Erev Yom Tov Situation Update

4/14/20 4th day ofChol Hamoed
STAY FIRM. STAY AT HOME WITH YOUR FAMILY.

SITUATION UPDATE  by local physicians

Chasdei Hashem, we are seeing a decrease in the number of new cases of COVID-19 Illness and of transports to the hospital with serious cases of COVID-19 illness. Nevertheless, we are far from finished with the disastrous effects of this horrific COVID-19 pandemic. Staggering deaths are still continuing throughout the day every day.

Many, many of us did not get infected with the COVID-19 virus during this pandemic.
Everyone should know that a person who was not infected by the virus during this pandemic
is NOT IMMUNE to the virus and could, ch v'Sh, EASILY GET INFECTED if they are exposed
to others with the virus.

This, therefore, places a strong obligation on every person who has or has had COVID-19 illness, whether confirmed by testing or not confirmed by testing.



Please know that doctors and experts are bewildered by many features of the COVID-19 virus and illness. There are many aspects that are different than – and far more severe than – anything that we have seen before.

WE DO NOT KNOW HOW LONG SOMEONE REMAINS CONTAGIOUS AFTER
SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19 ILLNESS RESOLVE.

WE DO NOT KNOW IF, OR FOR HOW LONG, A PERSON WHO RECOVERS FROM
COVID-19 ILLNESS WILL REMAIN IMMUNE TO IT.

• Studies are now showing that the COVID-19 virus remains detectable in some people
for weeks after their symptoms resolve.

• Studies in China demonstrated that some people who were infected with the COVID-19 virus
did not develop disease-fighting antibodies against it. The early results from the plasma collection by Bikur Cholim in Lakewood confirm that many people who have recovered from the COVID-19 illness do not have detectable antibodies against the virus in their blood.

• Studies from South Korea have identified people who fully 100% recovered from COVID-19 illness and then much later got sick again with a recurrence of full COVID-19 illness symptoms.

Please, the Doctors and Rabbonim of our community are pleading with you:

If you or your family members have had COVID-19 symptoms, you must stay at home with your family. You should not think that you are finished with the illness, that you are not contagious anymore, and that you are immune from the illness. The COVID-19 Illness is wildly contagious, potentially horrifically dangerous, and not predictable. The Rabbonim are saying that is a matter of Pikuach Nefesh that you resist the temptation to socialize with others, in public, or at your home or at their home, or even when following Social Distancing rules. All minyomim or gatherings of any kind, in your home or outside of your home, are prohibited until further notice.

STAY FIRM. STAY AT HOME WITH YOUR FAMILY.

The Governor's Executive Order to Stay at Home is still firmly in effect and firmly supported by the Rabbinic and Medical leadership of the Lakewood community. The Executive Order makes no exception for people who got sick with COVID-19 illness and then recovered, or for Pesach travel, or for welcoming guests at your home, or for going to someone else's home as a guest, or for meeting in public to socialize.

IF YOU OR YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS HAVE NOT HAD COVID-19 SYMPTOMS:

YOUR HOME IS PROTECTING YOU LIKE FORT KNOX.

Please do not leave your home during Yom Tov or until further notice,

except for true necessities and only when following the Going Out Safely Rules.

IF YOU AND YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS HAVE HAD AND RECOVERED FROM

COVID-19 SYMPTOMS:

Stay Firm. Stay at home with your family. Avoid the temptation to receive guests at your home or to visit others as guests, or to socialize in public, or to gather for minyonim, even when following Social Distancing rules.