COVID-19 Update #38
The question of reinfection (whether an individual who had COVID can contract the illness again if exposed to an infectious person) is still being closely studied in medical circles. Most agree that even though there have been cases, this is not a widespread phenomenon at this time, and at least 4 months from the outbreak, relatively very few proven cases of reinfection exist. In our community, although we strongly suspect we had at least one case, as time goes on we have not seen multiple cases as would be expected if this were a common scenario. We hope and are optimistic that for the time being reinfection will not become an increasingly widespread phenomenon, even as antibody levels continue to wane. This optimism is borne of our observations on the ground and the increasing study of aspects of the immune system not yet easily measurable. We continue to monitor this critically important issue here and elsewhere, and are working closely with experts in the field of virology.
NEW CASES:
Experience to date in regard to sleep away summer camps for the most part suggests that in many of the camps (to varying degrees, depending on the makeup of the campers) there was a self contained outbreak of the virus early on in the season that affected campers only minimally. The blessing has been that as of now everyone has had a regenerative/healthy summer. It should continue!
The following graph is of those new cases in Crown Heights (known to us.) We thank everybody for their input, and urge community members to continue reporting any new cases (New COVID Registry). Only with this kind of knowledge can we make informed decisions.
(The dates have been shifted minimally to protect anonymity)
As can be seen above, we continue to have sporadic new cases in our community, with roughly 2-3 cases a week for the past few weeks. Many of these cases are associated with hotspot state travel. It would appear that for the foreseeable future new cases may appear on a fairly regular basis. The good news is that despite these sporadic cases, Boruch HaShem we have not seen any secondary cases or community spread from these infections into that segment of the population that remains at risk. We think this may be due to the degree of collective immunity that presumably exists within our community. By analogy: When most matches are wet, the few dry ones are scattered so far and wide that a fire cannot readily spread among them.
We have to operate on the assumption that despite our best intentions we will continue to have sporadic cases in our community. Therefore, in order to continue to protect our community, the proper thing would be to preserve the degree of collective immunity that currently exists. If we were to have a large influx of people into Crown Heights who have never contracted the virus and who remain susceptible, we would be concerned that there would now be enough dry matches around that if a match somewhere catches fire, it would be able to spread, Gd forbid reaching those who remain at high risk. This is particularly relevant and worrisome in an environment like 770 for obvious reasons.
This brings us to the pressing question of how we as a community should move forward in the next month or two, when we typically expect a large number of visitors in our community, specifically for Yeshiva or other such programs, and for Tishrei. There have been extensive discussions between medical professionals, Rabbonim, the mosdos, and other askanim. Obviously any solution will present problems for some and have imperfections, nevertheless, in order to protect the lives of those vulnerable residents of the schuna, we are prescribing the following precautions (of course in addition to any applicable local health mandates). We earnestly request that a coalition of Rabbonim, Mashpi’im, principles and those who are responsible for the institutions ensure that appropriate attention is given to the matter.
For those coming to Crown Heights from out of town this Elul, to attend Yeshiva or other educational programs:
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Those with proof of having had the virus may come to Crown Heights and join a yeshiva or other education program.
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Documentation of a positive viral test over 10 days prior to arrival, or having positive antibodies, suffices for proof.
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For those without proof of having had the virus, an alternate and more problematic solution would be for the mosdos to create an off-site quarantine option; this would be a “capsule”, where the group of students who have not had the virus can spend several weeks learning together at a site away from Crown Heights, before they can join their peers here. Obviously these students may contract COVID while in quarantine, and one would be relying on the very favorable outcomes experienced in similar scenarios at the sleepaway camps so far. The danger in our estimation would be far less than allowing 770 to serve as the “capsule”. It goes without saying that those with any underlying health conditions would not have this option available.
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Students who have not had the virus should not be quarantining locally in Crown Heights.
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*Precisely defining what constitutes “out of town” for these purposes, as well as the time course for which those criteria are relevant, is something we will be working on with the various mosdos IYH over the next few days.
*As we have all seen so frequently, this is a rapidly evolving situation which may change in the coming weeks. These guidelines are current as of today and will be updated if necessary.
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For those wishing to visit for Tishrei:
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We implore those who wish to visit for Tishrei to consider the above discussion and the safety of the Crown Heights community.
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We ask that only those who have already had the virus, as per the criteria above, visit Crown Heights during the month of Tishrei.
-The Gedaliah Society, in conjunction with Dr. Rosen
If tishrei happens like normal, we will have another wave
1. Tzaddik Moshe Rubashkin, please close your house this tishrei
2. Rabbi Markowitz please don’t host meals for 770
3. Hachnosas orchim please shut down
4. Community do not host guests
I don’t mean to sound nasty or heartless, I am not. But I live here and saw firsthand my neighbors DYING, and getting seriously ill. I’m begging you to stay home this year
They said lchaims shouldn’t happen with out of towners-there’s multiple every night.
They said people should wear masks-take a walk, you can count how many on one hand.
