States announce lifting of mask mandate
Five states have announced mask mandates will be lifted immediately or relaxed starting in just a few weeks. The five states include Texas, Mississippi, Iowa, Montana and North Dakota. The state of Alabama is also expected to possibly lift their mask mandate soon. This will now up the number of states with no mask requirement to 16. This number includes South Carolina which never required a mask mandate statewide. The state governments of Texas and Mississippi have also announced businesses will be at full capacity with no restrictions. Critics voiced their opposition to the mandate changes claiming the coronavirus is at risk for a possible resurgence. State governments that announced a change in policy cited a change in the reported amount of cases in their states as the reason for relaxing restrictions. President Biden commented on the reopening saying, ”I think it's a terrible mistake...the last thing we need is neanderthal thinking that everything is fine.” He further commented saying state governments should follow the science.
US and World News: Michigan, California, Tennessee
Christian adoption agency will allow LGBT clients
A Michigan based adoption agency has announced it will allow LGBT clients. Bethany Christian Services made the announced recently. The decision follows a lawsuit in 2019. The adoption and foster agency is one of the largest in the nation. The agency said in a statement Faith in Jesus is still at the core of their mission, but providing a good home for children is the top priority.
California : US Supreme Court rules in favor of churches
The US Supreme Court has ruled in favor of churches once again in California. The court ruled that churches in Santa Clara County will be allowed to return to indoor worship services. The court ruled 6-3 in favor of the churches who appealed to the court. Attorneys for the five churches involved say their clients are grateful to return to services after almost a year of being prohibited and called California’s mandates and overreach of government officials.
Tennessee authorities announce rescue of in human trafficking cases
Law enforcement in Tennessee are reporting great news. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation reported the recovery of 150 children. The operation was in cooperation with the US Marshal Service and the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services. Operation Volunteer Strong was launched in January of this year.
SNBC NEWS: Persecution of church in Canada
Trinity Bible Chapel in Waterloo Canada has been fined 83-thousand dollars for holding an in person service. The church was fined by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice after holding a service with more than 10 people. The fines include penalties against the church, the pastor, each of the church’s elders and an additional 45-thousand dollars in legal fees to cover the court costs of the region’s attorney general. The church’s pastor took the opportunity to glorify God saying several people at the service were baptized and requested to be baptized. A Gofundme has been setup to help pay the churches fees.
UPDATE: Pastor James Coates (Canada)
Protests continue for the release of Pastor James Coates. The pastor was arrested in Alberta Canada for violating pandemic restrictions. The city’s health department claims the church violated restrictions by holding in person services over 15 percent capacity and not requiring masks on campus. Pastor Coates was offered release if he agreed to the city’s terms for in person worship services. He refused citing his calling to the ministry as priority. Because of the refusal the pastor will remain in jail until a hearing in May according to a judge presiding over the case.
In our SNBC HEALTH REPORT: exercise and its benefit to our bones. According to a recent study exercise helps improve the health of your bones. According to researchers at two different labs, exercise assists in the development of new bone forming cells. Exercise in particular walking and running helps the blood vessels in bone marrow, increasing bone forming cell production. Exercise helps to increase immunity cells in the body. Researchers with Harvard Medical Center say all forms of exercise help with bone density. A 2019 report in the Journal of Sport and Health Science found that exercise improves your immune system by lowering illness risk and inflammation. Doctors recommend at least 30 minutes of exercise per day. Good nutrition, and getting enough Vitamin D and calcium are also recommended to promote bone health.