Will Churches be closed due to coronavirus pademic?

[Lamb]

Are the churches around you opening up now, and what are the restrictions if they have them?

My church has declared it will not open up for a while because the restrictions by the CDC are just too much. They expect the church to be cleaned in ways that aren't practical after each service even though we only have 30 people attending and we could easily assign seats and do social distancing with no problems. I have my own hymnal I could bring to the services and I know a few others do as well so that would help but if no one is in the building for a week and we stay in the same seats each time why would it matter that they clean so much? It doesn't make sense.

Someone suggested having a door man be the one to touch the door handle and allow people in and out.

 

[hobie]

My church has declared it will not open up for a while because the restrictions by the CDC are just too much. They expect the church to be cleaned in ways that aren't practical after each service even though we only have 30 people attending and we could easily assign seats and do social distancing with no problems. I have my own hymnal I could bring to the services and I know a few others do as well so that would help but if no one is in the building for a week and we stay in the same seats each time why would it matter that they clean so much? It doesn't make sense.

Someone suggested having a door man be the one to touch the door handle and allow people in and out.

Yes, that is what we are finding out as we try to reopen.

 

[tango]

Are the churches around you opening up now, and what are the restrictions if they have them?

My church is open for physical services. We've changed a few things - we don't pass an offering plate and have a collection plate on entry. We've temporarily done away with anything involving an open mic, and asked that people sit in marked areas on the pews to maintain physical distance as much as possible. We also stressed that nobody should feel that they need to be there if they have health concerns - we have a lot of older members and several with medical issues, and we didn't want people feeling pressured to attend.

 

[tango]

My church has declared it will not open up for a while because the restrictions by the CDC are just too much. They expect the church to be cleaned in ways that aren't practical after each service even though we only have 30 people attending and we could easily assign seats and do social distancing with no problems. I have my own hymnal I could bring to the services and I know a few others do as well so that would help but if no one is in the building for a week and we stay in the same seats each time why would it matter that they clean so much? It doesn't make sense.

Someone suggested having a door man be the one to touch the door handle and allow people in and out.

Are they thinking the virus can survive for a week on cloth now? Last I heard the CDC was saying that transmission by touch was a very minor concern.

 

[Lazy Suesun]

What I believe when it first made news as a warning for all of us was when we heard some Liberal jurisdictions across America were prosecuting churches conducting services in the parking lot! Parishioners in their car, wearing masks in most cases, and listening to the sermon via close audio.
One of the worst offenses in this case was the actions of Chicago's Mayor back in May.
Chicago blocked church parking lots, mayor threatens fines

That to me doesn't appear to be a concern for Covid~19 spread. Rather, it smacks of religious oppression under the guise of C~19 precautions.

The next month however and in NYC we have at least a gleam of hope and judicial common sense.
Judge blocks 25% capacity rule for religious services in NY
By: The Associated Press June 26, 2020
A federal judge on Friday blocked New York state from enforcing coronavirus restrictions limiting indoor religious gatherings to 25% capacity when other types of gatherings are limited to 50%.

Christian community is a natural part of the church. When the secular government thinks to prevent this even when people seek to gather in cars in a parking lot at church, I think the motives behind such prosecution become a matter of concern for far more than the spread of the flu virus that has been weaponized as that invisible enemy that is used to abridge our civil liberties.

 

[MoreCoffee]

They are closing schools and canceling events with large numbers of people, will this lead to churches closing....

"The spread of coronavirus has compelled hundreds of K-12 schools in the U.S. to close, affecting more than 850,000 students, according to an analysis by Education Week. And those numbers are certain to increase in the coming days, as concerned parents call for more school closures.

The growing health crisis presents school leaders with a painful choice. Closing schools as has been done, so far, in China, Japan, Italy and elsewhere is a proven measure that has been shown to slow the spread of disease and, in turn, save lives. But it also causes huge economic and social disruption, especially for children, millions of whom depend on the free and reduced-cost meals they get at school."....

When Should Schools Close For Coronavirus?

Closing schools can slow the spread of disease and, in turn, save lives. But it also causes huge disruptions, especially for children who depend on the free and reduced-cost meals they get at school.

www.npr.org

They are suspending the NBA after one player was found to test positive, with the large gatherings a concern....

"The NBA has suspended the 2019-20 season after a Utah Jazz player, reportedly Rudy Gobert, tested positive for COVID-19. Games in progress on the night of March 11 will be completed."....

Coronavirus live updates: Minor League Baseball season canceled; Players opt out of 60-game MLB season

How the coronavirus pandemic is affecting sports around the globe

www.cbssports.com

It is only a matter of time before they gatherings at churches is going to become a matter of concern and draw the attention of health officials and others. What happens then...

Looking back, quite a few were closed in 2020 and some in 2021 ... maybe some in 2022 too.
Let's see what the rest of the 20s bring.