Pandemic Response and Religion in the United States represents an initial archiving of online materials related to religion and the coronavirus pandemic in the United States. Materials are organized by thematic category and can be searched by keywords. This database will encourage further research into religion and pandemic response. We hope that such research will in turn serve to guide policy decisions by religious organizations and governments. It will also serve as a foundation for teaching about religion and health, disaster response, and other key issues at the high school and college levels. This project was made possible by a WMU Meader Presidential Endowment Covid19 Response Grant. The project’s principle investigator (PI) is Dr. Stephen Covell and the co-PI is Dr. Diane Riggs. Data was collected by the following graduate students in the Department of Comparative Religion: Cameron Borg, Gerald Brooks, Jarrett Stalinger and Emily Warren.
Submissions from 2020
Thai Buddhist Responses to Covid-19, Brooke Schedneck and The Jivaka Project
A Virus That Hits All Faiths Tests Religion's Tie to Science, Elana Schor and Mariam Fam
Poll: Most in U.S. back curbing in-person worship amid coronavirus, Elana Schor, Emily Swanson, and The Denver Post
Area Megachurch Holds Sunday Services Despite Coronavirus Concerns, Eric Schwartzberg
Post-Covid, Will Religion Become More Individualized and, In Turn, Lessen Hostilities?, Priyadarshini Sen
In the Time of Covid-19: Living in harmony within our ecosystem, Rupal Ramesh Shah
The Voiceless Sufferers of Covid-19: Islam and animal care, Zahoor Ahmed Shah
Fiqh Council of North America Covid Statement: Rulings on daily and weekly congregational prayers during Coronavirus pandemic, Zulfiqar Ali Shah
Concern Rising Over Mikveh use Amid Coronavirus Epidemic, Jeremy Sharon
‘Where Do We Draw the Line?’ Some California Church Leaders Question Order Barring Indoor Worship, Andrew Sheeler
‘Where do we draw the line?’ Some California church leaders question order barring indoor worship, Andrew Sheelter
Religious Ideals Shaped the Broken U.S. Prison System. Can they also fix it?, Betsy Shirley
Religious Exemptions During the Coronavirus Pandemic Will Only Worsen the Crisis, Maggie Siddiqi, Guthrie Graves-Fitzsimmons, and Eva Gonzalez
Epidemics, War have Impacted Muslim Worship Throughout History, Usaid Siddiqui
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Religion, Siddsg
US Sikhs Tirelessly Travel Their Communities to Feed Hungry Americans, Evan Simko-Bednarski
Impact of Covid-19 on Religion and Beyond, Rajkumar Singh and The Geopolitics
West MI Hindu Temple Volunteers Deliver Groceries, Rishi Singh
Indigenous Peoples Turning to Traditional Knowledge on COVID-19 Response, Carolyn Smith-Morris
Benedictine Sister dies of COVID Amid Outbreak at Monastery, Peter Smith
Priest Contemplates His Life, Ministry After COVID-19 Ordeal, Peter Smith
Communicating in COVID, Oren Jay Sofer and Alex Tzelnic
SokukoJi in Battle Creek, SokukoJi Buddhist Temple Monastery
Watch: The Dalai Lama releases coronavirus “Call to Unite,” Read by Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Rod Mead Sperry
At Critical Time for Race Relations, Coronavirus Attacks Detroit's Black Church Leadership, Cassandra Spratling
$15,000 Fine After Secret Hasidic Wedding Draws Thousands of Guests, Liam Stack
Hasidic Jews, Hit Hard by the Outbreak, Flock to Donate Plasma, Liam Stack
Coronavirus: ‘Huge Spike’ in Brooklyn Hasidic Community, Liam Stack and Nate Schweber
Daoism and Disease in China and Diaspora, Michael Stanley-Baker and Society for Cultural Anthropology
Muslim Prayer Continues Amid Coronavirus Pandemic as CT Mosques Reopen, Ed Stannard
GUIDANCE FOR PLACES OF WORSHIP, State of Arizona
Coronavirus Outbreak Closes Church in Universal City that Once Again Allowed Hugging, Melissa Fletcher Stoeltje
Navajo Nation, Hit Hard by COVID-19, Comes Together to Protect its Most Vulnerable, Stephanie Sy, Lena I. Jackson, and Casey Kuhn
Everything We Know About the Eastern Oregon Church at the Center of State’s Largest Coronavirus Outbreak, Celina Tebor
For World's Largest Muslim Country, a Virus-Disrupted and Bittersweet Eid, Angie Teo and Agustinus Beo Da Costa
Should Mosques Remain Open for Congregational Prayer? Countering a Poor Fatwa, The Abrahamic Overview- With Mohammed Nizami
