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With people being placed under strict social distancing orders all across the nation, some are finding themselves arrested and fined for being too close for comfort.
Stay-at-home orders have resulted in celebrations, vacations, trips, and weddings being canceled to help avoid the spread of coronavirus. Not only that, but restaurants can now only prepare food for delivery and takeout, and major events are being postponed to a later date.
However, not everyone is willing to do their part, and have been ignoring the order. There are even large churches who continue to have large mass gatherings, despite reports of how this encourages the spread of the disease.
Instead of relying on 5g cellular technology or similar to encourage virtual church services, pastors have been asking their congregation to still meet in person.
As a result, local authorities are now being forced to step in and take action. Some of the biggest issues they’ve had to deal with include:
Large gatherings in most states are restricted to groups of 10 people or less. However, some are choosing to still have their weddings as initially planned. For example, police broke up two separate weddings in Lakewood, New Jersey, after such gatherings were restricted in the state.
The hosts of both weddings were arrested and charged with maintaining a nuisance for holding a wedding in violation of emergency orders.
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Some churches are still hosting mass gatherings for Sunday services. This is in spite of the risk it can pose for their congregation. Pastor Rodney Howard-Browne was charged and arrested on Monday in Tampa, Florida, for violating health emergency rules.
“His reckless disregard for human life put hundreds of people in his congregation at risk,” said Chad Chronister, the Hillsborough County Sheriff. “As well as put thousands of residents who may interact with them in danger.”
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House parties are also a big issue for authorities. In New Jersey, a party was broken up by police after they responded to a noise complaint. The partygoers were posting videos of the event on social media.
There were more than 30 people present, and the party host, Jacquon Jones, was charged with disorderly conduct for holding a large party in violation of emergency orders.
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