By Ephraim Sherman, a resident of Crown Heights and a Nurse Practitioner at New York University hospital
I watched the Purim festivities from my window over Kingston Avenue, thinking, “I am literally watching a pandemic explode before my eyes.” I had COVID symptoms and was quarantined at home.
In the next weeks, people started getting sick and we all went into defensive mode. As each death was reported, the mood was “OK, this is just awful, but it is about to get better! It is all downhill from here!” That pattern kept repeating. Tracht gut vet zein gut.
Then Pesach came, and it felt like half the neighborhood was in the hospital. After that, things really did start to feel like they were getting better, deaths slowed down, and we had a summer of apparent calm. I told anyone who would listen to me that we were in the eye of a hurricane, that this was far from over, and that we needed to be preparing, masking, distancing, and davening. I was told by a rabbi I trusted that it was assur (forbidden) to even talk like that. “COVID is over,” he said. I knew he was wrong, but had no way to prove it.
My wife and I realized that it was a virtual certainty there would be no normal in-person school in the Fall. It might start out normal-ish, but would not last, and we spent the Summer building a fully homeschooled curriculum for our son. People laughed at us.
Even the people who should know better still don’t want to accept that COVID hasn’t gone away yet. Many won’t accept that people are catching COVID for a second time. They are.
To me, politics is the clearest explanation. The New York Times tried to attribute a lot of our flouting of the rules to lack of science education. That doesn’t make any sense. There are plenty of people who understand complicated scientific ideas without taking biology in 9th grade, and there are lots of Americans who took science courses and don’t seem to understand COVID at all.
It comes down to this: many people like President Donald Trump, and if he and other Republicans say COVID is not a big deal, that confirms what people want to hear. Why challenge it if a person you like says it when it would be convenient if it were true?
Here is my question: How is it that 800 frum people died of COVID in just a few months, in the New York area, and somehow the severity of this disease doesn’t register? Politics makes you forget what you saw?? You can believe whatever you want to believe politically, but you saw the Chevra Kadisha and Hatzalah running around like chickens without heads for months. You went to the funerals. You see the people not in shul anymore. Sometimes you’re related to these people. How? How? I don’t understand. I don’t get it.
I worked in the hospital in March and April, in the make-shift ICU’s. I watched how horrible this disease is, up close and personal. The memories of what it looks like, sounds like, smells like, to die from COVID will never leave my mind. If you didn’t actually watch people die, while fighting with all of your might to keep them alive, it’s much easier to persuade yourself that this disease is not a big deal.
People believe that their friends and relatives died from negligence. It’s much easier to believe that rather than to believe it was this horrible disease that spread while we were doing mitzvos on Purim. It’s much easier to believe that Zaide had a cold, and just a cold. “Trump said it was just a cold, and then those antisemites in the hospital killed him.” That’s much easier to swallow.
I feel like I’m in insane land. Maybe I am just the nut job? Just a dumb BT who doesn’t “get it.”
As far as I’m concerned, if you’re the person who bleaches the outside of your vacuum cleaner before vacuuming your living room for the third time before Pesach, if you put on two pairs of tefillin, if you would not dream of walking up Kingston Avenue in cotton tzitzis or without a sheitel on the hottest day in Tammuz — you know how hiddurim and chumrahs work, you know how to be uncomfortable for the sake of doing the right thing, and you can be overly careful about a deadly virus.
I’m a baal teshuva. I became frum in college. I saw shluchim, and bochurim my age, pursuing truth even when it was inconvenient. Doing the hard stuff because it was the right thing to do, period, with no compromises for anyone or anything. I wanted that very much. That makes all this much harder to swallow.
We bend over backward to help Jews on the other side of the world, give tzedaka to a shliach we have never met to make Pesach in the back of a deserted Russian restaurant or in Kathmandu – but we can’t wear a mask in shul? And we can’t wear a mask, properly and over the nose at all times, while walking on the street just in case a vulnerable person walks near us? That chumrah is just too much for us?
Masks have worked for every disease known to man since the Black Plague. They are imperfect, but they help. Social distancing is imperfect, but it helps. If we all did both properly and completely, we would not need to see even one more death from COVID in Crown Heights. It’s that simple. What excuse will we tell ourselves if, chas v’shalom, that death comes?
(A version of this article was originally published in the Forward)
We have tishrei and everything seems ok to me.
People died in Williamsburg and Boropark. We think the mashka is that special here?
There are people who are at risk who are less careful when the environment is so inhospitable to wearing a mask… And all of this is before the chilul hashem we could easily avoid.
The cure can’t be worse then the disease. Full stop.
People die from crossing the road. People die from pesticides. People die from the Flu.
Wearing a mask is a small sacrifice to make to protect the lives of our grandparents and will help us reopen everything.
Maybe masks are a small sacrifice for you but a big one for me. Fair enough? I don’t care if you think I must think like you and do as you decide.
It’s a small sacrifice if you aren’t completely selfish it seems like chassidus definitely didn’t get through to u. It’s a small price compared to when you recklessly give it to a friend who gives it to a friend who goes to visit his Zaidy, that man may very well die alone in hospital and the tragedy to his family will be devastating. It’s like saying that stopping your car so you don’t hit a kid is gonna make you to late for work. Do you smoke in a baby’s room because it’s a big price for you to move… Read more »
are you on supplemental oxygen or something?
how selfish do you have to be to feel that masks are too big a sacrifice?
AMERICA THE FREE
You’re not free to walk down the street without clothing.
