The world has changed since the emergence of COVID-19. Many Americans are facing stay at home orders amid the chaos. Across the country, people are being told that they should only travel if it is absolutely necessary. Non-essential businesses are expected to close. What constitutes a non-essential business varies across states and cities. In several states, including North Carolina, places of worship are not allowed to host large gatherings of people. Some churches have switched to online worship services, while others have tried to hold drive-in style services where church members drive to a common meeting place and worship while staying in their cars. Several of these drive-in services have been broken up by police. Some people claim that the government should not be able to force churches and other houses of worship to close. Others say that the government has the right to limit church activities during these unprecedented times.
This is a very difficult situation. I am a Christian and understand the longing to go to church, but we should not put people's health at risk. Morally, I think that churches should close. They need to protect their congregations and the people with whom their church members interact. However, it is tricky to determine the role that the state should play in the closures. I can understand why churches cannot meet in person, but I don't think that there should be as many restrictions on drive-in worship services. As long as the people remain in their cars and keep a safe distance, I don't see why the government should interfere.
This is an interesting article on travel restrictions in the United States
Check out this Miami Herald article on COVID-19 and the freedom of religion
This article defines an "essential" business
Here is Gov. Cooper's executive order concerning essential businesses
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