AMERICA/BRAZIL - Suspension of masses for the pandemic is painful, but can help save lives

Belo Horizonte (Agenzia Fides) - The social isolation measures decided by the authorities to curb the growth of cases and the spread of covid-19 in Brazil have also been adopted by the Brazilian archdioceses and dioceses, which have suspended, albeit with great pain, religious activities including the celebration of masses with the participation of the faithful, as happened almost all over the world. According to the results of a study released by the National Conference of Brazilian Bishops (CNBB), this measure may have prevented over 120 deaths in the country.
The study was carried out by the Brazilian Society of Catholic Scientists (SBCC), which includes the university sector of the Episcopal Commission for Culture and Education of the CNBB and the Research Modeling Group for Biological Problems of the Federal Center for Technological Education of Minas Gerais (CEFET-MG). "The approximate number of lives saved depends on the number of deaths during the period of isolation for the suspension of masses in Brazil", said Professor Rodrigo Cardoso, a professor in the Department of Mathematics of CEFET. According to the researcher, the number varies between 46 and 120.
In the context of the cases considered for this estimate, the results indicate that this restrictive measure may have been responsible for the 2.6% reduction in the number of cases of infection and death in the country and the reduction of approximately 9,7% of the number of cases of hospitalization during the peak of the epidemic. "With this study - comments the statement released by the Episcopal Conference -, the SBCC intends to collaborate in the scientific popularization of the Catholic public, and to highlight for the society in general the efforts of the Church to help face the pandemic". (SL) (Agenzia Fides, 28/4/2020)

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