Stop fooling yourself. It’s not about “freedom” and it never has been.
AMERICA THE RESPONSIBLE!
There is no such thing as 100% compliance from humans. Therefore, we will never reopen.
We are all adults and can decide for ourselves what risks we are prepared to take in this life. If a person is vulnerable (as i am) we can take steps to help ourselves. I dont need strangers to stop thier lives to protect me.
Wearing a mask is called virtue signaling it does NOTHING just like the face shield he is wearing in the picture its pointless and useless and accomplishes nothing but it makes him feel good
Masks. Some hard. So much worse.
My goodness. Are socks are for you as well?
Excuse me. I think you should wear goggles outside at all times. Even if they fog up and you can’t see well. Because maybe a virus partical will enter your eyes and infect you and you’ll bring it home to grandma and kill her. Murderer if you disagree
This is an oversimplified response to the author, who witnessed many deaths because of Covid. It’s easy to brush off what Covid is, but it’s another story to be on the front lines caring for those ill, and some dying from the disease, as the author says. While I don’t agree with his reasoning behind the lack of rule following and tying it into politics that people in this community are not fighting to prove points for, I think he deserves recognition to speak with a degree of authority on Covid if he was out there in the thick of… Read more »
So much truth and respect in his words, please listen to them!
People are not dying now B”H
from personal experience as my family sits Shiva this week, this is painfully untrue
המקום ינחם אתכם בתוך שאר אבלי ציון וירושלים.
I rather doubt that the commenter above you meant that no one is dying at all; that won’t be the case until Moshiach comes, בב”א. The question is whether people are dying of coronavirus now.
It is very easy to live in a bubble. Just because personally you don’t know anyone who passed recently from Covid, does not mean people aren’t dying.
It is that simple.
And therefore what? Let’s implement a plan that doesn’t work and label anyone who doesn’t comply a murderer? Brilliant!
People weren’t dying on Purim either…
But they have been saying that the number mbers are going up for a month already and no one has died from coronavirus in the past month in our community on the other hand a month after Purim the situation was very different…
All is great and true but we are not sick right now. Stop lecturing and pushing your political views on others and dragging your own neighborhood and supposed friends through the mud.
2 weeks before purim we were also “not sick right now” let’s avoid a repeat.
If he’s hacking a chinik it seems like your the chinik and he isn’t making a dent
The only country in the world, who views masks and coronavirus, as political is America!
I do not live there, yes no body like masks, and it doesn’t STOP the virus, however, it does PREVENT the virus from spreading to others.
Wearing a mask, helps others more than yourself. So by not wearing a mask, you are just simply, stupid, selfish and self centered.
It should have nothing to do with politics, and no gov should force people to wear masks, because people should wear them anyway.
Just because you are sick, doesn’t mean others also aren’t.
It’s not all about you, there are other humans in the world, besides you and your circle of friends/ neighborhood
I support the author 100%.
I am a Crown Heights resident who takes precautions with mask wearing and avoiding crowds. I attended outdoor minyanim for Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur, Simchas Torah. I still don’t go to Shul. I also fail to understand why people can’t take precautions seriously after all we have been through and the losses we suffered. What does it cost to take precautions? Some discomfort? However, I beg to differ that this lacking adherence to rules has anything to do with liking President Trump. I think you are adding up two factors that don’t add up. At least in this community. If… Read more »
This was written by a liberal. Not sure why people are surprised that he is blaming trump and that our community is basically trump supporters according to him.
Are you denying that the majority of our community supports Trump? Try telling that to my kids who are put down by their teachers and friends for voicing concerns about Trump. Try telling that to those who are afraid to bring up a different opinion for fear of being singled out at the shabbos table. To those who are called ‘libtards’ and ‘demonrats’ for not supporting Trump. To those who are told they can’t be real Jews.
Biden and Harris are against America and Jews.
If you are an independent, then you have a right to be respected for your opinion but if you are a Biden and Harris…then you are basically supporting anti-semitism, racism, Marxism and that is dangerous and should be rejected by everyone.
Mhm. Right. 🙄
REALLY? Are you G-d??? No!! How do you know which is better! Everyone have their opinions! I have personally not been invited places because I support Biden! And then those same people who don’t invite me go around singing about AhavasYisroel and We want Moshiach no! If they want Moshiach maybe first They should stop acting like animals!!
Who cares who votes for who. At the end of the day whatever he said was ok until he pushed his political agenda. He could have gotten his point across without telling us that we are trump supporters and this is why our community is like this.
It happens to be that the majority of this community does support Trump, but that has nothing to do with the lack of mask wearing etc here. People have their own motivations. Aligning themselves with Trump is just not one of them in CH.
The liberals were telling us it’s no big deal, hug someone from China and let’s bring everyone in.
Trumpers say it’s no big deal because they don’t want to be inconvenienced.
Conservatives are pro life and recognize the dangerous threat from china. We are in a state of war and need to treat this seriously
A few years ago, two thugs killed a yid as he walked to shul on Shabbos in Miami Beach. They asked him for money – he didn’t have – they just pulled the trigger!
Of course, you can incorrectly discount it as an isolated incident. But how about Pittsburg or California? Now, should we all stop going to shul as a precaution and a safety measure?
