SCOTUS Rules on Religious Gatherings

If I understand the Bible correctly, We should pray to God as a parent and treat other people as brothers and sisters.

Being allowed to gather does not mean people should.  Many deaths will result from big congregations and I am certain that is not in God's plan.  We have the opportunity to pray in isolation, as many monks did of old, where no one but God will hear.  God hears in all the quiet places.  Only human beings are flawed enough to need to show off publically for their peers.

To risk your life for your faith is a mark of dedication.  To risk someone else's is beyond selfish.

So, everyone, " just because you could" is not good enough, also ask if you should.

WitchMisspelled wrote: I believe in the rule of law.  SCOTUS has ruled against States limiting religious gatherings.  I understand why SCOTUS ruled against State's Rights on this matter. That being said... we're screwed this winter.  I struggle with whether or not I'm going to go out anymore. I joke about being "surrounded" but as of this morning, my section of Brooklyn is at 2.78% infection rate surrounded by areas that are 4% to 6% and above infection rate.   https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/26/us/supreme-court-coronavirus-religion-new-york.html

Please take care, this is going to get MUCH worse when all the cases incubating from Thanksgiving start to spread!! 

WitchMisspelled wrote: Will do Chuck!  From the date of my posting to today, NY state wide has jumped to 3.98%.  My immediate area is up to 3.3%  I know these are the daily averages rather than the 7-day average, but I can't imagine they'll go down much, if any.  That means NY will be "pausing" to various degrees again.   Going forward, I will go back to my once a week to every 10 days foray to the grocery and that's it. I will be wearing N95 mask and carry my face shield for when I go indoors. I know you and the Mrs. are staying safe, but I bid you good luck anyway.

Thanks, Susan!  My colleagues at the Univ of AZ School of Public Health are recommending mandatory mask rules for the State of AZ (our Republican Governor hasn't done this yet), along with a mandatory 3 week shutdown: 

https://apnews.com/article/health-south-korea-seoul-coronavirus-pandemic-economy-373234e3d672023d98184a10fc98692e

PHOENIX — University of Arizona researchers say the current surge in the coronavirus outbreak will present the state with a hospital crisis that could become a disaster unless the state takes steps such as ordering a three-week stay-home shutdown and implementing a statewide mask mandate. 

Members of the university’s COVID Modeling Team said failing to take such steps would be like facing a major forest fire without evacuation orders. It also recommends providing economic aid to affected small businesses and families and preventing evictions and foreclosures.

The team has tracked the outbreak since last spring and made its recommendations in a letter Friday to the state Department of Health Services

AZ is facing critical shortages of ICU beds just when influenza is gearing up!!  Be safe, everyone, this is getting worse by the day.  

WitchMisspelled wrote: Do you think your governor will do anything?  At this point anything seems to be closing the proverbial barn door...

Nope, I doubt that our Republican governor will do anything until it is so bad that he has no choice.  

Gov. Ducey of AZ is facing overflowing hospitals, shortages of medical workers and much worse.  Hospitals will soon have to start their "death panels" i.e. triage to decide which patients get lifesaving treatment vs. those who will be left to die.  

I wrote this in the local paper in July, 2020: