Millions of people around the country are choosing to isolate themselves in a form of self-quarantine to help flatten the curve of the coronavirus, or COVID-19. Numerous states have even begun to forcibly close businesses that are deemed “non-essential,” while many other businesses in various states have voluntarily closed. Yet abortion facilities including Planned Parenthood remain open, meaning pro-lifers can still be found outside, praying or offering abortion-minded women options and resources. Unsurprisingly, the pro-abortion magazine VICE finds only one of these two things a problem.
VICE writer Leila Ettachfini complained that pro-lifers are still praying outside abortion facilities. 40 Days for Life was specifically singled out, as the peaceful prayer campaign will continue until April 5 — “despite the possibility of contracting the potentially deadly virus or passing it along to someone else,” as Ettachfini described it.
READ: 35 babies saved from abortion in first five days of 40 Days for Life prayer vigil
Ettachfini made sure to consult with people in the abortion industry to get their thoughts on pro-life events.
“It is a public health hazard,” co-founder of Reproaction Erin Matson told VICE. “It is the opposite of a ‘pro-life’ effort to encourage large groups of people to gather in direct contradiction of the orders of governors around the country.”
Jen Villavicencio, an abortionist and an OB/GYN, likewise said, “By their very nature, it is unlikely that the protests outside of health centers that provide abortion care are able to abide by these national rules and therefore are posing a risk of infection spread to the community.”
VICE cited a video from Shawn Carney, president of 40 Days for Life, where he encouraged people to continue to show up — but safely. “Be sure to be safe, be healthy, keep a distance, use your hand sanitizer, and pray for an end to abortion,” the video said.
The guidelines for social distancing recommend avoiding gatherings, unless in groups of less than 50 people. VICE did not offer any proof that 40 Days for Life volunteers have violated this.
However, no concern was expressed about the number of staff or abortion patients at facilities, including mega-facilities like the one in Houston, featured in Carney’s video. Apparently, for VICE, it’s fine for abortionists to continue operating, and for women to be put at risk inside –but for pro-lifers to be outside is inexcusable, somehow.
The hypocrisy truly makes one wonder: is it actually coronavirus VICE is worried about? Or are they just exploiting the crisis to attack the pro-life movement?
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