Philanthropy, Ramadan and COVID
We’re in an escalated spirit of all three. This union and intersection brings us all to a crosswalk where everything we do shall be looked at with a high power lens. At times, we’d have to quit doing the good thing for a greater good and at other times, we’d have to do it differently. Some versed practices will need a little refitting and the incoming information will have to be sieved and verified. Everything aimed at preserving you and people around you. I heard it right a few days back. For the government, you might only be a number. For your family, you’re everything!
I am a patron of community service myself. Not a big shot, I don’t receive foreign aids nor do I get featured in magazines and blogs. The spirit of giving inside me doesn’t even long for that. But I am here, and doing this for quite some time now. Ramadan is the holy month for Muslims where they strive their best to be a finer version believer. The cycling of money in terms of zakat, charity and giving hikes and carrying out Iftars, ration drives, Eid celebrations becomes a ritual that every Muslim tries to perform. Amid this spirit of philanthropy, we tend to ignore that Coronavirus is still blooming amongst us and this smart microorganism manages to mutate and redress every time it’s about to get caught. The secretive symptoms and sudden deaths are menaces and despite of knowing all that, the tug of war between charity practices and COVID SOPs continues. People won’t listen, people won’t care, they won’t have money, army kicks in and what not! We need a bigger lens here. Let’s look at what can be done to maximize the spirit of philanthropy while not letting COVID-19 engulf lives.
1. Go all Disposable.
From street iftars to public food distribution drives, everything should be provided in disposable. If you’re sponsoring a street iftar, you can definitely spare a little more money for paper utensils. Make sure the trash bags are readily available to avoid human contact at all. Minimize the need for sharing to maintain distance. Provide plastic water bottles that can easily be carried and the distributors should all be wearing gloves and masks for safety purposes.
2. Distribute ration bags rather than food.
Not that food is a bad idea, not at all. But providing ration bags would reduce the need of gathering people at a spot. We can also make food packets and distribute rather than asking them to sit together. Distribute dry items that are easy to carry and discourage gatherings where social distance is difficult to maintain.
3. Distribute foods the boosts immunity.
I know we have heard this a lot lately. I myself have read articles in many credible and non credible journals about consuming foods that boosts immunity and it’s not always authenticated. But eating some of them won’t do bad if not good. We can encourage distribution of such fruits, vegetables and food items to strengthen the overall immune system of people.
The immune system requires the support of many nutrients. It is recommended to consume a variety of foods for a healthy and balanced diet, including whole grains, legumes, vegetables, fruits, nuts and animal source foods. There is no single food that will prevent you from catching COVID-19. — WHO
4. Make seating arrangements
Don’t let people decide for themselves, make them sit with an appropriate distance. Dedicate a volunteer or mark spots. Make sure they’re at good distance from each other.
5. Distribute masks. Sanitize their hands before and after.
When we can give food, why not masks too? reinforce the habit and need of keeping their mouth covered at all times. Sanitize their hands yourself, don’t leave it on them. Give them masks every day, stir a habit of wearing it. I know the affordability issues come along but saving lives is as important as feeding hungry.
I am sure people out there have multiple approaches and their ideas will help us all understand and explore different ways of keeping our spirits balanced. Awareness campaigns shall not cease at any point. We’d keep hearing myths and our Whatsapp will still be flooded with eye opening videos, but please know what to believe and what not. Verify, explore, discuss and be flexible. Accept that we might be wrong at some points. Prioritize lives over rituals. Ramadan Kareem!
