lifesitenews--2020-06-04--Catholic layman: Why I refuse to wear mask, provide contact details before entering church

June 4 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – As Catholics , as Christians , and as people of good will ( regardless of their faith or non-faith ) , we are all supposed to love truth .
This includes not only theological truth , but scientific truth , medical truth , historical truth , and truth about matters of justice , laws , policies and politics .
The response of Canada ’ s federal and provincial governments to COVID-19 appears to have been driven by Dr. Neil Ferguson of Imperial College , who predicted in March 2020 that as many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would die of COVID-19 , along with 2,200,000 Americans .
Once unleashed , this “ Ferguson Fever ” infected the minds of politicians around the globe , as well as the media and the public at large .
In the name of “ saving lives , ” politicians have shut down schools , universities , businesses , gyms , recreation and entertainment facilities of every kind , restaurants , bars , pubs , cafes , libraries , mosques , temples , synagogues , churches , and much of the economy .
All of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of COVID-19 patients who would soon overwhelm our hospitals , needing thousands of ventilators and Intensive Care Units .
With very few exceptions , politicians have made no effort to calculate , or even to attempt to calculate , the numerous harms and the predictable suffering which these lockdown measures would inflict , and indeed have inflicted , on so many people .
What we now know in June , and sadly did not know in March , is that the global COVID-19 death toll ( 374,000 as of June 1 ) is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the annual flu .
The annual flu tragically claims between 290,000 and 646,000 lives each year , most of them people who are elderly and already very sick .
We also know now that COVID-19 poses little if any threat to children and healthy adults .
Yet Dr. Ferguson ’ s wildly inaccurate predictions are still used by fearmongering politicians to frighten Canadians into accepting the continued violation of their Charter freedoms to move , travel , associate , assemble and worship .
Government measures which continue to violate our human dignity and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been justified in March , and imposed temporarily , at a time when we did not know what we know now .
But in June , we know that 95 % of COVID-19 deaths occur amongst those 60 and older , with more than two-thirds of COVID-19 deaths in people 80 and over , and next-to-zero deaths among people under 20 .
COVID-19 tragically targets the same demographics as the annual flu .
This is what publicly available government data is telling us , from provinces , states , and countries around the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Catholic bishops of Alberta have accepted the Ferguson-like predictions of Premier Jason Kenney , who claimed in early April that as many as 32,000 Albertans could die of COVID-19 .
At the end of May , COVID-19 had claimed the lives of 143 Albertans , not 32,000 .
Putting aside conjecture , hypothesis and speculation , there is no actual evidence that the number of COVID-19 deaths would have been higher without a lockdown .
Premier Kenney has repeatedly compared COVID-19 to the Spanish Flu of one hundred years ago , which killed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most aged 20-40 , at a time when the world ’ s population was only two billion .
Globally , the 374,000 COVID-19 deaths ( as of June 1 , 2020 ) constitute 0.00005 of the world ’ s population : one half of one percent of one percent .
This means the Spanish Flu was between 200 and 1,000 times more deadly than COVID-19 .
Any comparison of the two is ignorance of fact , or deliberate fearmongering .
Relying on the inaccurate and fear-inducing predictions of March rather than on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early May , Alberta ’ s Catholic bishops are asking their flock to behave as though COVID-19 is a very serious threat to everyone , regardless of age or health .
Rather than quelling unfounded fears , Alberta ’ s bishops , touting “ safety , ” now require Mass attendees to wear masks ; to subject themselves to personal health questions before being allowed to enter the church ; and to provide their names , addresses and phone numbers to be written on a sheet and made available to the government upon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 11,000 restaurants can seat six people from six different households at the same table , only a foot or two apart from each other , the bishops insist that Catholics at mass must maintain “ social distancing ” of six feet or two metres , unless they are from the same household .
While restaurants can operate at 50 % capacity , such that a large restaurant can welcome 100 or 200 people at the same time , the bishops insist that no more than 50 people be permitted inside a church @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seat over 1,000 people .
While the Alberta government has re-opened daycares and day camps , the bishops insist that infants and children at Mass must remain with their parents or guardians at all times , in spite of the fact that COVID-19 is less likely to kill children than a lightning strike .
Restaurant patrons are treated like adults , free to shake or not shake the hand of another person , but the bishops prohibit Catholics from shaking hands before , during and after Mass .
Albertans are now free to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and cafes , but the bishops insist that Catholics can not socialize with each other before or after Mass .
Tim Hortons , McDonald ’ s , and many other drive-throughs serve hundreds of thousands of Albertans every week , yet the bishops prohibit the faithful from receiving Holy Communion on the tongue “ in view of the common good.
” The bishops ’ requirements pre-suppose that the wildly inaccurate predictions made by Dr. Neil Ferguson and Premier Kenney are correct , that COVID-19 kills people as the Spanish Flu did , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worried .
The bishops seem to have forgotten that the common good must be based on truth , not on fearmongering predictions that were discredited many weeks ago .
The bishops have also banned congregational singing as a “ high-risk activity ” ; the presentation of the gifts ; and our entrance and recessional processions .
The bishops have banned summer camps for Catholic children and families , which is entirely unnecessary .
Since the lockdown in March , Premier Kenney has deemed box stores , hardware stores , abortion clinics and liquor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ By failing to insist to government that churches are more essential than gyms and health clubs , the bishops have effectively taught that , while Tim Horton ’ s coffee may be essential , the Holy Mass is not .
Perhaps the average Catholic can not be faulted for failing to spend a few minutes to get acquainted with readily-available government data that suggests that COVID-19 is not more deadly than the annual flu and targets the same demographic as the annual flu .
Perhaps the average Catholic can be forgiven for remaining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Officer Deena Hinshaw made a demonstrably false claim when stating , in regard to COVID-19 , that “ some people who are young and healthy will go on to have severe disease and die.
” In contrast to the laity , bishops have a higher duty : to acquaint themselves with the facts that were already available in early May .
When politicians impose measures which very obviously violate the freedom of Catholics to practice their faith , Catholic bishops have a duty to look at the facts , rather than permit themselves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claims .
In the past 2,000 years , whenever Caesar demanded that Christian worship be curtailed , appropriate disagreement with Caesar has been a vital part of our Christian tradition , from which we should draw wisdom and courage .
Bishops should be guided by love that is rooted in truth , rather than encouraging Catholics to live in daily fear .
Attendance at Mass is currently not obligatory .
Why then do we need all these prohibitions and restrictions , which are not enforced on other public places ?
Those who attend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , assess the risks and choose to attend , just as people decide to enter a grocery store or a restaurant rather than ordering online .
Why not hold separate Masses , with a myriad of precautions , for the truly vulnerable ?
My objection to the Alberta bishops ’ new requirements ( even if the requirements are supposed to be temporary ) is that they are based entirely on the acceptance of the government ’ s demonstrably false claim that COVID-19 is an exceptionally deadly killer that threatens everyone .
For me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to assent , by my conduct , to the false claim on which these measures are based .
As someone who is called to love the truth , and to bear witness to the truth , I will not do so .

