1. As far as I know, Covid 19 has been classified as a pandemic. Also, interesting they say masks need to be worn even when outdoors and social distancing as most doctors have said if outdoors and social distancing, masks are not necessary.

2. Best letter I have seen yet from the doctors. Straight medical information. Kudos to them!

   • Agreed

3. I hear there are about 40 Lakewood people hospitalized for covid19 as if this morning and several in intensive care. I am personally aware of several deaths from this second wave. Why is this information not publicized? The frum population is unaware and believes its all political and that precautions are unnecessary. Perhaps if the facts are made public, they might realize that this is serious and comply responsibly.

   • its not a 2nd wave, people that didnt get it yet, ended up getting it. lets not mix the 2 things up

   • They’re hospitalized because of Covid, or Covid was the straw that broke the camel’s back? Tens of thousands die from flu each year, and it’s not reported, as it’s not news. Anthony Fakery Fauci — who funded the Wuhan lab’s production of the virus — after it became illegal in the US, due to its danger) admitted that the death rate from Covid is not more than from flu.
     The CDC admitted that only 6% dies directly from Covid; the other 94% had an average of 2.6 comorbidities (other illnesses) — such people can die from flu as well.
     Eat healthfully etc, and you’ll have a good immune system.
     Thank you!

4. Such a wonderful letter
   Thank you so much

5. I agree with Mobile, however I must add (and I’m not saying that this necessarily makes a nafka mina, but) there are some of us out here that feel very faint when wearing a mask. I personally have been makpid on tefilla b’tzibbur for my entire life, but I will daven shachris b’yechidus rather than with a mask because I just cant wear a mask for an entire shachris. Btw, I’m told from school staff that there are many children and adults who are having this issue. Maybe the good Doctors could figure out a solution.

   • The correct mindset that I have to wear a mask, because it protects me from others and others from me now will help all those who “feel faint” and find the mask suffocating (and all the other hyperbole). Getting all worked up about the mask is a a guaranteed way that the mask will be uncomfortable. But keep in mind! I have not yet heard of dentists passing out while they fill your teeth. And can you imagine if a heart surgeon micro stitching valves would ditch the mask because he finds it difficult to concentrate so intently while wearing a mask?

6. It was never about flattening the curve, was it? Because if it was, that curve was flattening a long time ago.

   We’re going to go on like this for years until the disease finally disappears derech ha’teva. As long as some people have it, are leftist politicians will be ready to jump on us, and I don’t necessarily mean inzireh mentshin, I mean we the people, and lock us up for fear that the virus will be spreading.

   The best thing to do like a lot of other countries have done and have seemed to done well with it is just let life happen. Wear masks for those who decide they want to and just go on. Based on information in the Scandinavian countries, we probably brought another year of this upon us because of lockdown.

7. Why? There is an Igud Harabanim to give us guidance. Why do they keep sending these screeds?

   • Perhaps the Doctors and Rabbonim of this Igud should meet and release info together, but until then, for informational purposes and Toeles Hatzibur, we’ll keep publishing all as we receive them.

     • Very well said

   • havent heard a single thing from rabbanim regarding guidance since this second wave hit

8. Thank you! Hopefully we will begin to see more compliance, and avoid tragedies c’ v’.

9. If you go to this article, “CDC shows Covid-19 has high survival rate; doctor still wants to see precautions taken,” you will read that those under age 70, accd to the CDC, have a 99% survival rate, and those over 70 have a nearly 95% survival rate. (CDC source is cited in the article.)

10. There seems to be a machlokes on whether or not masks work to prevent this infection. Please see Denis G. Rancourt, PhD,’s article, “Masks don’t work: A review of Science Relevant to Covid-19 Social Policy.”

11. My doctor in soroka hospital beer Sheba told me not to travel to Lakewood at present as it poses a sackana. Even if masked always im putting myself at risk. This goes without saying what’s happening in Israel.

    • And who trained your doctor? And well-oiled industry which in the US alone is $3.3 trillion per year, and they teach doctors precisely what they want them to know (medicine and surgery for everything), and not what they don’t want them to know (healthy eating, proper sleep, going to bathroom for solids, exercise etc.).
      All must decide which type of lifestyle they want to live — it’s a massive war, and it’s up to you!!

12. Yes. Finally a letter that also shlugs up the those who think they know better, even before they have a chance to spew their nonsense.

13. This letter is very well written. Thank you doctors! Are you able to do a phone call for those who don’t have access to the lakewoodscoop? It’s important that everyone hears what the doctors have to say.