Thank you for your dedication to bring healing to people. I’m sure the hours and demands of the job are not easy. May Hashem give you (and your family) all the strength you need to continue helping people. I read your article and would like to ask a few questions. I don’t have the answers, so I’m asking them sincerely. 1. Covid had fatal consequences on our community. But I’m reading that its not as potent as it used to be. In fact, we don’t have (many or any) severe cases in Crown Heights. If that is true, why are… Read more »
The unfortunate truth is the deaths from covid were preventable had our doctors not gone AWOL, the government not discouraged early use of hydroxychloriquine, not encouraged sending sick covid patients to nursing homes and allowed family to stay at the bedside of their loved ones in the hospital and advocate for them. I’m outraged at this hypocritical virtue signalling.
Really deaths were preventable. Are we god now. Virus is gonna virus no matter what we do. Look at all those placed they shut down it came right back. 70% of those who get sick now say that they kept to all the guidelines and wear a mask all when out what does that tell u?
I looked up the cdc study. Of posotive patients, 71% reported always wearing a mask and 3.9% never, while of people who are negative, 74% reported always wearing a mask and 3.1% never. So there’s your context, people 😅😅😅. Interestingly, of positive cases, 41% reported being at a restaurant within 14 days and said that 81%of people there wore a mask at least half the time; while of people who are ngative, only 28% reported being at a restaurant and of those people, said 98% of people there wore a mask at least half the time. So it seems that… Read more »
A. There is no evidence that the virus changed but there is better treatment then what was available in the beginning. (Partly because the hospitals are not flooded now because of social distancing) B. There seems to be a level of herd immunity in ch since so many already got it in the spring but there are still many vulnerable people who are not immune, although there were not alot of cases during tishrai, we know that as it gets colder viruses spread faster (the common cold and flu are less common in the summer) do we need to wait… Read more »
This man organized a mass gathering march for Black Lives Matter, and in the pictures there’s a lot of people without masks from around the neighborhood.
Picking and choosing?
קבל את האמת ממי שאומרו
But that assumes facts not in evidence.
There is a full article on colllive of the event he organized. And to the comment saying it was just a rally and not BLM, big deal. He organized a full rally with people not social distancing, and you can all search his name on collive to find that article posted two months ago
Of course. The question is whether what he’s writing in this article is emes (as Sholom Ber urges us to consider it), and that is highly questionable.
The Forward loves this kind of author.
Would be disingenuous to pretend this fella doesn’t have a political objective with this article.
And no, it is not necessarily emes if the CURRENT facts and stats don’t match his nightmare description.
We are almost a month since the beginning of Tishrei (where thousands of mostly maskless people jammed 770 for weeks) and according to his outlook the community would be getting sick and dying R”L, BH he’s been proven wrong.
Thanks for bringing this little tidbit to our attention.
This was not a BLM rally, it was a “Rally in support of our Neighbors ” What happened is some BLM came to participate. It does not make this a BLM rally. Very simple the organizers did this to make a Kiddush hashem. Calling this a BLM rally is incorrect and false. Furthermore the author took the time to write this article to save lives, please dont use this falsehood to discredit his efforts,the mesirus nefesh he has on a daily basis, and the important focus of the article.
it was a blm rally, did you read the organizers (there wre a few) posts on fb? clearly not.
So joining a “Rally in support of our neighbors” is fine and encouraged… But davening in shul and a bar mitzvah is a death trap?!?
It was not a Kiddush Hashem…the Rebbe was always against protests and you threw out social distancing out the window…you should have just stayed home
To see the comments. I am grabbing my popcorn.
This guy supports the racist BLM movement. We don’t the nonsense he spews.
I respect the author’s work as a health care worker, saving lives and watching people die, unfortunately, which leaves trauma. And I agree with his heartening to people to take the saving of lives seriously, by taking precautions. However, back to his organizing of the BLM rally, while we support treating every human being with the respect they deserve, supporting #BLM is selling your soul as a Jew. The BLM platform calls for an end to U.S. federal aid for Israel. By providing aid, the platform argues, the United States is “complicit in the genocide taking place against the Palestinian… Read more »
He is not a supporter of BLM. Again this is incorrect and off track from the focus of the article the point of which is to save lives. If you cant see that at least stop the loshen hora.
He brought politics into it by blaming ch for supporting Trump. Let’s call a spade a spade please
are you friends with him or his wife on fb?? clearly not.
It’s NOT Loshon HoRah, It’s Motzei Shem Rah!
I’m sure many people who read this will blast you for your comments. You may even be approached in person and told you were out of line. I’m sure people will knit pick your words and try to discredit everything you wrote because they can disprove one thing that you wrote. (I myself don’t agree with everything you wrote, but I’m not afraid to admit to the underlying truth of your main point). Such behavior only shows that you have reached those people and it hurts to hear the truth. Know that you have made an impact. Know that you… Read more »
BH somebody with a little sense. Its not a BT issue, its a frum issue. Frum people think and know everything. People spend a career in health care, college, research and science; however, a yeshiva educated person will say “hasgocha purtis.” We died we died, and put 1000’s of people at risk. People are selfish and think about themselves not the neighbors. Finally somebody gets it, hopefully the rebbes schunach comes back strong and with a chayous. Get a mask, moshiach one even better, and save lives mamash!
