In the United States complex questions about when and how to reopen have taken on a decidedly political tone. 

President Trump waded into complex church/state culture wars on Friday, demanding that states allow places of worship to reopen “right away” and threatening to overrule any that defy him. “The governors need to do the right thing and allow these very important, essential places of faith to open right now for this weekend,” Mr. Trump said, “if they don’t do it, I will override the governors. In America, we need more prayer, not less.” The CDC also released guidance for re-opening on Friday after a long battle with the White House, during which planned guidance documents for religious facilities were initially shelved. The guidelines released on Friday differ from the draft guidelines drawn up a month ago in notable ways: the original had included phased-in openings while those eventually issued do not. 

Arguments that highlight the conviction that religious practice is an essential service, which Trump undoubtedly sees as politically advantageous, is being met with mixed reactions: skepticism from many religious leaders but praise from others. “We feel vindicated in the fact that this is what we have said all along, that churches are essential to our communities,” said Pastor Jim Franklin, who has vowed to resume services on May 31 despite continued state-wide stay-at-home orders. “We feel very secure in our position in opening the churches.” Others, like Father Edward Beck, agree with the basic premise that religious services are essential but argue that faith leaders have been continuing to provide these services in a safe and responsible manner and should continue to heed the advice of health experts and local laws. “What most of us have not done is put ourselves and our parishioners in danger by gathering in large groups for Mass or other religious services ‘as usual,’” he says. “That would have been — and would continue to be, in this time of contagion — irresponsible and sinful.”

(Based on: May 20, 2020, Washington Post article; May 21, 2020, AP News article; May 22, 2020, New York Times and Christianity Today articles; and May 23, 2020, CNN and Washington Post articles.)