14. No one will listen, no one has been listening, it’s only going to get worse, a shut down will happen, and then the whole woe is us nonsense will begin

15. Um my 10 yr old son fainted from wearing a mask. He wore it for 30’minutes in shul. So when u wrote there are no issues with gas exchange wearing a Mask u lost me. Cuz that is purely false. When i wear a mask my pulse ox as well goes down. So sorry. But that line is FALSE

    • mine too. Masks are not for everyone! And forcing people who have antibodies to wear it just for show is inhumane and makes Drs lose their credibility.

      Its also interesting how they claim that people are getting it again, but there aren’t any documented cases in the US of a person actually testing pos, having antibodies, testing neg. & then testing positive again.

      Is it only in Lakewood that people have the ability to contract it twice? And if you had that in your practice – why dont you report it to the infectious disease professionals & the CDC??

      Why keep it a secret to the people who can do something with the info. Most importantly, if it wasn’t proven scientifically – STOP FEAR MONGERING!

16. The ONLY way ppl here will listen is if rabbionim come out same as doctors and make rules…its sad but true

17. For those who are lightheaded, that is likely panic. I felt that in the beginning and I’m claustrophobic. It’s been shown that oxygenation does not drop with a mask on and it’s a better alternative than possibly waking up intubated in a hospital bed.

    The President has received the top care including an experimental medication which would cost a small fortune because it is not FDA approved yet. He is still out of breath and coughing as witnessed from video of him gasping for air on the White House steps and in yesterday’s call to Hannity. If someone who received the best of the best care is struggling and at least 2 dozen unmasked others who attended the outdoor Rosegarden meeting have also been infected, you need to realize you will be no different but, with a possible worse outcome. As for what is referred to as ‘long-haulers,’this includes people, many of whom had mild cases of COVID, who can’t shake the virus and are having such problems as become winded doing basic activities like going to their mailbox.

    I wish that more epidemiologists would also help people understand that viruses behave differently from bacterial infections. Viruses can go dormant in the body, then reactivate years later. The Zoster virus is an example of this. Some people view chickenpox as a nuisance that many children get and nothing worse. But, this virus can cause shingles later in life and it is much more serious. Not only does it cause neuropathic pain, it can also invade the brain and spinal cord. It can cause facial paralysis, vision loss and more. Bacterial infections, on the other hand, once correctly treated with an antibiotic, do not resurface later on.

    Finally, as to whom will be most likely suffer the most dire effects of COVID, it is still the elderly and those with preexisting conditions. However, two things: the rate of infection for younger people has increased enough that the median age for infection in July and August fell to 20-29 years old. It is possible that older people have become wiser about following guidelines and younger people emboldened by earlier data. Rates of infection for children have also increased. When we think about the fact that the virus could remain in the body, that is many, many years of infection for the younger groups of people.

    The second aspect is regarding preexisting conditions. We know that the virus and the body’s response can lead to permanent lung damage, to blood clots, limb loss, stroke and death. There are people who will have plaque buildup in their arteries and may not know at this point because they could be asymptomatic. They will be at risk of stroke if blood clots move into arteries narrowed by plaque. This means that you may believe yourself to be healthy and only find out about your condition, should COVID infection cause a drastic outcome. I do not believe it is worth risking my life or the lives of others and so I both socially distance and wear a mask when I leave the house. I think it would be very hard to live with the knowledge that you were the cause of another person’s infection.

    I’m sorry for the length of this letter. I wanted to cover as many important points as I could.

18. A doctor, as a trained and experienced professional, has authority to tell you what needs to be done from a medical standpoint. That includes, but is not limited to: Wearing masks, social distancing, hand-washing, avoiding crowds if at-risk, etc. That is a medical issue.

    A Rov can take that medical information and pasken whether it is better for one to daven without a minyan if he cannot tolerate a mask, or if he should daven with a minyan, without a mask, anyways. A Rov can pasken whether the length of hakofos should be shortened, or even limited entirely. That is an Halacha issue.The Rov takes the information from the medical professional and applies it to his psak.
    We do not need a Rov to tell us how to prevent the spread of the disease; he is NOT a medical professional. We do not need a doctor to decide how to conduct a minyan; he is NOT a Rov.

    So, please, stop with the “only a Rov can tell us to wear masks, etc.” A doctor is perfectly within his rights and scope of practice to tell you to wear masks, etc. As the letter from OCIMA indicates, the medical field (as does the halachic field) follows the ruling of the majority. If you are within the minority of people who do not tolerate wearing a mask, you should most definitely ask your ROV if you can daven b’yechidus instead. Additionally, you should ask your DOCTOR what to do about going to places where mask-wearing is required. But before you do that, please differentiate between a real, documented medical issue and a mere inconvenience.

