During this crisis, many state governors have wisely issued executive orders or guidelines that limit the size of gatherings, encourage social distancing, and limit nonessential activities to protect public health and prevent the spread of potentially deadly coronavirus.
Unfortunately, numerous states have included religious exemptions for places of worship, allowing them to meet and put the public health at risk.
In Washington, DC, California, and New York, hundreds of people were exposed to coronavirus through religious gatherings. Additional outbreaks in Kansas, Arkansas, and North Carolina have shown that churches also put rural communities at risk during this epidemic. Ask your governor to ensure the same does not happen in your state!
There is no constitutional obligation to exempt religious groups from public health and safety regulations, particularly when lives are on the line. Our government has a compelling interest in protecting public health, and it can limit in-person gatherings, even for churches.