To comply with these measures from the bishops would be to assent, by my conduct, to the false claim on which these measures are based
PETITION: Tell politicians not to discriminate against churches when reopening society! Sign the petition here.
June 4, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – As Catholics, as Christians, and as people of good will (regardless of their faith or non-faith), we are all supposed to love truth. This includes not only theological truth, but scientific truth, medical truth, historical truth, and truth about matters of justice, laws, policies and politics.
The response of Canada’s federal and provincial governments to COVID-19 appears to have been driven by Dr. Neil Ferguson of Imperial College, who predicted in March 2020 that as many as 510,000 people in the United Kingdom would die of COVID-19, along with 2,200,000 Americans. Once unleashed, this “Ferguson Fever” infected the minds of politicians around the globe, as well as the media and the public at large.
In the name of “saving lives,” politicians have shut down schools, universities, businesses, gyms, recreation and entertainment facilities of every kind, restaurants, bars, pubs, cafes, libraries, mosques, temples, synagogues, churches, and much of the economy. All of this to make room for the wave of COVID-19 patients who would soon overwhelm our hospitals, needing thousands of ventilators and Intensive Care Units. With very few exceptions, politicians have made no effort to calculate, or even to attempt to calculate, the numerous harms and the predictable suffering which these lockdown measures would inflict, and indeed have inflicted, on so many people.
What we now know in June, and sadly did not know in March, is that the global COVID-19 death toll (374,000 as of June 1) is within the range of deaths resulting from the annual flu. The annual flu tragically claims between 290,000 and 646,000 lives each year, most of them people who are elderly and already very sick. We also know now that COVID-19 poses little if any threat to children and healthy adults. Yet Dr. Ferguson’s wildly inaccurate predictions are still used by fearmongering politicians to frighten Canadians into accepting the continued violation of their Charter freedoms to move, travel, associate, assemble and worship.
Government measures which continue to violate our human dignity and our fundamental Charter freedoms could arguably have been justified in March, and imposed temporarily, at a time when we did not know what we know now. But in June, we know that 95% of COVID-19 deaths occur amongst those 60 and older, with more than two-thirds of COVID-19 deaths in people 80 and over, and next-to-zero deaths among people under 20. COVID-19 tragically targets the same demographics as the annual flu. This is what publicly available government data is telling us, from provinces, states, and countries around the world.
Sadly, it seems the Catholic bishops of Alberta have accepted the Ferguson-like predictions of Premier Jason Kenney, who claimed in early April that as many as 32,000 Albertans could die of COVID-19. At the end of May, COVID-19 had claimed the lives of 143 Albertans, not 32,000. Putting aside conjecture, hypothesis and speculation, there is no actual evidence that the number of COVID-19 deaths would have been higher without a lockdown.
Premier Kenney has repeatedly compared COVID-19 to the Spanish Flu of one hundred years ago, which killed between 20 and 100 million adults, most aged 20-40, at a time when the world’s population was only two billion. Globally, the 374,000 COVID-19 deaths (as of June 1, 2020) constitute 0.00005 of the world’s population: one half of one percent of one percent. This means the Spanish Flu was between 200 and 1,000 times more deadly than COVID-19. Any comparison of the two is ignorance of fact, or deliberate fearmongering.
Relying on the inaccurate and fear-inducing predictions of March rather than on the facts that have been readily available since early May, Alberta’s Catholic bishops are asking their flock to behave as though COVID-19 is a very serious threat to everyone, regardless of age or health.
Rather than quelling unfounded fears, Alberta’s bishops, touting “safety,” now require Mass attendees to wear masks; to subject themselves to personal health questions before being allowed to enter the church; and to provide their names, addresses and phone numbers to be written on a sheet and made available to the government upon request.
While Alberta’s more than 11,000 restaurants can seat six people from six different households at the same table, only a foot or two apart from each other, the bishops insist that Catholics at mass must maintain “social distancing” of six feet or two metres, unless they are from the same household. While restaurants can operate at 50% capacity, such that a large restaurant can welcome 100 or 200 people at the same time, the bishops insist that no more than 50 people be permitted inside a church, even a large Cathedral that can seat over 1,000 people.
While the Alberta government has re-opened daycares and day camps, the bishops insist that infants and children at Mass must remain with their parents or guardians at all times, in spite of the fact that COVID-19 is less likely to kill children than a lightning strike.
Restaurant patrons are treated like adults, free to shake or not shake the hand of another person, but the bishops prohibit Catholics from shaking hands before, during and after Mass. Albertans are now free to socialize at bars, pubs, restaurants and cafes, but the bishops insist that Catholics cannot socialize with each other before or after Mass.
Tim Hortons, McDonald’s, and many other drive-throughs serve hundreds of thousands of Albertans every week, yet the bishops prohibit the faithful from receiving Holy Communion on the tongue “in view of the common good.” The bishops’ requirements pre-suppose that the wildly inaccurate predictions made by Dr. Neil Ferguson and Premier Kenney are correct, that COVID-19 kills people as the Spanish Flu did, and that everyone should be very, very worried. The bishops seem to have forgotten that the common good must be based on truth, not on fearmongering predictions that were discredited many weeks ago.
The bishops have also banned congregational singing as a “high-risk activity”; the presentation of the gifts; and our entrance and recessional processions. The bishops have banned summer camps for Catholic children and families, which is entirely unnecessary.
Since the lockdown in March, Premier Kenney has deemed box stores, hardware stores, abortion clinics and liquor and marijuana outlets as “essential.” By failing to insist to government that churches are more essential than gyms and health clubs, the bishops have effectively taught that, while Tim Horton’s coffee may be essential, the Holy Mass is not.
Perhaps the average Catholic cannot be faulted for failing to spend a few minutes to get acquainted with readily-available government data that suggests that COVID-19 is not more deadly than the annual flu and targets the same demographic as the annual flu. Perhaps the average Catholic can be forgiven for remaining fearful when Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer Deena Hinshaw made a demonstrably false claim when stating, in regard to COVID-19, that “some people who are young and healthy will go on to have severe disease and die.”
In contrast to the laity, bishops have a higher duty: to acquaint themselves with the facts that were already available in early May. When politicians impose measures which very obviously violate the freedom of Catholics to practice their faith, Catholic bishops have a duty to look at the facts, rather than permit themselves to be led about by dubious political claims.
In the past 2,000 years, whenever Caesar demanded that Christian worship be curtailed, appropriate disagreement with Caesar has been a vital part of our Christian tradition, from which we should draw wisdom and courage. Bishops should be guided by love that is rooted in truth, rather than encouraging Catholics to live in daily fear.
Attendance at Mass is currently not obligatory. Why then do we need all these prohibitions and restrictions, which are not enforced on other public places? Those who attend Mass in person, instead of virtually, assess the risks and choose to attend, just as people decide to enter a grocery store or a restaurant rather than ordering online. Why not hold separate Masses, with a myriad of precautions, for the truly vulnerable?
My objection to the Alberta bishops’ new requirements (even if the requirements are supposed to be temporary) is that they are based entirely on the acceptance of the government’s demonstrably false claim that COVID-19 is an exceptionally deadly killer that threatens everyone.
For me to comply with these measures would be to assent, by my conduct, to the false claim on which these measures are based. As someone who is called to love the truth, and to bear witness to the truth, I will not do so.
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lifesitenews--2020-06-04--University prof urges families in lockdown to mix assisted suicide drugs for relatives wanting to di

University prof urges families in lockdown to mix assisted suicide drugs for relatives wanting to die

UNITED STATES , June 4 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — An American university professor focusing on assisted suicide research is encouraging family members to mix “ life-ending ” cocktails for relatives who wish to die as coronavirus lockdown restrictions have made visits from assisted-suicide staff more difficult to arrange .
Anita Hannig , associate professor of Anthropology at Brandeis University , a Jewish private research university in Massachusetts , says in a June 2 article titled “ Dying virtually : Pandemic drives medically assisted deaths online ” that family members of people wishing to end their lives by assisted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ active role in their loved one ’ s final act.
” “ Without a volunteer or physician present , families must assume a more active role in the dying process , ” she said .
Hannig explains that in states where assisted suicide is legal , the law does not require that either a physician or other medical workers are present , but only that two doctors “ independently evaluate a patient ’ s request for medical assistance in dying ” and that individuals are able to ingest lethal doses themselves .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approve requests for assisted suicide online during the coronavirus crisis .
“ Now , because of the coronavirus , volunteers are accompanying patients and families over Zoom , and physicians complete their evaluations through telemedicine , based on recommendations released by the American Clinicians Academy on Medical Aid in Dying in March 2020 , ” Hannig says .
But Hannig says that the coronavirus crisis has “ amplified existing problems of access to assisted dying , ” meaning that family members who would prefer for others to assist their relatives to die now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Hannig admits that her research bears out that family members assisting in the suicide of a relative are often troubled by such involvement .
“ Pre-pandemic , many families told me that preparing the lethal cocktail would make them feel like they were facilitating – and not just morally supporting – a loved one ’ s death .
They were glad to outsource this delicate task , ” she says .
In situations where family members resolutely object to their relatives committing suicide , Hannig says that assisted suicide volunteers would , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a patient ’ s final wishes are carried out.
” Assisted suicide groups in the U.S. have been promoting online physician consultations and approval for assisted suicide for months during the coronavirus crisis .
Writing about this in March , Alex Schadenberg the Executive Director of the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition , said : Let 's think this through .
A person with difficult health issues who feels like a burden on others , or is experiencing depression or existential distress , could be assessed , via telehealth , and prescribed lethal drugs for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facilitating death and protecting doctors who are willing to be involved with killing their patients .
They are not concerned with protecting people .

