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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.

COJO Flatbush CEO Louis Welz announced on Wednesday that the social service agency’s 41st annual Community Legislative Breakfast, scheduled for Sunday, March 15, has been postponed due to public-health concerns related to the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus). “We take this step out of an abundance of caution,” said Welz. “Our greatest hope is that in hindsight this will seem like an overreaction. At this time, however, it seems to be the correct decision.” The COJO Flatbush Legislative Breakfast has become one of the most anticipated events on New York City’s communal-political calendar, attended by hundreds of elected officials, religious leaders, community activists, and other notables.

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.