You are 100% correct – and what about 770 PACKED with almost no masks ??? Very Disappointing …
Can u please define second wave!? People just throw the term around.. based on the gedalia society most of us already had it, so there wont be second wave, rather a possible flare up for the vulnerable minorty, which yes of course we need to protect
the Rebbe said that 770 belongs to the chassidim
that means all chassidim not just those in crown heights so let the outsiders in if they follow the safety procedures that there putting in place
the rebbe certainly did not mean for crown heightsers to be put into danger so that guests can selfishly come…what is wrong with you???
Replying to “if they follow the safety procedures that they’re putting in place”:
VIRTUALLY NO ONE in 770 is following any “safety procedures” whatsoever! Did you see the photos of Tishah Be’Av there?
If, at 770, “they’re putting in place” safety procedures, you could have fooled all of us, because hardly anyone is following any there!
Therefore, it is UNREALISTIC to put outsiders into 770 at all this Tishrei.
Why are we not saying DO NOT COME? Not just hoping people won’t come and imploring them to have better judgement. We need to be crystal clear…this year we can not have you
You are right . It’s the only way ! It’s not fair to our elderly . And gd bless you for pointing it out in a nice way with out slander
I agree!!!!
These are the Rebbes guests. Whoever objects could leave Crown Heights.
What in the world does that mean?!?
That the people that have lived in and supported the Rebbe’s shchuna all these years, had numerous amounts of orchim, etc, endured all the losses, rachmono litzlan, should move out for YOU? Really?
these are the rebbe’s guests under normal circumstances not when they put our community at risk….how dare you?
We are the rebbes neighbors. We live here. What are you saying.
I truly don’t think that the Rebbe would agree with you.
The Rebbe ALWAYS said, listen to the doctors…..
This community has been devastated – multiple levayas for weeks!! We have buried our Mothers, Fathers, Bubbies, Zeidies, Rabbonim, neighbors and dear friends. Do you honestly think that the Rebbe would encourage “his guests” to come and put even one Jewish life in danger ?
That was then, this is now. Circumstances have changed.
The Rebbe believed in science and the advice of good doctors.
I understand the logic from a health point of view but from a point of fairness the policy should either be no out of town allowed or all… it’s not fair to say that because an individual was carful and listened to the doctors and Rabbonim till now and was able to avoid infection that he should not be allowed and one who was not carful or who caught it despite being careful is allowed? If we are worried about Covid-19 then don’t let anyone if we will let some out of towners in than let everyone and tell Crown… Read more »
I am one of those people who were careful and did not get Covid19. True, I feel like those with antibodies have less to worry about. But it’s a psychological thing, not logical. I have to still be careful, wear a mask, not travel, while others feel more free
Nu, that’s just the way it is. Iyh everyone should stay safe!
Yes
I agree with comment #1
Be mature and selfless, it’s not easy for all of us to do what is right
Which is to listen to the rules, but we have to.
Let’s hope this virus goes away like the good old days where we can travel wherever we want without any fears.
most people are annoyed with this fake virus news, all the drs are lying to us, they keep moving the goal posts and its all fro the dem party to try to beat our great president Trump. enough already, either you believe and have bitachon in Hashem or not
I love Trump, and the left are doing whatever they can to get rid of him. But were the deaths fake?! Are my family members coming back right after Election Day? Don’t be stupid
did you not feel the pain of multiple deaths daily and funerals instead of simchas for weeks??? this is not political…the agony the pain the loss is real for our community…except for you apparently
When you see the governmental ‘health officials’ making the rules, any thinking individual can’t help but be skeptical about the validity and motives behind the said rules. NYC govt has failed its constituents on all accounts, no matter what lies the media will try to sell you. I’d trust Dr Rosen over any of the so called professionals and lawmakers calling the shots these days.
People here don’t listen and do as they please sorry.
Nobody pays attention to anything you say. They will all have guests, we will have a resurgence in the fall and winter, we all know that. This is no fun being a senior who has health issues after cancer. In my own building little kids have mocked me for wearing a mask, which I have to do. People’s sick attitudes are just as terrifying as the virus.
Sorry to hear don’t forget uin the Aibishter eyes you are precious. We all applaud and salute you
Thank you for updates that lay out both reasoning and conclusions, respecting our intelligence enough to lay it out in requisite detail, even going so far as to explain by way of analogy to help us understand what might have been otherwise difficult to understand for a laymen.
This is how expertise maintains its authority in our times.
Just tell NO to guests, let them save the huge bill and donate to Chabad Mosdos instead.
Respect the elders that left here in CH or we will have more Levayos instead of sukkos
may very well be your own children, grandchildren or relatives or you yourself…we are all vulnerable…..no one is invincible in the face of this demonic plague
So the vulnerable have to stay locked up.
Why aren’t stores enforcing masks?
It is New York State law that you have to wear masks in stores. They are supposed to post signs outside each store that customers have to wear masks, like they post in every store in Manhattan. Trump said that it is patriotic to wear masks, and in his fundraising letter this week he asked everyone to wear masks when it is indicated. They don’t care about the law, they don’t care about the president of the United States, and they certainly don’t care about the rabbonim. They don’t care about the doctors. The Rebbe always told everyone to consult… Read more »