'Without a volunteer or physician present, families must assume a more active role in the dying process'
PETITION: No to mandatory vaccination for the coronavirus! Sign the petition here.
UNITED STATES, June 4, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — An American university professor focusing on assisted suicide research is encouraging family members to mix “life-ending” cocktails for relatives who wish to die as coronavirus lockdown restrictions have made visits from assisted-suicide staff more difficult to arrange.
Anita Hannig, associate professor of Anthropology at Brandeis University, a Jewish private research university in Massachusetts, says in a June 2 article titled “Dying virtually: Pandemic drives medically assisted deaths online” that family members of people wishing to end their lives by assisted suicide “must now take a more active role in their loved one’s final act.”
“Without a volunteer or physician present, families must assume a more active role in the dying process,” she said.
Hannig explains that in states where assisted suicide is legal, the law does not require that either a physician or other medical workers are present, but only that two doctors “independently evaluate a patient’s request for medical assistance in dying” and that individuals are able to ingest lethal doses themselves. This has made it possible for doctors to approve requests for assisted suicide online during the coronavirus crisis.
“Now, because of the coronavirus, volunteers are accompanying patients and families over Zoom, and physicians complete their evaluations through telemedicine, based on recommendations released by the American Clinicians Academy on Medical Aid in Dying in March 2020,” Hannig says.
But Hannig says that the coronavirus crisis has “amplified existing problems of access to assisted dying,” meaning that family members who would prefer for others to assist their relatives to die now “don’t have that choice.”
Hannig admits that her research bears out that family members assisting in the suicide of a relative are often troubled by such involvement.
“Pre-pandemic, many families told me that preparing the lethal cocktail would make them feel like they were facilitating – and not just morally supporting – a loved one’s death. They were glad to outsource this delicate task,” she says.
In situations where family members resolutely object to their relatives committing suicide, Hannig says that assisted suicide volunteers would, in normal circumstances, “make sure a patient’s final wishes are carried out.”
Assisted suicide groups in the U.S. have been promoting online physician consultations and approval for assisted suicide for months during the coronavirus crisis.
Writing about this in March, Alex Schadenberg the Executive Director of the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition, said:
Let's think this through. A person with difficult health issues who feels like a burden on others, or is experiencing depression or existential distress, could be assessed, via telehealth, and prescribed lethal drugs for suicide. The death lobby focuses on facilitating death and protecting doctors who are willing to be involved with killing their patients. They are not concerned with protecting people.
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lifesitenews--2020-06-04--Join our daily worldwide rosary HERE

Join our daily worldwide rosary HERE

June 4 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – In response to the coronavirus crisis , LifeSite is offering Catholics throughout the world a chance to be united in praying the rosary together , at the same time , every day at 12:00 noon EST .
The rosary is led by Father Anthony Pillari , an American priest currently in Italy .
To date , Catholics from Israel , Uganda , Italy , France , Germany , Ireland , the United Kingdom , the U.S. , Canada , Mexico , Chile , Brazil , Australia , New Zealand , the Philippines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as well as other countries , have been joining in .
The whole world – including the Church – has been thrown into chaos because of the coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) .
Thousands of people have passed away as a result of the viral outbreak , while thousands more have been sickened .
And , across the world , business has come to a grinding halt , resulting in sudden job loss and threatening economic recession .
If there ever was a time for prayer , this is it .
Catholics around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Sacraments , but in many places are unable to access them because of bishops ’ orders or government restrictions .
We know that community with other believers is vital all the time , but especially during this time of global calls for “ sheltering-in-place ” and quarantine .
“ The rosary is the weapon for these times , ” St. Padre Pio said .
Through prayer , we can shape history , change the world , and bring this painful crisis to an end .
Join us today !
Send photos or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rosary with Father Pillari to [ email protected ]

(LifeSiteNews) — In response to the crisis unfolding in our world and in the Church, LifeSite is happy to promote Regina Angelorum Press’s Daily Rosary, which is offering Catholics throughout the world the chance to be united daily in prayer, in the Our Lady of Fatima Rosary Crusade.
Catholics from all over the world — from Israel, Uganda, Italy, France, Germany, Ireland, Pakistan, Singapore, the Philippines, India, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, the United Kingdom, the U.S., Canada, Brazil, and other countries — are gathering daily to pray the Rosary, led by Father Pillari, JCL, MCL, STL, an American priest currently studying in Italy.
The Daily Rosary is being offered each day at 12noon EST through Regina Angelorum Press’ YouTube Channel to which you can subscribe HERE.
The goal is, by means of this Daily Rosary and by embracing and living out the message given by the Virgin Mary at Fatima, the triumph of Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart.
To help obtain that goal, Bishop Athanasius Schneider graciously composed the following prayer for this worldwide Rosary crusade:
O Immaculate Heart of Mary, you are the holy Mother of God and our tender Mother. Look upon the distress in which the Church and the whole of humanity are living because of the spread of materialism and the persecution of the Church. In Fatima you warned against these errors, as you spoke about the errors of Russia. You are the Mediatrix of all graces. Implore your Divine Son to grant this special grace for the Pope: that he might consecrate Russia to your Immaculate Heart, so that Russia will be converted, a period of peace will be granted to the world, and your Immaculate Heart will triumph, through an authentic renewal of the Church in the splendor of the purity of the Catholic Faith, of the sacredness of Divine worship and of the holiness of the Christian life. O Queen of the holy Rosary and our sweet Mother, turn your merciful eyes to us and graciously hear this our trusting prayer. Amen. + Athanasius Schneider, Auxiliary Bishop of the archdiocese of Saint Mary in Astana
To learn more about the urgency of responding to Our Lady’s message at Fatima, and about what you can do, please read Cardinal Burke’s 2017 address at the Rome Life Forum.
As St. Padre Pio once said, “The Rosary is the weapon for these times.” Through prayer, God can shape history, change the world, and bring about a great time of renewal and peace for the Church and for the world, through the triumph of Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart. Join us today!
If you would like to follow along with the prayers said during this Rosary, you can access them HERE. The document also includes a brief F.A.Q. pertaining to the daily Rosary.
You can send your prayer requests to https://reginangelorumpress.com/prayer-intentions/
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lifesitenews--2020-06-04--US Catholic diocese threatens to sue govt for restricting churches but not bars, malls

