
Church, State And Coronavirus: A Worldwide Pandemic Has Shuttered Restaurants, Stores And Shops — But Some Houses Of Worship Are Demanding Special Treatment
Millions of Americans hunkered down in their homes in March and April sheltering themselves from the coronavirus pandemic, venturing out only to buy food and supplies.
But at Life Tabernacle Church near Baton Rouge, it was business as usual for Pastor Tony Spell. Days after Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) issued an order banning gatherings of more than 50 people, Spell held a service at his church that drew more than 1,000 worshippers. He used buses to bring people in from the surrounding area.