Here's How the World Peace Association is Responding to COVID-19

Since the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, first appeared in Wuhan, China, the World Peace Association’s team in New York City, led by Secretary-General Sattva Zhang, has been working tirelessly to procure needed medical supplies for hospitals. Over the last six weeks, WPA has partnered with different religious, charity, and medical organizations in Hubei, Sichuan, and Shanghai, to send face masks, gloves, thermometers, and other essential equipment to areas hardest hit by the virus. 

Thanks to the hard work of first responders and stringent containment methods implemented by the Chinese government, China says it has passed the peak of the disease. Unfortunately, other countries around the world are struggling to react, as new cases surge in Iran, Italy, and the United States, among many other places.

Picture Credit: Reuters

WPA has already postponed a number of international activities planned for 2020 indefinitely, including a Peace Summit in Egypt that was originally slated for July. As the situation escalates in New York City, the WPA team will begin working from home today, March 17, 2020, to adhere to calls by the U.S. government to socially distance.

During this uncertain time, the WPA continues to help find medical equipment for organizations and hospitals in need. Many people are struggling with uncertainty at this time. To ease their anxiety, WPA mentors, steeped in Buddhist traditions, recommend prayer and meditation. Buddhism teaches that all things are impermanent, meaning this time of illness will also pass. Remember the Buddha said, “With our thoughts, we make the world.”