I don't like the big weddings. If it was up to me I would make a number of changes.
For example, back in October, I would have asked everyone to test before coming, offering rapid testing on site, limiting people from out of town, have people coming from different places eating and dancing in different groups, brought in a lot of fresh air, etc. It might have worked.
Regardless, I don't think that our governors are the right ones to have a say in our life.
Anyways at this point, I am hoping that we can see the light at the end of tunnel. This wave is receding. Older people are hopefully vaccinating, middle aged people (such as pregnant women) hopefully know to get treated right away with antibodies if they do get it, and Chassiddim overall are probably are getting closer to herd immunity. Judging by the vaccination trends and the data, I am guessing that by the time Pesach is over, Eretz Yisroel will be almost back to normal and the U.S. will be doing a lot better too.
Did you know that the second Churban began when a Jew called in the Romans to arbitrate between two Jews who wanted to become Kink? The Romans were more than happy to appoint the weaker brother as their puppet. That was the beginning of the end. This type of story repeated itself far too often throughout our long Golus.
I am not Chassidish myself, what are the Rebbes saying about this? Would Chassidim listed to them?
P.S. You're 100% right about Kiddush Hashem, being that this is public website, now that you made your point maybe that photo should be removed.
P.P.S. While I don't believe that masks are the answer (they are not needed in many cases and not enough in other cases), besides there is something anti-social about wearing a mask, did you know that Ivermectin protects almost as well as the vaccine according to the latest data?
I'm not really sure where to start on this, so I'm just going to make a few points and leave things be.
1 - The chillul Hashem isn't that the picture of that gathering is on this website. It's that the event happened to begin with.
2 - Governors absolutely have a right to determine certain aspects of our lives. It's called government. Thank G-d, we live in a democracy where you can choose your leaders. If the area you live in chooses leaders who do not fit your views on life, you live in a free world where you can move to a place that is more in line with what you want to see from a government. For some people, the benefits of living in a Dem controlled state outweigh the negative parts of living there. That's a cost-benefit analysis each person needs to make for themselves.
3 - That governments have killed people doesn't invalidate their purpose in our lives, nor the power they have. You don't have to like them, and you certainly don't have to trust them, but as a citizen or resident of this country, you are obligated by Torah to abide by the laws they pass.
4 - Vax trends and data have nothing to do with your argument, seeing as you think government should never have interfered with any aspect of our lives at any point. But I'd put money down that Pesach will not look pretty in this country.
5 - Jews aren't asking Romans to arbitrate anything here. We live in Rome. The Romans are (supposed to be) making decisions based on what is best for their country and their people. Your dislike of how those rules impact your life is irrelevant.
6 - Your info on masks and Ivermectin is wrong.
7 - Masks are not THE answer. No one thinks they are. They are a tool to help reduce spread and severity of the illness.
8 - Cuomo killed people. There, I said it. Now what? It changes nothing.
ETA: I know I said a few. I got carried away. Again. Sue me.
