The CDC warns that large indoor gatherings can be potential disease hotspots. Especially religious services.
There have been multiple reports of 'super-spreader' events at US churches and synagogues, as well as a South Korean temple.
That's when an person infected with the novel coronavirus COVID-19 passes it to an unusually high number of others, sparking local outbreaks.
Talking or singing loudly can produce enough droplets to transmit the coronavirus A recent study shows those droplets linger in the air for at least eight minutes.
Despite the risk to public health, President Donald Trump declared in-person worship an essential service on May 22nd, 2020.
Trump indicated that it's up to religious leaders to minimize these risk factors. He added he wouldn't hesitate to "override" state governors who refused to comply.