Ramadan Coincides With the COVID-19 Pandemic: What Should Be Done?

In an effort to maintain social distance, all religious gatherings during this month of Ramadan are forbidden, because human gatherings and human-to-human transmissions are the main cause of the spread of the virus.3 Interestingly, fasting during Ramadan may reduce human interactions due to a relative decrease in a person’s energy level, which can be helpful in implementing World Health Organization (WHO) protocols in preventing outbreaks of COVID-19.4 The month of Ramadan is associated with special rituals for Muslims during the day, including a ban on eating, drinking, smoking, and sexual intercourse for the majority of adults. SARS-CoV-2 can cause serious clinical consequences by disrupting the immune system.3 However, previous studies have not shown a negative effect of fasting during Ramadan on the immune system; on the contrary, fasting with psychological and spiritual relaxation reduces stress and anxiety.5 According to Islamic law, patients or people whose health is endangered by fasting are exempt from fasting on Ramadan. [...]all healthy people under the age of 65 can fast by adhering to the following directions: (1) Follow all health advice to prevent COVID-19, such as keeping social distance, clean hands frequently with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand rub, using masks and gloves, and avoiding contact with patients with COVID-19.4 (2) Drink 8 to 10 glasses of water between Iftar and Sahar (at night).