Louisiana Gov Calls For Three Days of Fasting, Prayer

Newsweek reports:

In a press conference on Thursday, Louisiana’s Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards called for three days of fasting and praying during lunchtime from July 20 to 22. “I know it’s a little bit unusual,” Edwards said. “This will be a spiritual diet and exercise that I, as a Catholic Christian, believe is very important anyway.”

He said the prayers are intended for the people of Louisiana, the sick, caretakers and the families of those who have passed on. The idea arose from a telephone conference he had last week with religious leaders from across the state of Louisiana — Edwards said he hosts such a call every three weeks.

Since June 30, the state has reported anywhere from 1,000 to over 2,000 new cases each day. As of July 16, the state ranks 12th among states with the highest number of overall COVID-19 cases.