Dear Editor:
RE: Big brother nanny state, April 30.
I will stand with Janice Kaikkonen (at a respectful, safe distance of 2m) to protect your inalienable right to practice your chosen form of theological belief.
I will not, however, stand silent to the spread of misinformation around the current COVID-19 crisis.
You aver the “historical track record of churches” as a model for hygiene and health standards, yet offer no reliably supported evidence for this assertion. Instead, you suggest that caring for the indigent and the suffering correlates with this “track record”.
The architecture of most churches rarely allows for responsible social distancing. That said, it is possible to entrust the responsibility of church-goers to respect physical distancing but the question remains; is it probable? There are secular members of our society (who are also protected by the Charter) who would be unwittingly exposed to said church-goers. This is why your gatherings are currently suspended, along with concerts, restaurants, libraries, schools, et al.
The issue is not that our rights and freedoms are diminished or perverted; we are, as a united society, responsible for each and every sentient being on this planet. As a good Christian, you would certainly agree with this (Philippians 2:4) and undoubtedly recognize that no building is required for worship (Matthew 18:20).
It may also behoove you to research the Spanish Flu pandemic and how communities that ignored the “extraordinary powers restricting citizens’ movements and behaviours” experienced devastating losses of life and infection relapses. These are documented, scientifically supported data.
COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus; it is highly virulent and insidious with one immediately available and critical solution to its spread: social/physical distancing. Science has proven that people congregating anywhere contributes to the susceptibility to and spread of COVID-19. Full Stop.
I am not a Christian but I do believe in the message that your philosophy has also adopted; “You shall love your neighbour as yourself”. If you do not wish COVID-19 on yourself, do nothing to risk it for your neighbour.
Tobey Deys,
Orton