19. One thing should be clearly understood. The state government is watching us in Lakewood very closely. They can afford to do that since, unlike in the spring, there are not many other hot spots in the state. If they continue to see that we are not following the state-mandated guidelines (mask-wearing and social distancing), they will step in and close down our mosdos, weddings, shuls, and non-essential businesses. Once the government is involved, it will be a lot harder to live “normal” lives. And it will take a lot longer for the additional restrictions to be lifted. If we can demonstrate to the government that we are doing our part by following the guidelines, they will be more hesitant to introduce more draconian measures.
    Please, follow the guidelines not because it will prevent the spread of disease, but because it will help keep the government out of our community.

    • hazack,so thru.

    • I think Brooklyn is proof that this comment is correct.

    • +1 Absolutely agree. Well said.

20. The real news here is that surfaces can infect you. Something doctors have not been saying for the longest time. Practically speaking the only way to avoid getting infected from surfaces is to wear gloves and constantly change them. Picking up some milk at the grocery which has previously been touched, Handing your credit card to the cashier will infect you…..

21. this letter has lots of false info. Firstly reinfection is bogus. Whoever had a confirmed positive test march time when it started did not get reinforced. This is a pure political game. Flu kills more ppl and is more rampant then covid. we bh have plasma and meds to deal with covid. Most ppl are doing just fine and all they get are flu like symptoms. we have to stop eating sleeping and breathing covid. Sweden is doing just fine. Open the schools open the shuls and businesses. let ppl live. As soon as we let go and stop feeding into things ppls will be better emotionally too. We are making children and adults suffer from anxiety and lots of other mental disorders. whoe er is worried,elderly or immuno comprimised should wear a mask if they want to and keep away if they want to. This is out of control for the average healthy adult and child!!!

    • your comment has lots of misinformation.
      Reinfection is NOT bogus. 22 people who had confirmed antibodies, tested positive in Chemed MyCare again.

      The rest of your comment is opinion and conjecture, not information

      • who said the tests are accurate? i went to one place and tested positive and literally the next day it tested negative. something sounds awfully weird here. dont you think?

      • If the issue is reinfection, why are they testing for antibodies?!

22. we need to daven to moshiach to end all this!!! we are in golus we need to fight anti semites!!! we are being put into a ghetto right now!! in fact I was called a dirty jew from a neighbor on my block on Wednesday!!! we are being blamed for spreading covid!!! its bogues. it’s just as rampant in other neighborhoods!!! disgracful listen to trump hes the only o e saying the truth!!!

    • please I hope it was a typo. We don’t daven to moshiach, chas veshalom. We daven only to hkbh.

      We can daven that Moshiach should come.

23. @rifk, I will start off by stating I think shuls, schools and businesses should be open. I can’t agree more. I do need to correct, however, inaccuracies in what you wrote. I work in a medical office and I can tell you as a fact, they reinfections are as real as you can get. If you want to say they are fake, then you have to say the antibody testing which everyone just used to be able to have a regular Simcha Torah, to go visit their high risk loved ones etc, are inaccurate and worthless. Or that these patients are lying and making up their current symptoms and somehow forged a positive on their covid-19 tests. That the death rate is low, that is very true. But why is death the deciding factor? Do we have no heart for all the people who have cancer RL (lehavdil, I am not comparing this to cancer, rather just trying to bring out a point) that is not fatal and is very curable, but only through a lot of suffering, through painful treatment? Just because they didn’t die, our heart does not melt for them? Yes it is true, for possibly up to 80% of COVID 19 patients symptoms are very mild, and they may be asymptomatic. However for the other 20%, even if they are not sick enough to need the hospital they are miserable in bed, can’t lift her head off the pillow from severe weakness, many can’t even walk to the bathroom; fearful from their fevers of 102+ lingering over 7 – 10 days, some times as long as 3 weeks that is not responding to tylenol or advil; dehydrated and unable to drink from nausea; chest pressure and shortness of breath worrying are they going to end up in the hospital. These people are miserably ill. I challenge you to speak to a few of them at daily for a week and then say this is just the flu. I have not offering a solution in this message, nor am I offering my opinion on how we should go about our life. Should Life as we know it change or should we just dump all restrictions and pretend this never happened? What of the closures etc is political versus real necessary precautions? That is not for the comment thread on the Lakewood scoop. And while everyone is entitled to their own opinion, until you are privy to the details from all angles up close, keep them to yourself because they are dangerously uneducated. My intention is not to instill fear in anyone, it is merely to present facts of life. Speak to any doctor, nurse practitioner, pa, emt, nurse etc who has been dealing with covid-19 patients back in March and over the last few weeks. They have been silent because no one wants to hear their opinion or their stories. I bet no one reading this thread thought of the emotional toll seeing such pain and suffering had on our healthcare providers. Working in a healthcare office, I have seen it firsthand, I do not envy their job. They are not putting out this message as part of popularity campaign, it was a note for their patients because they truly do care for them. If you have nothing kind to say to them, move on, don’t read the letter and don’t use their practice.

