SLO County DA is a prosecutor, not a preacher. Religion shouldn’t interfere with his job

In stunning defiance of a statewide health order, District Attorney Dan Dow all but gave his blessing to singing and chanting in places of worship — a risky activity that has led to COVID-19 deaths elsewhere in the country.

That’s a terrible message to send at a time when coronavirus cases are soaring; it legitimizes the idea that some public health rules are questionable and gives the public tacit permission to break the law.

Dow made the announcement at a July 4 gathering in Paso Robles. He said his office will not prosecute anyone who violates a state ban on singing in church — a vow he later repeated in a video message posted last week. He also unilaterally declared San Luis Obispo a “sanctuary county for worship and praise in church.”

At no time did Dow say anything about the possible health consequences of singing in public, even though it’s well known that singing can spread the virus.

His announcement should have no immediate effect. Indoor church services are currently banned in San Luis Obispo County, though that could change once the county is off the state watch list. But it’s worth noting that at the time Dow made his announcement, congregations were able to meet indoors, and singing easily could have occurred despite the state order.

This is the second time a high-ranking law enforcement officer in San Luis Obispo County has publicly contradicted medical directives.

Last month, Sheriff Ian Parkinson told a Tea Party gathering they could choose whether or not to wear a mask, though he later told New Times he should have clarified that by adding that people should wear masks if they can.

But who knows how many people took away the wrong message, based on Parkinson’s careless remarks.

It’s bad enough when members of the public defy the rules. They don’t need any encouragement from public officials — not when it’s more important than ever to back the Public Health Department 100%.

Just look at our numbers: We now have 1,926 cases and 16 COVID-related deaths.

In Paso Robles, cases have risen so much the city is warning it may have to order additional restrictions.

And Dow is undermining not only public health officials, but also religious leaders trying to protect their congregations.

Keeping congregations safe from coronavirus

“My concern is for the safety and well-being of others,” said Jason Sisk-Provencio, president of the San Luis Obispo Ministerial Association and pastor of SLO United Church of Christ, which is holding services online.

“Our faith traditions that are represented in the Ministerial Association emphasize concern for others and loving one another,” Sisk-Provencio continued. “It’s a fact that when people sing they unintentionally can infect others around them. ... Should we risk the well-being of others by singing?”

Of course not.

Yet our DA is calling it “insanity” to “brand a person of faith as a criminal for singing in their house of worship.”

What if that person of faith infects other congregants, who in turn pass the virus on to others, including medically fragile people who might not be able to survive it?

If that’s not a crime, it certainly is a moral outrage — but you won’t hear that from many county officials, at least not publicly.

Tribune reporter Matt Fountain reached out to all five county supervisors for comment, and for the second time in less than a month, only Bruce Gibson responded.

“.... What’s quite concerning is that it appears the DA is imposing his religious beliefs to decide which California laws he will choose to enforce,” Gibson said via email.

There are times when Dow sounds more like a minister than a public prosecutor.

Here’s an example from the video Dow posted last week on the county website: “Today, in 2020 more than ever, we need more people attending their houses of worship and seeking help from the almighty for an answer to the coronavirus.”

It’s one thing to make such statements at private gatherings. It’s asking for controversy to post them as an official message on a county website.

More turmoil is the last thing we need right now.

We elected Dan Dow to prosecute suspected criminals — not to dispense spiritual advice and certainly not to undermine public health orders.

If Dow or any other public official can’t fully support common-sense health directives aimed at stopping the spread of a deadly pandemic — and instead want to preach insurrection to their like-minded choirs — maybe it’s time they reconsider whether they belong in public service.

This story was originally published August 4, 2020 at 5:00 AM.