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COVID-19 Changes Easter Observances

VOA News

   Christians around the world are celebrating Easter Sunday, but their
   observances are different this year because of COVID-19.

   Instead of going to church, many are participating in virtual
   observances of one of Christianity's holiest of days as much of the
   world has been ordered to stay home to curb the tide of the virus.

   Pope Francis will livestream his Mass from the Vatican.

   Some defiant U.S. ministers, however, have said they are inviting
   worshippers to come to their churches, even though their cities have a
   shelter in place order and have banned large gatherings.

   The U.S. is leading the world in cases and deaths due to the virus. The
   Johns Hopkins Resource Center reports the U.S. has more than half a
   million cases and more than 20,000 deaths.

   To help stem the spread of the virus in hard-hit New York City, Mayor
   Bill de Blasio announced the city's public schools would remain closed
   through the end of the school year for the 1.1 million children in the
   city's system.

   De Blasio said the decision was "painful" but said, "I can also tell
   you [it] is the right thing to do. It will clearly help us save lives."

   However, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said later that de Blasio did
   not have the authority to close the schools.

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