Faith Voices, an organization in southwest Missouri issued a statement on April 21 regarding planned protests of city and statewide stay-at-home orders by local leaders and Governor Parson.
Below you can read their statement in full…
“Holocaust Remembrance Day falls this year on April 21. How sad it is that on this day, when Jews and their allies come together in prayer to commemorate those who were brutally murdered by the Nazis, there will be rallies by Reopen Missouri to challenge the health directives of Governor Mike Parson. How sad it is that on a day that we mourn the destruction of life, this group will promote policies that will lead to death. But Holocaust Remembrance Day also honors the memories of those in the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising and elsewhere who rose up against evil and destruction. We honor their memories every year by saying “never again” to bullies of all stripes. This year, we honor their memories by speaking out against those who would deprive the most vulnerable among us to the pursuit of life.
Throughout the COVID 19 pandemic, Missouri Faith Voices has stood with our medical experts in supporting strong public health policies that protect life.
On April 3rd, we sent Missouri Governor Michael Parson a request, signed by over 1,020 faith leaders, to implement shelter in place immediately and asking for more protection for vulnerable Missourians who continue to have their lives threatened even more, by COVID-19.
Then as now, our scriptures and faith principles demand us to take care of the sick, and protect, advocate for and provide for all of GOD’s children, especially the vulnerable.
Then as now, we urge Governor Parson and our Missouri legislators to continue to follow the advice of our medical professionals and to preserve shelter in place.
Then as now, we urge Governor Parson and our Missouri legislators to enact the following measures:
Provide paid sick and family leave to all workers with no exceptions.
Expand Medicaid to give healthcare access to over 230,000 low-income Missourians at risk of dying.
Provide free testing for COVID-19 for the under and uninsured and waive Medicaid copays.
Secure additional COVID-19 tests for the state and ensure that testing sites are in the communities that are hardest hit, which
currently is the Black community, other communities of Color, immigrant and low income communities. In our largest cities 100% of those deceased as a result of the coronavirus have been Black Missourians.
Ensure that medical professionals have the necessary PPE to assist in protecting themselves.
Provide PPE to correctional facilities to ensure that workers and those incarcerated are safe.
Expand absentee voting and the ability to vote by mail so that lives are not at risk when we exercise the right to vote.
Throughout the COVID 19 crisis, we have urged our government officials to listen to the medical professionals and to protect life.
From the flu epidemic of 1918 to the polio outbreaks of the 1950s, our faith communities have been here before. At their best, they have responded with kindness, a sense of duty and responsibility, and a shared commitment to the common good. As we face the crisis of COVID 19, those values can help carry us through. But it will only be so, if government officials put the health of Missourians first.”
Governor Parson’s order is set to expire on May 3rd.
