Community covid status:
Boruch Hashem the average daily number of cases in our community is downtrending, and we hope and pray it continues in that trajectory. Please continue to take the public health precautions necessary to prevent the spread of disease, in particular with respect to large crowded gatherings, and those who are at high risk for serious illness.
Covid vaccine update:
The vaccine distribution in New York City is regulated by New York State. Currently, in phase 1b, vaccine eligibility includes individuals above the age of 65, teachers, healthcare workers, first responders, and other personnel as laid out by the government. (The full list is here: https://www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/
However, distribution of the vaccine to these groups of people remains suboptimal. Specifically, at the time of this writing, private practices around the city, including here in Crown Heights, have not been provided with the vaccine doses needed for their eligible patients. An attempt to get the vaccine from the city for a community drive was not yet successful.
There are several locations where there may be available vaccine doses. All require an appointment and vaccine supplies are variable. The ODA health network in Williamsburg and Ezra medical centers in Boro Park have limited supplies of vaccine. There are other sites that can be found at NYCs dedicated website. Therefore, for the time being, those that are eligible and wish to go get vaccinated can try any of the following: http://Vaccinefinder.NYC.gov, calling ODA at 718-260-4600 ext 999, or calling Ezra medical at 718-233-1134.
Boruch Hashem there has been tremendous positive feedback to the vaccine Q&A with Dr BarZeev, and we encourage all those with questions regarding its safety and necessity to take the time to watch the Q&A, available here: https://covid19ch.blogspot.
Upcoming Purim season:
It is difficult to believe that we are approaching the Purim season, which last year marked the beginning of a difficult period that has been seared into our memory. As a community we have together suffered so much, some of us in more personal and deep ways than others. Neshamos will be hosting a virtual event on Motzei Shabbos 8 Adar (20th Feb) to remember those no longer with us, what we have all lost during this painful time, and to recognize as a community the service performed by our volunteer heroes. Please mark your calendars, with further details of the event to be forthcoming.
Wishing everyone excellent health, Good Shabbos!
– The Gedaliah Society, in conjunction with Dr. Rosen
Please do not believe all the negative things hat are circulating about the vaccine
Some of them are from people who are just plain anti vaxxers, and some of them are from people who are having financial loss because of the vaccine since they sell natural products which they swear cure everything.
If you are concerned, please discuss your concerns with a medical professional that you trust. Don’t believe nonsense that people write
Harav Benayahu Shmueli (Rosh Yeshivah Yeshivat Hamekubalim), Rabbi Dovid Meir Shmueli, Harav Moshe Tzadka, Harav Shiknazi Yakov, Harav Yakov Adas, Harav Dov kook, Harav Menashe Amon, Harav Amos Gweta, Harav Meir Eliyahu, Harav Uri Micahel Sofer, Harav Moshe Mordechai Karp, Rabbi Yosef Binyamin Halevi Wosner, Rav Yosef Binyamin Halevi Vazner, Rabbi Meiri Chananel , Sassover Rebbe, Brisker Rebbe – Rabbi Avrohom Yehoshua Soloveitchik, Rabbi Aharon Ros (Bikur Cholim), Rabbi Yaakov Hopfer (Vaad Harabbonim of Baltimore), Rav Aryeh Malkiel Kotler (Rosh Yeshiva of Lakewood), Rav Shmuel Meir Katz (Lakewood), Rabbi Binyamin Halpern (Lakewood), Rabbi Shlomo Pollack (Lakewood), Rabbi Raphael Szmerla (Lakewood),… Read more »
I checked two of the Chassidishe Rebbe’im listed here.
(I did not check each and every one listed. )
The list of Rabbis who are pro this vaccine is much much much longer, therefore it would be impossible to list. Why are you so against others getting the vaccine? How does it effect you? People who are pro the vaccine have an interest in convincing others to get it so there is more chance of herd immunity and we will all benefit from the protection.
I don’t want it and I don’t want to be forced into it especially my kids,the flu is just as terrible and vaccines aren’t promising
all the members of The Gedaliah Society, we owe you tremendous gratitude! Each and every member of Hatzolah – we thank you! Without the tireless efforts of the leadership of The Gedaliah Society, and Hatzolah volunteers, our community would have been in much worse straights. The incredible alliance of these two groups, the way in which they worked together – everything from picking up stuff from stores to avoid lines, to giving home medical care in order to avoid hospitalization – you did it!! And let’s thank also the spouses – the wives and husbands who picked up t he… Read more »
Thank you so much for your incredible service and assistance. May we know any actual numbers, how many people got sick this past month, how many people in hospital etc.? The nyc.gov website lists CH as having a 7% infection rate, which is still relatively high, although lower than many other frum communities.
כאן צווה ה׳ את הברכה
Why should one take –
1.An experimental vaccine
2.A Vaccine with too many unknown side effects
3.A vaccine that won’t reduce transmission rates (one will still need to wear masks and practice “social distancing” after taking the vaccine)
For a virus with more than 99% survival rate? especially when a proven medical remedy already exists for this virus for high risk and vulnerable patients (i.e. the Zelenko protocol?)
The vaccine was tested with tens of thousands of people, the zelinko protocol was claimed to be tested on a few hundred without any oversight
As of now, we don’t know that vaccine can stop asymptomatic transmission, but hopefully within the next few months, we will have more data. No one said we will have to wear masks for every. And most importantly, the vaccine will reduce deaths.
I am fully vaccinated. I am pro information. The vaccine for Covid is an mRNA vaccine is a new experimental technology. Unfortunately the fast tracking process to make it and to make it available had by passed a lot of usual safety processes used for vaccines, ” using emergency use” but” being still unapproved” by FDA. The long term effect are unknown. I would advise anyone to wait we know more about the real efficiency about it, impact on fertility, impact of toxicity and length on immunization ( max 2-3 months) and the transmission. Merck has dropped its vaccine research… Read more »