

Faith brings together huge numbers of dissimilar people, tying them together with a singular purpose and passion. Led by the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans, read the letters to House and Senate leadership and learn more about our work to combat hate.Nothing so sharply divides, and yet so wholly unites, like religion. On March 11, 2020, Interfaith Alliance joined over 260 civil rights organizations in urging Congress to call for unity and take action against xenophobic responses to the current outbreak. We must fight misinformation and those who would use it for political gain by continuing to promote fact over fiction, and calling on our elected leaders to do the same. Unfortunately, recent remarks by the President have spun an inaccurate narrative that uses xenophobic language to incite suspicion and discrimination. This response must start at the highest levels of our government. Fight Fear With Factsĭuring times of national crisis, our leaders must set aside partisanship and present a calm, unified message to the public. If you’re able, check in with friends and loved ones who may need help.

Economic insecurity, lack of access to healthcare, paid sick leave, and affordable care providers will impact our personal and community responses. This crisis will disproportionately impact some more than others by exposing the profound inadequacies in our social safety net. It also provides resources for you to share with your workplace, neighbors, and family to dispel rumors around COVID-19.Īt the same time, we recognize that flexibility is a luxury. The CDC has an abundance of resources that outline common-sense safety measures to protect you and others from infection.

As misinformation exacerbates existing anxieties, the best responses are guided by health officials and involve pragmatic, evidence-based safety measures. Stay Calm, Stay Safeįor many, willingness to adapt – where possible – can diffuse the fear and uncertainty brought on by the virus’s spread. If you are seeking spiritual community, reach out to your local houses of worship for remote participation options. Many services have moved online to social media and video streaming platforms, creating new opportunities to maintain community and build spiritual bonds without physical closeness. Hand sanitizer and tissues are made readily available. Embraces have been replaced by elbow bumps. As large gatherings become increasingly difficult, faith communities are finding creative solutions. To many, communal worship is a source of hope, comfort, and connection. Increasingly, houses of worship have been suspending services to mitigate the spread of the virus. And faith leaders across the country have adapted their worship services to protect the health of their congregants. Common practices like joining hands or a kiss on the cheek are discouraged to mitigate the spread of the virus, while frequent thorough hand washing is strongly encouraged. Novel coronavirus is changing how we approach many areas of daily life jobs, schools, healthcare, and faith communities have all been impacted. Transforming Our Relationships – Interpersonally and Spiritually But, as a national interfaith organization that celebrates diverse communities, we urge our members to ground their preparations in our most treasured values: justice, dignity, and care for one another. Amid instability, it’s easy to give in to misinformation and fear. Americans across the country are bracing for the impact of the COVID-19 virus.
