To think places of Worship should be closed before pubs.

[StatisticalSense]

If it is found that more restrictions are going to be needed to keep the virus under control people immediately jump to pubs and other hospitality venues which are essential to keeping the economy functioning, employ literally millions of people (and support the jobs of millions more), and are beneficial to the mental health of many of their clientele. Places of worship however provide no economic benefit, and are just as much of a vector of spread as people socialise with many others who they wouldn't otherwise see. This means that it would clearly make sense from an economic and societal stand point to close places of worships if this would allow pubs to stay open.

They're presumably less crowded than pubs though.

I think that sounds reasonable

YANBU. Close the fuckers anyway.

drunken fools in pubs won't be socially distancing for long

How many people attend a place of worship each week compared to weekly numbers attending pubs? I'm only guessing but I expect the pub figure is very significantly higher and therefore attaches far higher risk.

I don't disagree with your argument regarding the economy but I doubt, if it were necessary to close the hospitality industry again, closing places of worship would have anywhere near enough impact to be considered a sensible swap.

Churches can provide a vital support network for older people though. Certainly at my Mum's Church the younger people help the older ones with basic social care like shopping and odd jobs which otherwise the state would likely have to assist with.

@Grottyfeet
If places of worship were the only places open the numbers visiting would almost certainly significantly increase simply because people will use them as an excuse to go out.

I am not religious at all and like to drink wine, but churches are far more important than pubs from a societal point of view and for that YABU

Would they? People who never normally go to church or the mosque would start going because the pub was shut? Did that happen when churches reopened before the pubs?

[quote StatisticalSense]@Grottyfeet
If places of worship were the only places open the numbers visiting would almost certainly significantly increase simply because people will use them as an excuse to go out.[/quote]
They really wouldn't 😂

I cannot imagine a scenario where people would decide to go to a place of worship as a substitute for going to the pub , it’s the last place I’d go

Places of worship are often critical to the heart of ncommunities and the infection rate would be even higher without them involved. Pubs, schools should all be closed before places of worship are

The churches that I know of have hugely minimised their Sunday worship services, no candles, no Holy water, no communion wine or singing or signs of the peace and everyone is sitting separately. Plastic screens have gone up and the church leaders are wearing full PPE. Conversely the pub gardens I see have been packed with people and the overflow has been onto public pavements, no social distancing and no masks, people doing karaoke and smoking in large groups - it’s mayhem.

Churches bring people peace and fellowship (mostly) pubs just add to the obesity crisis 😁😁

Places of worship employ people too, and as others have said often support vulnerable people. I certainly get much more benefit, mental health wise, socially and spiritually from my church than the local pub. Depends on your beliefs and perspective.

you dont get pissed and lose your inhibition in a church

I'm not religious, but I went with my mum to a church this week and there were 4 people inside with the two of us and we washed out hands as we went in, not comparable to the incredibly busy pubs around here.

Not to mention all of the issues that come with too much alcohol even involving police/ ambulance services, it's really not comparable.

I think a lot of people rely on churches for their MH / 'spiritual wellbeing'. But, from a purely economic standpoint, YANBU.

I think some churches and places of worship are doing outdoor services, which I think would be better.

Also, from what I've heard, some people really aren't social distancing when they get together with people they know in pubs and restaurants... because they're so excited to be on a big, night out with their mates. I doubt this would happen with church?

@Stefoscope

Churches can provide a vital support network for older people though. Certainly at my Mum's Church the younger people help the older ones with basic social care like shopping and odd jobs which otherwise the state would likely have to assist with.

I'm sure the op just meant gatherings of people, not that they shouldn't do that sort of thing.

I miss my church and I am sure while it doesn’t have pure economical benefits, it helps with mental help, which is going to be in pieces for millions ( I understand not all of them visit a church)

But at the moment they are not open and I haven’t even heard of any opening for full service. 😔
And they can be streamed (albeit not the same) while having an eating out online is not the same!

I know pubs are socially distanced etc, but from the live services that have just started at my church (but are also broadcast on Zoom hence I can see what they are like despite not attending), there is a lot less risk - no one is closer than 2m at any point (other than households), no one is drunk. One person singing behind a perspex screen. No one raising their voice (leader/speaker using microphone). For some members of congregation, this is the first time they have left the house or been inside a building with anyone else for months - though they've been supported with shopping, doorstep visits, etc. So low risk relative to pubs, equally important for mental health for different people, but agree not much economic benefit.

My DD15 today went to a socially-distanced church youth group meeting (mostly in church garden, inside socially distanced for part of it, wiped down the chairs they sat on before leaving). First time she has seen or spoken to any of them since March as, despite them doing lots of Zoom meets, she didn't feel able to join them as has anxiety about being on camera etc. So really important for her mental health, more so than the fact that we've had lunch at table outside a cafe a couple of times in the last month.

So I have to disagree.

Do you know what worship looks like in churches at the moment?

Our church resumed one Sunday service two weeks ago. You have to book a place in advance with strict limits on numbers. You have to confirm your name and contact details on entry in case they are needed for track and trace. Face coverings must be worn by anyone who is not exempt. You can only sit with members of your household or bubble, and everyone else is distanced. No hymns. Receiving of bread only in the Eucharist.

I think you're taking the piss to say from a societal view point having pubs open is better than places of worship. Ask any police officer or paramedic what keeps them busy on Friday and Saturday nights, it's not those going home from church.

I get what you are saying about the hospitality sector being so important for the economy. But the problem is surely when people are pissed. When pubs first opened I saw so many videos and live streams from inside pubs where there was no social distancing at all once people were drunk.
One of my friends went out and was like eeh I’m going to be so so sensible and I’ve taken hand sanitizer with me- she ended up going back to a random mans house and having a one night stand. That wouldn’t have happened if she was in church

I don't believe in god but I still think YABU. Drunk people at pubs can stay home and not poison their bodies.

Judging by the numbers of people who regularly attend church services, I’d say that churches should remain open. Hardly anyone goes to church regularly yet people have been flocking to pubs.