His political nonsense just ruins it for me. Cannot listen to that garbage.
so well written I hope people read it and take it to heart. I am embarrassed of crown heights. Shut the simcha halls or make parameters, wear masks in schools stores etc. Other frum communities are able to do it why cant crown heights
what about the people that arent here anymore due to mental health complications becuase of the lockdown you dont seem to speak about that neither does col speak about the mental health issues going on due to the lockdown stop isoalting isolation is dangerous
No one wants to lockdown anything, it is a function of poor social responsibility by “ Everyone “ and if everyone took the utmost caution there would be less other problems across the board “ wear a mask social distance as best you can and think about Ahavas Yisroel
It’s great that mental health is finally taken seriously in the frum community…
I think the severity of the disease weakened a lot. Yes, New York had it terrible in March and April but since then Bh for various possible reasons much less people died from it. Personally I have a family member who is a high risk of the high risk category living in a nursing home (not in ny) who unfortunately caught the disease in the nursing home after they didn’t allow visitors. Bh she survived. Again she was in the highest risk category for many reasons. The bigger tragedy is that she is still isolated from family because of the… Read more »
Look at whats happening in israel. There are over 40 deaths every 24 hrs in israel! Israelis came to usa for tishrei so more cases may develop ח”ו. I do believe not treating with hydroxychloroquine has caused more deaths. The new cases are mainly young people so be wary. 9-29 yrs old have the highest num of cases in israel. I have studied the records there.
Let’s run some numbers. Israel has a population of over 9 million, and its death rate the past few years has been around 5.3 per thousand. Which means that around 47,000 deaths per year (from all causes) should be expected. Which works out to 130 per day. How many of your “40 deaths every 24 hours” are from coronavirus, and how many from other causes? And of the latter, how many are because the effects of the lockdown itself – the depression and suicides, the delayed treatments for other conditions, etc.?
I gave the statistics of corona deaths in israel that come out every 24 hrs. You can look yourself at walla news report that publishes the official govt stats every day of num of corona news cases and deaths and in what cities and num of tests and percent of those found infected. Incidently among the frum there are the most cases because many refused to follow the guidelines and became red cities. One frum area of yerushalayim is still on lockdown – ramat shlomo
If everyone (both Jews and Gentiles) would turn to Hashem & say sorry & beg for His forgiveness and mercy, and do teshuva this ‘covid’ really would go away. If people would obsess about teshuva even half as much as they do about masks, ‘covid’ would end.
On a side note to the author: a BT is suppose to be a believer, plus your a medical professional at that and it doesnt dawn on you, how did rabbi akivas students make it? They did not have respect for one another and thus hashem decreed they should pass away by plague. How come it didn’t dawn such an idea? Or the rambam? His first wife and daughter passed by plague? Lack of spiritual effects this physical world – not the other way around! How many times did the Rebbe say check mezuzos tefillin etc… and the person became… Read more »
He wants us to walk around looking like ridiculous aliens ! Liberalism is a mental disorder
However I am with you on the liberalism=mental disorder!
We already walk around looking like “ridiculous penguins”. Since when has “looking weird” been a reason for Lubavitchers to not do the right thing?
And for the million dollar question. Since you care so much about saving lives why are you not researching and promoting the single proven way to help the most vulnerable from even getting sick? The Zelenko’s protocol has been proven to save thousands and thousands of elderly, frail and sick people from even getting very sick in the first place when taken in advance. It baffles the mind. Rudy Giuliani is the latest to come out saying he’s on it and yet to get sick even after being heavily exposed to covid with the president’s family and inner circle. He’s… Read more »
WHO discontinues hydroxychloroquine and lopinavir/ritonavir treatment arms for COVID-19
…interim trial results show that hydroxychloroquine and lopinavir/ritonavir produce little or no reduction in the mortality of hospitalized COVID-19 patients when compared to standard of care.
… for very ill hospitalized patients… how does that disprove what I said? Hydroxychloriquine and zinc eliminated the need for hospitalizations in the first place when used EARLY! That is his protocol. early and with zink is the key… the earlier the better. Best is even before the high risk individual gets exposed. Thousands of treated high risk cases to prove it and the media ignores and discourages it’s use, along with the governor’s banning it. It’s crazy. And then they have the chutzpah to blame me and you for killing people when we are perfectly healthy and refuse to… Read more »
It seems to me that as you touched on, layers of protection is the way to go…yes, but I’m not sure that wearing masks is one of those layers…. the expression I have heard coming from “America’s Frontline Doctors”(Who have nothing to gain, and everything to loose by staking ground in their positions), is that wearing masks for a virus this small can be likened to trapping a mosquito in a chain link fence…. you might say, just in case it might help, what’s the harm? Well there IS harm, if you have any kind of sub clinical throat or… Read more »
The frum New York and Eretz Yisroel communities are the most clueless when it comes to healthy living. Healthy food choices and exercise are practically non-existent among most; it’s even frowned upon and looked at as ‘less frum or modern.’ Rabbonim do not lead by example in this area, and are batul to conventional, symptom attacking M.D.’s. Unfortunately, most of these people ran to NYC hospitals where the real damage was done.
You brought politics into this to state that CH isn’t following the rules due to support of Donald Trump. You should first qualify this by stating that you are a major opponent of Mr. Trump. Your social media profiles are full of anti-Trump posts, long before the pandemic began.
As it turns out, Sweden didn’t impose any social distancing rules, and had the same turnout of hospitalizations and fatalities as other countries.
There is absolutely NO evidence that if CH distanced more, or wore masks more, that there would be less fatalities.
Well one things for sure. If we all wore masks and distanced we’d all be miserable. No smiling allowed anymore! Might scare away the Satan.