The Latest: Sixth nun dies of COVID-19 at Greenfield convent, The Associated Press and Fox 11 News
How Faith Shapes Feelings About the Coronavirus Outbreak, The Associated Press-NORC Center gor Public Affairs Research
Amid Pandemic, Christians Celebrate an Easter like No Other, The Associated Press and WTOP News
Voodoo Priests Recommend Voodoo to Stop Covid-19, The Economist
Guidance for Gathering Together in Houses of Worship, The Governor's Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives-Tennessee
Buddhism in the Pandemic, The Jivaka Project
Looking After Your Faith and Religion, The University of Nottingham
Pagan Festival and Event Updates Resulting from COVID-19 (Updated), The Wild Hunt- Pagan News & Perspectives
COVID-19: Indian pilgrims will not travel to Saudi Arabia for Haj 2020, Says Naqvi, The Wire Staff
We Joined a Ramadan Celebration in Animal Crossing, Dexter Thomas
Pastor Kinloch: No "transparency" in Detroit's COVID-19 response, Bankole Thompson and Solomon Kinloch
Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center & Kumbum Chamtse Ling Monastery Web Page, Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center & Kumbum Chamtse Ling Monastery
Life at Tibetan Buddhist Nunneries During COVID-19 Pandemic, Tibetan Nuns Project
Social Distancing Sends Spirituality to the Virtual Realm, Casey Toth
Sacred Distancing: Religious organizations in Grand Rapids adapting to COVID-19 pandemic through online services, engagement, Brett Townsend
Passover, Easter Celebrations Revised During COVID-19 Pandemic, Doug Tribou
Many Suburban Places of Worship will Remain Closed Despite Lifting of Crowd Limits, John Tuohy
Detroit Nuns Step Up Ministry During Coronavirus Pandemic, Paula Tutman and Kayla Clarke
Closing Mosques – Islamic Justifications for Coronavirus Lockdowns, Sajid Umar and Islam 21C
The White Way, Toshiyuki Umitani, Candace, Donna Higashi, and Moiliili Hongwanji Mission
Launch of Global Multi-Religious Faith-in-Action Covid-19 Initiative: Faith and positive change for children, families and communities, UNICEF and Religions For Peace
How are Americans Practicing Religion During the Pandemic?, University of Chicago News
Online Live Programs, University of Chicago-Spiritual Life
NY Loosens Restrictions on Houses of Worship in Phase II of Reopening, Marina Villeneuve
NYC Mayor To Synagogues: Close for Coronavirus or be shut down permanently, Vos Iz Neias?
JAINA Newsletter : Corona Virus, Jain Center News, Six Dravyas of Jainism, etc..., Mahesh Wadher
Lectures on Christian Science, Melanie Wahlberg, Tom McElroy, and Michelle Nanouche
Latter-day Saint Apostle Days pandemic is a ‘Wake-up Call’ About the Fragility of Religious Freedom, Ted Walch
Diocese of Grand Rapids; Office of the Bishop Newsletter, David Walkowiak
COVID-19 Response and Recommendations, David Walkowiak and Diocese of Grand Rapids
At the Vatican, A Christmas Eve Mass Shaped by the Pandemic, Laurel Wamsley
Vatican OKs Receiving COVID-19 Vaccines, Even If Research Involved Fetal Tissue, Laurel Wamsley
7 Catholic Religious Sisters Now Dead of Coronavirus at Same Michigan Convent, Niraj Warikoo
With Coronavirus Spreading, Detroit Churches Struggle to Keep On, Niraj Warikoo
West Michigan Hindu Temple Homepage, West Michigan Hindu Temple
COVID-19 Outbreak Confirmed in Greenbrier County Church, West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources
How the Houston Islamic community is celebrating Ramadan during COVID-19, Katherine Whaley
The Uncertain Future of Faith and Health, Joseph Williams
The Uncertain Future of Faith- and Health- in a Coronavirus World, Joseph P. Williams
“Six Feet Apart We’re Closer than Ever”: Budhism in Canada and the United States during the pandemic, Jeff Wilson and The Jivaka Project
Church tied to Oregon's largest coronavirus outbreak, superspreading, Aylin Woodward
Religion Can Help Tackle Covid, Meeting Told, Tim Wyatt
Faith in the Time of Coronavirus, Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research
In a Pandemic, Religion Can Be a Balm and a Risk, Vivian Yee
‘Timeless Message of Unity’ Resonates on Holy Day Celebrating Buddhism, Amidst Pandemic, Jing Zhang
Religious Education Continues in Different Format During COVID-19 Pandemic, Carol Zimmermann and The Dialog