This report throws up some key features of the Tablighi problem: (1) Only half of the Malaysian participants who attended have come forward for testing, raising fears that the outbreak from the mosque could be more far-reaching. nst.com.my/news/nation/20…
(2) "some of the worshippers who attended the event have since refused to be tested for coronavirus, preferring to rely on God to protect them". Note how religion here is actively shaping behavioural responses to public health strategy.
Refusal to test is formally being declared as driven by religious belief, but its effect is that contact tracing and isolation or medical intervention becomes a much more difficult task. Even if the believer doesnt care, he/she is endangering the life of others or
forcing the public health system to try and second guess whom he/she might have infected if positive - and either way stretching public health resources and increasing public expenditure even if he/she personally refuses medical intervention.
