The war between the scientists and the White House continues. The Centers for Disease Control has removed warnings from guidance for houses of worship. The move came with no advance warning.
The guidance had included recommendations that religious communities “consider suspending or at least decreasing use of choir/musical ensembles and congregant singing, chanting, or reciting during services or other programming, if appropriate within the faith tradition. The act of singing may contribute to transmission of Covid-19, possibly through emission of aerosols.”
That was issued last Friday. By Saturday, the guidance was removed from the CDC website. The Washington Post writes:
“The altered guidance also deleted a reference to “shared cups” among items, including hymnals and worship rugs, that should not be shared. The updated guidelines also added language that said the guidance “is not intended to infringe on rights protected by the First Amendment.“
“Two White House officials said the first version posted by the CDC was not approved by the White House. Once West Wing officials saw it, they asked the CDC to post a different cleared document without the choir references and other parts.“
The reason for the concern stems from reported “super spreader” events such as what happened in Washington state where 52 people were infected and two died after a two and a half hour choir practice.
But according to the Post, the White House has long thought there were too many restrictions on choirs.
