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The COVID-19 pandemic is a global crisis and efforts are focused concomitantly on limiting the transmission and reducing the impact of the virus.1 From hand hygiene to vaccine development, physicians around the globe are trying to explore an effective and efficient disease management protocol. However, as with every other disease, COVID-19 has developed a religious cliché that has created a barrier for physicians in disease management. Especially in the developing world, practices are observed that are resulting in avoidance of precautionary measures as proposed by physicians. One example is the attitude of some Islamic faith believers who are not following the recommended precautions against COVID-19.2 On being questioned, it has been quoted that, ‘Allah is sufficient for us; and what an excellent guardian He is.’3 Additionally, the prevailing belief of life and death being controlled by the Almighty4 is also becoming a religious stigma in adopting precautionary measures. Moreover, drinking cow urine and hosting cow urine drinking parties to cure Corona-related illness is also reported.5,6 Combining and consuming water and sacred soil found at the grave of Maronite monk Mar Charbel (Mount Lebanon) is also practised against COVID-19.7 We agree that religion is part of the human make-up and faith healing exists in societies as a prime philosophy. Today, people are looking to religion for COVID-19 protection but by doing so are not following the basic precautionary measures, and that is a barrier faced by the frontliners against COVID-19.
One possible solution to this religious cliché is to engage the religious leaders of the respective societies. These leaders are the most respected figures in communities and the influence on their followers can greatly benefit the efforts against COVID-19. As community members listen to their religious leaders, physicians should take them on board while handling and managing COVID-19, both in hospitals and at a communal level. Because religious leaders influence social values, practices, and beliefs with their faith-based teachings, we strongly believe that their role in preventing COVID-19 will augment the efforts of the physicians. COVID-19 is a pandemic catastrophe and it is high time to overcome the religious cliché that is becoming a barrier for physicians in the optimal management of COVID-19.
- © British Journal of General Practice 2020
