Fellow members of K'hal Nesiv Hatorah,
This is an update as of Monday, June 8. This information may change at any time.
We have BSD reached a point in our community where there is near-zero prevalence of Covid-19. This is also true in most areas of New York and New Jersey where there is unequivocal evidence that new cases are extremely rare and that those few positive cases with mild symptoms are not making others sick. This current reality is dramatically better than what was predicted by the medical community just a short while ago. It is now highly unlikely for someone in our community, even without IgG antibodies, to “get Corona” from another person in our community. The current level of concern is much lower than it was before and allows for greater leniency in many areas of life.
However, the fact that there is no longer a clear and present danger does not allow a complete sense of complacency- as there is no guarantee that there will not be a resurgence or second wave at any time in the near future. The next two weeks will be especially telling, in light of widespread minyanim in our community and large protests elsewhere. Sporadic cases are expected even in our community, especially when travel between other cities and countries increases. It is premature to completely abandon basic precautions, and we must be prepared to return to restricted behavior if needed. Any mild symptom must be taken seriously and should prompt a call to your doctor to decide if you should be tested and placed into isolation until the results are available.
While the risk of certain activities is inherently “low” or “high”, the risk of other activities can be modified. Risk of transmission increases when talking face to face, interacting at close distance, being in the presence of large numbers of people, socializing with people from outside your own community, and spending time indoors. Conversely, risk is decreased by wearing a mask, keeping distance from others, having smaller groups of people, limiting interactions to family or people from your community, and remaining outdoors. Those people who had classic Covid symptoms and now have IgG antibodies have an extra license for leniency in many situations.
The following is a list of number of areas where it is often reasonable to take a cautious step toward “normal”. There is no blanket “heter” for any individual to engage in particular activity as there is always a risk:benefit ratio in any decision that must be carefully weighed. You are encouraged to consult your physician to decide if a particular “reasonable” activity is right for you.
1) Minyan:
It is safer to daven outdoors with a small group of the same people each day, with wearing a mask and maintaining at least 6 feet between each person. If davening outdoors, it may be reasonable to remove masks while standing in your place and facing forward during Shmoneh Esrei or while listening to Krias Hatorah.
2) Chavrusos:
While it is safer to learn with a chavrusa outdoors separated by a six-foot table while wearing a mask, it may be reasonable to learn indoors without a mask with the same chavrusa each day, especially if one chavrusa is IgG antibody positive.
3) Shidduchim:
While it is safer for the boy and girl to drive in separate cars and remain 6 feet apart while dating outdoors, if both are from New York/ New Jersey it may be reasonable for them to drive in the same car and date in an indoor location that is not crowded and where distance is maintained.
4) Guests:
While it is safer to not to host family from other cities, it may be reasonable to host children or parents who have not experienced symptoms and are generally careful with their behavior. Each situation is different- so it is best to discuss with your physician.
5) Airplane travel:
While it is safer not to expose yourself to the crowds of unfamiliar people in airports and airplanes, it may be reasonable to travel as there are no recent reports of disease transmission in airplanes, but it is advisable to wear an N95 mask.
6) Medical care:
All routine dental care and health maintenance should be taken care of now. This is especially true as many people missed regular visits over the past few months.
7) Children playing:
While the degree of transmission between children is not known, it is reasonable to allow children to play with neighbors and the same group of friends even without masks or social distancing.
Visiting grandparents:
While older people are at greater risk of complications from Covid, they may ask their physician if it reasonable for them to visit their children and even get a quick hug from their grandchildren or great grandchildren.
9) Chasunos and large graduations:
Large crowds of people from different communities are still a potential risk for unexpected transmission. It is best to remain outdoors, away from singing, and at least 6 feet away from others.
10) Cleaning help:
It may be reasonable to have cleaning help if family members are not in the same room and she wears a mask even if she is alone.
11) Haircuts:
It is reasonable to get a haircut if the barber wears a mask, and certainly if either the customer or barber has IgG antibodies.
12) Pools:
There is minimal risk of virus transmission in a swimming pool- this is even more certain if the water is chlorinated. Care must be taken to maintain social distance from other families at the pool area and in the water.
13) Hotels, bungalows, and rental homes:
There is virtually no risk in using a location that has been cleaned and sanitized after use by other people. Care must be taken to maintain social distance and wear masks to prevent person- to- person transmission from people in the lobby or surrounding area.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to me with any questions or concerns;
Akiva Bergman, M.D.
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