TRUMP: HOUSES OF WORSHIP ARE ‘ESSENTIAL’ – OPEN THEM UP
BREAKING: President Trump ISSUES ALL CHURCHES OPEN
Here’s what you need to know:
- Trump calls houses of worship “essential services” and urges governors to let them reopen “right now.”
- Some White House officials suggest the U.S. is overcounting virus deaths. Experts say the opposite is more likely.
- Mixing antibody and viral test results raises questions.
- An anti-malaria drug promoted by the president may be harmful when taken to treat the virus.
- Cascading weaknesses in the federal disaster response system are being exposed.
- A vaccine developed in China appears to be safe and may offer protection against the virus, scientists say.
- The country enters a Memorial Day weekend to remember (or forget).
President Trump on Friday announced that new Centers for Disease Control guidance will classify houses of worship as “essential,” as he called on governors to allow them to open “right now” after being closed during the coronavirus lockdowns. Trump announced the policy for churches, synagogues and mosques, during a short briefing at the White House.
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“The governors need to do the right thing and allow these very important essential places of faith to open right now–for this weekend,” Trump said. “If they don’t do it, I will override the governors.”
“In America, we need more prayer not less,” Trump said.
The announcement comes after Trump has been hearing concerns of faith leaders who are unable to hold Sunday services due to coronavirus restrictions at a time when their parishioners are grappling with the crisis. Families may be grieving the loss of loved ones from the virus or struggling with job loss but unable to seek respite in their places of worship.
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“I consider them essential,” Trump said earlier Friday of houses of worship of all faiths.
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“We’ve got to get our churches open,” Trump said Thursday.
Churches across the country had to close down due to stay-home orders necessary to stop the spread of the contagious virus. Faith leaders set up online services and families tuned in Sunday mornings from their computers at home.
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Earlier in the pandemic, Trump expressed optimism that churches would be opened by Easter Sunday, April 12. But April turned out to be an extremely deadly month for the pandemic, and parishioners had to celebrate Easter from home.
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Some faith leaders have argued that social distancing rules have violated First Amendment religious freedoms. Others have defied state and local rules and tried to reopen. Attorney General William Barr warned that coronavirus restrictions by state and local government should be applied evenly and not single out religious organizations. Last week the CDC released new guidelines that schools, businesses and other organizations can use as states reopen from coronavirus shutdowns. The document, however, excluded guidance for churches and faith-based groups because the White House raised concerns about the recommended restrictions, the Associated Press reported.
‘We Need More Prayer,’ Trump Says, Calling Houses of Worship ‘Essential’
President Trump urged governors to reopen houses of worship immediately, saying he would override them if they did not. His authority to do so is unclear.
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Today, I’m identifying houses of worship, churches, synagogues and mosques as essential places that provide essential services. Some governors have deemed liquor stores and abortion clinics as essential, but have left out churches and other houses of worship. It’s not right. So I’m correcting this injustice, and calling houses of worship “essential.” I call upon governors to allow our churches and places of worship to open right now. These are places that hold our society together, and keep our people united. The people are demanding to go to church and synagogue, go to their mosque. Many millions of Americans embrace worship as an essential part of life. The ministers, pastors, rabbis, imams and other faith leaders will make sure that their congregations are safe as they gather and pray. I know them well, they love their congregations. They love their people. They don’t want anything bad to happen to them or to anybody else. The governors need to do the right thing, and allow these very important essential places of faith to open right now, for this weekend. If they don’t do it, I will override the governors. In America, we need more prayer, not less.
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