Dear Scoop,
I would like to address the community regarding the worldwide epidemic of CoronaVirus. I am not a community leader, health professional, or a Rov of any sort. I am just a layman nervous that we aren’t doing enough.
I am certain that our elected officials, Chemed, Ocean County health officials, and Hatzolah are preparing and are planning plans if the virus hits our area. However, I think the community needs a little more direction, and guidelines, as precautions to help prevent the spread of this disease. If it were to come to the greater Lakewood area I am scared about how fast it can spread rachmana litzlan.
GER chassidus in Eretz Yisrael just sent out a message that their purim tish which is attended by thousands every year is cancelled this year due to Corona. Tokyo baseball games are being held in empty stadiums for fear of Corona spreading. Thousands of businesses worldwide have instructed their employees to temporarily work remotely and not come in to work. A few frum people have already been diagnosed with CoronaVirus in NY.
I am not trying to cause panic or scare in any which way. I am not saying that BMG, or any other shuls should cancel purim events. However some basic steps should be taken.
A few ideas may include;
Absolutely no hand-shaking to say good shabbos, or for any reason for the next 4 weeks.
No shuls should have shared towels near the bathrooms but should rather have single use paper-towels.
I think we should be promoting better hygiene by placing hand-sanitizers in common areas such as near restrooms, coffee stations, and at school entrances.
Last, schools, shuls and public places should be cleaned on a more frequent basis than they were before. An emphasis should be placed on the cleaning crew to spray toilet flush levers, faucet handles, and door handles.
I implore our community leaders to please place these or similar guidelines on the entire community.
May Hashem protect, and send a complete recovery to anyone infected, and bring an end to this machla.
May we all have a joyous, healthy, and uplifting purim, free of any sickness and disease!
Ah Freilichin Purim!
Agree. But we forgot to mention the most important thing. Daven! Hashem wants to hear from us; beg that this virus ends without causing harm or chilul Hashem. Please daven!!!
despite all the warnings, this past Shabbos, people in shul were still placing their DIRTY tissues on the tables or in the siddurim and Chumashim. Please, a little common courtesy and common sense!
Agreed. If even one person could come to a situation of pikuach nefesh, we need to take every precaution we can.
The current policy of covering our eyes will not protect our community.
Dear Mr. Letter Writter,
Good thing that you don’t work in public health.
Your frazzled nerves help nobody.
I’m sure the lawyer in Westchester that is still in critical condition and passed Corona unfortunately to over 50 people will disagree with you. But keep your head in the sand I’m sure it will help you very much. TO BMG, and other organizations that are taking steps, kudos to you.
I agree with everything you are saying but I do not believe this will prevent the virus from spreading. It appears to spread thru the air and unless we all stay home, it will likely spread regardless of how often we wash our hands.
No we are not doing enough. Just something simple
STOP TALKING DURING DAVENING!
Why does it need to be said?
WEAR TZISIS!
COVER YOUR KNEES!
WEAR SOCKS!
Just a thought…The root of the word coronavirus is crown. We Yidden make a bracha “oter Yisroel bisifara” which refers to covering our heads. For married women, maybe we should be more makpid when covering our hair. For men, when they are wearing Tefillin, they should be more careful not to talk during davening.
May Hashem watch over all of us.
If you don’t do avirus you wont get the virus.
virus lives on surfaces for hours. clean,clean,clean like school buses. clean clean clean……….wash hands alot………clean…… stay out of big stores…..clean
A suggestion only:
Since I don’t know how to reach the BMG leadership directly, I hope you can forward.
While I understand you can’t close the yeshivah (unless of course ordered to do so by the authorities), perhaps we can allow bochorim and yungeleit to learn in the hundreds of Shuls in Lakewood. This will lessen the crowding thus people will not be in such close proximity also if chas vesholom someone is diagnosed with Covad 19 you won’t have to quarantine so many people.
Please sign me anonymous.