MADISON , Wisconsin , June 4 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) ― The Catholic Diocese of Madison has warned civil authorities that it is prepared to take them to court if their discriminatory reopening protocols do not change immediately that allow large numbers to attend shopping centers , restaurants , and bars but not churches .
Yesterday , lawyers acting for the Diocese of Madison sent a letter to Madison mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway , Dane County executive Joe Parisi , and Madison/Dane County Public Health director Jahnel Heinrich .
It stated that their public health order limiting religious congregations to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ May 22 order , which represents the city ’ s and county ’ s reopening plan , allows several public establishments to operate at 25 % capacity .
The 50-person cap imposed on places of worship does not apply to shopping malls , bars , restaurants , spas , gyms , salons , museums , movie theaters , community centers , bowling alleys , skating rinks , trampoline parks , and many other public venues .
Mayor Rhodes-Conway has also stated that there will be no government restrictions on public protests .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” stated law firm Sidney Austin , noting that “ hundreds or even thousands ” of people could gather for non-religious activities together if the venue were big enough .
“ But in no event , not even in the largest synagogue , mosque , church , or temple , and no matter how carefully spaced or protected , shall more than 50 people gather for worship , ” the firm continued .
“ This unequal and unfair treatment violates the Church ’ s cherished constitutional freedoms and , more importantly , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the case of large churches , the 50-person cap would mean the building is operating at only 5 percent of capacity .
The letter pointed out that the Diocese of Madison had voluntarily suspended public Masses on March 16 , even though civil authorities were still allowing religious services for congregations of up to 50 people .
Meanwhile , Catholics ’ religious convictions had inspired them to help those “ most vulnerable to COVID-19 — from comforting those in their dying moments , to hosting drive-through food drives throughout Dane County , to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ each month at Our Lady of Hope Clinic.
” PETITION : Tell politicians not to discriminate against churches when reopening society !
Sign the petition here .
Two earlier reopening plans had not mentioned a 50-person cap on Mass attendance , so the Diocese of Madison had developed “ rigorous protocols ” for celebrating Masses at 25 percent of capacity , involving social distancing and hygiene rules informed by guidance from public health authorities .
“ Now that you have determined that circumstances allow the partial reopening of almost every Dane County business @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there is no valid , nondiscriminatory reason to maintain far stricter restrictions on houses of worship , ” the letter stated .
In a press release , the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty , which is also representing the diocese , revealed that civil authorities have been threatening to spy on and fine Catholic churches to ensure their compliance .
“ Since May 22 , the Madison/Dane County Health Department has multiple times called and visited diocesan officials and parishes to inform them that surveillance teams would be sent to churches and fines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ imposed for every instance in which more than 50 people were gathered for Mass , ” stated the press release .
“ Madison and Dane County think mass protests , movies and malls are just fine , but churches have to be put under surveillance to make sure not too many people go , ” said Eric Rassbach , vice president and senior counsel at Becket .
“ If it ’ s safe enough for thousands to shop together at malls , and to sit in a theatre for a two-hour film , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 45 minutes safely socially distanced in worship .
Madison and Dane County should end their unequal treatment of religious people.
” Bishop Donald Hying , 56 , of Madison stated that the community is “ crying out ” for spiritual healing and that the 50-person cap is preventing it .
“ Our Diocese has been , and remains , committed to promoting and protecting the health and safety of our fellow Madisonians , but the county and city have wrongly subordinated the spiritual needs of the community to the operations of non-essential businesses.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Diocese of Madison indicated that it “ has no particular interest in litigation or a protracted dispute ” but that the Catholic Church is “ legally and morally entitled ” to equal treatment .
It stated that it hoped for a resolution by Friday , June 5 , so that “ churches may prepare appropriately for upcoming weekend Masses.
” Legal challenges to state discrimination against public religious worship have already been brought in California , Illinois , and Minnesota .
Last week , the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that California ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consistent with the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment.
” Chief Justice John Roberts , a George W. Bush appointee , cast the deciding vote in that decision , arguing that in California , “ comparable secular gatherings , including lectures , concerts , movie showings , spectator sports , and theatrical performances , where large groups of people gather in close proximity for extended periods of time , ” are faced with “ [ s ] imilar or more severe restrictions .
”

MADISON, Wisconsin, June 4, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) ― The Catholic Diocese of Madison has warned civil authorities that it is prepared to take them to court if their discriminatory reopening protocols do not change immediately that allow large numbers to attend shopping centers, restaurants, and bars but not churches.
Yesterday, lawyers acting for the Diocese of Madison sent a letter to Madison mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway, Dane County executive Joe Parisi, and Madison/Dane County Public Health director Jahnel Heinrich. It stated that their public health order limiting religious congregations to just 50 people is discriminatory.
The May 22 order, which represents the city’s and county’s reopening plan, allows several public establishments to operate at 25% capacity. The 50-person cap imposed on places of worship does not apply to shopping malls, bars, restaurants, spas, gyms, salons, museums, movie theaters, community centers, bowling alleys, skating rinks, trampoline parks, and many other public venues.
Mayor Rhodes-Conway has also stated that there will be no government restrictions on public protests.
“This treats religious interests unequally and unfairly,” stated law firm Sidney Austin, noting that “hundreds or even thousands” of people could gather for non-religious activities together if the venue were big enough.
“But in no event, not even in the largest synagogue, mosque, church, or temple, and no matter how carefully spaced or protected, shall more than 50 people gather for worship,” the firm continued.
“This unequal and unfair treatment violates the Church’s cherished constitutional freedoms and, more importantly, hobbles unconscionably its pastoral mission.”
In the case of large churches, the 50-person cap would mean the building is operating at only 5 percent of capacity.
The letter pointed out that the Diocese of Madison had voluntarily suspended public Masses on March 16, even though civil authorities were still allowing religious services for congregations of up to 50 people. Meanwhile, Catholics’ religious convictions had inspired them to help those “most vulnerable to COVID-19 — from comforting those in their dying moments, to hosting drive-through food drives throughout Dane County, to caring for over a hundred uninsured Madisonians each month at Our Lady of Hope Clinic.”
PETITION: Tell politicians not to discriminate against churches when reopening society! Sign the petition here.
Two earlier reopening plans had not mentioned a 50-person cap on Mass attendance, so the Diocese of Madison had developed “rigorous protocols” for celebrating Masses at 25 percent of capacity, involving social distancing and hygiene rules informed by guidance from public health authorities.
“Now that you have determined that circumstances allow the partial reopening of almost every Dane County business and other activity with appropriate safeguards, there is no valid, nondiscriminatory reason to maintain far stricter restrictions on houses of worship,” the letter stated.
In a press release, the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, which is also representing the diocese, revealed that civil authorities have been threatening to spy on and fine Catholic churches to ensure their compliance.
“Since May 22, the Madison/Dane County Health Department has multiple times called and visited diocesan officials and parishes to inform them that surveillance teams would be sent to churches and fines of up to $1,000 would be imposed for every instance in which more than 50 people were gathered for Mass,” stated the press release.
“Madison and Dane County think mass protests, movies and malls are just fine, but churches have to be put under surveillance to make sure not too many people go,” said Eric Rassbach, vice president and senior counsel at Becket.
“If it’s safe enough for thousands to shop together at malls, and to sit in a theatre for a two-hour film, it’s safe enough to spend 45 minutes safely socially distanced in worship. Madison and Dane County should end their unequal treatment of religious people.”
Bishop Donald Hying, 56, of Madison stated that the community is “crying out” for spiritual healing and that the 50-person cap is preventing it.
“Our Diocese has been, and remains, committed to promoting and protecting the health and safety of our fellow Madisonians, but the county and city have wrongly subordinated the spiritual needs of the community to the operations of non-essential businesses.”
Through its legal representatives, the Diocese of Madison indicated that it “has no particular interest in litigation or a protracted dispute” but that the Catholic Church is “legally and morally entitled” to equal treatment. It stated that it hoped for a resolution by Friday, June 5, so that “churches may prepare appropriately for upcoming weekend Masses.”
Legal challenges to state discrimination against public religious worship have already been brought in California, Illinois, and Minnesota. Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that California’s restrictions on houses of worship “appear consistent with the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment.” Chief Justice John Roberts, a George W. Bush appointee, cast the deciding vote in that decision, arguing that in California, “comparable secular gatherings, including lectures, concerts, movie showings, spectator sports, and theatrical performances, where large groups of people gather in close proximity for extended periods of time,” are faced with “[s]imilar or more severe restrictions.”
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lifesitenews--2020-06-04--French contact tracing app lays groundwork for ‘techno-police,’ group warns