What he says as a health care worker is valid but political views of trump should not be brought into this. Marching with the protests and writing anti trump articles should have nothing to do with healthcare advice
It is clear that you have an agenda. Do you really think that your article putting Trump down is going to make me or anyone else who knows the truth vote for Biden?! Do you think for a minute that you’ll persuade anyone with common sense not to vote for Trump? BLM? What about other lives?? What about the lives of people dying in nursing homes because they have no contact with their loved ones other than when I go in for a nursing visit and FaceTime with their loved ones? Not just that but a faceless nurse with a… Read more »
No to imposing a new normal of muzzles and social isolation on all healthy people for a virus that most are perfectly fine catching. Yes there are risks yes people died. but this solution a) is useless b) is harmful. So no thanks. Time for another plan that doesn’t involve harassing the healthy and young.
Op doing amazing job saving lives in hospital Maybe this is why you have this extreme position because you deal directly with the people with severe conditions Some people have a different perspective : like things now have changed and BH not more people dying In Crown Heights And therefore they don’t see the need of wearing a mask and all those craziness that make more people become poor and sad and many losing their mental health It’s not one size fits all Everyone should do what they really think is the right thing to do You want to wear… Read more »
I know those few months were hard, especially as a front line worker and we thank you for your service.
However new infections now are mainly among the young and SUPER low.
Hospitalizations, intubations and deaths are zero to none in the community.
Hatzolah call volume has been back to normal for many months. It’s ok, it’s going to be just fine.
I am not going to give my opinion on the matter of Covid etc.. because clearly people believe what they want to. But for someone from across the world, reading this rhetoric, the comments are just plain mean and nasty. It’s sad. For the people being so directly horrible, if you can’t say these words to someone face, don’t write them! Social media is an easy way to be condescending and nasty, because you can hide behind the screen. Just stop and think! Is it is thoughtful, helpful, necessary and kind, we teach our kids to be kind and thoughtful,… Read more »
“Leftism” disguised as Frumkeit and Mentchlichkeit… ( see author’s argument in support of the legalization of abortion…https://www.hadassahmagazine.org/author/ephraim-sherman/)
I guess his burning desire to be super careful and take on extra chumrahs to save even one life, stops when it conflicts with his political beliefs…
You can’t compare the argument that we take on extra Churas to not going about Life locked up and afraid.
Every chumra that we take on has a source form one Poseck or another. Also the shulchan aruch calls on a shoyte for adding chumras from thin air with no source.
Firstly, much thanks to you for selflessly caring for the sick and devoting yourself to helping others. You asked questions so I will answer them. #1 Covid has treatment that works. There was and still is Political pressure on doctors claiming that nothing can help and they should not treat nor give standard medication for these common symptoms. Yes, early treatment is the key and by suggesting there was nothing to do instead of offering standard treatment immediatly escalated the effects causing acute respitorey distress until it became virtually untreatable and caused many deaths. This is totally preventable by treating… Read more »
Look what this guy watches u can clearly see CNN in the background undermining the message of the whole article
Fake news
He is clearly not at home watching that! It is playing in the hospital or wherever he is at. Although I disagree with his political trash, I will not blame that TV on him.
NY and Europe are going through a second wave right now. Has nobody in the scientific community noticed a significant decrease in deaths and complications compared to the spring? That is what happens when you build immunity by being exposed to a disease. The first wave sucks, the second wave is not as bad, and so on for subsequent waves. look at COL, NY numbers are going up but in the past two weeks I think there was one death due to COVID. now, if I was politically inclined to blame Republicans and Trump, I would want to tell everyone… Read more »
It can be difficult for those who haven’t been directly adversely affected by this virus to recognize its severity. The author has seen things first hand, hence his strong feelings. Perhaps if we could walk a few steps in the shoes of those who have lost loved ones we’d be more empathetic and willing to make our lives a little more difficult for the sake of preventing someone else’s suffering or loss of life. Will it take the death if your loved one to finally come around? I certainly hope it never comes to that, but if it does, maybe… Read more »
TU 4 ur informative article about this dreaded disease. I, too, am a BT Retired RN, with 2x Nursing Masters Degrees & many years of experience. I cannot emphasize enough the importance of Primary Health Care to the general public sector. This is what Community Healthcare is all about. This is something that should be given on all levels to everyone, beginning with elementary school & continuing through life to the public. Unfortunately, it’s always the case of those who know least that think & believe that they know the most. This applies to everything, whether it be about health… Read more »
Stood and protested in front of police station back in the days of the protests .
You should be more transparent in your article about your political view as your Facebook feed Ty
Not a Doctor/specialist
But you clearly speak from lock of knowledge
Stay away from politics
Listen to the real qualified experts
Stop putting other down
Very irresponsible
Chochom MahuOmer
Your words & input completely empty with zero bases of real understanding
Do your job, follow your own advice and listen to the Top Specialist Doctor , stop spreading democratic fear and killing people mentally/physically
When did you become a Top Expert by putting a crown on your head.
I disagree with his lefty political views but he is a specialist, pretty sure he is a DOCTOR of nursing, not just a regular nursing student like all the people you meet around CH who do these expedited nursing programs. He went through many many more years to obtain a much higher medical certification and title. So you are just wrong.
When writing an article or commenting, please let’s keep sensitivity in mind and write respectfully to and about.
Thank you
The whole new generation is all about being so sensitive, every little thing is not allowed because you might hurt someones feelings. We cannot even tell jokes anymore without being called an awful person.
