As a Newfoundlander, I’d like to commend the public health officials for the cautionary measures that allowed us as a province to flatten the curve of COVID-19, both quickly and effectively.
Recognizing the importance of following the medical protocols, I was both relieved and proud when our collective efforts succeeded, and cases dwindled to a stop within a couple of months.
As a member of the province’s faith community, I’ve greatly appreciated the online services offered during the past few months — but as the curve flattened, was keen to return to the more usual form of congregational worship.
However, the Level 2 directives to churches are still so restrictive as to render meeting in person almost pointless. As I write this, most churches still have not opened, perhaps because of the challenges in navigating the restrictions.
I fully understand the need to maintain key protocols: separate entrances and exits; physically distancing by six feet between bubbles; no hugs, handshaking, food sharing or touching of common surfaces, etc. But allowing only 50 people, even in a large auditorium which normally holds several hundred, seems a bit of an overreach.
Why not simply allow churches to open at 50 per cent capacity, with proper distancing — as bars and lounges are allowed to do?
I was also completely mystified to see that singing is considered a risk, and therefore discouraged. This makes sense with choirs. But congregational singing — among people who are already six feet apart? Churchgoers have been granted humming privileges, “where appropriate” — whatever that means — but singing a hymn, while standing/sitting in place, would pose a threat?
I was also completely mystified to see that singing is considered a risk, and therefore discouraged. This makes sense with choirs. But congregational singing — among people who are already six feet apart? Churchgoers have been granted humming privileges, “where appropriate” — whatever that means — but singing a hymn, while standing/sitting in place, would pose a threat?
It’s even more perplexing when you consider that:
• There’s been no discernible COVID-19 within the province for 40 days; just one case within the past two months. If not now, when would be a safer time for church services to return to a semblance of normality?
• The province has now opened its doors to Atlantic Canada, with no testing at our borders, and no quarantine. Tourists are free to come and go throughout the province, because it has been deemed safe to do so.
• Recreational swimming pools and splash pads can now be used by the public, most likely by excited children. Staying safely in a family bubble, or a separate lane within a liquid environment seems like a contradiction in terms — if the goal is to prevent the spread of droplets from one person to another.
• Team sports such as basketball, soccer and football are permitted, during which physical distancing will be virtually impossible.
• Licensed bars are permitted to open at 50 per cent of normal capacity. In a large club, this number could certainly exceed the 50 people allowed in churches. Six people are allowed per table, but restrictions don't appear to require them to belong to the same bubble, or prohibit singing along with performers.
• Public demonstrations and marches have been held in the past few months. No matter how worthy the cause, the permitted maximum of 50 persons was greatly exceeded. Physical distancing either didn't happen, or was inconsistent.
My point is simply this: the epidemiology and public health decision-making have obviously concluded that all of the above are either permissible,or pose no real threat to public health or the spread of any COVID-19 that might still exist.
But a group of responsible, sober-minded (and sober) adults and families, of all ages (not just vulnerable seniors), standing six feet apart in a church pew and joining their voices in musical worship, are engaging in “risky” behaviour, somehow posing a threat?
I’ve attended church all my life, and not even the most exuberant singer has ever “sprayed” a hymn that far!
Singing is a key component, and one of the greatest joys of church worship, as is meeting together in a church sanctuary. While I’m sure no one in this province’s faith community would ever wish to strike a discordant note with health protocols — it seems reasonable for churchgoers to expect the same level of trust that’s been given to owners of bars, sports and recreation groups, tourists and demonstrators.
A bit of perspective — not to mention consistency — would be greatly appreciated at this point in time.
Deborah Collins
St. John's
