While the state of Florida is currently breaking new coronavirus records and literally leading the country in cases of the new highly-infectious UK variant, a Tampa megachurch pastor decided to hold a packed, maskless indoor service last weekend.
Since his arrest last March for defying shutdown orders and holding services during the pandemic, local evangelical pastor and conspiracy theorist Rodney Howard-Browne has held his weekly services in the parking of The River Tampa Bay Church.But last Sunday, Howard-Browne moved his congregation back indoors.
In multiple videos posted to YouTube and Instagram, Howard-Browne and his followers can be seen standing shoulder to shoulder in his indoor sanctuary, dancing and singing to a live band, with not a single face mask in sight.
This shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone. Howard-Browne has been a huge critic of anything related to the coronavirus outbreak. The pastor has suggested that face masks aren’t necessary, stated that pastors who don’t open their churches need to “grow a pair,” and last summer released a “plandemic” book called “The Phantom Virus: How An Unseen Enemy Shut Down The Planet!”
Obviously, Howard-Browne’s potential super-spreader event is in stark contrast to the county’s strict rules for regular local businesses. But despite Hillsborough County’s COVID-19 mandates, these rules just don’t apply to church who flaunt precautions because of Gov. DeSantis’ decision to exempt religious entities.
Howard-Browne’s church is located just outside of City of Tampa limits, but is within Hillsborough County, which has the ability to fine bars, restaurants and music venues for not enforcing indoor mask requirements, and people congregating on dance floors, or eating and drinking while standing.
In the City of Tampa, the rules are even more rigid. A Tampa bar or restaurant can potentially lose its liquor license if a single customer is found not wearing a mask multiple times.
Todd Pratt, Community Relations Coordinator for Hillsborough County, told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay that as of now, churches aren’t held to the same standards. “Religious institutions like churches are exempt from the County’s face coverings order,” wrote Pratt, who pointed to a part of Gov. DeSantis’ order that reads:
“Business” as used herein shall mean any commercial or for-profit entity (regardless of corporate structure or formation) that provides goods or services directly to the public. “Business” as used herein does not include religious organizations or private clubs nor does it include any location under the control of Hillsborough County Public Schools, which shall establish its own policy for all its locations within the district. “Business” as used herein also includes nonprofit and not-for-profit entities which offer goods or services for sale to the general public in indoor locations.
Hillsborough County Commissioner Kimberly Overman told CL that essentially there’s not much anyone can do. “Common sense would suggest that it’s dangerous for people to not wear masks, but The River Church has been challenging in a lot of different ways, and the pastor believes he is protected,” said Overman, who also added that the majority of Hillsborough County churches are actually doing the right thing, and many are having virtual gatherings.
At an upcoming Hillsborough commission on Thursday, Jan. 21, the Commissioner will propose a new expansion of the county’s mask mandate to include outdoor bar and restaurant spaces, and of course, this will not include The River.
Last May, after meeting Howard-Browne for lunch, Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister dropped the two coronavirus-related misdemeanor charges, and has since met with the pastor to exchange a coffee mug with his mugshot.
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This article appears in Jan 28 – Feb 3, 2021.
