Nashville confirms more than 200 new cases of COVID-19 within 24 hours of maskless religious event

[babylonsister]

Nashville confirms more than 200 new cases of COVID-19 within 24 hours of maskless religious event
Aysha Qamar
Daily Kos Staff
Tuesday October 13, 2020 · 5:10 PM EDT



Despite increases in COVID-19 cases across the country, some people are committed to large gatherings. Christian pastor Sean Feucht has once again hosted a prayer protest at which he claims thousands were in attendance. The Sunday protest entitled “Let Us Worship” included live music with no social distancing between packed, unmasked crowds. Individuals gathered at the city’s Public Square Park to protest safety measures in place in religious institutions in efforts to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus. Footage of the event has gone viral on social media with no masks in sight as people gather around what looks like a concert stage. "We had THREE venue changes and so much resistance BUT THE CHURCH WILL NOT BE SILENCED!" Feucht said in a tweet Sunday about the event.

According to The Tennessean, California-based Feucht hosted the event in Nashville despite not having a permit to do so. As a result, the Metro Public Health Department is investigating the incident. "We have worked very hard to slow the spread of COVID by taking a measured approach to protect the community,” the health department told The Tennessean. "The Health Department is very concerned by the actions that took place at the event and we are investigating and will pursue appropriate penalties against the organizer."

Nashville has limited gatherings without city approval to 25 people, CBS News reported. Approved events can have a maximum of 500 people, but masks are required. Dr. Alex Jahangir, leader of the city’s coronavirus task force, expressed concern about the gathering, especially during a time when the state has seen an increase in cases. Jahangir told The Tennessean he was unaware of the event until Monday morning. “Any time there are a lot of people together, without masks, I have concerns, and that holds true in this scenario,” Jahangir said. "From the pictures I saw online, good Lord, did you see people wearing masks? I didn’t. That is not helpful to our cause.”

Link to tweet

Police Chief John Drake also noted the irresponsible behavior as the police department was not present at the event. "I am greatly disappointed that the organizer of Sunday's event and those in attendance did not better prioritize their health and the health of others through social distancing and the wearing of face coverings," he said Monday, according to NBC News. "Personal responsibility is a necessity regardless of the purpose for a public event."

Last month Daily Kos reported on other events hosted by Feucht, including an event described as a rock concert in California where thousands attended without COVID-19 precautions. According to Feucht’s website, he also hosted an event in Atlanta, Georgia, on Saturday and plans to host more in South Carolina, Missouri, and Washington, D.C. Feucht’s “Let Us Worship” tour is spreading more than freedom of faith across the country—it’s spreading COVID-19.

As my colleague Marissa noted, some religious leaders across the country have resorted to ignoring coronavirus regulations. COVID-19 cases nationwide have been linked to these events, which often violate public health rules, including social distancing, mandatory masks, and limits on those in attendance. Just a day after the event’s occurrence, The Tennessean reported an increase of more than 250 cases within 24 hours; this has resulted in health officials being “very concerned” about the increase in numbers this event will bring.

A video from the event shared on YouTube depicts a crowd of all ages gathered at the Nashville courthouse Sunday:

https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2020/10/13/1986176/-Health-officials-very-concerned-after-hundreds-attend-maskless-religious-event-in-Nashville

[ananda]

1. Covid is not a great respecter of freedom or non-silence.

That will take care of it for you.

You will definitely be silent in the afterlife.

[babylonsister]

2. Maybe they have a different view of

the afterlife than we have. Otherwise, why do this? I'm still baffled by this carelessness.

[ananda]

17. It's their view of this world that drives them!

It's cultish and seriously insane, a worldview that
will lead only to death and harm for both themselves
and others.

[volstork]

3. "THE CHURCH WILL NOT BE SILENCED!"

...but death pretty much silences a fair percentage of those who acquire COVID, so you do the math.

[gratuitous]

6. Unless you start talking about all that Sermon on the Mount stuff

Then they get a collective case of lockjaw.

[tanyev]

12. All that pre-death coughing is pretty noisy, though.

[leftyladyfrommo]

4. 8 don't even care about these people any more.

I do care about the people they give this to.

[Budi]

5. Maybe Jesus will swoop them all up to heaven for the rest of us.

[roamer65]

7. If not, the Antichrist will help us with the problem.

[Budi]

14. Ooooh chit!

[Frustratedlady]

11. I know one woman in Texas that can't wait for the 2nd coming.

Her friend, who also says she can't wait, will chicken out at the last moment. She is all out to gain sympathy and be patted on the back for her bravery.

They are both fake. I'll pray for them, I guess.

[GusBob]

8. Collectin' them souls for Jeebus, both ways

hey at least they cant ship off thinking they are saved

[TheBlackAdder]

9. That fast? Or was there another preceeding event and those infected just nuked this one.

[nilram]

20. They aren't linking the new cases to this event,

But they’re seeing a spike in cases. With a spike in cases in the general population, they’re figuring statistically that there must be a bunch of carriers at this huge event.

Just a day after the event’s occurrence, The Tennessean reported an increase of more than 250 cases within 24 hours; this has resulted in health officials being “very concerned” about the increase in numbers this event will bring.

[tormadjax]

10. I dont think 24 hours is enough time to test positive/show symptoms n/t

[littlemissmartypants]

13. I wonder how much money they made when they took the offering.

I'm pretty sure that's what "let us worship" really translates as. So what was the haul?

[Budi]

15. My daughter's ex-inlaws live there. They are the exact people who would be at that event..for Jesus

They are like the Duggers quiverful only from TN.

I can't believe my daughter emerged from that mindset & in tact.
They used to tell her she was damned & couldn't be saved because she was raised an evil Catholic.
Then she laughed & told them religion is an unprovable myth. That definately didn't endear her to them.

Rah rah to my hard headed kid! I tried to warn her but..oh well. She & my gkids are long gone from that ordeal.
Maybe someone elses jesus saved her! Ha.

Reading that article had me saying the words to the song, " Devil went down to somewhere looking for some souls to steal'..but I guess that was Georgia.

The State doesn't matter, the devil can find these cultists anywhere. Like here in Tx! 😬
They are quite a scarey bunch.

[jmbar2]

16. If they can trace the cases back to the event, they should them charge for the medical care

[nilram]

18. They should be nominated for a Darwin Award

[Lars39]

19. Fuck them sideways

Fuck their rancid show of faith, fuck their fucker of a preacher. Fuck them all.

[nilram]

21. Yeah, my nephew is a nurse in Nashville.

[Lars39]

22. It infuriates me that healthcare people are endangered because of these idiots.

I hope your nephew stays healthy.