A COVID-19 pandemic is no time to go to church, Gov. DeSantis | Letter to the editor

I’ve only written a letter to the editor once before in my 67 years on any subject, much less this delicate one. But I feel compelled to speak up due to the serious disregard for public health and safety exhibited by Governor DeSantis when he included religious services as “essential services”!

I consider this a highly irresponsible act in this day and age of COVID-19 spreading illness and death. Whole congregations and towns could be wiped out if ministers do not act more appropriately than this.

I am a devout Christian, who rarely misses weekly services unless I am ill. But right now it is way too dangerous for large groups of people to gather together in an enclosed space, sit side by side, with everyone singing hymns that could widely project virus droplets throughout the congregation. This is a recipe for disaster.

I fully understand that some conservative religious groups could consider restrictions on their church services total heresy. But they will change their mind after examining what happened near Albany, Ga., recently.

A small town funeral ended up spreading the COVID-19 virus widely throughout their community. This small town has now had huge numbers of illnesses, deaths and misery way out of proportion because of that one event.

Today we have many healthier ways to worship available: Watching church on TV, laptop or cell phone; listening to radio; reading spiritual books; and praying on Zoom, Skype, or alone. For the time being, it is essential people not risk infecting themselves or their loved ones.

This virus does not care what your religious practice is. It CAN and it WILL kill you if you let it.

Linda Wilke

Bradenton

This story was originally published April 3, 2020 at 1:15 PM with the headline "A COVID-19 pandemic is no time to go to church, Gov. DeSantis | Letter to the editor."