For me and most of my young friends, the simple reasoning of not wearing a mask while walking down the street or in stores in the neighborhood is because we have very little trust in the policies of the government in preventing covid. They are seen as overbearing restrictions that don’t address the community needs, or the fact that we have antibodies. Add that to caution fatigue and a feeling that there’s no end and we cant prevent it because no matter what there’s gonna be a threat of another wave (especially with stricter lockdown). So everything gets thrown out… Read more »
I stopped reading. It’s always always about politics. Enough. I don’t care who you voted for, trying to sneak stuff in there.
Yet do you fault Biden for the hundreds of blacks dancing and singing for Breonna Taylor – maskless- I might add, with zero social distancing? Do you also insinuate that these blacks in the marches you arranged to be selfish, uncaring and just stupid people blinding following their political leaders? Or do you reserve that kind of judgement for your fellow Jews who happen to have a different political view than you do? The moment you mixed Trump into the picture, you lost all validity. Stop preaching Mr. Enlightened Nurse. Stop mixing politics into this. Your hypocrisy is on full… Read more »
If trump, fox news and rush limbo would have supported mask wearing dont you think more frum people who agree with them on israel ssues would wear masks? There is no doubt in my mind that Trump is a significant factor.
Please please leave people alone before we all end up in the crazy house.
Everyone who knows we’ll tell you that the virus going around now isn’t nearly as dangerous.
Live and Let Live. Let people live their lives in peace!
While I am too a nurse on the frontlines, and I see where you are coming from, I am not one to wear a mask outside or stay away from large crowds. I believe we need to live with this virus, and as many mentioned, there is still yena machla, MVA’s, TBI’s and all the rest. Anyone can die at any moment and I will not go above and beyond for a virus that has shown has a 97% recovery rate. I am sorry for those who have died, but I can’t say that I have seen many under the… Read more »
A simple mask is going “above and beyond”?? I’m surprised to hear this especially from a nurse. I agree that we need to continue living our lives but we can easily do that with a mask when we go out
YOU can easily decide to wear a mask for yourself but you don’t have the liberty to decide that for others. Drop the ‘we’. It’s highly disrespectful. And shows unhealthy boundaries
Do you believe in reward and punishment after death? If yes, how can you not go “above and beyond” to prevent people from getting sock and potentially dying xhas vesholom?
If you believe this lie is true
I’ve got a Brooklyn bridge to sell you too
You’re mask does zilch to prevent others from getting sick. All it does is make you feel good about yourself. Which I guess is a good thing. That’s it.
If you had to spend time with somone who tested positive for covid would you not be more comfortable if both of you were wearing a mask?
Kudos to helping people. He seems like a real mensch.
Thank you Ephraim! It is sometimes hard to be a B. T. I am one as well. When you learn about and apply to your NEW life Ahavas Yisroel, Chassidus, and good character you naturally assume that everyone aspires to do the same. Sadly, this assumption is often incorrect.Try not to be discouraged and remember the essence of Judaism is your relationship with Hashem. Stay safe and be well.
When you vote for Trump because its the best choice for Israel, religious freedom, and all that jews hold dear although you are a bleeding heart liberal because of kobolas ol then we will talk, till then stop preaching.
Our leaders may be very good in some things, but at the same weak in other aspects. We have to have our own seichel on social distancing and mask wearing (which helps partly – better than nothing) – and be able to discern when we have to do more than some leaders tell us to do… when they say there is little covid problem. On the other hand, to be aware if any leader’s agenda tends towards “control. In THESE TIMES, we have to be informed. Things are not always what they seem/. Also, in other countries, relaxing the social distancing has led to virus… Read more »
So with all the hype put there, I haven’t got clarity as to if there is much reinfection going on around. Purim time, and the weeks following, in Crown Heights, I barely knew of anyone that DIDN’T have Corona. Now, even with everyone screaming about reinfection, I don’t know anyone personally in all of my circles that contracted Corona again. Is it valid to compare what is going on now to Purim time? If people actually saw people around them getting Corona again, then yes, they would probably be more cautious with all of the guidelines. The laxity is because… Read more »
We have yet to see the full effect of withholding oxygen from the brain and of breathing back in our own co2. There is already a hike in pneumonia and pleural infections. Think about the developing brains of kids who are made to wear masks all day in school. And the brain of developing fetus. Expecting mothers – beware
This is the same man that arranged a BLM march in CH. Yeh sure we are the problem. And as for negligence that is a fact ppl were starved to death and neglected in the hospitals. The deaths in the frum community came down because we started keeping ppl home and treating them there period. Hospitals and old age homes KILLED get used to hearing that those ate the facts and facts font care about your political feelings. 98% of that get sick are fine and have no lasting symptoms but u can spread fear all u like
Didn’t bother reading one comment, don’t give a darn who agrees with him and who doesn’t. He said every single word that would have come out of my mouth. This guy is a national hero and should be running the community. Never met him don’t know him, but gd bless him for his sound clear cut and SANE approach.
To say thank you! As a fellow healthcare worker in crown heights I have had all these same thoughts and adding the chumrah detail is excellent.
Funny how he’s trying to lecture us on “chumrahs” when he himself is pro abortion along with many other left wing policies….
You speak the truth. Thank you
Thank you so much Ephraim for your sacrifice and Mesirus Nefesh during this pandemic!
As an “out of towner” it boggles my mind! I mostly stopped going on COL because it’s so depressing to see all the pictures and the events going on like nothing happened!
Thank you for your words of wisdom. I totally agree with you.
