Paul Van Noy, an Idaho pastor who resisted the use of face masks and often ridiculed the veracity of coronavirus is in the ICU being treated for coronavirus infection. His wife and five church members were also infected with COVID-19 but they recovered. The senior pastor at Candlelight Church in Coeur d’Alene is now on oxygen support and has spent two weeks in the hospital.
Pastor Noy often said he was a “no-masker” even though he allowed members of his church who wished to wear face masks. He even moved his church to pray against the intentions of the Panhandle Health District’s Board of Health to implement the enforcement of face masks in Kootenai County.
“I am a no-masker, personally,” Van Noy told his congregation. “I don’t want to be told I have to wear a mask. We’re adults and we don’t need the government to tell us what to do. One additional thought for those who are believers in Jesus. There is no need to fear the cause or effect of Covid-19.”
The pastor even went as far as wrongly claiming that masks do not prevent the spread of COVID-19 and urged his church members to ignore the recommendations of the government to observe health guidelines or even shut down their businesses.
“Our governors and many more were completely wrong about the potential threat of this virus,” he posted on Facebook. “If you are still living in fear, Don’t be. The media, global organizations, the government, and its agencies ‘mislead’ the public. Open up your businesses, churches, and homes. Don’t fall for the lies any longer. If you fell for the lies this time, wake up and join the army of truth-seekers fighting on the front lines.”
Having admitted that he contracted COVID-19 and on oxygen support, the pastor requested his church members on Thursday to gather again for worship on Sunday in his absence. His wife Brenda also admitted that she got the coronavirus because she failed to take the pandemic seriously, she urged people to take it seriously because it is real.
“I’m humbled. I have COVID-19 and some of my friends have COVID-19 now but more seriously my husband is in critical care in ICU with COVID-19 and it is serious. Please take this serious,” she wrote.
Source: nbcnews.com
