Call me an a-hole antagonist, but if a large open area venue (i.e. the Poteau drive-in theater, school football field, outdoor park on a hilltop, large outdoor parking lot, ect) would invite an area church to offer a sermon before showing the The Passion of the Christ within the next 36 hours, I would be inclined to promote the hell out of such an event of that magnitude. It’s outside, in the open, and more than enough room for people to keep their distance, even by Walmarts indoor standards (https://corporate.walmart.com/newsroom/2020/04/03/changes-to-our-shopping-process-to-encourage-social-distancing). BTW, Walmart seems to be the only store that has them in place / enforce them in Poteau. I’m not complaining about the other stores, believe me, thank the good lord above for them because Walmart is a mess right now and I would rather shop anywhere else in town than there.
Right now, more than anything, the people of our area need a little hope and faith during this time. We have been pretty lucky considering other parts of the world. However, with the fact that if we keep our physical distance, stay out in an open area, and use a little more common sense than what we’ve been seeing, some people might be able to get a little relief while having something inspirational to take their minds off their worries during this Easter weekend.
The people are local business owners, employees living paycheck to paycheck, voters of elected officials, single parents with a house full of kids because their schools are shut down, and couples who are worried about paying their first mortgage. Remember, not everyone gets a salary paycheck (paid working or not), can work from home, has a retirement fund, or a cozy office gig that is labeled “Essential”. Believe me, you are only essential by what is in your heart, not by what your job title is. Now I know that Poteau has got their rules in place, (https://www.poteau-ok.com/news_detail_T28_R15.php):
“SECTION THREE: Organized gatherings of fifty (50) or more people, excepting political subdivisions and state entities over which the City of Poteau has no control are hereby prohibited until the expiration of this emergency declaration. In accordance with guidance from President Trump, residents are further urged to avoid all gatherings of ten (10) or more.”
“SECTION FOUR: All gyms, fitness facilities, entertainment venues, movie theaters, skating rinks, private clubs, bars and lounges, beauty salons, nail salons and tanning facilities located within the corporate limits of the City of Poteau shall be prohibited from operating or opening to the patrons until the expiration of this emergency declaration.”
The Governor of Oklahoma even said “Social gathering of 10 or more is prohibited. Businesses within a critical infrastructure sector, as more particularly described herein, shall take all reasonable steps necessary to comply with this order and protect their employees, workers, and patrons.” (Section 23 at https://www.sos.ok.gov/documents/executive/1929.pdf)
Even the CDC says people should use drive-through, pickup or delivery options instead of dining in, but it’s okay to go on picnics or eat outdoors? What if there are ten people sitting outside at a large table or on a blanket, but another ten people are 10 feet away doing the same thing? Has anyone read or seen a health official say they are too close? Really, what is the “acceptable” social (physical) distance a group of 10 people should keep away from another group of up to 10 people outdoors? In my research, not one mention about that. Instead, the main focus is on keeping six feet way in groups of no more than 10 people mostly describing indoor conditions. Infact, many health experts are recommending on going outside for fresh air and exercise.
And here is something else that is contributing to the COVID-19 panic here in the states: “The federal government is classifying the deaths of patients infected with the coronavirus as COVID-19 deaths, regardless of any underlying health issues that could have contributed to the loss of someone’s life.” Dr. Deborah Birx, the response coordinator for the White House coronavirus task force, said the federal government is continuing to count the suspected COVID-19 deaths, despite other nations doing the opposite. “There are other countries that if you had a pre-existing condition, and let’s say the virus caused you to go to the ICU [intensive care unit] and then have a heart or kidney problem,” she said during a news briefing at the White House. “Some countries are recording that as a heart issue or a kidney issue and not a COVID-19 death. “The intent is … if someone dies with COVID-19 we are counting that,” she added. (https://www.foxnews.com/politics/birx-says-government-is-classifying-all-deaths-of-patients-with-coronavirus-as-covid-19-deaths-regardless-of-cause?fbclid=IwAR065Rk_rpMSmRq2IVNl9WW_f0e6e62cama0M_CMe7fvAlUGKJx_fgsSaVo)
The police in Louisville, Kentucky will actually fine you for gathering into a church this Easter weekend. They will go record your license plate and give it to the city’s health department. When the mayor was asked if citizens should fear being cited or charged if they attend a religious service, the mayor said officers will be handing out information to attendees. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear announced a similar new policy, saying that state police will also note the license plate numbers of those who attend any in-person mass gathering, church services included. (https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/2020/04/10/louisville-coronavirus-lmpd-record-easter-churchgoers-license-plates/5133851002/)
However, there isn’t much talk when it comes to the questions I asked before: What is the acceptable distance between groups of 10 people? I think if we answered that question, we could still be outside in a larger area without risking being so close to each other. Maybe we should break it down logically by asking how many square feet is needed per person standing? Well it’s obviously suggested that six square feet per person is a good rule of thumb for a standing crowd. If you are planning for 100 people who will all be standing, you will multiply 100 by 6 to determine you need a venue with 600 square feet of available and workable space for the event. For a mixed seated and standing crowd, you should increase the per-person rule of thumb to eight square feet: Your 100-person event will now need 800 square feet of usable space. And for reception-style seating with a dance floor, estimate nine square feet per person. (https://www.socialtables.com/blog/event-planning/capacity-party-space-calculator/)
So that brings me back to the idea of large open areas for possible events that are in my region. Let’s say for the benefit of those who are a bit germaphobe about things, who’s to say they can’t stay in their vehicle listening to the movie on their radio or streaming device? What if they are so lonely that the fact of just being around other people are giving them such immense joy that they forget about their phobia and live in the moment? Lord forbid they feel alive and not closed off, sarcastically speaking of course. Human beings are social creatures and you don’t feel a real connection online. We need to see and be seen in public for interaction and intellectual connection. No need to crucify us for regaining our God given right to feel alive. Here’s another question, why isn’t the President of the United States wearing a mask in public? How about the governor of New York when he does those press conferences? Have you seen your local mayor have a mask on when doing facebook live or working in their office with other people? You don’t even see a whole lot of press wearing any sort of mouth and nose covering when they are in the conferences either. So tell me, what are they trying to tell us?
Now that we’ve had this “discussion” about it, who’s ready for movie night? So, who wants to watch The Passion of the Christ with me, hmmmm?
Thank you for your time,
Big John