YWN has confirmed that multiple Lakewood residents have received results, testing positive for the COVID-19 virus. Many results are still pending. YWN notes that some of them seem to have attended large Purim parties, the type that YWN published warnings about – which fell on deaf ears, and instead labeled “fear-mongers”. It is unknown if they were carrying the virus at that point or not. In the Jewish communities of NY it is without question that Purim parties were a leading cause of the mass spread of the virus. The leading physician in Lakewood, Dr Shanik has urgently called on all playgroups and learning groups to be disbanded immediately. Sahnik says there should be no babysitting group or learning groups of ANY KIND.

The coronavirus is actively spreading in our community. There are a significant number of people affected, with many on ventilators in the ICU’s and critically ill. This number keeps growing very quickly. Hatzalah is on the front lines and seeing this first hand. COVID-19 is extremely contagious and can be deadly for the elderly, immunocompromised, or people with certain medical conditions. The virus can be spread by persons who do not exhibit any symptoms! That one person doesn’t seem to have symptoms does not mean he/she is not infecting others. People are unwittingly infecting others!

Chai Lifeline presents an URGENT message from Rabbi Uren Reich shlita, Rosh Yeshiva of Ohr Zecharia in Lakewood, regarding the grave dangers of COVID-19 and our chiyuv to adhere to the medical community’s guidance. This eis tzara is a once in a lifetime opportunity for us all to save lives! (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
The post LISTEN: Hagaon HaRav Uren Reich Regarding Grave Dangers & Chiyuv To Adhere To Medical Guidance appeared first on The Yeshiva World.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo said that more than 14,000 people have been tested for coronavirus in the state of New York. There are 2,382 total cases of coronavirus in New York state with 1,008 new positive cases. “The numbers are going up. Hence the increased actions to reduce the spread, the density reduction,” Cuomo said. There are 549 people currently hospitalized in the city. Cuomo announced that the President Trump will be dispatching the USNS Comfort hospital ship to New York to assist with the health care capacity. Cuomo said it would be docked in New York City harbor. The President and Cuomo are also discussing the possibility of the federal government putting up mobile hospitals in New York to help with capacity, the governor said.

(Dr Bennett is a Board Certified Emergency Room Physician, NY Hospital of Queens, and also private practice in Queens) This is Ellie Bennett. You all know who I am and where I work. I just feel that I have to go on record. It is my medical opinion, and the same of all the infectious disease experts, that these minyamin are going to kill people. I know it is very difficult for you all to understand it because it seems like an innocuous gathering of 15 to 20 people. I will happily take any of you on a 5-minute tour of what is going on in my hospital right now. As of this past Thursday we had seven patients sick enough to be admitted. As of yesterday it was 30 and as of today it’s 50. Elderly people from our neighborhood are on ventilators in the ICU because of these minyanim.

As per the p’sak halacha of our daas torah, Rav Yechezkel Roth shlit”a, whose day to day guidance directs our organization, we will be suspending all deliveries of shiva chairs and gemach supplies effective immediately because of the coronavirus outbreak. There is no doubt that this is an עת צרה ליעקב and that it is incumbent upon each of us to do our part to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Rabbi Roth has made it very clear that there is no mitzvah for face to face nichum aveilim at this time, and that, for now, the telephone is the optimal way to comfort those who are sitting shiva. Furthermore, Rabbi Roth has instructed aveilim to sit shiva in separate rooms to prevent family members from infecting each other.

An urgent phone meeting regarding the spread of the Coronavirus conducted by the Whitehouse concluded moments ago at which dozens of Admorim and Rabbonim participated. Leading the meeting was Avi Berkowitz and a council for the President. Despite rumors on Jewish social media stating he would participate, President Trump and VP Pence did not participate […]

The situation in our communities in the tri-State area is very serious, and many people are still not grasping the severity of what is unfolding. Here are the facts, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise: YWN has learned that more than 100 cases have been confirmed overnight in Boro Park, and there are close to 1,000 tests that are still awaiting results. Crown Heights has HUNDREDS and possibly thousands of cases, with some people already placed on respirators. The Five Towns has around 100 confirmed cases and over 1,000 awaiting results. Williamsburg has lots of cases. Many people in Flatbush are being tested this morning, and some Shuls have already been closed. A senior Boro Park Hatzolah Paramedic sent out a public message pleading with people to take action before it’s too late.

A one-year-old baby boy was Niftar on Monday morning, and the Health Department is awaiting test results for COVID-19. The 1 and a half year-old-boy, was identified as Michael Kameo Z”L. His family is a member of the Sephardic Community in Flatbush. Sources tell YWN that he was in the hospital last week for an upper-respiratory infection, but had been released and was home when he was found unresponsive on Monday morning. He was rushed to the hospital where he was R”L Niftar. The Levaya was held on Monday in Flatbush, and the kevura was in New Jersey. Health officials are not taking any chances, and are awaiting test results to see if the child had Coronavirus.

Cuomo vs DeBlasio – who is right? New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said there are no plans to quarantine New York City, despite rumors and fears. “We hear New York City is going to quarantine itself — that is not true,” Cuomo said at a news conference, adding that cities would need to get state approval to make such orders. Earlier today, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said he is “absolutely considering” ordering the city’s residents to shelter in place during the coronavirus pandemic. “Right now we have taken a series of steps to reduce the number of people who are circulating around,” he said.