Do you support the reopening of churches and mosques? 

I am in support of it. Religious centres can’t be closed while markets and businesses were opened, that’s double standard. Allowing markets and banks to open while the pandemic was still raging showed that churches could as well commence congregation without jettisoning the safety of the masses. If we feel that the society is still under threat, then the lockdown should be general rather than opening businesses and locking religious centres. Personally, I believe that if we have not reached the stage to ease the restriction, then every public space should remain under lockdown. Do you think banks, markets and other businesses that are opened are not places where the virus can be transmitted? I see the move as counter-productive. We are all aware that our markets lack any control mechanism, so how does the government intend to check transmission of the virus in such conditions and circumstances? From the foregoing, you can understand the reasons behind the agitation of those seeking for the opening of churches.

 

 

 

I do not support it. How do you open churches and mosques but prohibit other gatherings above 20 people? What’s the point in keeping restrictions on markets and interstate travel, then relaxing churches and mosques? I must say religious gatherings are where people can contract this virus. The government failed on this decision.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Presidential Task Force (PTF) decision to open churches and mosques while keeping schools closed doesn’t make any sense to me. The fact remains that prayer has nothing to do with the pandemic but capacity to first stop the spread, test for and manage index cases while efforts to discover vaccines and drugs for the ultimate prevention and cure continues globally. The government has failed in all of these and yet it is compounding the situation with a hasty opening up of the system. It does not make sense at all and it’s like a step forward and nine backwards. Sooner than later, the effect could be calamitous considering a Nigerian public that lacks discipline.

 

 

 

This is a misplaced priority! Churches and mosques, particularly churches should be on lockdown until there is a cure for this pandemic. At times, I wonder if the lock down helped in any way in the first place. Our level of compliance was very poor but not just due to our fault. We don’t have a reasonable economic base to get this done the right way.

 

 

 

I am in support of it but the truth is, the safety of one’s life depends on an individual. The government is doing its best but in the final analysis, the government cannot protect us from ourselves. If the government cannot protect us from criminals who can be seen, how can the government protect us from a virus that cannot be seen? Protect yourselves! Do not rely on the government. Wear masks, hand gloves, observe social distancing and avoid public transportation if you can. Walk or bike to work and do errands yourself. Even though religious places are opening, do not go to church/mosque. Continue to worship at home and online. Going to churches/mosques is not essential right now.

 

 

 

It is a good one because the country has to go back to norm. This pandemic is beyond the scientists. I know the government knows what they are doing and these religious centres cannot open if measures of guidelines, which are the pre-requisite for opening, are not put in place.

 

 

 

With cases on the increase every day, I am not in support of the reopening of religious centres. Rather, I would say the opening should be put on hold. Nigeria is one country at the moment that is under-equipped to contain the explosion of this pandemic. Let us learn from the Western world.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is disheartening. The government is leaving the citizens to save their lives. They are trying their best but re-opening religious centres I must say is not the best at this critical time. With cases rising every day, re-opening of worship centres does not make sense at all because by doing so, we are shooting ourselves in the foot.

 

 

 

Reopening churches and mosques at this time is risky bearing in mind that the masses are more religious than cautious. Strict guidelines should be issued and enforced in order to put people on their toes. Safety of lives is key at this point in time rather than religious sentiments.

 

 

 

 

I am in support of the reopening of religious centres because many are suffering spiritually, emotionally and psychologically and the main place where they receive comfort and rehabilitation is at religious gatherings. If other sectors could reopen and yet be safe, then churches and mosques should be re-opened but with guidelines and services should hold in smaller sections.

 

 

 

 

Personally, with the uncertainties around COVID-19, I will suggest that all public religious gatherings should remain suspended till further notice. Life and being healthy should come first. This is a time when the family should be seen more as a domestic church and hence the worship of God should be encouraged in the homes and in our hearts, even online. The church must first be born in our individual lives, hearts and homes before it is born into the public spaces and physical buildings.

 

 

 

 

I condemn the reopening of churches and mosques. Reopening of religious centres will cause a wide spread of this virus and as a country we will not be able to contain it. Church leaders and other religious leaders should have a rethink and shelf the call to reopen worship centres in order not to expose their members to the virus. This is because all over the world having a mass gathering is being discouraged because of the high rate of infection. The truth is, Nigeria is facing trouble, survival has become extremely difficult and our government cannot afford medical treatment because government hospitals are lacking professionals, drugs and simple facilities, and even treatment.

 

 

 

If markets have been opened and commercial buses and motorcyclists have started businesses, then religious centres should be opened with all the measures put in place. Preventive measures such as the use of face mask, sanitizers and observing social distancing are possible in many churches and mosques. I believe it is time we pray to God to help humanity resolve the crisis without jeopardising the safety of members of the congregation.

 

 

 

This is a good one. If the government can open the markets, financial institutions and other businesses why not the religious centres where I know the guidelines will be strictly adhere to. If there is any institution that loves life and preserves life, it is the religious centres.

 

 

 

I must say that lives are been toiled with by this act of reopening churches and mosques. This pandemic is affecting the whole world and every country is fighting for the lives of their citizens. Our government has missed it on this one because the truth is our leaders have to be prepared for upsurge of cases in weeks and months to come. We can’t compare Nigeria to other countries that have means of containing this virus. Why don’t we put right measures in place before reopening institutions? I know our economy is affected but lives of people matters a lot.

Toheeb

Lagos

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