From my brother (the ultra-orthodox Jewish pediatrician):
5/21/20 Why We Still Need Social Distancing Now
B’chasdei Hashem, the situation in Lakewood is much better now than it has been at any time since the COVID-19 Pandemic began. New cases of COVID-19 infection in our Kehilla have, B’H, dropped drastically — to the point that it may seem like the illness is out of our Kehilla.
This has many people asking a similar question:
“If the virus is not in Lakewood anymore, why do we need to continue
these drastic restrictions? Why can’t things go back to normal, to the way it
was before COVID-19? How long are we supposed to be locked down like this?!”
In fact, the COVID-19 virus and illness is not prevalent right now in Lakewood. Everyone can see that our Tefillos and Hishtadlus had a great impact. However, even though we do not see the illness amongst us now, it is definitely not entirely gone. The COVID-19 virus still poses a great danger for our Kehilla were it to flare up — even briefly.
While there are specific ways that we can responsibly loosen some of the restrictions on ourselves, it is important to understand what is happening now, what could happen, and what we expect to come.
Our responsible actions as individuals now — while still very difficult for us —
may likely mean the difference between life and, Chas V’Sholom, death
for vulnerable members of our Kehilla.
Here are two key points:
The first point that is important for our Kehilla to know:
It is established throughout history
that pandemic outbreaks of illness come in waves.
After the first wave of a pandemic illness a “lull” comes. During the lull, the illness recedes from the community, like a tide of water that pulls back from the land after a tidal wave crashes in, and the illness seemingly disappears. However, following the lull a second pandemic wave comes, sweeping through the population once again. While the second wave of illness is usually not as large as the first wave of illness, its destructive powers are nevertheless the same.
We have just lived through the first pandemic wave of COVID-19 illness. We witnessed before our eyes the awesome, devastating, destructive power of the COVID-19 virus. B’Chasdei HaShem, now, at this very moment, we are right in the middle of the lull — and it feels like ...finally, finally, finally... THE VIRUS IS GONE!!!
However, we must realize that the risk of a future second wave is a real and present dangerous risk to our Kehilla.
The second point that it is important for our Kehilla to know:
Although COVID-19 illness is almost gone in Lakewood at this moment,
the COVID-19 virus is still actively infecting people
throughout New Jersey and New York.
In our pediatric practice alone, we have 100-200 entire families who had no symptoms of illness during this whole period! Lakewood may has perhaps thousands of entire families who are not immune to the COVID-19 virus and who are vulnerable to infection. In addition, the vast majority of the elderly and other high-risk individuals properly quarantined themselves early on, and did not get infected during this Pandemic. They are all still not immune to the virus and are vulnerable to infection.
At the same time, there are hundreds of newly active cases of COVID-19 illness in the towns around us. Should we let our guard down and push the restrictions aside, a single contagious individual could re-introduce the virus back into our community. Lo Aleinu, a spark could be lit that would wreak havoc again.
Our Kehilla is not automatically safe now. We are at risk even now — even before a second wave. It is our responsibility to recognize this risk and to act individually in a way that protects those in our Kehilla who are still susceptible to COVID-19 infection and its potential extreme dangers.
This is why SOCIAL DISTANCING and MASKS
are still so important now.
Yes, this is difficult, and we don’t necessarily see what it accomplishes. But right now, going into the future, Social Distancing and masks are our main lines of defense, for ourselves, our loved ones and our community.
The fact that we are not seeing new cases in Lakewood now means that we have had great Siyata D’Shmaya, and we must be encouraged by this. At the same time,
Our Kehilla is still at great risk.
The only way that our lives will be able to return to the pre-COVID-19 normal days that we knew is when a vaccine is developed that can help create a high enough level of immunity throughout our entire community to protect everyone.
In upcoming emails, we hope to, B’ezras HaShem, address many questions people have, including:
If the current situation is safer than before, how does it change the measures we are taking to prevent the virus from coming back? How will it make things easier for us?
What about the people who already had the illness?
What about the entire families and our elderly and high-risk loved ones who did not have the illness?
What about going away for Shavuos? Should we? Is it safe?
How can antibody testing help us?
What about camp and summer activities?
Children playing together?
Learning and davening in Shul?
As well as more information about the rare new pediatric condition affecting children.
Please stay tuned.
Edited by user
6 years ago |
Reason: Not specified