The rightwing Christian preachers in deep denial over Covid-19's danger

There have been several, including a couple who denied that COVID was a problem.

The pastors? Absolutely.

Every year Influenza A&B Kill between 20,000 to 60,000 Americans and our government's response is not even a significant blip on the radar by comparison. Furthermore, the vast majority of cases where there are severe symptoms from COVID19 is a reasonably tight demographic. It is my understanding that outside of the high risk demographic, the symptoms are typically substantially less significant than for influenza A&B.

Instead of dissipating the effort and damaging the economy by focusing on EVERYBODY [meaning there is no FOCUS at all], why not put greater effort into protecting that high risk demographic and allow the rest of America to carry on with the business of the day?

Maj John Bell - Because carrying on with the business of the day would mean that deaths would rise exponentially. Have you been going to church?

Capt Gregory Prickett - I do not attend a "traditional" church. At any given gathering there may be Protestants, Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Jews, Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, deists, atheists and agnostics. But some of those who attend have very definite cultural or religious customs when it comes to social physical contact so we practice an informal sort of social distancing, and have done so for the better part of 20 years.

In addition as a dairy farmer, I am very aware of the vectoring of infectious diseases and have practiced "social distancing" and strict hygiene conditions for most of my post-military life.

But your response does not address the RELATIVE difference between the government response for COVID19 and the government Influenza A&B. If the number of deaths nationwide is the trigger, even in relatively mild Influenza A&B years, the death toll is an order of magnitude greater than we have yet seen with COVID19.

_Should governors order businesses to close or restrict places of employment to essential personnel only EVERY year from October through February in response to Influenza A&B?

_Should all public gatherings in excess of 250, or 100, or 10 people be banned EVERY year from October through February in response to Influenza A&B? ?

_Should people be threatened with jail and fines if they violate those bans from EVERY year from October through February in response to Influenza A&B?

If not, why not?

Maj John Bell - because it's the infection rate and the mortality rate that are causing COVID to be more dangerous.