Lord , why hast thou forsaken us ?

One month after President Donald Trump ordered the nation’s governors to immediately reopen churches, his administration is facing a difficult dilemma.

Clusters of Covid-19 cases are surfacing in counties across the U.S. where in-person religious services have resumed, triggering questions about whether his administration should reassess its campaign to treat houses of worship the same as other essential businesses, or leave them alone and risk additional transmission of the deadly coronavirus.

An outbreak at a Pentecostal church in Oregon, where hundreds of worshipers resumed gathering over Memorial Day weekend, forced an entire county to return to phase one of its reopening after local officials traced 258 cases of Covid-19 back to the facility. In West Virginia, six health departments across the state have reported coronavirus outbreaks linked to churches. One of them, a Baptist church in Greenbrier County, had 34 congregants test positive for the virus. And in Texas, which hit an all-time high of new cases last week, health officials have received numerous reports of church-related exposures.

Vice President Mike Pence called on Americans to follow existing guidelines from public officials — and to pray. “I just encourage every American to continue to pray.

JeanAnna · F

Most churches in my community are streamlining their services and I've been listening to two of them each Sunday. One church opened up two weeks ago, which I think was a big mistake, because there have been two deaths since that happened. The biggest church in the area was due to open up the last of June, but to keep their members safe, they have delayed it until the first of August. And if things get out of control and the pandemic surges, they will wait again. Their main concern is keeping their congregation safe, not to listen to what Trump says and to open up regardless, but to use their own judgment. Amen!

And as usual Trump didn't care about Americans, he went right ahead with his rallies to get attention, and some of his staff...not wearing masks....two secret service staff have tested positive to the virus. But that won't stop him, he only cares about himself.

MistyCee

Could it be that Trump is not in fact the Chosen One, and that following him is folly and not the path to heaven, but a step towards hell?

Sure as heck seems like it, but this disease doesn't seem to discriminate or follow religious dicates, so it might be a good idea not to listen to Pence or your Pastor either and pay attention to scientists whenever the administration doesn't prevent them from speaking.

MistyCee

@RodionRomanovitch There's no harm in praying, but you might want to do it either privately or by Zoom and maybe do something else as well.