Thank you for your dedication in the healthcare department during the darkest times. With that being said and with all due respect… You are not a professional, and your agenda is blatant, especially when we see all your other left agenda activism. Please stop being blinded by politics and accept the scientific facts of the preventative medications such as Dr. Zelenko’s protocol, he is just one of the many HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS who were on the frontlines treating thousands of covid patients with tremendous success rates, both my parents are seniors and my mother is recovered cancer patient, they are both… Read more »
Wrong. It comes down to this: people are using their brains and thinking logically. This is a virus with a very high survival rate for the majority of the population. Original lockdowns to flatten the curve and avoid hospital overcrowding was accomplished a long time ago. But apparently we’ve entered a new narrative of flatten the curve so no cases exist. Sorry but it isn’t going to happen. What is going to happen is that this virus will run through the population with the majority of people able to handle it just fine. The minority of people who are higher… Read more »
People don’t know anymore what is right and what is wrong. What is true and what is false. Who to believe and who not to believe. The world is in a state of confusion. The Rebbe is no longer here to answer… Who do we turn to for physical advice or spiritual advice??
The answer is thus clear: [When questions arise] one should consult with three chassidishe rabbonim [i.e., Chabad rabbis who are trained halachic authorities], whether through one of them [who will then discuss it with another two], or with all three at the same time, and the greatest of them, or all three together, will deliver the verdict. In other words, in addition to that which has been discussed recently concerning the imperative to fulfill the instruction of the Mishnah, “Make for yourself a teacher,” and in matters related to healing, to consult with doctors, according to the statement of our… Read more »
Efraim or Ian as we know you here, you did marvelous and heroic work during Covid with all patients in your care, extra thanks for going the extra mile from bringing tefillin to patients or just speaking to and reassuring the families from our communities. People that didn’t live it will never understand what that phone call updating and reassuring the family meant during these hard times with no visitors allowed . Ian your a walking Kiddush Hashem and a real Chasid and Crown Heights should be very proud of you
PS I hope you enjoyed the Bikur Cholim food
I was agreeing with most of this article and have so much respect for all healthcare workers . But then I lost you at the politics . Way to politicize a virus ! I’m sorry , but gedaliah society and Dr Rosen who has been leading us until now has never made things about politics and solely about facts . Please keep it that way and you’ll have so much more respect for what you have to say . This isn’t about presidential candidates , but the fact that people are worrying about their mental sanity . We have to… Read more »
Is it too much to ask to allow people to make their own decisions for what is best for them and their families? Does your mandatory mask mandate take into account people with breathing problems? People on the spectrum? Or the fact that breathing thru a face diaper is toxic and unhealthy? Mandate at the old age home and when visiting zaide. Anyone who is vulnerable and wants to wear one, go ahead. Stop trying to dictate the terms of other peoples lives. You have no idea how this has hurt people with medically or mentally challenged people and your… Read more »
Well said!
But if we are going to be honest, wearing a mask in public is much more than a Chumra— it is basic human decency. It is the practical expression of Veohabta Lareochs Kamocha.
Refusal to wear a mask pretty much makes you a Rodef, endangering other people’s lives, and creates a Chilul Hashem (better you shouldn’t have been born רל״ץ) and amplifies anti-semirism as people do notice.
I’m really proud of my friend Ephraim for sharing and standing by this inexplicably unpopular opinion.
This doesn’t have to be political: The Rebbe says listen to your doctor, listen to your Rav. Your Rav says ‘wear a mask,’ your doctor says ‘wear a mask,’ so who are you listening to?
The voice inside that says ‘only when it’s convenient for me.’
Thank you for writing this. I know it takes guts to write such facts to an audience who largely is unwilling to recognize hard truths, and thinks they know better.
Yes it is too much to ask that you be allowed to only care about yourself and your family. How selfish of you. If you don’t have any health conscerns that is great but unfortunately others do and if everyone spreads it around without thinking there is a small chance maybe someone will get sick because of you. Or maybe someone dies because wearing a mask is uncomfortable. Is that really worth it? And for the record I am a die hard Trump supporter. I personally know people that died and many people who lost loved ones. And no they… Read more »
NO ONE IS SAYING PEOPLE DIDNT DIE FROM THIS VIRUS( ACCORDING TO THE CDC ITS AROUND 6-10K FROM THE VIRUS) BUT TO STOP THE WORLD , PUT EVERYONE IN A PANIC, PEOPLE GOING BROKE AND COMMITTING SUICIDE (ACTUALY MORE PEOPLE HAVE DIED FROM SUICIDE THAN THE VIRUS ) IS CRAZY, BOTTOM LINE HASHEM RUNS THE WORLD, EVEN THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION SAID THEY WERE LUCKY MILLIONS OF PEOPLE DIDNT DIE DURING HIS REIGN AND THAT WAS WITH NO INTERVENTION, ( HE WAS GOLFING ALL DAY ) OUR GREAT PRESIDENT IS THE BEST FOR TRYING HIS BEST TO KEEP IT CALM AS… Read more »
1. Do people in Crown Heights who had coronavirus still have antibodies? Do the antibodies protect themselves or others from getting the virus? 2. Are all the deaths that are reported to be from coronavirus actually from the virus? 3. How many of the deaths from coronavirus were from neglect?4. Is hydroxychloroquine or the Zelenko protocol effective? Is the treatment that the president used effective? If so, should the medical establishment be taking so long to approve them? 6. Are children at risk for coronavirus complications? Is it healthy for them or their family for them to be out of… Read more »
ONLY HASHEM DECREES WHAT WILL BE
Ephraim Sherman please don’t lecture us! I am surprised that he has the gall to lecture the community after he took a knee and gave fodder to those who hate us.
https://gothamist.com/news/video-nypd-orthodox-dance-party-crown-heights-coronavirus?_gl=1*1r524am*_ga*a3Y5d2VnUkdHT04zX2FHWHJlRnNFUmFxRTJOMXd0d3UxVU9iUHB5RW12b21rQ0dib2VDTEFGaHpnS0ZuZDR3bA
“No one got arrested, no one got hurt. There was no tear gas, no pepper spray, no billy clubs,” noted Ephraim Sherman, an Orthodox resident of Crown Heights. “Those are good things. I’m glad my neighborhood didn’t have violent arrests. That would’ve happen if they didn’t look like me.”
