Monroe Dispatch - No Struggle, No Progress

As of August 17, 2020, the state of Louisiana had a total of 138,485 COVID-19 cases, a figure that is mind boggling for a state that does not have a huge population like Texas and California. Nevertheless, that is where the state stands. Gov. John Bel Edwards appears to be using every resource at his command to reduce the number of cases that continue to occur, even doing things that are unpopular with some in the state, although he appears to be acting within his authority as governor. One example is a lawsuit that was filed by some bar owners who claimed that Edwards “violated” their constitutional rights to remain open. Nonetheless a federal judge for the Eastern District of Louisiana ruled against the owners upholding Edwards’ directives, leaving those owners to appeal if they so choose. Edwards believes and thanked the judge for his ruling saying, that the measures put in place “according to the data” is working. Edwards said that he is only following the recommendations of health experts and that of the president’s Coronavirus Task Force in states like Louisiana that are in the red zone for new cases and the yellow zone for testing positivity rates. One of the recommendations that states should consider was the closing down of bars because patrons were not social distancing nor were they wearing masks on the premises in an effort to slow down the virus.

As soon as the governor wins one round, another “opponent” steps us. This time it is Louisiana’s own, Sen. John Kennedy who is actively asking that Edwards allow churches to be deemed “essential businesses”, meaning that churches can open to larger capacities than the 50% already allowed. In a letter sent to Edwards, Kennedy is playing the “constitutional rights” card and is using religion as his “go to” hand to sway Edwards, but could be seen as a political move to discredit Edwards and his authority. It can’t be to get voters in Louisiana to vote for President Trump, as Louisiana is not on the radar as a “must win” state in order for Trump to be reelected. In a two-page letter, Kennedy devoted two sentences to COVID-19 and the rest of the letter was about constitutional rights (right to worship and protest) where the senator has been at odds with protests. Kennedy said that he believes that state (Edwards), local and federal governments must “protect” the right of Americans to gather for worship and prayer. This has been ongoing since the Constitution was ratified over two hundred years ago, or so we’ve been told. In the next sentence, Kennedy says that “now more than ever, our nation needs people of faith to come together physically and encourage our communities with words (take out the politics) of peace and eternal hope. That, Kennedy said is the reason why churches should be deemed “essential” because “essential businesses” are exempt from capacity limitations, and that pastors and leaders should determine what is “the best course” of action for their congregations. Again, one would be led to believe that is already going on, as churches all across America, are open.

Kennedy said that churches should be given the same rights as protesters are when they congregate in large numbers, but they are exempt from “your” (Edwards?) capacity limits. Kennedy seems to be saying that if peaceful protestors are being treated as essential businesses, then so should churches. Kennedy goes on to say that he “believes” that pastors, priests and other religious leaders know best how to “protect their flocks”, and are doing so. What about doctors, Senator? He said that government intervention is “not necessary or appropriate”. Interestingly enough, nowhere in Kennedy’s letter did he mention medical science in dealing with the virus. Nowhere did Kennedy say that the medical experts at the CDC are doing a credible job and it should be doctors, not pastors who should determine what course of action is best for everyone. Nowhere did Kennedy mention the 4400 Louisianans who have died, some of whom attended worship during the pandemic. Kennedy said something that doctors are not reluctant to say, that there should be no large gathering of people physically being in contact with each other, whether in churches(bars) or on the protest line. Perhaps the senator forgot about the motorcycle rally going on in Sturgis, SD where thousands of riders are openly congregating having a good time. Oh but, the governor of that state is a Republican, and Edwards, a Democrat. At least senator, call it even when talking about “essential businesses” because officials in South Dakota didn’t cancel the rally even though they are aware of the danger of an out of control viral spread. Even in the midst of a pandemic, politics will not take a back seat. We have a ways to go.