Despite the global pandemic crisis that we are currently experiencing, some people just aren't listening.
Millions have been strongly advised to self-isolate and practice social distancing but this isn't sinking in for a select few.
Keep scrolling to learn about the megachurch in Florida that was recently packed out by worshippers - and how its pastor faced a pretty intense response from law enforcement.
This is the worst pandemic our world has seen in decades.
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COVID-19, or more commonly known as the coronavirus, has completely taken over the world and has caused a mass crisis.Close to 800,000 people all over the world have now been infected with the virus...
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739,371 to be precise. And, devastatingly, a staggering 35,016 more have been reported to have died from the illness.It only took a month for the World Health Organization to declare a global emergency...
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Which was done in an attempt to combat the virus and enable countries to put in strict measures to prevent any further spread.But these attempts were to little avail...
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Because, fast forward 3 months, and nearly every major country in the world has been infected by the virus, with some of the worst affected being Japan, South Korea, Russia, Italy, Iran, and Spain.World leaders have been left with little choice but to bring their countries to a total stand-still...
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And many have banned large and crowded events, and any travel to and from infected countries.And it didn't take long for the virus to reach us here in the States.
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Our first case of COVID-19 was confirmed in Washington in late January after a citizen returned from a trip to China.And, since then, the numbers have been rising at a frightening pace.
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Since the first COVID-19 patient in Washington, there have been 142,793 more confirmed cases across the country and 2,490 deaths.Several cities have declared states of emergencies...
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And earlier this month, President Trump declared a national emergency to combat the coronavirus pandemic, freeing up $50 billion in federal funding and promising a screening website and drive-by tests.Yep, things are getting pretty serious.
Continued visitation surges @ state parks yesterday have resulted in the closing of vehicle access @ ALL 280 state… https://t.co/qqF8njX0Tq— CA State Parks (@CA State Parks)1585497448.0
The importance of self-isolation has been stressed globally...
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And it has been proven that locking down public areas and avoiding social situations has helped reduce the chances of spreading the already out of control virus.But it seems that not everyone feels the need to abide by these suggestions...
via: WFLA News Channel 8
Scenes last week at the Clearwater Beach in Florida shows that a lot of people have completely disregarded these global warnings.Images from the white-sand beach showed spring breakers enjoying the sun last weekend...
via: WFLA News Channel 8
And even though many beaches in this area have been closed due to the pandemic, visitors still flocked anyway.Some people just don't quite realize the extent of this situation...
With 4,950 positive cases of coronavirus in the state of Florida, many of whom are teens or in their early twenties, the Centers for Disease Control has advised that all events with more than 50 people attending should be canceled - meaning people need to start taking this very seriously.
But despite the rapid rise in deaths and consistent warnings from health officials...
You used to have only one job: social distancing, to slow the spread. Now you also have a second job, and it's muc… https://t.co/6CDUxByhMu— Mark D. Levine (@Mark D. Levine)1585576111.0
Officials have made it perfectly clear that mass gatherings are not allowed to happen until further notice...
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And this includes religious gatherings, such as going to church on a Sunday.But it seems that some people needed God urgently last weekend.
via: Rodney Howard-Browne
Scenes at the River Church in Tampa, Florida showed hundreds of people congregating to hear Pastor Rodney Howard-Browne deliver his Sunday Service.The Pastor has vowed to never close his church...
via: Rodney Howard-Browne
Despite every doctor and scientist in the country saying social distancing is the only thing that will prevent the disease from spreading even more.He clearly has very strong views on the matter.
The Pastor boasted his place was white-glove clean, saying, "We brought in 13 machines that basically kill every virus in the place, and uh, if somebody walks through the door it’s like, it kills everything on them. If they sneeze, it shoots it down at like 100 mph. It'll neutralize it in split seconds. We have the most sterile building in, I don’t know, all of America."
He is reluctant to abide by the rules.
"We are not stopping anything. I've got news for you, this church will never close. The only time the church will close is when the Rapture is taking place," he then said.
Many Pastors and Priests around the world have been live-streaming their services on social media instead of holding mass gatherings...
And it's unclear why Pastor Rodney Howard-Browne can't do this instead, like many other preachers.
It is more than likely that several people at this gathering will have contracted the virus...
And who knows what it will take for these people to learn how severe this situation is.
You can watch the mass gathering here...
And it seems he's not set to get away with this blatant violation.Because Florida authorities have now arrested Howard-Browne.
via: Twitter
He's been accused of showing "reckless disregard for human life," according to authorities.He "put hundreds of people from his congregation at risk and thousands of residents who may interact with them this week," said Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister.
via: Twitter
Howard Browne is currently facing misdemeanor charges for unlawful assembly and violation of public health emergency rules. And make sure to keep scrolling for the latest COVID-19 updates...