Italian Scare: Coronavirus Shuts Chabad School in Milan

Italy is currently the third country for number of registered coronavirus cases in the world after China and South Korea, with more than 200 infected, mostly in Lombardy, Milan’s region, the Jerusalem Post reports.

The contagion has prompted local authorities to take a series of measures, including canceling schools until March 1 and prohibiting large gatherings such as religious functions and recreational activities.

Among those schools closed is the Joe Nahmad High School in Milan, a Jewish institution run by Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch, the educational arm of Chabad-Lubavitch in Italy

The school’s principal Mrs. Rivka Hazan said: “We were really hoping we would be able to stay open, but of course when the authorities gave the order we complied.”

She said they already had organized some activities online, and students were assigned work to do at home.

“I think people are worrying too much about the coronavirus,” Hazan told the Post. “I’m concerned that the panic is spreading. It’s true that the disease is contagious but people also recover. It reminds me of the time of the first Gulf War, when the supermarkets were empty for a conflict that was fought in Iraq.”

According to Italian media, the supermarket shelves in Milan are also bare.

Chabad of Milan’s soup kitchen is continuing to function. “We can’t leave people who depend on it without food,” she said.

“In this period, we always have a lot of guests for Shabbat who come for the eyewear sector show, and now everyone canceled,” Hazan said. “I’m worried that this situation is going to be very negative for Milan.”

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