Side with life: SC leaders appear out of sync with reality on coronavirus | Opinion

I wonder if I am completely out of sync with reality in facing two opposite visions of how to deal with the coronavirus.

I say this because I participated in a phone conference call between clergy and the head epidemiologist for the state of South Carolina, Dr. Linda Bell.

We received clear-cut advice regarding how to handle our facilities, especially regarding worship services.

On the one hand, Dr. Bell could not have been any clearer by telling us that the coronavirus or COVID-19 has not reached its peak in South Carolina.

Second, she was definite in her recommendation that we should not be thinking in any way shape or form about opening up our houses of worship any time soon.

Dr. Bell explained to us it would take at least a period of two weeks of significantly declining infection rates before any congregation should consider opening its doors.

The truth is that scientists are still learning how dangerous this virus is and how easy it can infect human beings of all ages. It is entirely possible that just by being near someone or walking by them in a supermarket that one can become infected by airborne droplets. The idea of a soft opening, let alone a complete opening of our congregations, can contribute to spreading the virus.

She was also not supportive of taking temperatures and pointed out that just because someone has a higher temperature does not automatically mean they have the virus. Or if a person has no temperature does not mean that the person is not infected.

It is, according to Dr. Bell, all about testing.

Not until there can be mass testing will we know better and feel more confident about opening up not only our houses of worship but other segments of our economy where people congregate and stay together for extended periods of time.

In the meantime, I inferred from her talk, we need to stay the course for our lives still remain at risk.

I feel out of sync for two reasons.

One is how people who advocate with catchy phrases like “Live free or die” march for abolishing social distancing. They feel that these government restrictions represent an oppressive policy that threatens their individual liberties.

I personally cannot subscribe to that kind of thinking when the scientific and the medical communities are telling us the consequences if we cease practicing social distancing.

In this regard I am borrowing a catchphrase from another virulent social conflict by saying on this issue of social distancing that I am “pro-life.”

The other issue where I see myself out of sync with the prevailing authorities is understanding how we can be planning to open up the economy soon when state health authorities are telling the religious leaders about the dangerous risks to human life.

I am not sure how this is done in a smart and sensible way if so-called soft openings put lives at risk too.

We all understand how important it is for us to have a thriving economy and to preserve jobs. Will our town leaders give the entire public the opportunity to have input and comment on any forthcoming plans?

I simply do not get how the state chief epidemiologist can say it is not safe to open our houses of worship when other statewide and local leaders advocate what appears to be plans that run counter to the recommendations of science.

I am not able to reconcile these opposite viewpoints.

Should I also ignore what the Torah and the Bible say about preserving life?

In Leviticus Chapter 8: “Keep my decrees and laws, for the person who obeys them will live by them. I am the Lord.”

Or Psalm 118:17: “I shall not die but live by them declares the work of the Lord.”

Or Deuteronomy 30:19: “I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse; therefore choose life that both you and your seed may live.”

We have a true dilemma here with people who want what they believe is best for the community.

We have competing pressures that present conflicting visions of what serves our community and our nation in regard to reopening our economic base.

We all want the same thing, which is to overcome this virus and revitalize our economy.

Religion serves a purpose not only to pray on these matters, but also to advocate, at the very least, that leaders who are responsible for plotting the course are truthful by revealing the risks and the benefits of their plans.

The truth is what God wants from us first and foremost.

“The Lord detests lying lips but those who deal truly are his delight” (Proverbs 12:22).

Rabbi Brad Bloom of Hilton Head Island writes on matters of faith.