If they do not have Covid-19, it will be a relief. But how if they do? How if they do not self-quarantine and the disease spreads uncontrollably? I keep asking ‘how if’ so many times. Because I know, this is about the life of one family and other families around them. We can not guarantee that all those families have a sound immune system, so all of them will be escaping from death. How if some of them are elderly or have a severe underlying medical conditions? Can they survive the Covid-19?
My story sounds familiar, doesn’t it?
When I told this story to some friends, they also found this kind of story in their home town. Yes, it happens everywhere. It saddened me to see how some people, including the religious ones, are so ignorant of the pandemic. Does it mean that religion and science can not co-exist?
Years ago, Martin A. Nowak, Harvard professor of mathematics and biology, said that “Religion, like language, is a human universal and should not threaten scientists.” But, in the middle of a pandemic like now, we can witness some religious leaders neglect science in the name of belief. Of course, not all of them are categorized to be anti-science. There are a lot of religious leaders who encourage believers to be cautious during the pandemic. In line with the government’s and doctor’s suggestions, some religious elites encourage the people to wear a mask, keep their physical distance, and, if possible, pray at home most of the time. Even in Saudi Arabia, pilgrimages to the holiest site, Mecca, have been suspended for the time being. Other religious activities are also restricted, and some of them are virtually conducted.