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
Religions Alter Death and Burial Rituals in Wake of Coronavirus, Causing Mourners More Heartbreak, Lindsay Schnell
A Virus That Hits All Faiths Tests Religion's Tie to Science, Elana Schor and Mariam Fam
Different Faiths, Same Pain: How to grieve a death in the coronavirus pandemic, David A. Schuck, Gina Hens-Piazza, Rodney Sadler, and The Conversation
Area Megachurch Holds Sunday Services Despite Coronavirus Concerns, Eric Schwartzberg
How Hindu Spiritual Practices Can Help Manage Your COVID-19 Anxiety, Kavita Pallod Sekhsaria
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
Fiqh Council of North America Covid Statement: Rulings on daily and weekly congregational prayers during Coronavirus pandemic, Zulfiqar Ali Shah
Washing the Deceased During COVID-19, Zulfiqar Ali Shah
Concern Rising Over Mikveh use Amid Coronavirus Epidemic, Jeremy Sharon
How Coronavirus is Leading to a Religious Revival, Sebastian Shehadi and Miriam Partington
'My Rabbi's Tools Now Include a Phone': UK Jewish burials changed by Covid-19, Harriet Sherwood and Helen Pidd
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Religion, Siddsg
Impact of Covid-19 on Religion and Beyond, Rajkumar Singh and The Geopolitics
Mikvah During Coronavirus?, Rivkah Slonim
Priest Contemplates His Life, Ministry After COVID-19 Ordeal, Peter Smith
Passover, Covid-19 and the Dangers of Inhumane Healthcare, Jon Sommer and The Jewish News of Northern California
Practices for When You Are Sick, Led by Roshi Joan Halifax, Rod Meade Sperry
India’s Goddesses of Contagion Provide Protection in the Pandemic – Just don’t make them angry, Tulasi Srinivas and The Conversation
$15,000 Fine After Secret Hasidic Wedding Draws Thousands of Guests, Liam Stack
Buddhist Teachings, Wisdom, and Practices for the Coronavirus Era, Lion's Roar Staff
Muslim Prayer Continues Amid Coronavirus Pandemic as CT Mosques Reopen, Ed Stannard
GUIDANCE FOR PLACES OF WORSHIP, State of Arizona
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
Coronavirus Updates: Native Americans Put Digital Spin On Traditions Amid Pandemic, The Associated Press and CBS Minnesota
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
Covid-19: Trump invites Hindu priest to chant ‘Shanti Path’ for safety of all at White House, The Tribune
Looking After Your Faith and Religion, The University of Nottingham
The Religious Dimension of Iraq’s Coronavirus Response, The Washington Institute and Raed Ahmed
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
Buddhist Nun Recommends Calming the Mind to Cope with Pandemic, The World and Karma Lekshe Tsomo
Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center & Kumbum Chamtse Ling Monastery Web Page, Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center & Kumbum Chamtse Ling Monastery
Social Distancing Sends Spirituality to the Virtual Realm, Casey Toth
A message from the Abbot, Trappist Caskets
Passover, Easter Celebrations Revised During COVID-19 Pandemic, Doug Tribou
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
Online Live Programs, University of Chicago-Spiritual Life
Coronavirus Threat Causes Area Muslims to Cancel Pilgrimage Plans, Amanda Vinicky
Diocese of Grand Rapids; Office of the Bishop Newsletter, David Walkowiak
At the Vatican, A Christmas Eve Mass Shaped by the Pandemic, Laurel Wamsley
Why I Decided to Immerse in the Mikvah During the Coronavirus Epidemic, Chana Weisberg
West Michigan Hindu Temple Homepage, West Michigan Hindu Temple
How the Houston Islamic community is celebrating Ramadan during COVID-19, Katherine Whaley
“Six Feet Apart We’re Closer than Ever”: Budhism in Canada and the United States during the pandemic, Jeff Wilson and The Jivaka Project
America’s Death-Care Industry is Getting Squeezed as Cremations Rise at an ‘Astronomical Rate’, Sam Wood
Safe Ramadan Practices in the Context of the COVID-19, World Health Organization
Religious Anti-Masker Commands ‘Demon’ to Leave Store Aisle ‘In Jesus Christ’s Name’, Meaghan Wray
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