Georgia Bishop Says Gov. Kemp Is Putting People In ‘Unnecessary Jeopardy’
Bishop Reginald T. Jackson, presiding prelate of the Sixth Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, recently joined “Closer Look” to discuss his directive instructing local churches to keep their doors closed this weekend.
Sixth Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church
Gov. Brian Kemp is facing backlash for his decision to reopen a specific list of nonessential businesses and houses of worship.
On Monday, Kemp announced a plan to reopen the state’s economy in phases.
The first phase started Friday with the opening of barbershops, hair salons, bowling alleys, fitness centers, gyms and other similar businesses.
Kemp also gave the green light for houses of worship to reopen this weekend and for restaurants to resume dine-in services and movie theaters to reopen on Monday.
Soon after the governor’s announcement, Bishop Reginald T. Jackson, the presiding prelate of the Sixth Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, issued a directive for the more than 500 churches under his leadership to remain closed for in-person services.
Business owners and faith leaders who decide to reopen their facilities are required to follow social-distancing guidelines outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and meet other sanitation requirements.
On Friday’s edition of “Closer Look,” Bishop Jackson told the show’s host, Rose Scott, that he feels that the governor is putting reopening the economy over the health of people.
“I think the governor is putting people in unnecessary jeopardy, not only physically but also legally,” said Jackson.
During the conversation, he also discussed how African Americans are disproportionately affected by the coronavirus, the importance of building faith during the crisis and how the pandemic has expanded the way churches can reach people.
“It’s been refreshing for me to see that the church is more than a building,” he said. “It’s actually the people themselves.”
Guest:
- Bishop Reginald T. Jackson, the presiding prelate of the Sixth Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church
To listen to the full conversation, you can click the audio player above
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