Why Do Evangelicals Think Churches Are Immune to Covid-19?

FEATURING ROB BOSTON – The Trump administration has updated the CDC’s guidelines on reopening churches and other houses of worship to allow for choirs to sing – this in spite of the documented manner in which the coronavirus can spread through respiratory droplets especially when infected people talk and sing.

Meanwhile, the US Supreme Court is weighing the limits that states like California can place on churches. Although California Governor Gavin Newsom capitulated to demands from evangelical leaders and President Trump to allow limited reopenings of houses of worship, a San Diego church wants to be exempted from all restrictions.

Rightwing pastors who want an end to the lockdowns say that churches are “essential,” – effectively arguing that their right to congregate under cover of the First Amendment supersedes the threat to public health from the pandemic.

Rob Boston, Senior Adviser at Americans United for Separation of Church and State.