a rather amazing reversal. Rather amazing...
As for the Land of the Ozarks, I chose that locale since it was featured on many news accounts, some of which you undoubtedly saw yourself. It could have been anywhere where senseless abandon overrode concern for the health and safety of others. “This reckless behavior endangers countless people and risks setting us back substantially from the progress we have made in slowing the spread of COVID-19,” County Executive (St. Louis County, MO.) Sam Page said in a statement.
TJM watches a movie and decides that he is God with the power to condemn people to hell. Maybe he should watch "Field of Dreams" next time and decide he can build a baseball field in his backyard and resurrect the ghosts of baseball.
Or maybe he can watch Patton and declare that he is the reincarnation of some participant in the siege of Carthage.
Von Hadden aka Anonymous K,
You have been quarantined too long. You are sounding nuttier and nuttier with each passing day.
You should watch The Cardinal, it might spark a rebirth of Catholic feeling in you.
If you were starring in Patton, you would be the little man that General Patton slapped.
"If you were starring in Patton, you would be the little man that General Patton slapped."
You need to watch it again. Patton was wrong to strike the soldier and was reprimanded by his better, General Eisenhower.
Eisenhower to Patton, 17 August 1943: "I clearly understand that firm and drastic measures are at times necessary in order to secure the desired objectives. But this does not excuse brutality, abuse of the sick, nor exhibition of uncontrollable temper in front of subordinates. ... I feel that the personal services you have rendered the United States and the Allied cause during the past weeks are of incalculable value; but nevertheless if there is a very considerable element of truth in the allegations accompanying this letter, I must so seriously question your good judgment and your self-discipline as to raise serious doubts in my mind as to your future usefulness."
Your posts here show clearly that you are a fan of brutality, of abuse of others, and uncontrollable temper. Your judgment is questioned by all who read your posts, it is obvious that you have little self-discipline, and your future posts, I suspect, will be similar.
Von Hadden aka Anonymous K,
Ike was being political and responding to media hysteria.
You really are lacking in self awareness. Your posts regularly engender criticism here from multiple posters. One even called you a berk. Maybe you should develop your own blog so you and Mark Thomas have a place to go and vent.
"Ike"? Who are you to call him "Ike"? He's not your good buddy. He's President Eisenhower to you.
You are brutal, abusive, out of control, show poor judgment, and little control of your temper.
It is completely understandable that you would defend an abusive commander against a suffering soldier.
Fr. McDonald, why do you allow this person to use your blog to post his sickness and hate?
Von Hadden aka Anonymous K,
You sound very overwrought and are engaging in histrionics.
Most Americans referred to President Eisenhower as "Ike" with affection. There was an old saying from the 1950s: Everyone liked Ike and Everyone Loved Lucy.
That "abusive" commander, General George Patton, was probably the most effective general on the ground in WW II liberating vast swathes of Europe. That episode with the soldier shows that even then, the press was pretty worthless and petty.
You also have a very bad habit of divining others thoughts and motives in the most negative way, like my comment on The Cardinal. You got a lot of mileage out of that. Others on this blog have chided you for this unique "gift" yet you persist.
Father McDonald, why do you allow this person to misuse your blog under various non de plumes to post his sickness and hate?
About the below comment from above:
From KGUN Tucson: "Teamsters Local 104 said in a news release Thursday they believe at least 36 employees of a key UPS distribution facility in Tucson have tested positive for the coronavirus, three of whom were admitted to intensive care units."
If three were admitted to intensive care, it is a sure bet that Tucson UPS was not following CDC guidelines.
Where I work, masks are required, our temperature is checked as we walk in the door, and our place of work is regularly sprayed with viricide. If our temperature is out of normal range, we will be denied entrance.
If safe precautions are not observed, a bad outcome will in all likelihood be the result.
Von Hadden, it's best to just ignore TJM. He genuinely thinks every post he doesn't like is written by a priest named Fr Kavanaugh, who according to TJM has dozens of accounts here so he can pretend to be different people (and apparently every anonymous post is by him too).
Bob isn't as delusional, but likes to parrot whatever TJM is doing. I almost wonder if he and TJM are the same person and he is projecting his own multiple identities onto everyone else.
I'm probably going to be called out as "Anonymous K" too. Oh well.
The number of deaths linked to COVID-19 in the UK stands at 38,000 (0.057% of the total population). The deaths from the so-called Spanish influenza of 1918-1919 were 228,000, or 0.57% of the population. That's 57 people in every 10,000 as opposed to 57 in every 100,000 as is the case with the current pandemic.
The Spanish flu affected young people in particular (age 20-30). The British government, for its own reasons, has not said anything about the average age of those dying from COVID-19, but the Italian authorities put it at 79.5 and I can't see the UK or US deviating much from this. However, when the number of deaths reached 20,000 those under 45 accounted for a mere 322 of them.
Draw your own conclusions. I certainly have. Incidentally, the so-called Spanish flu also originated in China.
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