    • I read the first half of your post. Please take into consideration that A) ALL the vaccines are being pushed based on death rate, they scare you that without vaccines there would be great plagues like in the 1800s, when the data — coming from the CDC itself — clearly shows that people stopped dying long before the vaccines came out — from greatly improved nutrition and sanitation, both of which were atrocious in the 1800s. You must read Dissolvingillusions dot com slash critiques to see that this is precisely how the medical industry criticized this anti vaccine book — questioning why she is focusing on death rate, when they stopped the disease to begin with, through the vaccine. The answer is that the disease is not dangerous, but when they wanted to push the vaccines, they did so based on death — they didn’t tell people ‘well, people have long since stopped dying from measles, but we want you to take a risky vaccine in order to be spared a few days of fever and rash’; most people would laugh, and they certainly couldn’t make a ‘schedule’ and ‘compliance’ that would be silly.
      Regarding people who have weak immune systems, THEY are the ones who have to stay home; we can’t shut down society based on these people, as much as we feel bad for them.

24. Dr. Semelweiss was committed to an insane asylum and died there because he said that mothers were dying in droves from puerperal sepsis due to germs.
    Majority medical opinion was that a person had to be crazy to believe germs caused disease, especially if they were on doctors’ unwashed hands.

25. Thank you for putting together this informative letter. Keep masking everyone (I barely see anyone unmasked these days BH!) and stay safe! Good yom tov and a git kvittel!!

26. most mask don’t filter the virus , as there micro holes are 400 times bigger then the virus.
    and to protect the negative one will take a lifetime in quarantine.
    what care are given to the positive.any vitamin,any antibiotic,anything,or just let to get worse and hopeful ending were no one wish.
    hag sameah to all.
    only real emouna in hashem,not the dct.

    • Mr Beneli, I am sure you mean well, but you are dangerously misinformed. Masks do not need 100% success to be effective. If we lower the chances of infection through 80% of people wearing masks that are 70% effective, we will lower the infection rate and stop the raging of this disease. If we do not, more people will get sick and more people will suffer and possibly die.

      Masks help, they do not provide a complete salvation.

      • once and for all, get it straight THE MASKS DONT WORK, THE WHOLE WORLD TRIED IT ALREADY AND MOST PPL GOT IT. just open your eyes

27. why my post never appear?
    what the doctor now about it. just guessing.

28. Agreed. The long term repercussions of not being in compliance could be drastic….

29. I tested positive in March then negative in April with confirmed antibodies and just tested positive at chemed. Slight symptoms. So it’s clear that reinfection is possible.

30. I am a top doctor and can assure you that covid doesn’t exist it’s a myth.

    • Your comment is apparently a joke, in order to make it sound as if this is what the natural health people want to hear.
      I know much about natural health, and I haven’t heard that anyone is saying that it doesn’t exist. The only question is if there is any reason to make such a large shutdown, and to wear a mask, in addition to all the risks inherent in these matters (low oxygen for masks, many ruined businesses and hurt lives, many, many around the world who didn’t go to the hospital for heart problems, for example, because they were afraid of being killed on machines “for Covid”. That death rate has now surpassed the Covid death rate). And there is also more to the story, such as the world’s billionaire being the ones to tell people about shutdowns and vaccines for Covid (so they can make more billions. While untold amounts of businesses were permanently closed, all the Us’s billionaires earned more billions, and new people became billionaires. Food for thought.
      Oh, and speaking of food, did you even hear the CDC say to eat healthfully because of Covid – in order to build up a healthy immune system?! Did you know there is an immune system in the person, and it’s not from vaccines?! (Many don’t know!) Did you know the CDC has patents in vaccines, and earns much money from them? Did you know the CDC gets millions from Big Pharma, and gives large, $100k bonus checks from them?!
      Enjoy these jokes, but sadly they’re all true.

31. What do you mean it’s a myth? Everyone knows COVID is very much here

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