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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Churches somehow protect from COVID?

225 replies

Notthemessiah · 19/12/2020 17:03

Why am I only allowed to meet one person outdoors when my churchgoing nextdoor neighbours can still meet up with all of their religious friends and family indoors?

Fed up with the irrational exemptions given to religion. Why do people's non-provable beliefs give them special treatment and so put everyone else at increased risk?

OP posts:
Ylvamoon · 19/12/2020 17:05

Ahh you see it's God that will protect you if you say your prayers! 😉

Sparklesocks · 19/12/2020 17:05

I agree in theory but I think your anger should be directed elsewhere rather than churchgoers.

nosswith · 19/12/2020 17:05

It is Christmas a religious festival. Every church I have been into has taken far more precautions than any other public space I have been to. It is only one visit as well.

Streamingbannersofdawn · 19/12/2020 17:06

Actually people at churches can't "interact with anyone outside of their household". I do however agree with you...and I think churches should move to online services.

OneRingToRuleThemAll · 19/12/2020 17:07

In my church the one way system is better controlled than the supermarket. In one door, directed to seat and out the other door. No mingling and no passing anyone elses distanced chairs. Toilet is one way through a third door, with cleaning stuff inside to wipe down before and after.

MeringueCloud · 19/12/2020 17:07

They won't be able to socialise though. Or sing. They will only he able to walk in, sit down , listen and walk out. They need to sit at least 2m away feom other households.

Original poster
Notthemessiah · 19/12/2020 17:07

@Sparklesocks

I agree in theory but I think your anger should be directed elsewhere rather than churchgoers.
Why? They're often the ones demanding special treatment.
OP posts:
MeringueCloud · 19/12/2020 17:08

@Streamingbannersofdawn

Actually people at churches can't "interact with anyone outside of their household". I do however agree with you...and I think churches should move to online services.
Most churches have been online since March lockdown.
Original poster
Notthemessiah · 19/12/2020 17:09

@MeringueCloud

They won't be able to socialise though. Or sing. They will only he able to walk in, sit down , listen and walk out. They need to sit at least 2m away feom other households.
Just like all the schools were socially distanced and all of the kids stuck to the rules there I suppose?
OP posts:
Streamingbannersofdawn · 19/12/2020 17:10

Have churches demanded special treatment ? Ours has only looked at guidance and tried to keep everyone safe (everything is online). The Baptist Union has done this same. I can't speak for other denominations.

Changethetoner · 19/12/2020 17:10

Have you actually been to an organized indoor religious service recently? No singing, no shaking hands, everybody masked. Socially distanced seating, one way system. Limited numbers, no chatting and lingering. It's not exactly a "social" occasion. YABU to think you are missing out.

MeringueCloud · 19/12/2020 17:10

How are churchgoers demanding special treatment?
The rules apply to all religions btw.

Streamingbannersofdawn · 19/12/2020 17:12

@MeringueCloud oh sure I know (ours is) but some around here are meeting.

Sparklesocks · 19/12/2020 17:12

@Notthemessiah I suppose my anger lies more with the incompetence of those managing the pandemic, rather than those it’s impacted.

Lulaloo · 19/12/2020 17:12

We have been attending church. It is very strict and the most covid secure place I have been.
No singing, masks, hand sanitiser, strict 2 metres between seats. No communion wine. You have to put your name down prior to attending and no mingling afterwards. It has to be, the majority of the congregation are over 70 and probably have not been anywhere else during the week.☹️

Original poster
Notthemessiah · 19/12/2020 17:13

[quote Sparklesocks]@Notthemessiah I suppose my anger lies more with the incompetence of those managing the pandemic, rather than those it’s impacted.[/quote]
Oh I'm certainly more cross with the government, I totally agree!

OP posts:
TheQueef · 19/12/2020 17:13

Who's getting special treatment?

Hardbackwriter · 19/12/2020 17:13

@Changethetoner

Have you actually been to an organized indoor religious service recently? No singing, no shaking hands, everybody masked. Socially distanced seating, one way system. Limited numbers, no chatting and lingering. It's not exactly a "social" occasion. YABU to think you are missing out.
This. If you'd been in a church recently I really don't think you'd think it was the social loophole that you obviously think it is.
Original poster
Notthemessiah · 19/12/2020 17:14

@MeringueCloud

How are churchgoers demanding special treatment? The rules apply to all religions btw.
I meant in general, but I also don't doubt they have pressured the government to make worship an exemption in this instance too.
OP posts:
PoulePouletteEternellement · 19/12/2020 17:14

Hmm ... I daresay some care is being taken inside churches to ensure safe distancing - but if my local church is anything to go by, people are mingling exactly as they have always done outside the church door.

I suspect people do on some level trust that religion will protect them.

nosswith · 19/12/2020 17:14

The only strange thing is that the Prime Minister who is not religious and indeed the most immoral one since Lloyd George has recognised this. Earlier this year he was very reluctant to re-open churches.

FollowThatStarTonight · 19/12/2020 17:15

YABU, churches are some of the strictest covid places. Distancing, masks, ticketing etc.

It's the folk having very large parties, and the workplaces ignoring the rules that I'm angry at.

Bbq1 · 19/12/2020 17:17

Op how many churches services have you actually been to recently? I'm a regular church goer and as pp's have said the church is so covid aware and secure. Track and Trace at the door, seats sanatised as soon as you leave, strict social distancing and masks worn at all times. There is absolutely NO mingling or chatting with anyone outside of your household bubble. So, although you think your neighbours are socialising with other members of the congregation, trust me they really aren't. Religion or attending a place of worship may not be important to you but it is to many people. Accusing people who go to church of mixing with others is very unfair - you're totally misinformed.

JanetBalloonist · 19/12/2020 17:18

No socialising allowed. People walk in, sit still and then walk out. Mingling is banned. Vicar is masked, gloved and thoroughly sanitised. No singing, quiet responses only. We are really thoroughly socially distanced. The building is big and ventilated and probably the safest place I’ve been during the pandemic. And we are online, too. It's been a steep learning curve but we have tried our absolute best to keep everyone safe. We aren’t doing you any harm with our worship, OP, and we are working very hard to avoid being a locus of virus-spreading.

CraftyGin · 19/12/2020 17:20

@Notthemessiah

Why am I only allowed to meet one person outdoors when my churchgoing nextdoor neighbours can still meet up with all of their religious friends and family indoors?

Fed up with the irrational exemptions given to religion. Why do people's non-provable beliefs give them special treatment and so put everyone else at increased risk?

Churches, well C of E, ones have Covid-safe measures in place.