COVID-19, religion and morality

The onset and duration of COVID-19, from February to May, the time of celebrations of many religions and faiths, is uncanny. For many people, it could be by design of their gods. Those of the Christian religion, Catholics, Protestants, and other denominations, the Holy Week and Easter happens from February to April. These months also have many Muslim holidays, celebrations, and pilgrimages like the Ramadan, Eid al Fitr, and the trips to Mecca. It’s also the time of the Chinese New Year when families go back to their hometowns to celebrate. The Hindi, Tamil, and Sikh New Years, are in March and April. It’s also the time of the year when people enjoy earthly pleasures because of the holidays and the pleasant spring weather. So, we have the Samba festival in Rio, the Mardigras in New Orleans, the cherry blossoms in Japan and Korea, and summer outings in the South Pacific islands including the Philippines. It is peak season for travel all over the world for fun and vacations. What a time to have a pandemic.

The significance and symbolism of the timing of this COVID-19 pandemic is not lost on the religious leaders and the people. From the news in main media and the posts in social media, people are becoming more pious, prayerful, charitable, and sharing. Fear may have a lot to do with this, the many hours of introspection brought about by the lockdown, and time spent with family makes us reassess what really matters. The advances in information and communication technology have helped in this aspect, as sentiments, religious, and moral tenets are shared online instantly. Religious rites and events like Masses, prayers, and petitions are shared/asked by communities and individuals, which gives a sense of oneness, solidarity, and community.

This spiritual awakening supported the already massive social and economic assistance that people from all walks of life have/are giving to those who are most affected by the pandemic. The financial contributions from the private sector, organizations, and individuals to the health facilities/hospitals, the medical workers and authorities may have even exceeded the amounts provided by governments. The solace and comfort even from strangers from far and near, to the affected persons/families limitless and invaluable.

Most of the lockdowns all over the world have only been in effect for two weeks and the effect on the environment and ecology have been very palpable. There is lesser air and water pollution, the skies and rivers are clearer, the ethnic conflicts and wars in many places have stopped temporarily, geo-political maneuvers and tensions have eased also temporarily, and the mad race for wealth and power have also slowed temporarily. It’s as if the world slowed down or paused momentarily to give everyone time to reset their values. “And the world will be better for this…”

Quarantine really means 40 days and was used in the Middle Ages to restrict ships from docking/unloading in Venice during the black plague, but it has more meaning for Christianity both in the Old and New Testament. Moses was in Mt. Sinai 40 days and 40 nights, and the Great Deluge lasted for 40 days. Jesus fasted for 40 days and it is 40 days from Resurrection to Ascension. It seems that 40 days is the most critical time span of this pandemic and the time we are given to evaluate our lives. From what we have observed so far, there is a high probability that the people and the world will be better. The social, economic, and political upheaval that happened will make it very difficult for all to go back to the same behavior and practices. If we do, God may send us another pandemic sooner than in 100 years.