June 4 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — A tracking app developed free of charge by major French industrial groups ( Dassault , Orange , Capgemini ... ) in order to allow automatic contact tracing of people contaminated by the Chinese coronavirus was launched on Tuesday under the name StopCovid .
According to the French secretary of state for digital affairs , Cédric O , 600,000 smartphone users have already downloaded the app in less than 24 hours .
It is available on Android and iOS systems .
StopCovid has raised a number of concerns regarding individual freedom and anonymity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rights groups .
After the National Commission for information technology and liberty ( CNIL ) greenlighted the app on the condition that it would respect user anonymity , the French Parliament adopted a text in favor of the app by a comfortable majority thanks to the vote of most of the République en Marche ( LREM ) presidential party .
Both the right- and left-wing opposition voted against the text .
Five LREM members also voted against , accusing the app of being “ dangerous ” and “ irreversible.
” StopCovid works with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Ministry of Health and the Direction générale de la santé ( general health agency ) , which collects information from people who send a message when they have been tested positive for COVID-19 under an automatically generated pseudonym , which changes every day .
This message can be sent only after scanning a QR code delivered together with a printed document certifying that the patient has tested positive in order to avoid malevolent use of the system in order to saturate it with false positives or to force people to self-isolate until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this means that for StopCovid to work , Bluetooth must be enabled , according to its developers — the app retains information about all contacts less than one meter away and for more than 15 minutes as listed through repeated messages exchanged by the smartphones of app users .
This would apply to time spent with friends , fellow travelers in the public transport system , people sitting at neighboring tables and bars and restaurants , churches , cinemas ( which are to reopen soon in France ) , et cetera .
All @ @ @ @ @ @ @ automatically generated pseudonym , will then receive a notification that during the last 14 days , they were potentially close to an unidentified COVID-19 carrier and be invited to go to a testing center and to self-isolate if they are positive .
These steps are all voluntary : the app can be switched on and off at will or uninstalled .
People who test positive transmit that information only if they want to .
According to the app ’ s developers and the government , no one can identify people to receive a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The whole system is also based on voluntary participation .
There is no official requirement to download the app , even for the use of particular facilities .
The decree allowing the use of data by StopCovid issued on May 30 also limited use of the app to up to six months after the end of the state of sanitary emergency , which is at present in force in France and will remain so at least until July 10 .
PETITION : No to mandatory contact tracing and government surveillance for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Will the app be of any use ?
While the government insisted that it would be helpful as soon as people started using it , the general consensus is that it would take a download ratio of at least 60 percent of the population to be really efficient .
This wo n't be easy , according to Les Numériques , a consumer-rating website that tested the app and offered an initial assessment .
Indeed , 25 percent of the French do not own a smartphone , and that proportion is much higher ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are most at risk from the Chinese coronavirus .
Les Numériques noted that the conditions for StopCovid ’ s future success are not there , “ especially since the app has arrived at a moment when the slowing down of the epidemic seems to have been confirmed.
” To put it more abruptly : StopCovid is being set up at a time when the epidemic it is supposed to be tracing is disappearing from the scene , or at least the virus appears to have lost part of its lethality , as often @ @ @ @ @ @ @ create a paradox , though : while there are fewer and fewer hospitalizations , and deaths are , thankfully , dwindling , accrued testing after months of minimal screening for the coronavirus due to government blocks at the height of the epidemic might reveal an increase in contaminated citizens , thereby justifying the extension of the state of emergency , requirements regarding masks and social distancing , and so on .
In practice , despite partial deconfinement since May 11 , and wider deconfinement since June 1 , the much announced “ second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and deaths has not occurred .
But the development of StopCovid has been presented from the start as a necessary prerequisite .
It was only because some technical issues had to be seen to that the app came out on June 2 .
Large parts of the mainstream media , from national TV and the main commercial radio stations to major news websites , and Le Monde , touted as France ’ s “ newspaper of reference , ” are promoting StopCovid unashamedly , insisting that all privacy concerns and the fear of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are not in touch with reality .
However , other mainstream media are asking questions and pinpointing the weaknesses of an app that will transmit sensitive personal medical information to a central government server .
A mainstream computer and information technologies website , ZDnet , noted that users do n't really have control over their own data and that these could be used for purposes other than contact tracing , either on the part of the government or for commercial uses .
This concern is in fact widely shared .
The fact that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behind a pseudonym is for instance considered not to be a guarantee , as those who download the app can be identified through their I.P .
addresses .
A group of researchers and academics has listed its concerns about tracing systems , showing how undesired use may be made of medical information through clever use of dedicated smartphones by employers or insurance sellers to identify candidates or clients at risk of falling ill .
The group published a study that recalls that Bluetooth technology is vulnerable and can allow third parties to take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , La Quadrature du Net , called StopCovid a freedom-destroying app that is “ preparing the ground for acceptance of technopolice , ” which already includes street cameras and drones .
Is “ facial recognition ” next ?
they ask .
Computer technology has shown itself to be imperfect and hackable .
The French government insists that there is no risk because we live in a “ democratic society ” where personal freedoms and privacy are guaranteed .
But what would happen if the democratic society gave way to tyranny — as it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ control on law-abiding citizens because of COVID-19 ?
And how long does that which starts out in life as “ voluntary ” remain voluntary ?
In the United States , an eminent professor of law , Ryan Calo , has already suggested that “ privacy trade-offs ” can be the price to pay to feel safe .
LifeSite has launched a petition against mandatory contact tracing and government surveillance for the coronavirus .
Sign the petition here .

The app, called StopCovid, has raised a number of concerns regarding individual freedom and anonymity among both left-wing and right-wing citizens' rights groups.
June 4, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — A tracking app developed free of charge by major French industrial groups (Dassault, Orange, Capgemini…) in order to allow automatic contact tracing of people contaminated by the Chinese coronavirus was launched on Tuesday under the name StopCovid.
According to the French secretary of state for digital affairs, Cédric O, 600,000 smartphone users have already downloaded the app in less than 24 hours. It is available on Android and iOS systems.
StopCovid has raised a number of concerns regarding individual freedom and anonymity among both left-wing and right-wing citizens’ rights groups. After the National Commission for information technology and liberty (CNIL) greenlighted the app on the condition that it would respect user anonymity, the French Parliament adopted a text in favor of the app by a comfortable majority thanks to the vote of most of the République en Marche (LREM) presidential party. Both the right- and left-wing opposition voted against the text.
Five LREM members also voted against, accusing the app of being “dangerous” and “irreversible.”
StopCovid works with a centralized database under the authority of the Ministry of Health and the Direction générale de la santé (general health agency), which collects information from people who send a message when they have been tested positive for COVID-19 under an automatically generated pseudonym, which changes every day.
This message can be sent only after scanning a QR code delivered together with a printed document certifying that the patient has tested positive in order to avoid malevolent use of the system in order to saturate it with false positives or to force people to self-isolate until tested.
Using Bluetooth technology — and this means that for StopCovid to work, Bluetooth must be enabled, according to its developers — the app retains information about all contacts less than one meter away and for more than 15 minutes as listed through repeated messages exchanged by the smartphones of app users.
This would apply to time spent with friends, fellow travelers in the public transport system, people sitting at neighboring tables and bars and restaurants, churches, cinemas (which are to reopen soon in France), et cetera.
All these individuals, identified by their own automatically generated pseudonym, will then receive a notification that during the last 14 days, they were potentially close to an unidentified COVID-19 carrier and be invited to go to a testing center and to self-isolate if they are positive.
These steps are all voluntary: the app can be switched on and off at will or uninstalled. People who test positive transmit that information only if they want to. According to the app’s developers and the government, no one can identify people to receive a notification other than the potential recipients themselves.
The whole system is also based on voluntary participation. There is no official requirement to download the app, even for the use of particular facilities.
The decree allowing the use of data by StopCovid issued on May 30 also limited use of the app to up to six months after the end of the state of sanitary emergency, which is at present in force in France and will remain so at least until July 10.
PETITION: No to mandatory contact tracing and government surveillance for the coronavirus! Sign the petition here.
Will the app be of any use? While the government insisted that it would be helpful as soon as people started using it, the general consensus is that it would take a download ratio of at least 60 percent of the population to be really efficient.
This won't be easy, according to Les Numériques, a consumer-rating website that tested the app and offered an initial assessment.
Indeed, 25 percent of the French do not own a smartphone, and that proportion is much higher (44 percent) among over-70s, who are most at risk from the Chinese coronavirus.
Les Numériques noted that the conditions for StopCovid’s future success are not there, “especially since the app has arrived at a moment when the slowing down of the epidemic seems to have been confirmed.”
To put it more abruptly: StopCovid is being set up at a time when the epidemic it is supposed to be tracing is disappearing from the scene, or at least the virus appears to have lost part of its lethality, as often happens with viral epidemics.
It might create a paradox, though: while there are fewer and fewer hospitalizations, and deaths are, thankfully, dwindling, accrued testing after months of minimal screening for the coronavirus due to government blocks at the height of the epidemic might reveal an increase in contaminated citizens, thereby justifying the extension of the state of emergency, requirements regarding masks and social distancing, and so on.
In practice, despite partial deconfinement since May 11, and wider deconfinement since June 1, the much announced “second wave” of contamination, hospitalization, and deaths has not occurred. But the development of StopCovid has been presented from the start as a necessary prerequisite. It was only because some technical issues had to be seen to that the app came out on June 2.
Large parts of the mainstream media, from national TV and the main commercial radio stations to major news websites, and Le Monde, touted as France’s “newspaper of reference,” are promoting StopCovid unashamedly, insisting that all privacy concerns and the fear of the surveillance state insidiously setting itself up are not in touch with reality.
However, other mainstream media are asking questions and pinpointing the weaknesses of an app that will transmit sensitive personal medical information to a central government server.
A mainstream computer and information technologies website, ZDnet, noted that users don't really have control over their own data and that these could be used for purposes other than contact tracing, either on the part of the government or for commercial uses.
This concern is in fact widely shared. The fact that a user’s identity is hidden behind a pseudonym is for instance considered not to be a guarantee, as those who download the app can be identified through their I.P. addresses.
A group of researchers and academics has listed its concerns about tracing systems, showing how undesired use may be made of medical information through clever use of dedicated smartphones by employers or insurance sellers to identify candidates or clients at risk of falling ill.
The group published a study that recalls that Bluetooth technology is vulnerable and can allow third parties to take control of electronic devices.
Another group, La Quadrature du Net, called StopCovid a freedom-destroying app that is “preparing the ground for acceptance of technopolice,” which already includes street cameras and drones. Is “facial recognition” next? they ask.
Computer technology has shown itself to be imperfect and hackable. The French government insists that there is no risk because we live in a “democratic society” where personal freedoms and privacy are guaranteed. But what would happen if the democratic society gave way to tyranny — as it has already been doing by imposing stringent control on law-abiding citizens because of COVID-19?
And how long does that which starts out in life as “voluntary” remain voluntary?
In the United States, an eminent professor of law, Ryan Calo, has already suggested that “privacy trade-offs” can be the price to pay to feel safe.
LifeSite has launched a petition against mandatory contact tracing and government surveillance for the coronavirus. Sign the petition here.
Follow Jeanne Jeanne Smits has worked as a journalist in France since 1987 after obtaining a Master of Arts in Law. She formerly directed the French daily Présent and was editor-in-chief of an all-internet French-speaking news site called reinformation.tv. She writes regularly for a number of Catholic journals (Monde & vie, L’Homme nouveau, Reconquête…) and runs a personal pro-life blog. In addition, she is often invited to radio and TV shows on alternative media. She is vice-president of the Christian and French defense association “AGRIF.” She is the French translator of The Dictator Pope by Henry Sire and Christus Vincit by Bishop Schneider, and recently contributed to the Bref examen critique de la communion dans la main about Communion in the hand. She is married and has three children, and lives near Paris.
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lifesitenews--2020-06-04--US company rolls out ‘health pass’ app to block ‘unhealthy’ users from airports, workplace

