On Wednesday at 8 pm, the District of Columbia issued a Wireless Emergency Alert through FEMA’s Integrated Public Alert and Warning System ordering DC residents to stay home until April 24.
The closure is scheduled for just one day short of a month. This will prevent people from going to Easter Sunday services in the district — but they are opening just in time for the first day of the Islamic holiday Ramadan.
Wednesday’s alert began and concluded with “STAY HOME,” in all capital letters.
“STAY HOME. You have a critical role to play in stopping the spread of COVID-19 in DC. Effective at 10 pm tonight (Wednesday, March 25), the District of Columbia will close all non-essential businesses through Friday, April 24. We are depending on you – be a good neighbor, STAY HOME,” the message said.
It linked to a website that translated the order into multiple languages.
The website also had a list of “essential” businesses that can remain open, as well as “non-essential” ones that are ordered closed.
Though they did not list churches on either businesses that can remain open or those that must close, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser previously said that places of worship are not considered essential.
DC @MayorBowser says extension of mandatory closures through April 27 includes restaurants and bars and churches, theaters #coronavirus pic.twitter.com/udcF4l6eUU
— Mark Segraves (@SegravesNBC4) March 20, 2020
President Donald Trump, just one day prior to the lock down, said that he was aiming to end social distancing orders prior to Easter and hoped to see churches full. Mayor Bowser apparently had other ideas.
“Wouldn’t it be great to have all the churches full?” Trump asked, while saying Easter Sunday was his target date to end social distancing.
REPORTER: You said you would like to see churches packed on Easter. Do you public health experts think that's a realistic timeline?
TRUMP: "I think we're looking at a timeline”
R: Who suggested Easter?
TRUMP: "I just thought it was a beautiful time”
— Mark (@Ma_rk76) March 24, 2020
His announcement was met with outrage from the left, furious that he would dare to want people to be able to go to church for Easter services.
This is beyond shocking. Trump on why he picked Easter as the day he wants to end strict social distancing and reopen American businesses: "Easter is a very special day for me … Easter Sunday, and you'll have packed churches all over our country." pic.twitter.com/HC5q9nq4Lv
— Peter Stefanovic (@PeterStefanovi2) March 24, 2020
Trump: "Churches full by Easter."
Science: Caskets full by summer. pic.twitter.com/hhmcueL4P9— Chip Franklin (@chipfranklin) March 25, 2020
Trump wants churches packed for Easter. He's the antichrist, and he's taunting God. He's going to kill God's people on the day that people killed God's son. It's poetic.
He looks at the camera to say to God "you know they deserve it"
pic.twitter.com/8619IPGzWf— twitch.tv/Limmy (@DaftLimmy) March 25, 2020
Trump: "I think Easter Sunday you'll have packed churches all over our country—I think it will be a beautiful time."
Sadly, at Easter what we will have is packed hospitals. It will be a very difficult time.— Bill Kristol (@BillKristol) March 25, 2020
It looks like they got their wish. People won’t be able to attend Easter services. Doubtful that we will see them spout the same criticism about people being able to attend Ramadan services at their mosque.