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COVID-19: Exploring Faith Dimensions
WEEKLY HIGHLIGHT
#124
Messages, Information, and Misinformation

The United Nations General Assembly meets this week, almost entirely online. Faith-led events feature on at least some agendas, which are shaped in large part by the COVID-19 emergencies but also mark the United Nations’ seventy-fifth anniversary. An interfaith HIV/AIDS conference takes place September 22 to 24, amidst concerns that the focus on COVID plus pandemic restrictions challenge ongoing HIV/AIDS programs (this was the topic of the Berkley Center/WFDD/JLI webinar on September 10 on "Dueling Pandemics").
 
Rising concerns about misinformation are centering on the importance of building public trust in the development and distribution of vaccines to protect against COVID. Of particular concern are widespread myths, mistaken views, and conspiracy theories, including some specifically focused on Bill Gates. A New York Times report indicates that more evangelicals in the United States are sharing QAnon’s distorted information on many topics, including COVID-19.
 
More robust information about responses to COVID is emerging from umbrella faith-linked groups. ACT Alliance issued an informative report about what can be learned from roles of faith-based actors in COVID-19 response in Malawi, Zimbabwe, and Kenya. ACT Alliance has also developed a toolkit to support responses to COVID.
 
An interesting telephone survey in Malawi addresses important questions around trust and authority for COVID messages. Not surprisingly who delivers messages matters, and perceived high-cost recommendations are less likely to stick than those perceived as lower cost and as accurately reflecting risks. When health risks are high, compliance is more likely. The study found significant levels of respect for expertise and confirmed that religious leaders have distinctive assets in communicating public health messages. 
 
Two interesting reports from Japan: one, a detailed survey of young people by Soka Gakkai, highlights concerns about the impact of COVID restrictions on education; the other, a seminar on Shinto rituals, discussed how some traditional beliefs about infectious disease, including roles of deities, color contemporary reactions.
 
For more optimistic news, a “state of the plate” report gives positive indications of increases in charitable giving that supports religious congregations. And religious women in southern India do remarkable work feeding thousands every day. YourNeighbor, a network of over 1,000 churches from 40 denominations in the United Kingdom, offers a toolkit to support work with local governments. And as Rosh Hashanah challenged Jewish communities facing COVID restrictions, there were reports of positive adaptations to ensure safety while observing the spirit of traditional practices. 
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If you have news articles, guides, or other relevant resources you wish to share with us for review please email covid19.faithresponse@gmail.com. We are particularly interested in learning more about groups facing acute vulnerabilities (refugees, elderly, those impacted by the digital divide, in fragile states, etc.). Please send us any information you see.
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