Go ahead and catch the coronavirus, come down with COVID-19, and "get it over with."
That's the message from the senior pastor of a western Michigan church, who's getting a lot of attention for a controversial message to his congregation.
“COVID, it’s all good. Several people have had COVID, none have died yet,” Pastor Bart Spencer said, during a November 14 sermon at Lighthouse Baptist Church in Holland.
The pastor added: “It’s OK. Get it, get it over with, press on.”
To be clear, people do die from COVID-19, according the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While most people infected with the novel coronavirus survive, about 2.0% in the U.S. have died, the CDC says.
In Michigan, the health department says the death rate is a little higher, at 2.5%.
Local newspaper the Holland Sentinel reports Spencer and several of his family members contracted the virus and have recovered. “It’s not fun, I lost my sense of taste and smell, but my bout with the flu was worse,” the pastor told the newspaper.
The sermon was posted on the church’s website, and shared on Facebook — where some in the comment called Spencer's remarks "crazy" and "irresponsible."
Lori Kay Kowalewski replied to the video: "Seems like something Satan would do! 'Press on!'"
Others, like Melissa Higgins Konneck, defended the pastor, commenting: "So when I hear this video, I don't see a problem with it! He is speaking WITH HIS CONGREGATION! None of them has died! He is not wrong!"
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The church has been holding services in-person after a pause in the spring. Some attendees wear masks and social distance, while others do not, according to the Sentinel.
While churches in the state are encouraged to practice COVID-19 safety measures, they are not subject to health department closure orders and other restrictions.
“We trust our people to make their own decisions,” Spencer added. “We respect one another’s positions.”
With hospitals already overwhelmed Michigan, health officials continue to urge everyone to stay home whenever possible, wear masks and stay 6 week apart from others when out to avoid contracting the virus.
This comes as the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state of Michigan is now over 380,000. More than 9,500 COVID-19 patients have died, and around 4,100 are currently hospitalized.
WWJ Newsradio 950 has reached out to Spencer for further comment.