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Comment by ericmcer | Hacker News Reader

I am currently sitting in my room across the street from a church that is in full swing, 100+ people singing together in a single room. I don’t live in the middle of nowhere, I am in Oakland CA. We have many confirmed cases and have been getting quarantine and stay in place messages for the last 9ish days?

It is totally baffling, do people really need military and police intervention to force them to not get a deadly virus?

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My roommate works at Target. A middle-aged woman came in as a customer and asked for help. He and another coworker of his helped her around the store. When they finally got the pharmacy she mentioned that she was a confirmed case of Corona and that she was doing last minute shopping before she went into self-quarantine.

He was immediately sent home by his boss as well as anyone else she had come into contact with. I honestly want people who are confirmed infected to face legal repercussions for going to populated areas.

Italy has harsh legal repercussions

https://nationalpost.com/news/world/intentional-murder-carel...

Canada is considering criminal charges for situations like those

You could probably sue that person for many thousands of damages.

A friend and his girlfriend in California went for a jog together and were fined $400 for being within 6 feet of each other. I wish this level of discipline were more widespread.

This might be too much, considering these two people are going to be in contact. I'd rather the focus on strangers. Like if you are jogging and just come up right behind someone instead of keeping your distance while passing. Also, $400 sounds a little steep.

It seemed steep to me as well, but I’d prefer us to err in this direction vs. permitting gatherings of 100+.

I think there are a lot of things between "jogging with your partner" and "100+ gatherings." Like... a lot...

I get it if it's done for strangers, but if it's a couple who lives together then that seems a bit extreme doesn't it?

Fake, fake, fake.

There's absolutely no way that fine will hold up in court.

incels rise up

Please send a message to the police with details. (510) 777-3333 is the correct non emergency number for Oakland.

Some people genuinely believe that God will protect them.

I have no idea how to get through to such people, but if you happen to have an opportunity to engage with someone like that here's an experiment that I would love to see someone try: tell them to read Exodus 12:29 and suggest that maybe this time we are Egypt.

Churches have closed during other pandemics. Maybe use those incidents as examples so they know it is ok to close down while also not feeling like they're showing a lack of faith. When I checked the webpage of the Catholic diocese I'm located it, it mentioned that Catholics have been released from their obligation to attend mass and this has happened before. Hopefully other churches will have the same attitude.

I think most have the right attitude. I’m in the NYC area and most had closed even before any official request or order. Although there are always some members who don’t get it. I was actually able to get our church to use Zoom for the time being until we can meet in person again.

> Some people genuinely believe that God will protect them.

This has been my observation too, and when something gets it they say it's meant to be.

God is preparing yet another lecture of "survival of the fittest".

Eisegesis Alert!!

A more suitable bible text would be Romans 13:1-3, which makes it clear that everyone is subject to governing authorities.

Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.

At least in my country - which I'd say has a larger percentage of religious people than the US - churches were forced to close over a week ago. They've now moved to hosting events online and TV for older generations.

It's not religion that's causing this, it's stupidity.

That doesn't make a whole lot of sense. Who are the Israelites in the metaphor?

I would say it's the people listening to the scientists and staying home.

> Some people genuinely believe that God will protect them.

I worry this kind of "faith" blinds many to the way their God may be protecting them. https://truthbook.com/stories/funny-god/the-drowning-man

A thousands strong Moscow Orthodox affiliated Christian service (in the traditional form of a parade/walk) for the victory against coronavirus, the service happened 2 weeks ago in Ukraine, the text in Russian:

https://tk.media/news/torzhestvo-pravoslaviya-v-vinnitse-sos...

A traditional part of the service is usually the kissing of the image ("icona") of a Saint - the same few "icons" are kissed by those many people.

This are daily "parade/walk" style services against coronavirus in Moscow. Now the priests say that they maintain social distance during the service https://novayagazeta.ru/news/2020/03/19/159936-v-moskve-nach... . Starting March 17 the procedure of kissing of the same Cross by everybody present at the service is cancelled. Seems to be a progress .

My parents are still going out and about, at least us closing all bars and restaurants might help a bit.

There argument is everyone else is still going out and living normally, And so they aren't going to stop going out if no one else is... I dont know how to he through to them.

It looks this way, which means that military and police intervention is what we'll get.

I think the answer is yes, someone with authority needs to show up and tell them to go home. I doubt they'd fight it.

In some places, a sign and a sawhorse blocking the parking lot entrance might do it?

> It is totally baffling, do people really need military and police intervention to force them to not get a deadly virus?

It's insane how quickly people veer toward authoritarianism. Just a little bit of fear and the fearful demand everyone follow orders and be good little drones. I'm sure those people really appreciated your paternalism and your spying on them.

Crazy, can't believe that is still going on (also in Oakland, CA!)

Well you wouldn't want to "offend" them, right?

Seems the answer to your closing questions is YES.

These people think going to church will prevent them from getting the virus. COVID19 cuts through bullshit like this like a hot knife through butter.

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