Gov. McMaster issues proclamation for day of prayer Sunday amid coronavirus
Gov. Henry McMaster announced Friday during during a press conference about the coronavirus pandemic that he would issue a proclamation declaring Sunday as a day of prayer across South Carolina.
“I think, and I know others agree as well, that it’s time that we pause, we thank God for where we are, for our lives in South Carolina,” said McMaster, who also lifted coronavirus-related restrictions. “We want to recognize and console those who have lost loved ones, those who are yet to lose loved ones, friends, families.
“We want to thank the families of all those who’ve stood tall also with our first responders, the healthcare people, the doctors, the nurses, the assistants ... the deputies, the sheriffs, the firemen and all who have worked to keep us safe under very stringent conditions in our state.
“And also we want to pray for our future, which we know is very, very bright,” he added. “We’ve been blessed in South Carolina, and we need to every now and then (that) it’s very important that we as a state stop together and realize it.”
As of Friday, more than 6,200 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus have been announced across South Carolina, including 256 deaths from teh virus. While McMaster and state health officials say the curve of new cases in the state has begun to stabilize and flatten, the Department of Health and Environmental Control expects to have more than 9,000 confirmed cases by the middle of May. DHEC also estimates there could be more than 38,000 untested positive cases throughout the state currently.
With the state under a mandatory stay-at-home order until Monday, and officials still urging residents to limit their travel, many church go-ers will have to pray from home. Churches across the state have been shut down for weeks now, transitioning to live-streamed services, including on Easter Sunday.
