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Who is Paul Van Noy? Idaho pastor diagnosed with Covid-19 lands in ICU after preaching wearing masks is a choice

The senior pastor at Candlelight Christian Fellowship was taken to the ICU after he and wife Brenda were diagnosed with coronavirus, as per an update shared on the church's website

KOOTENAI COUNTY, IDAHO: A pastor in Idaho has been admitted to the ICU after being hospitalized with COVID-19. 

The senior pastor at the Candlelight Christian Fellowship had told several members of his congregation that they need to not wear face masks when attending church services. Paul Van Noy was taken to the ICU after he and his wife Brenda were diagnosed with coronavirus, as per an update shared on the church's website on Monday, September 14. 

In a statement that was shared by his wife and church staff, Van Noy had said, "Having been in the ICU now for 11 days…and counting, I am really starting to turn the corner—for the better. They tell me it will be a few more days in ICU and then I will move back to a regular room for a couple of days and then to recover at home. At present, I feel ok but still need quite a bit of oxygen support—especially if and when I try to get up out of the bed."

"I thank the Lord for all the support I have been shown and especially from Brenda as she too has had a battle with the Covid-19 herself. I am thankful she did not need to be hospitalized," he added. "I pray daily for all the staff and members of Candlelight—and the other churches. I am watching in prayer that there are no new cases and we can all be back together—worshipping together as called—very soon," he continued. 

"Please pray for health and strength for all. We are called to such a time as this—to represent the Lord!" Van Noy said. The Candlelight Christian Fellowship is based in the Kootenai County where masks have been made mandatory. However, Van Noy had earlier told those attending his church that they were not required to wear masks. 

In a Facebook post dated July 17, Van Noy had written, "I have said here at Candlelight, 'If a person wants to wear a mask they should be allowed to do so. However, if they don’t, that’s ok too. We will not close down our church, we will not stop singing praises to the Lord, and we will not be required to wear masks or refrain from allowing those who wish to wear one the opportunity."

According to body ministry coordinator, Eric Reade, Van Noy had recently shut down all programs for 13 days in order to prevent the spread of the virus but the church's stance on masks will stay the same. While speaking to The Spokesman-Review, Reade shared, "The position is, if you feel comfortable wearing a mask, you can. If you’re not comfortable wearing a mask, you don’t have to."

"Nobody is going to be criticized for whatever decision they make," Reade continued. Reade also added that around five other church staffers have also contracted coronavirus. 

Many social media users have taken to the comments section to slam Van Noy. One such user had written, "He should not be treated. Period. All these anti-mask MAGAs who come down with COVID19 & comprises the lives of many others including medical staff should be left to leave this world. Sorry." Another social media user also added, "And sadly this has happened with many ignorant pastors - two pastors in Virginia who mocked the virus and mask-wearing have since died of the virus. And it was preventable. Their ignorance is not stronger than science."

As per data from the John Hopkins University, there have been around 6,675,593 confirmed cases of coronavirus so far while there have been 197,644 deaths so far in the United States.