Yep, it’s always about race isn’t it. Puhleez.
This is a truly heartfelt perspective on the pandemic from someone who really does know what is going on. I wish you and your family good health and I thank you for everything that you have done for the community.
President Trump was one of the first world leaders to limit travel from China and eventually Europe. At the time, he was chastised by the World Health Organization for overreacting, criticized by European leaders (who later shut down their own borders), and demonized by Joe Biden, who said Mr. Trump had “a record of hysteria, xenophobia and fear-mongering.” Mr. Trump fully committed the Centers for Disease Control and every other federal health agency to our defense. This includes around 80,000 doctors, microbiologists and other personnel experienced in dealing with medical crisis. He deployed the National Guard to build hospitals and… Read more »
Suppose a facility (Shul, school, hall, etc.) would do the following:
everyone wears a mask, plus using a filtration system – would
there still be a “legitimate” medical issue to limit the capacity of the
room (e.g. 10 people, 25%, etc.)?
See:https://www.mdanderson.org/cancerwise/can-air-purifiers-protect-you-from-coronavirus-covid-19.h00-159385101.html
While I agree with the author that people in Crown Heights are acting with disregard, I’m not sure that such behavior is attributable to politics. The author argues that there are “plenty of people who understand complicated scientific ideas” without a 9th grade biology course, to which I would respectfully disagree.
What percentage of the people reading this column can explain the basics of cell division, chromosomal structures, or even Pathogens — a subject central to Covid?
Ignorance can be very dangerous. Collective ignorance, coupled with a false sense of “street smarts”, can be deadly.
To: learning never ends… Are these professionals enough for you? Dr. Robin Armstrong @Robinlynnarmst1 Dr. Robin Armstrong is an internal medicine physician practicing as a hospitalist and in nursing homes. Dr. Armstrong owns Armstrong Medical Group with eleven employees and practices medicine in his home town. Dr. Armstrong is known for successful early treatment of the frail elderly COVID-19 patients in the nursing home setting early in the pandemic. He serves on the Finance Commission of Texas. His wife Martha is also a doctor and they have four sons. http://www.robinarmstrongfortexas.com Dr. Scott Barbour @drscott_atlanta Dr. Scott Barbour is the founder… Read more »
We were out & about since shavuois & thank gd everyone in our community is doing totally fine, don’t bring up the suffering & loses we went through in march & April to guilt trip us about our totally appropriate behavior at this point. Now let’s all remember this is the same Sherman dude who arranged a blm rally on eastern Pkwy with of course mostly no masks no precautions & absolutely no distancing & he’s coming now to lecture us about masks & distancing, He was wrong then by Making this stupid & dangerous blm rally & he’s wrong… Read more »
How many people do you know died at home?? HOSPITALS KILLED PEOPLE!! Covid didnt! Tell the truth. I dont care that you are in health care,, I dont care that there are some good nurses too. My father was abused in the hospital and could have died too, but Hashem signed him in the book of life. COVID DOES NOT KILL! Terrible nurses do!
Hospital saved lives! You don’t know a thing.
https://plandemicseries.com/?fbclid=IwAR3RAp2FlokRvvZplHc1Y4A2XvqbHCO4X0F4MwrA6CYpMGSzKEX_w1vRC90
Denied people life saving medicine. Starved patients out of fear of catching the virus. Fear mongering to the masses. Please admit lives would have been saved had the hospitals remained closed.
False. I disagree w his political views but without hospitals many more would have died.
Our Rabbis teach that an assessment of a “historical perspective” is best done from the distance of time. At this point, all our arguments, pros and con, are emotional ranting without sufficient knowledge. The above applies to most of us opining on this at hand. Our writer is making a demonstratively emotional point. First, the cover photo shows him is in hospital-gear, mask, medical equipment, etc. – an immediate hit to senses, a call to the reader to be ready for some sobering words and ugly truths – a picture in a business suit would not make the same preamble! Second,… Read more »
If this guy was pro trump, everyone would be bowing to him! It’s not that you are afraid to hear politics, you are afraid to hear the truth!
The fact of the matter is that most of the deaths were a result of neglect. Our stupid politicians and leaders did not equip their hospitals and doctors properly to take care of the sick patients. There was an entire ship sent by the president to dock in New York harbor to be used as a hospital. our stupid Governor refused to use it because of politics and sent people to die in nursing homes. There was so much neglect in this situation. That is what I attest most of the deatgs to. It is preventable by people keeping themselves… Read more »
people died of hunger in those hospitals. fact.
do you know how many germs build up on a mask after 20 minutes? leave people alone. dont be hateful
As someone who has really suffered from insanity your statement is highly political incorrect and surprising coming from a nurse and supposed altruistic frum person.