Local Jewish News

Posted 3/15/2020

Dear members of the Cleveland community,

There is a lot of confusion and concern about the impact of the Coronavirus on the country and in our local community. The disruption of school closures, work changes, and the upcoming Yom Tov of Pesach alone, are cause for worry. We are committed to reacting to these issues and responding as a community. We are all in this together and we will get through this together!

A group of Rabbonim, physicians, non-profit leaders, and others met late last night. We agreed to coordinate a community response and we will need everyone to help us prepare. We are working together with Federation, Gesher, JFSA, Naaleh, Bikur Cholim, Cleveland Chessed Center, Chaveirim, Matan B’Seyser, and others.

As in all things, we are guided by the hadracha of our Poseik, Rav Margareten. We are setting a centralized response and command center in cooperation with the people and organizations listed above. The committee is in formation, if you are able to participate, please contact us asap! There will be a need for many volunteers.

We have set up a dedicated email covid19@agudathisrael-oh.org and phone line 216-848-0379. We need information, any ideas you may have, any problems or concerns you foresee, and help you can provide! Please contact us! There will be many opportunities for us all to pitch in together. If you are able and willing to be involved, let us know. There is also a whatsapp group designed for volunteers to help deliver items that may be needed for those in quarantine etc.

In addition, we are working to quantify what kind of economic disruption may occur in the community. Please fill out and share this survey so that we can help coordinate the appropriate response!

It is extremely important to be familiar with social distancing guidelines from the CDC.

In addition, here is a great resource for how to talk to your children about what is happening: Healthy Children in a Coronavirus World.

In the coming days, we will share more resources via email and through Gesher’s Facebook page @GesherCleveland, about the following issues, among others:

• Economic resources (there is significant assistance being contemplated by the US Government). Gesher and CCC are preparing plans.
• Information to access food (HAC and YDT will be providing meals to students). The Cleveland Chessed Center and Gesher are there to help.
• Mental health resources as we all cope with the stress of being at home with our children etc. Remember that Naaleh is there to help.
• Activities for our children that are kept at home
• Educational guidance, in particular for students on IEP’s

In the meantime, it is worth reviewing this list of FAQ’s. Bear in mind, this is ever-evolving and physicians may change their advice based on changing situations on the ground locally.

How concerned should I be about this virus? Is COVID-19 highly fatal?

• It is our halachic duty to take this situation seriously, but calmly. This is serious, but know that the overwhelming majority of those with COVID-19 (Coronavirus) recover without incident.
• These general guidelines must be adjusted to local conditions on the ground and the rapidly changing circumstances. Orthodox communities experiencing an increased number of cases must take precautions beyond those recommended below. Even communities with no cases should heed the precautions recommended below, due to the interlinked nature of our communities and the contagious nature of COVID-19. The goal is to prevent, not deal with cases after the fact. We need to establish a uniform baseline of precaution throughout our communities, or the virus will exploit the weakest communal link.
• Those over 50 or 60, those with cardiovascular disease (including high blood pressure), diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, or certain other chronic or immunocompromised conditions, are especially vulnerable to complications from COVID-19. All such people should take precautions beyond those listed below. Those who care for, or have close interaction with such individuals, should also adopt a more careful approach.
• If you have any symptoms of COVID-19 – fever, cough, shortness of breath, or sore throat, STAY HOME. Call your physician. This includes anyone with a fever or a cough without another known cause.
• Proper hygiene practices are A MUST. See here.

Are the responses below intended as blanket rules for all locations and times?

No. They will differ by time and place. The situation is different in Eretz Yisroel than it is in the US and different in Westchester County than Ohio. The general advice below is given for areas in the US that have experienced some cases but have not (yet) reached outbreak status like Westchester County. Use common sense.

Moreover, Orthodox communities are often closely linked. We interact and congregate more frequently than the general population. We are community and family-centered. Thus, it is unrealistic to think that if the virus has afflicted one Orthodox community it will not soon affect other Orthodox communities. It, therefore, behooves members of all Orthodox communities to not only exercise additional caution regarding a contagious disease spreading because it is our religious duty, but because the scientific reality demands it.

Finally, guidance given here is stated as of, and shortly after, its publication. Recommendations may change as the situation progresses.

Is everyone equally at risk?

No. While anyone can contract COVID-19, the elderly are far more vulnerable to the disease. Reports of mortality rates of those under 50 are very low, and there have been no fatalities, and very few severe cases reported in young children. But these rates increase exponentially for every decade after age 50. In addition, those with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and some other chronic conditions, are more vulnerable to complications. The recommendations below are for generally healthy people under 50 or 60. Others may wish to take additional precautions.

In light of new recommendations by the health authorities, what additional steps should Orthodox communities be taking to slow the spread of COVID-19?

Social distancing. In addition to not shaking hands, the CDC and local authorities are now recommending that we maintain a healthy distance from each other.

What social distancing steps have the health authorities recommended or required to prevent COVID-19?

On March 12, the CDC released new guidance detailing social avoidance strategies depending on setting and local outbreak levels.

Ohio has closed all public and private schools for the next few weeks and will limit visitation to nursing homes.

Of course, it is required to comply with state or local governmental requirements on this matter.

Should shuls and community organizations cancel their upcoming events or gatherings such as annual dinners, weekly kiddushim , seudos shlishis and various social gatherings?

These are halachically discretionary events. Given the current circumstances, we urge a shul’s Rav or Rebbe to strongly reconsider having them, especially if it entails people sitting close to each other.

