Religious reaction to COVID-19 mask mandate varies in Ohio

COLUMBUS Although religious groups are exempt from most of Ohio's COVID-19 orders, at least 21 public-health complaints have taken issue with their coronavirus prevention practices in Franklin County.

Complaints obtained by The Dispatch through Sept. 9 show that people raised a range of virus-related concerns, including a lack of face masks, social distancing and sanitizing. Since early April, 12 complaints regarding religious organizations were made to Franklin County Public Health officials and nine to Columbus Public Health.

Rather than reprimand worshipers and faith leaders, local health departments have taken the complaints as opportunities to educate.

"We talk to them about the pandemic," said Jeff Gibbs, chief of the environmental-health compliance division for the Franklin County health department. "Fliers, posters, is there anything we can do to help you and keep your parishioners safe?"

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, local health departments had no reason to reach out to churches or other houses of worship.

>>Read more: Annual Muslim celebration fills parking lot, not mosque, this year

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