Government officials have a duty to represent and respect all of their constituents, whether they agree with them on matters of religion or not.

The vast majority of America’s religious leaders are doing the right thing and following public health orders. Those who are defiant tend to represent extreme fundamentalist factions; they’re the same people who have long argued that they have a right to put their interpretation of 'God’s law' above secular law.

Lake Wales, Fla., officials would do well to study this recent history and avoid repeating Brevard County’s costly mistake. They might also work on being more tolerant and open-minded.