05/20/2020
Regardless of one’s views of the many facets of the COVID-19 situation, the fact remains that our State’s Governor has issued emergency orders to protect human health based on the pandemic. These include restrictions on “social and spiritual gatherings.”
In light of these orders, GBC did not meet Sundays, March 29 through May 3. For the past two Sundays we have met using the “spiritual drive-in service” permitted during phase 1 of the Governor’s Safe Start Washington plan.
Again, regardless of our views of all this, we have chosen to follow the State’s guidance. Because others see us meeting, as a witness we believe it is best to comply with the rules. We will be using the drive-in format for at least two more Sundays, May 24 and 31. PLEASE park more than 6 feet from other vehicles and remain in your vehicle. We know this is difficult, especially for children, but we simply cannot facilitate breaking the rules and meeting in the building with a clear conscience.
Pend Oreille County has been authorized to move into phase 2, but that does not help our situation. The guidance for gatherings during phase 2 is to “gather with no more than 5 people outside your household per week.”
Phase 3 will allow meetings of up to 50 people, so we believe we will be able to return to the building when our county enters that phase. Dan spoke with County Commissioner Mike Manus this morning, and the SOONEST Pend Oreille County COULD enter phase 3 is Friday, May 29. (That does NOT mean it WILL!)
The County Commissioners have delegated the lead in these matters to the Northeast Tri County Health District. The NETCHD website https://www.netchd.org/ is the most reliable source of up-to-date official COVID-19 information about our county. We have heard that the Administrator, Matt Schanz, is doing an excellent job leading a determined effort to comply with the State requirements for small counties to be able to advance to subsequent phases as soon as possible.
