In light of an escalation in COVID-19 cases and state recommendations to avoid activities that could result in more infections, officials decided to put the celebration on hold for a year.
The judges also noted Beshear's arguments that Kentucky is "particularly vulnerable" to the pandemic because the state “leads the nation in children living with relatives other than their parents — including grandparents and great-grandparents, who are especially vulnerable to the disease."
The governor argued that his order applied equally to public and private schools, but U.S. District Judge Greg Van Tatenhove said the Sixth Circuit court has said regulation of religious activities must follow "the least restrictive way."
While county health officials have enforcement authority, a Marshall County official also said the county lacks the manpower to conduct robust field operations in support of the order.
The governor warns almost daily that a main reason Kentuckians need to stop spreading the novel coronavirus and bring case numbers down is to keep the state's health care system from being overwhelmed – and there are already signs that that is beginning to happen.
On most days, the public’s knowledge of COVID-19 patients in the Hopkinsville hospital is limited to the number who are being treated, but Wallace's son wanted to share more so his story might help people understand how dangerous the virus can be.
Members of the Christian Medical and Dental Associations who work in hospitals are warning that the pandemic has stressed the medical system to a possible breaking point.