June 4 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — A U.S. biometrics firm has launched a new “ health pass ” phone application that uses one ’ s biometrics and health information linked to the user ’ s official ID to act as a COVID-19 pass , which could allow or deny a person entry into a supermarket , church , or workplace .
The new “ health pass ” application was launched in late May by the biometrics company Clear .
According to Clear ’ s website , the user must download and be registered on the free Clear mobile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ health pass ” feature .
“ Health pass is a free service on the CLEAR mobile app that connects your verified identity — using CLEAR ’ s established biometric platform — with a live health screening , creating safer entry experiences for all , ” says the Clear website .
The company currently has a system called ClearPass , which is widely used in U.S. airports and some sports stadiums and enables one who pays the $ 179 fee to speed through security checks .
Like “ health pass , ” it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to an official ID .
The “ health pass ” service is being marketed for businesses to scan arriving employees at a workplace , giving them a passing or failing COVID-19 grade , which determines whether they can enter .
Clear ’ s CEO , Caryn Seidman-Becker , said on CNBC ’ s Squawk Box on May 15 that there will be a “ shift ” in how security screening is conducted in the future .
“ Just like [ airport ] screening was forever changed post-9/11 , in a post-COVID environment , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and public safety significantly shift , ” predicted Seidman-Becker on the CNBC show .
“ But this time it ’ s beyond airports , ” she added , going on to list stadiums , restaurants , workplaces , and stores as places that might be able to use the new technology .
“ While we started with travel , at our core we ’ re a biometric secure identity platform , ” said Seidman-Becker .
Once the app is downloaded on a person ’ s phone , the subscriber first verifies his identity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wishes to enter a business or other location that uses the “ health pass , ” the person must take a photo of himself to authenticate their identity and take a COVID-19 health quiz .
After this point , a user of the app will then approach the Clear pod for screening , where he can use an encrypted QR code made by the app or a scan of his face to share the data .
The results , which could include temperature checks , are then displayed .
Seidman-Becker said that “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” but two U.S. senators have come out raising privacy concerns regarding Clear ’ s new “ health pass.
” PETITION : No to mandatory contact tracing and government surveillance for the coronavirus !
Sign the petition here .
Senators Cory Booker ( D-N.J. ) and Jeff Merkley ( D-Ore. ) sent a letter dated May 21 , to Seidman-Becker asking questions regarding the company ’ s privacy practices and those of the “ health pass ” app .
“ While we appreciate CLEAR ’ s contribution to the discussion of safely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the use of facial recognition technology poses real privacy concerns , ” said the senators in a letter to Seidman-Becker .
“ Though there are some potential benefits and expediencies , this technology can also be utilized widely and passively in such a way that eludes consumers ’ awareness , permission , or the ability to opt-out .
If over or misused , facial recognition technology risks a state of undetectable , constant government surveillance that can track one ’ s movements and associations with organizations such as schools and places of worship.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ pass ” service is being currently marketed to businesses , but it hopes to expand this in the future to many different platforms .
“ Now with the launch of CLEAR Health Pass , it ’ s about attaching your identity to your COVID-related health insights , for employers , for employees , for customers — everybody wants to know that each other ’ s safe , ” said Seidman-Becker on the CNBC show .
Clear ’ s Health Pass does not allow for coronavirus testing currently , but Seidman-Becker says she hopes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” “ Screening 2.0 is a multi-layered approach to buy down risk and increase confidence .
So it starts from a mobile app perspective with facial — connecting your face to your identity and the [ health ] questionnaire , ” said Seidman-Becker .
“ You then bring that into the physical environment where it ’ s about your questionnaire and then temperature … it ’ s about linking to lab companies and test data … and this will continue to evolve.
” Clear is currently partnered with Delta Air Lines , United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for its Clear Pass system .
The company is hoping to expand its “ health pass ” to more than just airports .
According to an Axios report , Clear is in talks with restaurateurs in the US , along with the New York Mets baseball team and the Las Vegas COVID-19 recovery task force , to expand the use of its “ health pass.
” The Axios report raises questions about how effective Clear ’ s “ health pass ” would be , saying there is not a “ guarantee ” that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that temperature checks would not catch asymptomatic individuals .
The Axios report also raises the concern that although “ health pass ” is opt-in , “ it 's difficult to see how truly voluntary any such system would be if it is mandated , as employers are already permitted to perform temperature checks.
” The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission ( EEOC ) confirmed that temperature screening is allowed by employers considering the “ risks ” associated with COVID-19 , despite the Americans with Disabilities Act ( ADA ) not allowing for this .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ body temperature is a medical examination .
Because the CDC and state/local health authorities have acknowledged community spread of COVID-19 and issued attendant precautions , employers may measure employees ' body temperature .
However , employers should be aware that some people with COVID-19 do not have a fever , ” says the EEOC .
Many government authorities in both the U.S. and Canada have in recent weeks launched government-sanctioned contact tracing applications .
Recently , the governor of the state of Washington suggested that those who refuse to cooperate with contact tracers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be allowed to leave their homes for even food or medical supply shopping .
A recently introduced bipartisan bill known as H.R .
6666 would authorize the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services to “ award grants to eligible entities to conduct diagnostic testing for COVID–19 , to trace and monitor the contacts of infected individuals , and to support the quarantine of such contacts.
” The Canadian prime minister , Justin Trudeau , recently said his federal government would fund provincial efforts to ramp up coronavirus testing .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expand contact tracing of those who test positive , with the goal being to share the data across the country .
Alberta was the first Canadian province to release its optional contact tracing application , which has been downloaded thousands of times .

