For the City Times

WISCONSIN RAPIDS – On March 24, Governor Tony Evers issued a Safer at Home order; this order bans all gatherings of 10 or more people.

“It is not limited to indoor gatherings and includes any defined space, parking lots and festival grounds,” the Wood County Health Department said in a release. “This encompasses faith based gatherings, drive-in services, weddings, and funerals. It is important to limit gatherings only to people living within the same household to avoid transmitting the virus through social networks.

“At this time, we continue to ask that community and faith based organizations do not encourage families or individuals to leave their homes. The safest place for everyone is at their own home. It is imperative people are exposed to the least amount of person-to-person contact as possible, for the safety of all.”

“This is a challenging time for all and we have to make big sacrifices for a little while to ensure the health of our most vulnerable populations is protected,” Wood County Health Department Director and Health Officer Susan Kunferman. “For many in our communities, religious gatherings provide hope and are a source of strength. We look forward to the day we can again allow gatherings to take place.”

Community and faith based organizations have an important role in slowing the spread of COVID-19, especially among high-risk populations. Community and faith based organizations often serve those who are most vulnerable, such as older people and those with serious underlying health conditions, like heart disease, lung disease, and diabetes, who are at higher risk of developing severe COVID-19 illness.

Many churches, synagogues, mosques, temples, and other places of worship offer worship through television, radio, and livestream.