Dear Friends, We are writing with an important update regarding COVID-19 and the ongoing health situation in our community. Last night, the rabbis of the Rabbinical Council of Bergen County (RCBC), the presidents of our shuls, and the heads of our local schools gathered to meet with representatives of local government, including the Teaneck Department of Health and expert physicians from our three local hospitals: Englewood Health, Hackensack University Medical Center, and Holy Name Medical Center. The message from the healthcare providers was clear. They need our help to slow the spread of the disease before their resources are overwhelmed.

Is your driver’s license valid? It may not be. In the last 28 months, New York issued nearly 1.7 million driver’s license suspensions for not paying traffic tickets. That is nearly two thirds of all license suspensions in New York. New York State lawmakers are saying enough is enough. A new bill sponsored by Assemblywoman Pamela Hunter and co-sponsored by Assemblyman Simcha Eichenstein seeks to amend the vehicle and traffic law so that drivers who owe unpaid fines will not face arbitrary license suspension. “License suspension has significant adverse consequences,” said Assemblyman Simcha Eichenstein. “Without a driver’s license a person cannot drive to work or to school or even to court to pay their fine.

Dear Magen David Families, We are writing to inform you of our decision regarding COVID-19. In consultation with medical specialists and representatives from the Department of Health, many yeshivot have been working together to create a community-wide approach to dealing with this rapidly-changing and evolving situation, one that will hopefully slow the spread of the Coronavirus in our community. In light of all of the information we gathered, we have decided to close all divisions of Magen David Yeshivah. Please rest assured that this is not in response to a live case that we have, but out of precaution, to be sure that our students and families stay safe and healthy.

The high school and beis medrash bachurim of Yeshiva Darchei Torah were out in force across the tristate area at 3:30 on Purim afternoon, raising funds for indigent families, when a fire broke out in a building that houses a beis medrash on the Yeshiva’s Far Rockaway campus. The blaze caused significant damage to the Yeshiva’s legendary ‘Waterview’ building, a 1956 structure that is currently home to the ‘New Mesivta beis medrash,’ a study- and prayer-hall that serves some 200 students in grades 9, 10, and 11.

New York City COVID-19 cases jumped by 10 to 46 overnight. Across New York state, the number reached 186 with the biggest cluster in New Rochelle. There were also confirmed cases reported at Maimonides Hospital in Boro Park. It was unknown what community the patients were from, or where they had been. Governor Andrew Cuomo announced 10 other new positive test results across New York state and Suffolk County officials say they have 6 cases. Big events are also being canceled or postponed because of the outbreak. Due to the spread of the virus across the city, the New York International Auto Show has been delayed and the NYC Half Marathon has been canceled. STAY UPDATED WITH BREAKING UPDATES FROM YWN VIA WHATSAPP – SIGN UP NOW Just click on this link, and you will be placed into a group.

New York’s governor announced Tuesday he is sending the National Guard to help clean public spaces and deliver food in a New York City suburb that is at the center of the nation’s biggest known cluster of coronavirus cases, as the battle against the U.S. outbreak intensified. The move came as health authorities contended with alarming bunches of infections on both coasts and scattered cases in between. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said three schools and other gathering places will be shut down for two weeks in a containment zone in New Rochelle, the epicenter of an outbreak of more than 100 cases. The zone will extend a mile in all directions from a synagogue connected to some of the infections, officials said. The troops will help scrub public places and feed people quarantined at home.

With COVID-19 (Coronavirus) increasingly appearing in the media and infecting individuals in our community, Agudath Israel of America has received numerous calls about the virus – specifically regarding its impact on Jewish practices. Below are answers to frequently asked questions, prepared as a public service at the request of rabbanim, and in cooperation with leading infectious diseases specialists and the NYC DOHMH (Department of Health and Mental and Hygiene). 1.     How concerned should I be about this virus? Is COVID-19 highly fatal? We are all familiar with the obligation described in the pasuk, “V’nishmartem me’od l’nafshoseichem” (Devarim 4:15). This obligation is central and recurring in halacha.

One of the questions clinicians have been inundated with is regarding travel to Passover/Pesach programs during the current Coronavirus outbreak. Quite frankly, we do not yet know what the numbers of infected will be in four weeks from now. We can only predict in general terms as we learn more about the degree of contagion. Lets assume that there is a increasing number of cases and that the infection is will be nationwide at the time that Passover/Pesach falls out. Air Travel As the number of cases grows it is very likely that air carriers will be canceling and consolidating flights as people cancel their reservations. Once those flights go below 50% occupancy, most carriers will simply cancel the flight.

Coronavirus case numbers swelled in New York on Monday, including an FDNY EMS member – the city’s 1st first responder with a confirmed case. The EMS worker is quarantined along with several other co-workers. Eight patients of the 142 patients statewide are being treated in the hospital and most cases are located in Westchester County. Among those testing positive for coronavirus is Rick Cotton, the executive director of the Port Authority, the bi-state agency that runs the NY-area airports and seaports, Cuomo said. A 7-year-old girl from the Bronx is also among the New York City cases. She attends Westchester Torah Academy, which has been closed since the New Rochelle case emerged. She is doing well and quarantined with her family, who have tested negative, Mayor de Blasio said.

Manhattan High School For Girls has closed school since Friday until next week after one of the teachers tested positive for coronavirus, YWN has learned. The Department of health and the school announced that any students who were in same room as this teacher, have to be quarantined for 14 days. That includes even students she doesn’t teach, but who only davened mincha in the same room as her on Monday, March 2. The school is having online school (Zoom) for the next 2 weeks and many of them are missing out in the Simcha of Purim. Sources tell YWN that as many as 200 girls are in quarantine from this school. STAY UPDATED WITH BREAKING UPDATES FROM YWN VIA WHATSAPP – SIGN UP NOW Just click on this link, and you will be placed into a group. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)