Page 2 | Churches somehow protect from COVID?

CraftyGin · 19/12/2020 17:21

@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.

What do you think we have been doing since March?

FreshfieldsGal · 19/12/2020 17:22

I've just returned from church, this was my first visit since January.
Had to register online, confirm name and phone no on entry, hand sanitizer, every other pew was blocked off, shown to a pew, one way system in place. Masks compulsory, no hymns / shaking hands / communion wine etc.
I felt safer in there than in the supermarket tbh.

YABU op.

MeringueCloud · 19/12/2020 17:22

[quote Streamingbannersofdawn]@MeringueCloud oh sure I know (ours is) but some around here are meeting.[/quote]
Yes, and they are allowed to meet. But lots choose not to.

Anyway, notthemessiah it's nothing like schools. Just go along to a place of worship tomorrow and have a look.

Yes I think representatives of different religions have asked the government to change the rules, I doubt they were demanding it. If gyms and pubs can be open why shouldn't places of worship?

Moonmelodies · 19/12/2020 17:26

[quote Sparklesocks]@Notthemessiah I suppose my anger lies more with the incompetence of those managing the pandemic, rather than those it’s impacted.[/quote]
I guess churchgoers must believe the pandemic is being 'managed' by their god, if they believe he created it and knew what the repurcussions would be.
It would be nice if they asked him to eliminate it forthwith, given his alleged benevolence.

CharlieD2020 · 19/12/2020 17:26

@Bbq1

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.

I agree with this completely.

Our church are taking Covid more seriously than any other place I can visit. And for Christian's, the act of going to church is hugely important. I'm sorry you're frustrated OP, there is much to be frustrated about, but this is a very well managed risk

HintOfVintagePink · 19/12/2020 17:27

Yabu.
It’s not a ‘meet up’
Register, wear a mask, sanitise going in and leaving, one way system directed by ushers, sit in allocated, disinfected seat at least 2m away from any other household, seated throughout the service, no singing, no communion, leave only when directed by usher, banned from going within 2m of any other household on any church property, including car park and pathways, which is enforced.
We may make eye contact with other members of the church. Sorry about that.

SirGawain · 19/12/2020 17:28

@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?

We have to maintain strict social distancing, limit numbers and use careful hygene procedures.

SilenceOfThePrams · 19/12/2020 17:28

Our church can seat 500 for Christmas, it’s allowing 40 people to attend.

People must pre book tickets. Seats are arranged so each individual or household is a minimum of 2m away from the next, usually more space.

Masks must be worn. Hand sanitiser at the door and a marshal ticking you off their list.

Don’t arrive more than 2 minutes ahead. Walk straight to your designated seat. Keep your mask on. And your coat as all the doors are open.

No singing. No common cup communion. No sharing the peace (shaking hands/hugging). No shouting. Softly spoken service only. No laying on of hands or opportunity for intercessory prayer.

Finish the spoken service. Shuffle out, back of the church first so no one from the front walks too close to anyone still seated. Don’t linger. Don’t hang around on church property. Go straight home.

It’s church, Jim. But not as we know it.

No children’s provision. No fellowship. Nothing spontaneous.

But it’s more than we had at Easter at least.

Scottishskifun · 19/12/2020 17:30

Just because they can be open doesn't mean that they will be.

My mum is a minister her church is closed and numerous others. Even when open there was a booking process, 1 way system, no mingling, no chatting to people after and no singing.

Sophiesdog2020 · 19/12/2020 17:35

Op, you are not being unreasonable, my neighbour told me there was an outbreak at her church even though people only took masks off when they were speaking or singing (the words in bold are her exact words).

I thought no singing was allowed, but seems I am mistaken? When did the no singing edict disappear, or maybe it didn’t and churches are ignoring it!

Original poster

Notthemessiah · 19/12/2020 17:35

But non-essential shops and restaurants also have those same COVID-secure measures - how come they aren't able to open and yet Churches are? Why do you deserve special treatment simply because you believe in something I don't?

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Hardbackwriter · 19/12/2020 17:38

@Notthemessiah

But non-essential shops and restaurants also have those same COVID-secure measures - how come they aren't able to open and yet Churches are? Why do you deserve special treatment simply because you believe in something I don't?

I haven't been to a single shop or restaurant that is stringent as every church I know of are being.

ChristmasTreeFairy5000 · 19/12/2020 17:39

@Ylvamoon

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

Yup who knew the cure for covid was in fact the power of Christ

ChristmasTreeFairy5000 · 19/12/2020 17:40

Or is it that they douse the congregation in holy water

Original poster

Notthemessiah · 19/12/2020 17:41

Well I've been to several that were being very strict about it.

How many churches do you go to? I can't believe you regularly go to a whole variety of different churhes so I imagine your experience is fairly limited in scope.

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MeringueCloud · 19/12/2020 17:42

@Notthemessiah

But non-essential shops and restaurants also have those same COVID-secure measures - how come they aren't able to open and yet Churches are? Why do you deserve special treatment simply because you believe in something I don't?

Surely the same can be said for lots of things? Why do pub goers, mosque goers and gym goers get "special treatment"? Why are you picking on churches?

DayBath · 19/12/2020 17:43

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Original poster

Notthemessiah · 19/12/2020 17:44

Pubs and gyms are shut, so not much to complain about there. And I group all religions under the same umbrella here - it's other posters who started mentioning churches specifically, I just used one as an example in my OP.

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WitchQueenofDarkness · 19/12/2020 17:45

@Ylvamoon

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

Looking at all the US pastors who died of Covid after holding services regardless he isn't doing a very good job!

Original poster

Notthemessiah · 19/12/2020 17:48

'Stupid in your assumptions' - that's rich from someone whose entire belief system is based on an 'assumption'

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DayBath · 19/12/2020 17:49

@Notthemessiah

'Stupid in your assumptions' - that's rich from someone whose entire belief system is based on an 'assumption'

I'm talking about your assumptions of how churches actually work and what measures they have in place, what the hell does that have to do with somebody's personal faith? What a hateful piece of work you are.

Original poster

Notthemessiah · 19/12/2020 17:53

I'm hateful and yet you're the one calling people 'crackpots', 'stupid' and 'crabs in a bucket'? Not really selling the whole peace and love side of things here are you.

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Sh05 · 19/12/2020 17:54

Churches are not comparable to schools. A classroom has limited space and attendance compulsory where as only those who want to attend church plus numbers are restricted in churches ( and mosques and other places of worship), plus safety measures are strictly followed.
I think the reasoning is that if people can't get comfort from seing and meeting up with their families, they can atleast attend their regular services and gain some comfort from them ( as I'm sure those who are religious and regularly attend do gain alot of comfort)

Sh05 · 19/12/2020 17:58

I'm Muslim and although I've kept both teens home from mosque for regular prayers they attend any one of the local mosques on Friday ( depending on which one they can get to on time) and the safety measures in all of them are very strict and so I'm sure churches are the same.
No mosque/ church/ synagogue leader wants to be THAT one who allowed the rules to be broken and then be responsible for an outbreak

Original poster

Notthemessiah · 19/12/2020 17:59

@Sh05

Churches are not comparable to schools. A classroom has limited space and attendance compulsory where as only those who want to attend church plus numbers are restricted in churches ( and mosques and other places of worship), plus safety measures are strictly followed. I think the reasoning is that if people can't get comfort from seing and meeting up with their families, they can atleast attend their regular services and gain some comfort from them ( as I'm sure those who are religious and regularly attend do gain alot of comfort)

All of that could still equally apply to pubs, restaurants or the many non-religious support groups all of which are locked down.

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