The following is a letter for Clinton County Health Officer, Dr. Stephen Tharp, regarding Easter services.
Dear Clinton County Residents & Pastoral Associates:
Based upon inquiries about an alternative Easter Sunday church service for our community, I have spent time considering the acceptability of a service where participants would remain in their private vehicles, with less than ten individuals in each car.
I have grave concerns regarding such an event. The only effective measure we have found to limit the spread of COVID-19 is restricting person to person contacts. Epidemiologic information indicates that this virus is very contagious and has a much higher incidence of death and severe illness than more familiar infections such as influenza. Just in the past two days our National Government has acknowledged that we must not just maintain but increase our compliance with limiting exposure to COVID-19.
Many religious leaders including the Methodist Council of Bishops and the Pope have endorsed canceling in person religious services and offered alternative methods for performing Sacraments
Governor Holcomb has given us an outline to protect our health by limiting exposure. We are just beginning a dramatic increase in infections and our best predictions are that we may be at a peak around Easter. It will be even more important by then to maintain our isolation. I am reminded of the first Passover. We are called upon to follow the directions that are most likely to keep us safe. In a time of great danger, the Hebrew’s were promised deliverance from deadly consequences if they carefully followed the rules given to them by a Higher Authority, rules they did not completely understand but protected them from dire effects. We know that isolation and following the rules now will save lives. We should not ignore the tools we do have if it may save even one tragic outcome.
I hereby request that you limit religious gatherings to virtual experiences and avoid any in-person assemblies.
Thank you for your consideration,
Sincerely,
Stephen D. Tharp, M.D.
Clinton County Health Officer
