Apparently it’s not enough for one California county to encourage people to stay at home. San Bernardino county is now threatening significant jail time or a $1,000 fine if citizens attempt to go to church on Easter:
THE BLAZE – San Bernardino County, the largest county in the United States, drastically increased public restrictions over the coronavirus pandemic in an order issued on Tuesday.
The order prohibited public church and other faith-based services, banned “driving parades” that have become popular online, and threatened violators with a $1,000 fine and possible jail time.
The order also formally commanded residents to wear face coverings in public areas.
“In an effort to protect the public from further spread of COVID-19, the County’s Acting Health Officer has formally ordered everyone in San Bernardino County to wear a face covering when leaving home,” the statement read.
The order recommended that families have their own Easter egg hunts at home.
“Tuesday’s order also says faith-based services must be electronic only through streaming or online technology. People may not leave their homes for driving parades or drive-up services or to pick up non-essential items such as pre-packaged Easter eggs or bags filled with candy and toys at a drive-thru location,” the order continued.
The order said in addition to a $1,000 fine, violators may also face up to 90 days in jail.
Notice San Bernardino county is banning actions where people actually stay in their cars. The first is a “drive-up” church service, where people stay in their cars as they attend an outdoor church service. The other is “driving parades”, where people just drive by someone’s home in a line and wave in order to celebrate a birthday party or some other kind of event.
Basically, if you go out for any non-essential service, you risk being fined or put in jail! And if you do go out for essential services, you must wear a face covering or, again, risk a fine or jail time.
I’m all about trying to get people to stay at home to halt the spread of the coronavirus. But threatening people with jail time or a huge fine when they are protected in their vehicles or for not wearing a mask is just ridiculous and fascistic. Welcome to the People’s Republic of San Bernardino.
[MAJOR UPDATE]: San Bernardino has backtracked on some of their ‘guidance’:
“We recognize the need to act quickly to slow the spread of COVID-19 throughout San Bernardino County,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Curt Hagman. “But we also recognize that we must take into consideration the myriad of impacts that can be felt in a large and diverse county, and be willing to provide clarification and make adjustments while keeping our communities safe and healthy.”
The specific references to drive-in religious services so close to major religious observances taking place during the next four days, for which organizations had already conducted considerable planning and incurred expenses, are clarified as follows: Organizations that have planned such services for the coming weekend should proceed with those services if they choose to do so and make every effort to prevent contact between congregants.
Regarding the use of face-coverings while driving, there is no need for drivers traveling alone or with members of their households to wear face coverings unless they must lower their windows to interact with first responders, food service workers, or others who are not members of their households.
Other clarifying guidance will be forthcoming.
You can read more about it here…