As Egypt is rapidly approaching 60,000 reported cases of COVID-19, it is easy to glance at the country as a whole and claim that they are ineffective in combating the spread of the virus. With fewer citizens employed resulting in a 75% reduction in disposable income1 and a 32.5% national poverty rate2, the pre-existing conditions in Egypt allow COVID-19 a fertile ground. The actual number of coronavirus infections is projected to be higher, as many with mild symptoms go untested and many cases go unregistered3.
Moving from a national perspective to a local one, we can examine the ways ordinary Coptic citizens are combating the virus and showing solidarity with their communities. This piece will recount the experience of Dr. Aziza Fikry, a pharmacist in Cairo, Egypt, and her involvement with local church communities during the pandemic. Dr. Fikry, a pharmacist of 20+ years, is a regular servant at her church in Cairo and two additional churches in Giza—both located in less affluent areas of the city—where the people do not have robust education or are very well off financially. She often dedicates her weekends by serving those church communities in a multitude of ways: serving the sick and bringing medicine for those who cannot afford it.
When few cases of COVID-19 appeared in Egypt in January and February of this year4, the tourism industry slowed down, resulting in many individuals becoming unemployed and not having disposable income. All regular and irregular workers were affected economically by the impact of COVID-19 and by the lack of tourism and government-imposed curfews. There is also a vast lack of common medical knowledge and hygienic consciousness in the people: not knowing what the virus consists of or how best to defend themselves against it.
Before there were many cases of coronavirus in Egypt, Dr. Fikry tackled the economic aspect: job loss, little savings, etc. She and church servants and volunteers constructed an essentials bag consisting of household goods for community members that would last 10 days before being sent a new bag directly to their homes. The bags consisted of meat, poultry, oil, rice, pasta, sugar, tea, milk (also infant’s milk), eggs, vegetables and fruits.
As the spread of coronavirus began in Cairo, Dr. Fikry and the local church servants had customized the bag to also include homemade hand sanitizer, hand gels, hand soap and medicine. These items were distributed free of charge to the local church congregation.
Dr. Fikry mobilized the church congregation via WhatsApp, dividing them by groups to make detailed videos on how to implement proper hygiene. Constantly checking the World Health Organization website, Dr. Fikry would take the information and convert it into a voice note or video instructing the community on how best to defend yourself from coronavirus and what the symptoms look like.
Conversations of social distancing did not hold as many Egyptian apartments are small, oftentimes with several generations living together. Especially in the lower income areas of Cairo and Giza, where poverty is high and living space is limited, it became a breeding ground for coronavirus. Aside from the physical sphere of COVID-19, there is also a social element as many individuals who have the virus are unwilling to say they do in fear of people no longer wanting to deal with them, or their family.
As the numbers continued to increase and many members of the local church became ill with the virus—as well as a large number of people where Dr. Fikry’s pharmacy is in Giza—the Egyptian hospitals were not ready for the influx of patients wanting COVID-19 testing or for those diagnosed with the virus. The common wasta, or connection/network, of people knowing individuals at the hospital allowed for those privileged to know someone on the inside to be processed quickly, while others had to wait long hours, sometimes being turned away.
When patients go to the doctor with symptoms of COVID-19, the doctor usually will prescribe medicine and ask for a follow up in a week or so. COVID-19 develops quickly, with new symptoms emerging before a seven-day period has passed. With little money to pay for a follow-up visit, those with coronavirus have few options. Fortunately, the church had constructed a solution. Churches gathered any doctors and pharmacists from their congregation and different calling times to call and discuss the growing symptoms of the church members. Dr. Fikry is the only pharmacist in one of her churches, which has led to a constant stream of phone calls and her being overwhelmed. Combining the hospitals’ ineffectiveness at processing a large number of patients and the general lack of personal hygiene in Egyptian society, a robust number of people have unfortunately caught the dire virus.
As there is less income for individuals to spend on food and medicine, Dr. Fikry facilitated the contactless delivery of the essentials bag and medicine to the less affluent areas of Cairo close to her church. Her phone is constantly ringing as church members call to describe any symptoms they feel to Dr. Fikry, telling her how their situation has worsened or if someone new in the family has also developed symptoms. Also, she instructs those who are sick with what alternative medicine they can take, if they cannot afford the prescribed one the doctor instructed them, which still has the same effects.
To give spiritual comfort, the priests and church servants have constructed a table with their contact information and when individual members of the congregation can call. Other servants give back through financial aid, where members of the congregation can call telling them how they are struggling, whether it be food or medicine, and they help them find the resources these people need and deliver it. Also, for those who are sick with COVID-19, certain churches will make full meals and deliver it contactless to the household. Those with chronic illnesses, such as diabetes or heart diseases, will get their monthly medicine delivered to them without charge.
Through the work of individuals such as Dr. Fikry, we can see how vital the church as an institution is in Egypt, not only as a spiritual center, but as a community network, hospital, and safe space. As the situation continues to digress and the numbers continue to increase, may this be a learning experience to the Egyptian consciousness concerning personal and generic hygiene, the need to lift the vast number of Egyptians out of poverty, and the push for a stronger health care system.
Mary Beshay is a graduate of Global Political Studies from York University in Toronto, Canada. Her research focuses on International Politics and Law, Multilateral Organizations, Identity and Philosophy. Some of her favorite things include road trips, cooking different cuisines, admiring art history, and movie going.
- 75% of Egypt families suffer drop in income due to COVID-19. (2020, June 22). Retrieved June 25, 2020, from https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200622-75-of-egypt-families-suffer-drop-in-income-due-to-covid-19/
- Egypt Overview. (2020, May 1). Retrieved June 25, 2020, from https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/egypt/overview
- Mohamed, L. (2020, May 30). Egypt COVID-19 cases could be '10 times higher' than reported figures. Retrieved June 25, 2020, from https://www.arabnews.com/node/1682371/middle-east
- Department, P. (2020, April 03). Egypt: Daily number of coronavirus cases 2020. Retrieved June 25, 2020, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1106973/egypt-daily-number-of-coronavirus-cases/
