COVID-19
COVID-19, or coronavirus disease 2019, is an infectious disease caused by the SARS-COV-2 coronavirus. It is related to, but not as severe in its effects as, the SARS virus which was responsible for an epidemic in 2003. Common symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, tiredness, and a dry cough; some sufferers may have aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat or diarrhea. COVID-19 is highly contagious, and spreads through droplets that result from an infected person coughing or exhaling.[1] As of 12 April 2023[update], over 762 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported to the World Health Organization (WHO), including 6.8 million deaths.[2]
Symptoms[edit]
Symptoms are generally mild and begin gradually; some may become infected without developing symptoms. Around 80% of sufferers fully recover without the need for special treatment; about 1 in every 6 people becomes seriously ill and develops difficulty breathing. Older adults and people who suffer from underlying medical conditions such as high blood pressure, heart problems, or diabetes are at higher risk of serious illness. Those with fever, cough and difficulty breathing should seek medical attention.[1]
2019 outbreak[edit]
COVID-19 began to spread widely after an outbreak in Wuhan, China in December 2019, and spread across the world in the following months, becoming a pandemic and initiating a global health crisis.[1] The spread of COVID-19 caused a wide variety of social and economic activities to shut down worldwide in early 2020 as governments enacted quarantines and recommended social distancing (i.e. keeping distance between individuals to avoid spreading the disease in social situations), even banning gatherings in some areas.
Guidance from the Universal House of Justice[edit]
On March 12, 2020, the Universal House of Justice temporarily suspended pilgrimage to the World Centre due to the pandemic.[3]
In a message sent on Naw-ruz, the Universal House of Justice indicated that the pandemic would have impacts on Bahá'í administration in many places. The House of Justice noted that relevant National Spiritual Assemblies would advise on appropriate measures in response, including possibly cancelling national and local conventions, or even (with guidance from Counsellors) allowing the membership of Local Spiritual Assemblies to continue on into the following administrative year.[4]
The Universal House of Justice also highlighted the fact that, through the framework elaborated through the recent series of Five Year Plans, the Bahá'ís had become "occupied with the work of nurturing within groups of souls precisely the attributes that are required at this time: unity and fellow feeling, knowledge and understanding, a spirit of collective worship and common endeavour", and stated that "efforts to reinforce these attributes have made communities especially resilient, even when faced with conditions that have necessarily limited their activities".[4]
Response from Bahá’í communities[edit]
Most large gatherings to celebrate Naw-ruz of the year 177 BE were cancelled due to the outbreak. To compensate, many communities held Naw-ruz celebrations via the internet, and began experimenting with ways to host gatherings online, offering devotional gatherings, children's classes, junior youth groups and study circles using videoconferencing software.
The worldwide Bahá’í community deepened its engagement in the life of society during the outbreak. Many local Bahá’í institutions were able to adapt quickly, responding to the needs of their communities and engaging with government and civil society to provide relief, donating and distributing food, organizing medical camps and distributing medicine, and channeling funds to those who had lost sources of income due to labour stoppages. In some cases, youth who had been participating in core activities and social and economic development initiatives mobilized in support of their communities, donating meals for children and helping families establish backyard gardens. Bahá’í radio stations supported their listening audience with uplifting stories and lessons for children who were isolated and out of school. Schools supported students and their families through visits and calls from teachers and decentralized classes.[5]
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Ridván School in El Salvador offered classes via videoconference. -
Health educators in the Democratic Republic of the Congo distributed posters on health safety. -
Emergency teams in Honduras distributed personal protective equipment. -
A youth group in South Africa observes health safety measures during a devotional gathering.
References[edit]
Notes[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)". www.who.int. World Health Organization. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
- ↑ Zaidi, Asiya Kamber; Singh, Rohan Bir (1 January 2024). "Chapter Two - Epidemiology of COVID-19". Progress in Molecular Biology and Translational Science. Academic Press. 202: 25–38. Retrieved 24 April 2025.
- ↑ "Travel Advisory: Bahá'í Pilgrimage". pilgrimage.bwc.org. Bahá'í International Community. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Universal House of Justice. "Naw-Rúz 177". universalhouseofjustice.bahai.org. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
- ↑ Bahá’í International Development Organization 2023, p. 78–79.
Bibliography[edit]
- Bahá’í International Development Organization (2023). For the Betterment of the World: The Worldwide Bahá’í Community's Approach to Social and Economic Development (PDF). Retrieved 23 April 2025.
