Protesters vocalizing their rights to assemble and open churches should think about the wise and prudent exercise of those rights in the context of an active epidemic of coronavirus. Consider the Sagit County Chorus near Seattle.
The choir of 122 members met on March 3 and 10 and practiced for two-and-a-half hours. The first cases of COVID-19 were reported on March 15. Fifty three developed symptoms of COVID-19 and tested positive and there were another 20 chorus cases not tested that had symptoms consistent, bringing the total to 86 cases. Two chorus members have died of coronavirus.
Given the consequences of even limited exposure – two-and-a-half hours in this case – we should seriously consider the consequences of opening work sites, churches and public gatherings. Guidelines have been developed by the CDC scientists for opening up and these need to be taken seriously no matter how inconvenient they might be.
The problem is this virus is so deadly and infectious, and we are opening ourselves to more clusters disease and death, as well as the financial costs to our economy.
We should exercise our rights with consideration to one another.
Thomas Rochard
Concord