Dry mucous membranes increase the risk of viral infections. That’s why immunologist Anne Spurkland believes that Muslims should drink water during their fasting month of Ramadan.
During Ramadan, many of Norway’s 200,000 Muslims will refrain from food and drink from sunrise to sunset, which in practice amounts to 17 hours.
To NRK, Spurkland says she thinks the Coronavirus epidemic is so severe that normal rules should not be followed. She warns that dry mucous membranes increase the risk of viral infections and that it is believed that this also applies to the Coronavirus.
Rinse your mouth with water, which is allowed during fasting, she thinks.
The Muslim Dialogue Network believes that it is not possible to relax the rules of fasting, but that it is up to each individual to decide whether one is healthy enough to fast.
Islamic Council Norway tells the channel that Spurkland’s advice is not scientifically proven to work against Coronavirus infection and that they have consulted with several experts before the month of fasting.
“We take into account the infection control rules and see how it goes,” says information officer Yasir Ahmed in the Islamic Council.
© NTB Scanpix / #Norway Today
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