Churches in California and elsewhere that want to meet indoors have an ally in Dr. Deborah Birx, the White House Coronavirus Task Force coordinator. Birx told cable channel CBN News that she doesn’t see why churches can’t meet indoors, although they should abide by proper safety and health precautions.
In California, health officials are taking some churches to court for refusing the state’s requirement that church be held outdoors only.
If you go into Starbucks in the middle of Texas and Alabama and Mississippi that have very high case rates, then I can’t say that it would be different waiting in line in the polls.
“I’ve met with many people inside,” Birx said. “What I always do is wear a mask… that’s what we need to do in the churches. Churches are filled with people who are compassionate and passionate for each other. Let’s show that compassion for each other and the humility to really say now we know masks work.”
When asked specifically about California officials, who are telling churches they can only meet outdoors, Birx said, “Well, if the same officials are having meetings because they have to discuss what to do with the virus, if people are meeting and socially distancing in federal or state buildings, then you can bring that same safety to any American but you need to really be rigid about wearing a mask and socially distancing.”
Beyond churches, when it comes to the upcoming election, Birx doesn’t see a problem with going to the polls in person in November. She came to this conclusion after visiting dozens of Starbucks across the country in high-risk states. “If you go into Starbucks in the middle of Texas and Alabama and Mississippi that have very high case rates, then I can’t say that it would be different waiting in line in the polls.”
She also talked about when a vaccine might be ready and who should get it.
“Certainly, we would want to vaccinate those that we know are at the highest risk; individuals in nursing homes, those with multiple comorbidities, having both hypertension, diabetes and a weight issue,” she said. “Those are individuals independent of age that we would like to see vaccinated.”
–Alan Goforth | Metro Voice