A Muslim Reflection on COVID-19

In response to COVID-19, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo issued an executive order announcing that all businesses except those declared “essential” must shut down their in-person operations. My dad’s job did not make the cut. He is a senior, commutes to work via public transportation, and has medical complications, all of which make him particularly susceptible to the virus. He was insistent on working–albeit with all the necessary precautions such as masks, gloves, and sanitizers–but I was terrified watching him leave for work every morning.