1. CHURCH LEADERSHIP THOUGHTS ON SHELTERING/DISTANCING/REOPENING. (Thread): Somehow we have gone from TEMPORARY “shelter in place” and “social distancing” so we could “flatten the curve” to “everyone stay isolated until we get a vaccine.”
2. This all started with shelter in place & social distancing to protect the vulnerable and keep from overwhelming our hospitals. Nearly all church leaders complied in order to set a good example and love our neighbors.
3. We were told we needed to “flatten the curve.” The reason to flatten the curve is to make sure our healthcare system is not overwhelmed. Mission accomplished (at least for now) in almost every community outside NYC.
4. Shelter in place/Social distancing wasn’t supposed to protect you from the virus. It was supposed to make sure we didn’t all get it AT THE SAME TIME. All or most of us WILL get it at some point. Many of us already had it and didn’t know it.
5. We were told that “Herd Immunity” is the ultimate goal - either enough people get it that most people develop resistance or you have to vaccinate nearly everyone. Once herd immunity occurs you don’t need to keep sheltering and distancing.
6. Now the talk is all about keeping everyone “safe.” Many saying that we can’t resume normal activity until widespread testing is available (some calling for 20M tests each week).
7. Testing and tracing is fine but if you can transmit the virus for 5 days before you show symptoms AND many “carriers” NEVER show symptoms, then I guess we have to test EVERYONE, EVERY WEEK forever or until we get a vaccine. Unreasonable and won’t happen.
8. If “safe” means the virus is eradicated then churches will be shut down for anything resembling our normal gathering for the foreseeable future. Unless you count small groups of masked Christians 6ft apart, not singing, & not touching as normal. Ditto for funerals & weddings.
9. Social distancing is not desirable nor sustainable. It ruins the quality and quantity of human interactions that make life worth living.
10. I’m glad we are starting to reopen in many places. But even then - what’s the purpose of gathering in masks & keeping 6 ft, no-touch boundaries? How long are we going to do this at churches and other voluntary gatherings of people?
11. Reopening while maintaining social distancing isn’t really reopening. Distancing robs the gatherings of their power and attraction. We LIKE to be with others. That’s why people go to sporting events, concerts, and churches in person instead of watching online or on tv.
12. Some medical professionals and epidemiologists insist we must continue social distancing indefinitely. Dr. Fauci even said handshakes should probably go away forever. But that is RIDICULOUS.
13. Of course if we touch other people we raise the risk of passing germs - THAT’S ALWAYS TRUE! But handshakes & hugs & pats on the back are important - it’s called being HUMAN!
14. Besides - epidemiologically - medical pros admit that we all NEED to get the virus. Once most people have had it we can move beyond it. I recognize that a few people that don’t appear high risk get really sick. That could be me. But I think it might be worth the risk.
15. We definitely need to work overtime to protect the obviously vulnerable. They can self-select on distancing/sheltering. And local governments can adjust regulations to protect local hospital capacity.
16. I would rather take the (remote) chance of getting sick than have my kids continue to miss out on high school & college. Than not attend funerals & weddings. Than continue to treat friends and family like potential bio-weapons.
17. I would rather give people the opportunity to worship w their church families in person if they choose, gather for events if they choose, & stop physically distancing if they choose. COVID isn’t going away. But neither should the best things in life. C’mere and give me a hug.
