Editor's note: This story was edited after publication to note that a planned Thanksgiving event at the church was canceled.
After videos of a crowded church concert Tuesday went viral, the mayor said the event illustrates a need to revise rules established to stem the spread of COVID-19.
Mayor G.T. Bynum in a news conference Thursday said he had heard many people express safety concerns about Victory Church hosting the worship band Bethel. Videos posted to social media show a crowded auditorium of unmasked worshipers singing and jumping around to live music.
After seeing the viral videos, Bynum said he visited with church leadership, who told him that they had a safety plan in place to block off every other row and to ask people to wear masks.
“They had a safety plan, and yet you see the pictures on social media of what occurred at that event,” Bynum said. “That clearly to me demonstrates the limitations of the rules we have right now and the need to amend them.”
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Any event of greater than 500 people in the city must develop a safety plan that is approved by the Tulsa Health Department. Bynum said the City Council will meet next week and likely consider “multiple ordinances,” which could include a cap on event sizes or penalties for not adhering to the mask order.
Many in the community expressed concern that people at the crowded church event weren’t masked nor physically distanced after videos were shared online and that Victory had begun advertising a mass Thanksgiving meal. The event was canceled after gaining national attention.
A city spokeswoman said the city couldn’t confirm whether the concert actually had more than 500 people in attendance.
“The city was not aware of the concert event until after it occurred. ... Mayor Bynum has talked to Victory leadership today about these events and how it takes the entire community to prevent the further spread of this virus,” city spokeswoman Michelle Brooks said Thursday.
Neither the church nor the worship band responded to a request for comments.
THD Executive Director Bruce Dart said adherence to a proper safety plan can prevent infections from spreading.
Dart said his office has been in communication this week with event organizers for Winterfest, which is slated to begin Saturday, and the BMX Grand Nationals, set for Nov. 26-29.
“We’re letting them know that, ‘Your safety plan looks good, but we’re paying attention to the data and what the environment’s telling us,’” Dart said. “And if the data and environment are telling us that we need to pivot and rethink even having this event, that’s something we need to do.”
Bynum said his response to the Victory videos was frustration for the health care workers who are struggling and then see people disregarding the most simple precautions that can be taken to save lives.
“For them not to get the support from the folks in the community — the very people they’re trying to save — is frustrating,” Bynum said.
Dr. Jennifer Clark, during her COVID-19 data presentation Wednesday morning for OSU Center for Health Science’s Project ECHO, noted that enclosed space, duration of interaction, crowds and forceful exhalation are the four main factors for risk of exposure.
“So singing at church, that would be a high level of risk,” Clark said.
Other high-risk activities include indoor parties, air travel, concerts, movie theaters, bars, contact sports, and public transportation.
Dr. Dale Bratzler, OU’s chief COVID officer, on Tuesday afternoon said he has been working with the faith community to strongly encourage that parishioners wear masks inside.
He said it’s not about singling out churches, it’s about people gathering indoors any place without masks.
Bratzler said it makes no sense to have places of worship be exempt from mask orders.
“There are multiple case reports and papers have been published recording outbreaks in churches. It’s well-known,” Bratzler said. “It’s not a secret that that’s a place where people get infected.”
Bratzler said many rural counties have new case rates that “far exceed” Oklahoma or Tulsa counties. Rural Oklahomans aren’t contracting COVID on the farm, he said, they are catching and spreading it at places where you meet or worship, as well as restaurants, funerals and weddings.
“I’m not telling anybody not to go to church,” Bratzler said. “I’m just saying try to distance yourself as much as possible, wear a mask to keep yourself safe and to keep the people around you safe.”
Video: Mayor G.T. Bynum says guidelines for restaurants and bars “will be enforced”
Mayor G.T. Bynum on Nov. 19 said that "11 o clock means 11 o clock" when referring to closure times for restaurants and bars.
Gallery: COVID-19 basics
COVID-19 basics everyone needs to know as the pandemic continues
How it spreads, who's at risk
Studies have shown many infected people show no symptoms or have symptoms so mild they may go undetected; those people can still transmit COVID-19 to About 20% of patients diagnosed with COVID-19 require hospitalization.
The disease can be fatal, especially for vulnerable populations: those older than 65, living in a nursing home or long-term care facility, and anyone with underlying health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, lung disease or obesity.
Science of virus spread
COVID-19 is spread mainly from person to person via respiratory droplets produced by an infected person. Spread is most likely when people are in close contact, within about 6 feet. A person might also be infected with COVID-19 after touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their face. According to the CDC, evidence suggests the novel coronavirus may remain viable for hours to days on surfaces, though that form of transmission is said to be minor.
Transmission between people more than 6 feet from one another may occur in poorly ventilated and enclosed spaces, the CDC says, especially where activities cause heavier breathing, such as singing or exercising.
The infectious period for patients can begin up to 48 hours before symptom onset.
List of symptoms
The CDC recently expanded its list of possible symptoms of COVID-19. The symptoms can appear from two days to two weeks after exposure.
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
This list does not include all possible symptoms and will continue to be updated by the CDC. One symptom not included is "purple toes," which someone may experience with no other symptoms, sometimes several weeks after the acute phase of an infection is over. The coloration and pain is caused by a lack of blood flow to the toes caused by excessive blood clotting, a late-stage concern with COVID-19 infections.
Kinds of testing
Those getting tested may experience different kinds of swabs. The viral test, known as PCR, involves a deep nasal swab that can be painful.
Other tests that require less-invasive swabs may produce results faster, but with less accuracy. These should not be used diagnostically.
It is not yet known whether COVID-19 antibodies can protect someone being infected again or how long protection might last.
The 'serious seven'
The "serious seven" refer to close contact environments where residents should take extra precautions if they choose to attend. The seven are gyms, weddings, house gatherings, bars, funerals, faith-based activities and other small events, according to Tulsa Health Department Director Bruce Dart.
Treatments being investigated
The FDA has allowed for antiviral drug remdesivir, previously tested on humans with Ebola, to treat more severe cases of COVID-19 in adults and children. Safety and effectiveness aside, preliminary studies have shown it can shorten recovery time for some patients.
After previously approving an emergency use authorization, the FDA as of July 1 cautions against use of hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine for COVID-19 outside of the hospital setting or a clinical trial. A review of safety issues includes reports of serious heart rhythm problems and other safety issues, including blood and lymph system disorders, kidney injuries, and liver problems and failure.
Convalescent serum therapy
Some patients are receiving convalescent serum, meaning the antibodies made by people who have recovered after a COVID-19 infection. Antibody-rich blood plasma is being given to severely or critically ill COVID-19 patients, including Ascension St. John, Saint Francis Health System, OSU Center for Health Sciences and Hillcrest HealthCare System in Tulsa.
From June to July, requests for convalescent plasma from the Oklahoma Blood Institute multiplied seven-fold.
Recovery, as defined by CDC
To be considered recovered (without a test), these three things must happen, the CDC advises:
- No fever for at least 72 hours (three full days of normal temperature without the use of medicine)
- Other symptoms improved (no more cough, etc.)
- At least 10 days since symptoms first appeared
