I would like to make some points in response to the letter of Rabbi Billet.
This should not be taken in any way as being disrespectful, but as an Infectious Disease
physician who has been involved in the care of hundreds of patients with Covid 19, I
would like to share my perspective.
1. I suppose that Rabbi Billet is relying on medical authorities for some of his
statements. I am concerned that he may not have the true picture of the situation. He
states, "things have gotten slightly better." From my vantage point, things have gotten
dramatically better. The difference between now and two months ago is night and day.
Two months ago, new infections raged through the frum Jewish community like a tidal
wave. Today, I do not hear about any new cases in any of our frum communities
although, I admit I cannot be sure that there are not a few. I have spoken to Hatzalah
members who say that the calls have gone back to "preCovid" numbers. Even outside
communities which had their "tidal wave," a month ago or more, now have very few
cases. I work at Einstein. The emergency room is nearly empty. Six weeks ago it was
flooded with Covid 19 patients. I have spoken to physicians in other hospitals who share
this experience. I know it may be true that there are areas that are experiencing their
"tidal wave" now, but so far none of these have had any impact on the frum community.
Some have quoted the death figures to show how things are still bad. However,
generally the deaths that are occurring currently are in patients who have been sick for
weeks. This does not reflect on the current disease activity.
2. Rabbi Billet concedes that "there is no question that there are ways that safe services
can take place." He then says that "once we loosen our current standards, chaos will
ensue."... Many unsupervised social gatherings will transpire."
If 95% of the community complies and 5% don't, I do not think that the 95% should be
deprived of participating in safe services, that Rabbi Billet concedes are possible. For
the 5% who take risks, that is their issue and the entire community should not be
deprived. I do not think that community leaders should feel responsibility for those who
defy the regulations and take their own risk.
3. "There is always the possibility that the worst has passed and with the arrival of warm
weather, the virus will disappear forever." . We do not have to look into the future for
any reason to be optimistic. Right now, the situation is dramatically better than it was
two months ago. We do not have to count on the virus disappearing forever to have
safe services now. With regard for the possibility that there will be a resurgence, there
may not be. Based on that argument, even if things are as they are now, we should wait
for at least a year to see if there is a resurgence. If there is, we would have to deal with
the new situation. I do not think that having safe services will cause a new resurgence.
4. With regard to those having been sick feeling a sense of immunity, I am one of those,
and although it is not certain, most, infectious Disease specialists I have spoken to feel
that it is likely that someone who had the disease this season will not likely get it again
this season.
In summary, I understand everyone's concern. Obviously, safe services can only start
when the government allows it. This can only happen when the government is also
allowing people to go back to work. Workplaces will have their guidelines to assure
safety. I am sure that our community members will go to work. Synagogues will also
have their guidelines to assure safety. Our community members should be able to go to
the synagogues, just as they go to their work.
Daniel Berman.