Religion and COVID-19—Keeping Faith in the Battle Against Coronavirus
By Samantha Kiernan and Lily Cohen
Think Global Health
May 27, 2020
In recent weeks, faith-based organizations and religious groups have faced criticism for contributing to the rapid spread of or impeding the public health response to COVID-19 (see, for example, the Shincheonji Church in South Korea, the Tablighi Jamaat gathering in India, and a Hasidic funeral in the United States). Religious organizations, however, are not necessarily obstacles in the fight against COVID-19. Rather, they can be crucial allies, particularly in places where they are deeply imbedded and where domestic and international health institutions, media, and government officials have less influence or reach. Given their unique influence, how can faith-based organizations best aid in the global fight against coronavirus?