If there were a manual called How Not To React During a Pandemic, the Shincheonji Church could write at least 14 volumes.
From forbidding churchgoers to wear masks to worshippers refusing to get tested or treated for Covid-19, the Shincheonji Church has done everything to make life easier for the coronavirus.
The two make a good couple.
Well, after a long break in their relationship, the two might just meet again, because South Korea has decided it’s safe to reopen some of their churches.
South Korea Churches, Including Shincheonji Church, Now Allowed to Reopen With Safe Distancing
South Korea’s largest churches reopened on Sunday (26 Apr) with mandatory safe distancing and precautionary measures, after the government eased restrictions on religious gatherings aimed at curbing the spread of Covid-19.
Churchgoers now have to keep their distance and wear masks, and the authorities have also limited attendance to 700 in a hall with a capacity of 3,000 people.
While the reopening of churches wouldn’t usually raise any concerns, this new relaxing of restrictions would allow the Shincheonji Church to reopen.
Why is this a problem? Well, here’s a recap of all the crazy things the Shincheonji Church did during the Covid-19 outbreak.
How Not To React During a Pandemic – Volume 1
It all started with a churchgoer who contracted the coronavirus – Patient 31.
She’s a 61-year-old woman who was a member of the church’s Daegu branch. The woman refused twice to test for the coronavirus and even attended church services at least four times despite having symptoms typical of the disease.
The woman later tested positive for the virus on 18 Feb after which the number of cases in Daegu skyrocketed and the authorities started labelling her as a “super spreader”.
Then, the authorities discovered that most of the new Covid-19 patients were linked to the church, and details about the church’s unorthodox practices emerged.
For example, the church, which many describe as a cult, allegedly forbade worshippers from wear glasses or masks. (For some reason, this church didn’t like people with poor vision).
Moreover, after the first coronavirus infection was reported among its members, they were told to lie about being followers, though the church later said that was not its policy.
And later on, at least 1,777 members of the Shincheonji church who tested positive for the COVID-19 have reportedly refused to receive treatment.
And another 1,000 of them refused to even be tested for the coronavirus.
Yes, there’s a reason why so many attributed the spike in cases in South Korea back in February and March to this church.
In fact, half of the country’s total infections of 10,728 linked to its members, according to CNA.
Lower Number of Infections, But Authorities Wary
It’s hard to believe now, but South Korea had the highest number of Covid-19 cases outside China at one point.
But thanks to massive testing and aggressive contact tracing, their numbers have dwindled.
On Sunday (26 April), South Korea reported 10 new cases, marking the eight day when the number of new infections hovered around that level.
But even though the government has eased some social distancing rules, they’re still wary of another wave of infections, with more people going out on weekends.
There have also been a series of small outbreaks involving churches and other clusters, which is why there are new safe distancing measures that all churches will have to adhere to.
But, as we’ve seen in the past, the Shincheonji church isn’t great at following the rules until they’re caught.
One can only hope that they’ve learned their lesson.
