https://matzav.com/lakewood-mosdos-if-we-dont-test-the-governor-will-shut-us-down/New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy released a “Road to Recovery” plan in June as a guide for the opening of the State of New Jersey during the Covid-19 period. In that plan there were clear benchmarks with regards to what warrants shutting down schools and businesses. The benchmark that determines if a community is in a “pandemic” phase is when 20% of tests taken, produce positive results. Lakewood, NJ was at 29% before Yom Tov. The governor’s office was contemplating closing down Lakewood and reached out to the askanim in Lakewood.
In response to this, the Igud Rabbonim and Igud Mosdos in Lakewood sent out a message asking everyone without symptoms to test. This had the intended results and brought the rate down to 14% by Isru Chag. This was enough of a change that the governor backed off and was willing to allow the mosdos to stay open. However, the Health Commissioner made it clear that this is contingent on an ongoing effort to test students. They delivered 20,000 tests to Lakewood after Yom Tov to help assist with the testing efforts. Matzav.com was told that the rate continues to drop rapidly, as expected.
Bikur Cholim and Chemed are both recognized by the state as valid testing agents. Bikur Cholim uses a company called Vault medical Services. Chemed does not administer a saliva test, which is why many yeshivos have opted to go with Bikur Cholim.
By law, Matzav.com was told by askanim, Governor Murphy had the power to close down the Lakewood mosdos before Yom Tov but chose not to copy his New York counterpart, Governor Andrew Cuomo, thanks to a with him relationship cultivated by hardworking askanim.
“In summation, if we do not comply with their request to test, they will shut us down so long as there are positive cases in Lakewood,” an askan told Matzav.com.
In the past week since Yom Tov, there have been approximately 500 positive cases in Lakewood. This was a result of symptomatic people who have been going to doctors. While this number is lower than it was during Yom Tov, it is still high enough to warrant government intervention. It is hoped – and expected, according to activists who Matzav.com spoke to – that the positivity rate will continue to decline in Lakewood and mosdos will remain open.
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