Letter to the editor: Word of Life Church's large gathering shocking

As a mother, a physician and a Christian woman, I was truly concerned to see the number of vehicles at Word of Life Church Sunday morning. Then I was shocked to read that 200 people had gathered for a service in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic (“About 200 attend Hempfield’s Word of Life Church amid coronavirus shutdown,” March 22, TribLIVE). I was also shocked to read that people were hugging and shaking hands as they exited.

If one person in the 200 had covid-19, one cough could infect anyone within six feet. I pray that those shaking hands and hugging did not have the virus, as this could quickly become a community tragedy.

Please, those of you reading this letter, avoid crowds and follow the social distancing recommendations for yourself, your families and your community. Find other ways to lift your voice in prayer together. We don’t want to have to lift our voices in prayer reacting to the devastation of covid-19 here.

Lisa Hildenbrand, M.D.

Sutersville