New York state on Saturday reported its first two deaths from the coronavirus pandemic, victims who authorities said both had underlying medical conditions. An 82-year-old woman who had advanced emphysema died Friday at Wyckoff Medical Center in Brooklyn, where she had been in critical condition after being admitted last week, New York City Mayor Bill […]
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As schools across the U.S. shut down in hopes of helping to fight the coronavirus, New York City officials are arguing just the opposite: They’re keeping the nation’s largest school system open to ensure that health and emergency workers aren’t tied down with kids at home. But teachers, many parents and some health experts say […]
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The following letter was written by Rav Chaim Kanievsky Shlita regarding protection from the Corona Pandemic. It was translated and annotated by Rabbi yair Hoffman for the 5TJT.com. Rav Kanievsky’s words are in boldface.  Rabbi Yair Hoffman’s additions are in italics and in plain type.  Rabbi Hoffman’s additions are the background that is necessary to understand Rav Chaim’s words.  May we all have yeshuos. YH BS”D Adar 5780 Regarding the concern of transmission of the Corona Virus Pandemic Everyone must be mechazek to refrain from Lashon Harah and rechilus as it states in Arachin 15b:  [Why is a leper so different, that the Torah states: “He shall dwell alone; outside of the camp shall be his dwelling” (Vayikrah 13:46)?

New York City officials moved swiftly Thursday to address a false text message spreading on social media claiming that the police department was planning to put containment actions in place this weekend to address the spread of the coronavirus, including a shutdown of Metro-North rail lines and limited subway service. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio called the claims “wrong” and “off base” during an afternoon news conference discussing the decision to declare a state of emergency in the city. He speculated the information leaked from scenario planning and said it was not from plans being put in place. De Blasio said a total shutdown would be unrealistic for a variety of reasons, including that it would make it impossible for people like health care workers to get around.

The unfolding health crisis has impacted us all on different levels and has caused much concern and confusion. In light of the current situation, Chai Lifeline is offering words of chizuk and practical suggestions for parents, educators and community leaders on addressing the coronavirus (COVID-19). A recording with divrei chizuk from Rav Moshe Tuvia Lieff, Morah D’Asra of Agudath Israel Bais Binyomin in Brooklyn, NY, is available at: (515)604-9690 Access code: 660597 Reference number: 35. Rabbi Dr. Dovid Fox, Project Chai Director of Interventions & Community Education, will discuss “How to Address the Coronavirus with Your Children, Your Family, and Yourself.” Dial-in number: (515)604-9690 Access code: 660597 Reference number: 34.

A passenger on a JetBlue flight that arrived at Palm Beach International Airport tested positive for COVID-19 and other passengers were advised to monitor their health according to Centers for Disease Control guidelines, authorities said Thursday. Rescue crews were notified at 8:40 p.m. Wednesday of a medical incident on board the flight from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport, according to Palm Beach Fire Capt. Albert Borroto. The plane arrived at 8:53 p.m. and passengers sat on the tarmac until about 10:45 p.m. The passengers eventually deplaned in a “limited containment area,” separate from the airport’s main terminals, Borroto said in an email.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said Thursday he will announce new restrictions on gatherings to halt the spread of the new coronavirus in the coming days, but he hopes to avoid closing all public events such as Broadway shows. The Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Metropolitan Opera, meanwhile, announced that they would shut down because of virus concerns. “The Met’s priority is to protect and support our staff, volunteers, and visitors,” Daniel Weiss, the museum’s president and chief executive, said in a statement. He said the museum would close its three locations starting Friday. No date for reopening was given. The opera company said all performances have been canceled through March 31. De Blasio earlier said on CNN, “I don’t want to see Broadway go dark if we can avoid it.

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We have been asked, in light of the pandemic spread of the terrible coronavirus, whether yeshivos and day schools should close down until the danger of infection has passed. It is our opinion, at least as of now, and at least in cities or municipalities where public and private schools are not required to close, that yeshivos and day schools should remain open. The koach haTorah generated by tinokos shel bais rabban is inestimable, and is urgently needed in times like these. The general consensus among health officials at this time appears to be that schools may remain open, as evidenced by the fact that most local health authorities have not at this point ordered the wholesale closing of schools, neither public schools nor private schools.

Mayor Bill de Blasio has declared a state of emergency in New York City and announced 95 positive cases of coronavirus in NYC. “I will emphasize that the declaration state of emergency authorizes the use of the powers, but we will use them as needed, does not mean everything will happen at once, and we are going to try to be careful to give you accurate information about what the city is doing and why,” de Blasio said. “And all of our largest venues will now no longer have gatherings until such time in this crisis as it is acceptable to do so again and unfortunately, I suspect that will be a number of months.” Gatherings with more than 500 people will temporarily be banned in New York, Gov.