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| Is it real or a fake! |
Illinois Governor Jay Pritzker has ordered all schools – both public and private - to shut down as of Tuesday. But because there has been a confirmed case of coronavirus in the Orhtodox community- that may be moved up to tomorrow. He urges everyone to practice social distancing. Which means that there ought not be any attendance at an event that has more than 250 people. Groups over 1000 will be broken up by law enforcement.
Shuls in Chicago have not been closed down yet. But If I had to guess that may happen very soon. And the 250 number may be revised down considerably. (As I am writing these words - I have just been unofficially informed that all of the CRC affiliated Shuls are closing effective immediately.)
It is imperative that all community leaders follow these directives. And that to the best of their ability assure that individuals in their respective communities follow them too.
For me this will be very difficult since I attend a Minyan 3 times every day as well as attending a Daf Yomi Shiur which I have been doing for over 30 years! . But Chamira Sakanta Me’Isura. If that is what health officials tell me to do, I will do it.
Since my wife and I are classified as elderly, we are at greater risk than most people. Even though both of us are excellent health with no underlying health issues. However we are at greater risk because our immune systems are weaker. Even though I don't think this is true in our case, this is what all health officials are saying as a general matter. So we need to be more diligent.
This morning I was informed that someone in the Orthodox community has been confirmed to have the virus. I'm therefore not even sure that I haven't already come into contact with him or someone he was near or touched. Or that I touched a surface he touched. (Any surface they touch has a high probability of containing the virus. Which remains viable for quite a while.)
That being said - if we haven't been contaminated yet, we cannot isolate ourselves. We still need to go out even if it just to buy food! And who knows how long this situation will last!!!
Health officials are saying that no matter how careful we are, the chances are good that we might contract it.
Even so, we must absolutely do our due diligence. By practicing social distancing and good hygiene by washing our hands frequently with soap for at least 20 seconds - or using hand sanitizer, we can thereby at least slow the rate of increase so that our health system will not be overwhelmed with a sudden huge increase of people with the virus.
Bottom line is that we must do whatever we can. And the rest is up to God.
Due diligence certainly includes prayer. This is something we can all do. Even if it means doing it in private. That is the prudent thing to do since doing it the traditional way at a mass community Tehilim would be defying the best medical advise and common sense.
Which makes a notice I saw (above) about what BMG (Lakewood) is doing astonishing – if true. They are calling for a mass Tehilim in all of their study halls today at 1:15 pm! I cannot understand why they think they can ignore the Hishtadlus that requires us all to heed warnings not to congregate in large groups. Other communities world-wide that have ignored that are now paying a heavy price! My advice – if this notice is true - is to ignore it. And to say Tehilim in private away from any crowds.
God help us all!!! He is the true Rofeh Cholim! HaShem Yerachem! I don't now why He sent this plague upon the world.
May He bring it all to a quick end with no more deaths and no more sickness.