Organized religion makes people stupid. This is a tale of a church and congregation in Alberta that kept going without following any public health guidance, as if we were not in a pandemic and that everything was right as rain. Reminds me of the religious wisdom available circa 1347:
Not exactly the best strategy for dealing with an infection disease. Yet, in the here and now of 2021 the religious persist.
“AHS [Alberta Health Services] said it has attempted to work collaboratively with the church for months to address ongoing public health concerns.
Steps taken before Wednesday’s physical closure include:
- An order issued by AHS on Dec. 17 requiring the church to comply with restrictions ordered by Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta’s chief medical officer of health.
- A Court of Queen’s Bench order obtained Jan. 21 requiring the church to comply with the previous order.
- A closure order issued Jan. 29 requiring closure until compliance with the restrictions was attained.
- On March 27, AHS sent a letter to Coates providing him with information on the continued spread of COVID-19.
- Last week AHS invited Coates to meet virtually to discuss the risks presented by COVID-19, but the church has not provided any dates to meet.
GraceLife Church “has decided not to follow these mandatory restrictions, nor have they attempted to work with AHS to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission,” AHS said in the media statement.”
Finally GraceLife church was shut down.
“Alberta Health Services has closed GraceLife Church in Parkland County west of Edmonton.
In an emailed statement to CBC News Wednesday morning, RCMP confirmed they were on scene, assisting AHS as they closed the church under Section 62.1 of the Alberta Public Health Act.
As of 8:30 a.m., police vehicles and unmarked SUVs were blocking entrances to the church parking lot.
In a media statement, AHS said it “physically closed” the church and has prevented access until the church “can demonstrate the ability to comply with Alberta’s chief medical officer of health’s restrictions.”
It only took a year and a bit to nip this cluster of superspreaders in the bud. Our current government has demonstrated repeatedly (until now) that it will not enforce public health regulations so we should not be surprised with the length of time involved with this particular case of religious inanity.
The United Conservative Party of Alberta has consistently chosen the ‘middle road’ when it has come to policy decisions between keeping the economy open and locking down the province to combat the COVID19 virus. The result has been a roller coaster of half measures and half steps that instead of getting the transmissibility rate down to 0 we are following the historical pattern – experiencing first, second, and now third waves of infection (with a fourth coming as in the USA, because of the dithering of the government).
The Gracelife debacle illustrates how the government in pandering to its ‘base’ is only prolonging the epidemic in Alberta, and ultimately, allowing more people to unnecessarily die. It is policy position that is illogical, science denying, and morally unconscionable.
Unfortunately for Albertans, this is par for the course for this government so fully expect the shit-show to continue.
6 comments
April 10, 2021 at 2:34 pm
Monica
WHO the hell are you to mandate a church no to worship, or ANYONE TO practice their religion or to not to work? Not to conduct their business? Until you are a deity who can walk on water or move mountains and raise the dead shut up!
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April 10, 2021 at 2:37 pm
Monica
This IS NOT the beubonic plague. This is a virus that is a”itt
E more aggressive than the flu this is more for control!
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April 10, 2021 at 7:28 pm
Mystro
@Monica
CDC reports deaths from influenza in the 2018-19 season 34 thousand. Covid deaths are over 2.9 million. That makes it two orders of magnitude more deadly.
No one says people/churches cannot worship or practice. There are more responsible congregations that run their services online so people can do their thing safely. No issues there. The problem is groups of people with a flagrant disregard for the well being of the community around them.
By the way, I walk on water every single winter and I move mountains every laundry day. According to your criteria, you get to listen me now and start exercising a bit of social responsibility. As for raising the dead, I’ll thank you to leave my personal life out of this.
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April 10, 2021 at 8:45 pm
The Arbourist
@Monica
It is possible to worship responsibly during these times and be mindful of public health measure that are in place for all of our safety. This congregation has chosen to actively ignore the public health measure designed to keep all of us safe.
Endangering your fellow citizens is neither pious, nor a godly act.
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April 11, 2021 at 3:10 pm
Carmen
Poor Monica. . And all those who think just like her. :(. (You know, the ones who believe in magic)
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April 11, 2021 at 4:02 pm
Carmen
Oh and by the way Monica. Arb didn’t mandate the church not to worship. AHS did. And your statement that the virus is a “little more aggressive than the flu” is misinformation. . . Or in other words, a lie.
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