By COLlive reporter
Chevra Hatzalah of New York, which coordinates volunteer ambulance services in frum communities, says the number of those infected by coronavirus is “growing very quickly.”
In a public letter, they wrote: “There is a significant number of people affected, with many on ventilators in the ICU’s and critically ill.”
They emphasized that 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,” they said. “The one doesn’t seem to have symptoms does not mean he/she is not infecting others. People are unwittingly infecting others!”
Hatzalah said that in consultation with their Vaad Harabbonim, they are asking for all shuls, yeshivos, men’s mikvahs, shuls, minyanim, in-person shiurim and any public gathering to “close immediately and until further notice.”
They reminded the public that social distancing should be kept, not to touch your face, clean hands frequently, and not to go out in public for non-essential errands.
They also stressed that weddings should be limited to immediate family, and there should be no gathering of groups of people – even families, and no playgroups or playdates.
According to a source, the central number of Hatzalah in New York has been getting a call every 30 seconds on average and that the neighborhoods the most affected are Queens, Crown Heights and Boro Park.
To help Crown Heights Hatzalah deal with the number of dispatches, Hatzalah of Williamsburg lent an ambulance from their fleet to join the 4 ambulances currently in use in Crown Heights.
Rabbi Zalman Goldstein, the son of Crown Heights educator Rabbi Levi Goldstein who is currently in critical condition after being infected with the virus, filmed a video imploring the public to take health instructions seriously for the safety of the community.
Audio: Message from Dr. Eli Rosen to Crown Heights
VIDEO: Rabbi Zalman Goldstein begs to take coronavirus seriously
As was mentioned in the Audio Message from Dr Rosen, Housekeepers & Cleaning help can likely bring corona into your home, Cleaning Ladies should Not be coming, even though its right before Pesach and there is lots to clean, but everyone is home all day and should do the Pesach cleaning themselves this year, the cleaning ladies could bring corona with them from being outside and around, and from the subway etc etc into your home even if people are quarantined, its just not worth endangering your family by having a cleaning lady now, Quarantine means No visitors whatsoever, Not… Read more »