The 'health pass' service is being marketed for businesses to scan arriving employees at a workplace, giving them a passing or failing COVID-19 grade, which determines whether they can enter.
June 4, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — A U.S. biometrics firm has launched a new “health pass” phone application that uses one’s biometrics and health information linked to the user’s official ID to act as a COVID-19 pass, which could allow or deny a person entry into a supermarket, church, or workplace.
The new “health pass” application was launched in late May by the biometrics company Clear. According to Clear’s website, the user must download and be registered on the free Clear mobile app to be able to use the “health pass” feature.
“Health pass is a free service on the CLEAR mobile app that connects your verified identity — using CLEAR’s established biometric platform — with a live health screening, creating safer entry experiences for all,” says the Clear website.
The company currently has a system called ClearPass, which is widely used in U.S. airports and some sports stadiums and enables one who pays the $179 fee to speed through security checks. Like “health pass,” it uses one’s biometric data linked to an official ID.
The “health pass” service is being marketed for businesses to scan arriving employees at a workplace, giving them a passing or failing COVID-19 grade, which determines whether they can enter.
Clear’s CEO, Caryn Seidman-Becker, said on CNBC’s Squawk Box on May 15 that there will be a “shift” in how security screening is conducted in the future.
“Just like [airport] screening was forever changed post-9/11, in a post-COVID environment, you’re gonna see screening and public safety significantly shift,” predicted Seidman-Becker on the CNBC show.
“But this time it’s beyond airports,” she added, going on to list stadiums, restaurants, workplaces, and stores as places that might be able to use the new technology.
“While we started with travel, at our core we’re a biometric secure identity platform,” said Seidman-Becker.
Once the app is downloaded on a person’s phone, the subscriber first verifies his identity with facial recognition software. If one wishes to enter a business or other location that uses the “health pass,” the person must take a photo of himself to authenticate their identity and take a COVID-19 health quiz.
After this point, a user of the app will then approach the Clear pod for screening, where he can use an encrypted QR code made by the app or a scan of his face to share the data. The results, which could include temperature checks, are then displayed.
Seidman-Becker said that “privacy and data security is job one,” but two U.S. senators have come out raising privacy concerns regarding Clear’s new “health pass.”
PETITION: No to mandatory contact tracing and government surveillance for the coronavirus! Sign the petition here.
Senators Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) sent a letter dated May 21, to Seidman-Becker asking questions regarding the company’s privacy practices and those of the “health pass” app.
“While we appreciate CLEAR’s contribution to the discussion of safely reopening our nation’s economy, the use of facial recognition technology poses real privacy concerns,” said the senators in a letter to Seidman-Becker.
“Though there are some potential benefits and expediencies, this technology can also be utilized widely and passively in such a way that eludes consumers’ awareness, permission, or the ability to opt-out. If over or misused, facial recognition technology risks a state of undetectable, constant government surveillance that can track one’s movements and associations with organizations such as schools and places of worship.”
Clear says that the “health pass” service is being currently marketed to businesses, but it hopes to expand this in the future to many different platforms.
“Now with the launch of CLEAR Health Pass, it’s about attaching your identity to your COVID-related health insights, for employers, for employees, for customers — everybody wants to know that each other’s safe,” said Seidman-Becker on the CNBC show.
Clear’s Health Pass does not allow for coronavirus testing currently, but Seidman-Becker says she hopes the technology will continue to “evolve.”
“Screening 2.0 is a multi-layered approach to buy down risk and increase confidence. So it starts from a mobile app perspective with facial — connecting your face to your identity and the [health] questionnaire,” said Seidman-Becker.
“You then bring that into the physical environment where it’s about your questionnaire and then temperature … it’s about linking to lab companies and test data … and this will continue to evolve.”
Clear is currently partnered with Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, American Express, and Hertz for its Clear Pass system. The company is hoping to expand its “health pass” to more than just airports.
According to an Axios report, Clear is in talks with restaurateurs in the US, along with the New York Mets baseball team and the Las Vegas COVID-19 recovery task force, to expand the use of its “health pass.”
The Axios report raises questions about how effective Clear’s “health pass” would be, saying there is not a “guarantee” that users answer the health quiz honestly and that temperature checks would not catch asymptomatic individuals.
The Axios report also raises the concern that although “health pass” is opt-in, “it's difficult to see how truly voluntary any such system would be if it is mandated, as employers are already permitted to perform temperature checks.”
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) confirmed that temperature screening is allowed by employers considering the “risks” associated with COVID-19, despite the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) not allowing for this.
“Generally, measuring an employee's body temperature is a medical examination. Because the CDC and state/local health authorities have acknowledged community spread of COVID-19 and issued attendant precautions, employers may measure employees' body temperature. However, employers should be aware that some people with COVID-19 do not have a fever,” says the EEOC.
Many government authorities in both the U.S. and Canada have in recent weeks launched government-sanctioned contact tracing applications.
Recently, the governor of the state of Washington suggested that those who refuse to cooperate with contact tracers or testing for the coronavirus would not be allowed to leave their homes for even food or medical supply shopping.
A recently introduced bipartisan bill known as H.R. 6666 would authorize the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services to “award grants to eligible entities to conduct diagnostic testing for COVID–19, to trace and monitor the contacts of infected individuals, and to support the quarantine of such contacts.”
The Canadian prime minister, Justin Trudeau, recently said his federal government would fund provincial efforts to ramp up coronavirus testing. He also said he would increase funding to expand contact tracing of those who test positive, with the goal being to share the data across the country.
Alberta was the first Canadian province to release its optional contact tracing application, which has been downloaded thousands of times.
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lifesitenews--2020-06-04--Why Pentecost should be celebrated for an entire week

June 4 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — The traditional Introit for Pentecost Tuesday practically explodes with joy , showing how dearly the Church welcomes the supreme gift , the Holy Spirit : “ Receive the most sweet gift which shall be your glory , alleluia : giving thanks to God , alleluia , who hath called you to the heavenly kingdom , alleluia , alleluia , alleluia .
V. Attend , O My people , to My law : incline thine ear to the words of My mouth.
” Fittingly , when the priest or the schola repeats this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or singing the word “ alleluia ” ten times , pointing to the number of Commandments on the two tablets brought down from the holy mountain .
The psalm verse ( “ Attend , O My people , to My Law ” ) recalls that the original meaning of this feast was to recall with gratitude the giving of the Law , which , in the age of Christ , becomes the writing of the Law upon the fleshy tablets of our hearts — in other words , the essence of the Christian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In the “ network of mysteries , ” the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost ranks easily on a level with the Nativity of the Savior we celebrate on December 25 and even with the commemoration of His Passion on Good Friday .
For the birth and death of the Savior would have been of no benefit to us had He not poured out upon us the Spirit of adoption , leading us through His death to rebirth in Him .
No wonder the Church cries out in the Preface of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ octave from Pentecost Sunday to Trinity Sunday : It is truly meet and just , right and availing unto salvation , that we should at all times and in all places give thanks unto Thee , O holy Lord , Father almighty and everlasting God ; through Christ our Lord .
Who ascending above all the heavens , and sitting at Thy right hand , on this day sent forth the Holy Ghost , as He had promised , on the children of adoption .
Wherefore does the whole world rejoice with exceeding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also the angelic powers join in singing the hymn to Thy glory , saying without ceasing : Sanctus ...
The whole world rejoices with exceeding great joy !
Perhaps a Christian world would have done so , but in darker times such as our own , we might expect that at least the Church would rejoice with exceeding great joy for the same period of eight days that she gives to Christmas and Easter , and that she would follow that octave with many weeks of basking in the light of the mystery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Eastertide , so , by analogy , there should be “ Pentecosttide.
” Surely enough , the traditional calendar did exactly this : after Trinity Sunday , each Sunday is marked as a “ Sunday after Pentecost , ” placing the entirety of time under the wings of the Dove .
But what is an “ octave ” ?
It is an eight-day period in which the Church , not content to remember some great mystery only on a single day , extends her joyful celebration for the period of a full week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eighth day or octave day .
Running through the week like this , the week of creation culminating in God ’ s rest and beyond it to the day of the resurrection , symbolizes the fullness of rejoicing — it is for all time — and the eternal joy of Heaven .
In the traditional Roman rite , there were eighteen distinct octaves during the Church year until the 1955 reform of Pius XII radically simplified them to three : Christmas , Easter , and Pentecost .
These are indeed the most ancient @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the liturgical reforms of the twentieth century agree that this Pacellian pruning was radical .
Among other things , it stripped the Church of the much loved and fitting octaves of Epiphany , Corpus Christi , the Ascension , and the Immaculate Conception .
The postconciliar liturgical reform went one step farther by abolishing the octave of Pentecost in the new calendar of 1969 .
Unlike Pius XII ’ s move , which might have been justified as a return to a simpler ancient calendar , this new step was entirely absurd , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the unanimous understanding of the prominence of Pentecost , which was treated as superior even to Christmas .
The earliest extant record of the Pentecost octave is from the late sixth century — the same century in which we find the first record of the observance of an octave day for Christmas , January 1 , the feast of the Circumcision of Our Lord — but a prolonged celebration of Pentecost is probably much older , considering its universal presence in East and West .
Something done by the Latins and the Greeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely to belong to the apostolic period or shortly thereafter .
( One might add , in a spirit of interreligious dialogue , that even observant Jews celebrate Pentecost , Shavuot or the “ Feast of Weeks , ” for two days instead of just one . )
Every year when I read the liturgical texts for the Octave of Pentecost in the Roman Rite , I am stunned that the liturgical revolutionaries abolished this octave .
It ’ s incredible — a real act of iconoclasm and anti-pneumatology , a refusal of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This can be seen again and again and again in nearly every decision made by the reformers .
It seems to me that the Novus Ordo has earned for the Church exactly the reward we might expect from such offensive choices against tradition : an ever lessening gift of the Spirit , as dioceses go bankrupt , parishes merge and close , young people drift away , vocations ( especially religious ) remain a trickle , and courageous fidelity becomes increasingly confined to traditionalist enclaves .
In spite of all this , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the voice of His Church at her rightful prayer : “ Receive the most sweet gift which shall be your glory , alleluia.
” Come , Holy Ghost , fill the hearts of Thy faithful , and rekindle in the Church the fire of Thy love .

