Another day, another set of Republican legislators doing something profoundly stupid that endangers public health and will likely result in unnecessary deaths.
And you wonder why America has the worst coronavirus outbreak on Earth.
Source: Topeka Capitol Journal
TOPEKA — A Republican-controlled panel of Kansas legislative leaders on Wednesday voted to overturn the executive order issued by Gov. Laura Kelly to limit attendance at church gatherings and funerals.
The Legislative Coordinating Council voted 5-2 along party lines to rescind the order, as Republican leaders argued the order violated federal and state constitutional protections for freedom of religion.
“It appears to be out of line, extreme and clearly in violation, a blatant violation, of our fundamental rights,” said Senate president Susan Wagle, a Republican from Wichita.
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Wednesday marked the largest single-day spike in documented deaths and infections from the coronavirus. The state added 11 deaths, for a total of 38, and 146 cases, for a total of 1,046.
Yesterday, Gov. Kelly made the executive order, just in time for Easter:
MISSION, KS (AP) — Religious services and funerals in Kansas will be limited to 10 people after state officials identified three coronavirus clusters related to church gatherings, Gov. Laura Kelly announced.
A statewide stay-at-home order that Kelly issued last month allowed for religious gatherings as long as social distancing was maintained. It did not specifically restrict the number of people. Her new order takes effect at noon Wednesday, just days before Easter.
“This was a difficult decision and could not come at a more disappointing time," Kelly said. “Kansans are a community of faithful people. We draw strength from fellowship and prayer. We rely on our pastors and our priests, our rabbis and our imams, and all of our religious leaders for guidance and counsel, especially during times of sorrow, uncertainty and hardship and especially during holy week."
