Our duty to others as Bahá’ís in this Pandemic

Perhaps you haven’t Heard the opinion of a healthcare professional who is also Bahá’í, hence I’ll like to submit mine as a series of articles related to COVID-19 and the us as Bahá’ís starting with the Health measures we must comply were they are mandatory by your government or not, according to our own beliefs.

First and foremost. I imagine this could be read by people from different countries, every one of which has taken measures to assure welfare in healthcare. Some places have made lax dispositions, while others have been very tight or maybe it has come unspoken. Independent of this guidelines, sometimes within what is suggested or optional, our decision must always lie in what’s best for others since it’s in our inherited principles as Bahá’ís.

1 – Usage of facemask it’s a must

Using a facemask and using it well in this scenario is an act of love towards other and everyone that puts in your way. This is a strange situation in which many use facemask in order to protect themselves, when in reality they are actually protecting others. If everyone were to use properly a facemask, we’ll protect one another.

SARS-Cov-2 it’s a virus with an enormous disadvantage to be transmissible before showing itself as COVID-19 (name difference it’s similar to how HIV is different from AIDS), that could mean days or even go unnoticed since you could be asymptomatic. What this means it’s that you can’t assure others you’re fine without two consecutive negative tests. Therefore, the safest way to protect others is by using a facemask, even if it’s just a cloth piece.

A facemask reduces a lot our transmission radius, not using it in public it’s being cruel to others, which isn’t in anyway how a Bahá’í should be.

2 – We must not barge in other person personal radius

Assume everyone has a facemask, therefore the transmission radius is very limited, does that mean we can approach one another? Definitely not, there is always a chance for infection by being close enough to other persona. If by any chance you need to enter their radius the most ideal would be not to spoken, and have the facemask properly fit to you.

3 – About quarantine

It’s true that there are some countries were this is very lax, or police aren’t forcing people to comply with this; with all things previously said, it should be done as much as possible.

Every bahá’í activity with close person contact should cease in your neighbor over which you have control; with this I mean junior youth groups, children classes, study circles and home visiting. Community banks and other activities that could be beneficial to other people under this scenario should continue but with distancing measures and within is permitted by the government.

Once more, if you’re well aware of problems this virus poses and how it’s transmitted, putting others on risk and the persons at their homes is not looking for the welfare of others.

4 – Voluntary work

Voluntary work requires a degree of sacrifice and effort which is commendable, but should only be done after reflecting that it shouldn’t cause more bad than good.

The most recommended efforts I could give are buying elderly people their food supplies in their instead, or being observant of their health (always respecting the last numbers).

I also recommend being in contact with people that’s alone and need no talk, even more if they seem willing to talk for hours.

For other ideas, there is also Bahá'í Teachings article about it

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I humbly ask for your forgiveness. I’m writing this from my phone and an old computer, I can’t put sources, nice pictures or Bahá’í quotes with their source, but I couldn’t wait longer to put this article online.

Whoever has studied bahá’í teachings knows that we’re asked to adopt the most refined accustoms; I hope this article helped making clearer which are those under this conditions.