As the pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus continues to threaten the U.S., governors of states and districts across the country have issued sweeping stay-at-home or shelter-in-place orders in an effort to slow the spread of the disease. Should religious groups be included in the bans on large gatherings?

At least a handful of churches across the country — including three Southern Baptist ones — have intentionally decided not to worship online on recent Sundays as some political and health officials said coronavirus-related social distancing applied to religious gatherings.