In the traditional Roman rite, there were eighteen distinct octaves during the Church year. Pentecost had one of them and should still.
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June 4, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — The traditional Introit for Pentecost Tuesday practically explodes with joy, showing how dearly the Church welcomes the supreme gift, the Holy Spirit: “Receive the most sweet gift which shall be your glory, alleluia: giving thanks to God, alleluia, who hath called you to the heavenly kingdom, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. V. Attend, O My people, to My law: incline thine ear to the words of My mouth.” Fittingly, when the priest or the schola repeats this antiphon, they will end up saying or singing the word “alleluia” ten times, pointing to the number of Commandments on the two tablets brought down from the holy mountain.
The psalm verse (“Attend, O My people, to My Law”) recalls that the original meaning of this feast was to recall with gratitude the giving of the Law, which, in the age of Christ, becomes the writing of the Law upon the fleshy tablets of our hearts — in other words, the essence of the Christian life and the whole point of it. In the “network of mysteries,” the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost ranks easily on a level with the Nativity of the Savior we celebrate on December 25 and even with the commemoration of His Passion on Good Friday. For the birth and death of the Savior would have been of no benefit to us had He not poured out upon us the Spirit of adoption, leading us through His death to rebirth in Him.
No wonder the Church cries out in the Preface of Pentecost, used every day of the octave from Pentecost Sunday to Trinity Sunday:
It is truly meet and just, right and availing unto salvation, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks unto Thee, O holy Lord, Father almighty and everlasting God; through Christ our Lord. Who ascending above all the heavens, and sitting at Thy right hand, on this day sent forth the Holy Ghost, as He had promised, on the children of adoption. Wherefore does the whole world rejoice with exceeding great joy; the hosts above and also the angelic powers join in singing the hymn to Thy glory, saying without ceasing: Sanctus…
The whole world rejoices with exceeding great joy! Perhaps a Christian world would have done so, but in darker times such as our own, we might expect that at least the Church would rejoice with exceeding great joy for the same period of eight days that she gives to Christmas and Easter, and that she would follow that octave with many weeks of basking in the light of the mystery. Just as we have Christmastide and Eastertide, so, by analogy, there should be “Pentecosttide.” Surely enough, the traditional calendar did exactly this: after Trinity Sunday, each Sunday is marked as a “Sunday after Pentecost,” placing the entirety of time under the wings of the Dove.
But what is an “octave”? It is an eight-day period in which the Church, not content to remember some great mystery only on a single day, extends her joyful celebration for the period of a full week, with a culminating remembrance on the eighth day or octave day. Running through the week like this, the week of creation culminating in God’s rest and beyond it to the day of the resurrection, symbolizes the fullness of rejoicing — it is for all time — and the eternal joy of Heaven.
In the traditional Roman rite, there were eighteen distinct octaves during the Church year until the 1955 reform of Pius XII radically simplified them to three: Christmas, Easter, and Pentecost. These are indeed the most ancient, although most commentators who have studied the liturgical reforms of the twentieth century agree that this Pacellian pruning was radical. Among other things, it stripped the Church of the much loved and fitting octaves of Epiphany, Corpus Christi, the Ascension, and the Immaculate Conception.
The postconciliar liturgical reform went one step farther by abolishing the octave of Pentecost in the new calendar of 1969. Unlike Pius XII’s move, which might have been justified as a return to a simpler ancient calendar, this new step was entirely absurd, as it violated antiquity as well as the unanimous understanding of the prominence of Pentecost, which was treated as superior even to Christmas.
The earliest extant record of the Pentecost octave is from the late sixth century — the same century in which we find the first record of the observance of an octave day for Christmas, January 1, the feast of the Circumcision of Our Lord — but a prolonged celebration of Pentecost is probably much older, considering its universal presence in East and West. Something done by the Latins and the Greeks unanimously and from the earliest records is likely to belong to the apostolic period or shortly thereafter. (One might add, in a spirit of interreligious dialogue, that even observant Jews celebrate Pentecost, Shavuot or the “Feast of Weeks,” for two days instead of just one.)
Every year when I read the liturgical texts for the Octave of Pentecost in the Roman Rite, I am stunned that the liturgical revolutionaries abolished this octave. It’s incredible — a real act of iconoclasm and anti-pneumatology, a refusal of the charismatic grace of the liturgical season. This can be seen again and again and again in nearly every decision made by the reformers.
It seems to me that the Novus Ordo has earned for the Church exactly the reward we might expect from such offensive choices against tradition: an ever lessening gift of the Spirit, as dioceses go bankrupt, parishes merge and close, young people drift away, vocations (especially religious) remain a trickle, and courageous fidelity becomes increasingly confined to traditionalist enclaves.
In spite of all this, I will trust in God and obey the voice of His Church at her rightful prayer: “Receive the most sweet gift which shall be your glory, alleluia.” Come, Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of Thy faithful, and rekindle in the Church the fire of Thy love.
Peter Kwasniewski, Thomistic theologian, liturgical scholar, and choral composer, is a graduate of Thomas Aquinas College in California (B.A. Liberal Arts) and The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC (M.A. and Ph.D. in Philosophy). He taught at the International Theological Institute in Austria and the Franciscan University of Steubenville’s Austria Program, then helped establish Wyoming Catholic College in 2006. There he taught theology, philosophy, music, and art history and directed the choirs until leaving in 2018 to devote himself full-time to writing and lecturing. Today he contributes regularly to many websites and publications, including New Liturgical Movement, OnePeterFive, LifeSiteNews, Rorate Caeli, The Remnant, and Catholic Family News, and has published thirteen books, including four on traditional Catholicism: Resurgent in the Midst of Crisis (Angelico, 2014, also available in Czech, Polish, German, Portuguese, Spanish, and Belarusian), Noble Beauty, Transcendent Holiness (Angelico, 2017), Tradition and Sanity (Angelico, 2018), and Reclaiming Our Roman Catholic Birthright: The Genius and Timeliness of the Traditional Latin Mass (Angelico, 2020). His work has been translated into at least eighteen languages. Kwasniewski is a scholar of The Aquinas Institute in Green Bay, which is publishing the Opera Omnia of the Angelic Doctor, a Fellow of the Albertus Magnus Center for Scholastic Studies, and a Senior Fellow of the St. Paul Center. He has published over a thousand articles on Thomistic thought, sacramental and liturgical theology, the history and aesthetics of music, and the social doctrine of the Church. For news, information, article links, sacred music, and the home of Os Justi Press, visit his personal website, www.peterkwasniewski.com.
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