From Orange County to Northern California, people continue to gather for large outdoor religious ceremonies without following rules to slow the spread of the coronavirus, prompting stern reprimands from public health officials.
It’s been nearly two weeks since Gov. Gavin Newsomamid a worrying resurgence of new coronavirus cases. Though outdoor worship services are still permitted, participants are supposed to wear face coverings and keep six feet apart, as is required when Californians are around anyone who is not a member of their household.
The health agency noted in its statement that “there was much physical touching” at the event, and the crowd was too large to fit in the area around the bridge while maintaining social distancing. “I think it’s more of a political statement that anything at this point, for people to actually shut down a worship service when there’s mass protests with hundreds of thousands of people in L.A. and then we’re getting highlighted in the news for spreading the virus,” said Parker Green, 34, who organized the recurring event with his wife Jessi, 35.
On Friday, the Greens provided participants with hand sanitizer and gave out hundreds of masks, they said, but they estimated at least 60% of people chose not to wear them. “It’s Orange County,” Parker Green said, referencing the strong resistance to following public health orders that many county residents have become noted for.
When the organizers declined to limit attendance, the public health department declared the event to be in violation of public health orders, the city said.
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