Yancey County Sheriff Gary Banks issued a statement saying he would not interfere with Yancey County citizens’ right to worship. The statement noted that Yancey County citizens had adhered well to the Governors Executive Orders relating to COVID-19. Most of the local churches have continued having services either online, drive-in or outside. Banks stated that he recognized the seriousness of the virus and the need to change the way we interact in our daily lives. However he said that this could be done without trampling on people’s First Amendment rights, which includes that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” Banks went on to thank pastors and church members for modifying their services and said, “I at no time will interfere with anyone’s First Amendment Right to the free exercise of worship in God’s House. ‘
