COVID-19 and religious congregations: Implications for spread of novel pathogens

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic is ravaging the world. A principal preventive strategy is practicing social distancing. Congregations of the faithful at the local and transnational levels are strongly recommended by several world religions and religious orders, however, a gathering of large numbers of people in close approximation could be fertile ground for the spread of novel pathogens. The refusal to suspend such gatherings could lead to potential widespread dispersal of infections.

Hajj and Umrah Mass Gatherings and COVID-19 Infection

“…The level of COVID-19 outbreak had been linked to large religious MGs in several countries. A clear relation between early suspension of such events and lower occurrence of COVID-19 transmission in countries that took such measures promptly was noticed [ 63 ]. There are lessons to national and international health organizations for other MGs in the context of a pandemic.…”

Data on attitudes, religious perspectives, and practices towards COVID-19 among Indonesian residents: a quick online cross-sectional survey

“… Although previously large-scale social restrictions were implemented by the Indonesian government, the total number of coronavirus cases is overcome China in the global ranking per July 18th, 2020, implying a higher infection rate among Indonesian residents. The surge of new coronavirus cases started since the loosening of large-scale social restrictions, thereby implicating that public gathering (including religious gathering) evidently increases transmission [1] . It has been reported that Indonesia's coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) mortality rate is the second-highest among Southeast Asian Nations, which may be associated with several health determinants, including biochemical factors and health comorbidity [2] , [3] , [4] , [5] , [6] , [7] .…”

Impact of COVID-19 on Management of Laryngeal/Oropharyngeal Neoplasms

“…Thus, social distancing was advised by many governments. 6 Moreover, lockdown measures were imposed by many countries. For instance, lockdown measures in Wuhan included travel restrictions, home quarantine, stopping public events and gatherings, closing of schools and universities.…”