Does that mean shuls should close?

Tefilah betzibur and krias haTorah are definitive requirements and an important component of Jewish life. A community may reach a threshold of infectious activity that necessitates shul closings. However, all shuls should make every effort to create circumstances that enable social distancing. For example, on weekdays, perhaps adjoining sections can be opened to spread mispalelim over a larger area; perhaps a larger building auditorium can be temporarily used; minyanim times can be altered to reduce traffic, etc. Agudath Israel also recommends that all shuls redouble their cleaning procedures, especially on high-touch surfaces like door knobs. Soap and hand sanitizers should be made readily available.

A shul that can only function in a manner that would force its congregants to be tightly squeezed together should ask a shailah about its continued operation. It should also consult intra-communally to not unduly increase capacity on other shuls.

The elderly, and those with the above noted health conditions, should think carefully before appearing in public settings such as a shul, shiur, or simchah. Talk to your doctor and Rav to ascertain your fact-specific risk level and psak.

Should simchos be postponed or altered in light of these social distancing recommendations?

In states that have limited the number of people that may gather, some simchos will have to change. State guidelines may intensify as the situation progresses, and other states may follow suit.

In any case, baalei simchah should be prudent in not hosting events that will cause many people to be gathered densely. Hand-in-hand dancing should be avoided.

Should I avoid touching siddurim or other items touched by other people?

It is important to understand how COVID-19 spreads. COVID-19 is generally spread by respiratory droplets expelled from an infected person that come into contact with another’s eyes, mouth or nose. This typically occurs from a cough or sneeze, or micro-droplets from speech. Disease can also spread when a person touches a contaminated surface and then rubs his own eyes, mouth or nose. The virus survives on surfaces for a short time.

Therefore, rather than avoiding touching all surfaces, one should focus on employing good hygiene practices described in FAQ #11. Appropriate cleaning of high-touch surfaces like doorknobs may be recommended, especially for high-risk individuals described in FAQ #3 or those in quarantine.

How about avoiding shaking hands?

Health authorities are now recommending avoiding shaking hands. Note there is no halachic requirement to shake hands on Shabbos or any other time. Any avoidance should be done respectfully.

How about going to mikva?

Agudath Israel is not advising mikva closures or avoidance. However, this is not the case for anyone with COVID-19, in quarantine, or suspects he has COVID-19. The Cleveland Mikva has guidance on its website and has been working with the Cuyahoga County Department of Health.

Based on how this disease is spreading worldwide, is it realistic to expect that this will be stopped? Shouldn’t we just accept that there is disease – COVID-19 and otherwise – in the world and live normally? “Shomer pesaim Hashem!”

COVID-19 may well continue to spread despite our best efforts. However, there is a legitimate threat of disease, especially to susceptible individuals. Following the appropriate health procedures will save lives, especially of the elderly or those with conditions that place them at risk of COVID-19 complications.

Further, there will be a toll on the health care system and other industries if cases increase quickly which will adversely impact current patients. Several vaccines and potential treatments are aggressively being pursued worldwide. In other words, there is value to slowing the pace of the spread of the disease to buy time.

What general practices should I exercise at this time to help keep myself and others safe?

• Per the MOETZES GEDOLEI HATORAH, we should all increase our Tehillim. Let us all take full advantage of this opportunity to beseech Hashem to remove this decree of sickness from the world.
• Shuls and yeshivas should adequately stock tissues so mispallelim can cover sneezes or coughs with a tissue. See FAQ #5 for a description of how the disease spreads.
• Throw out used tissues; do not leave them on tables or shtenders.
• Wash hands with soap and water regularly for at least 20 seconds, or use hand sanitizer if soap and water is unavailable.
• Shuls and yeshivas should adequately stock soap and make them available for use.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• If you think you are sick, stay home. See FAQ #4 for symptoms to look out for.
• The EPA recently approved several products by Purell, Clorox, and Lysol to kill COVID-19. Disinfecting surfaces is currently being recommended primarily for those with suspected/confirmed COVID-19, some high-touch surfaces, and for those at high-risk. See FAQ #3 for who is most at risk.
• This is a new disease. More information will come to the fore as time goes on.

Let’s talk real hishtadlus! What spiritual measures should we take to combat this worldwide gezeirah ?

During the persecutions of 1648-1649, the Tosfos Yom-Tov stated that an important cause of the gezeirah was people talking during davening . It is sensible to strengthen ourselves in davening properly in general at this time, and without talking.

The Vaad Roshei Yeshiva have pointed to the Gemara in Maseches Shevuos, 15b, which refers to Tehillim 91 ( Yoshev B’seser ) as ” Shir shel paga’im ” or ” Shir shel nega’im ” – a special tefillah for protection from plagues. This tefillah is especially fitting for today.

Others have pointed to the Chiddushei Rabbi Akiva Eiger (Nedarim 39), who advised saying Pitum Haketores bitzibur in the morning and evening to stave off the malach hamoves during the plague that occurred during his time.

We expect the number of COVID-19 cases to increase dramatically in the near future. As testing to detect COVID-19 ramps up, what in another year may have been dismissed as a cold or flu, may turn out to be COVID-19. However, our reaction to challenge has historically been to look inward, and resolve to fortify ourselves spiritually in some way. In general, an increase in Torah, tefillah, and tzedakah, which have been taken when facing previous adversities, is always a positive approach. The challenge of COVID-19 is no different.

We will get through this together!

Best,
Yitz Frank