The circumstances of Dexter Rentz’s death were
awful enough. He was shot and killed on April 25th in Carver
Shores.
The tragedy was compounded during the Saturday
homegoing service at New Life Church of God in Christ on Powers Drive where
mourners sat shoulder-to-shoulder in the sanctuary. Most of those in attendance
-- including Orlando City Commissioner Bakari Burns – did not wear face masks
in accordance with the Executive Order issued by Orange County Mayor Jerry
Demings.
During a press briefing Friday (5/8) Mayor
Demings reminded the public that no more than 10 people should attend religious
services. He urged houses of worship to continue practice social distancing to
stop the deadly virus from spreading. To see Demings’ church warning, click here.
Ever since the pandemic swept the country in
April nearly all houses of worship have suspended in-person services and
resorted to on-line systems, such as Facebook Live.
In advance of Saturday’s funeral, Dexter
Rentz’s family encouraged people to watch the service via a livestream
arranged for by the funeral home. Many did watch the funeral on Facebook.
Despite that offer, the in-person service was heavily attended.
The disregard of the social-distancing
directive is particularly worrisome because data shows that the black community
has been disproportionally affected by Covid-19, which is particularly
contagious and much more deadly that the seasonal flu.
As of Saturday afternoon,
Covid-19 has killed more than 72,000 people throughout the United States; 1,600
have been killed in Florida.
One of the earliest known widespread outbreaks
of Covid-19 occurred in late March near Albany, Georgia, after well-attended
funerals of 2 black people. The Albany outbreak resulted in dozens of deaths and
hundreds of hospitalizations. For more on the Albany outbreak, click here.
Even though Orange County is relaxing some of
the restrictions imposed under the stay-at-home order Mayor Demings on Friday
warned that the danger is not over. To see that statement, click here.
