To our dear Anash colleagues in Crown Heights,
Unfortunately, we have a new confirmed COVID case here in our community. It involves someone who went to one of the critical states and returned, and soon afterward developed symptoms and tested positive. This individual is young and well, and has been warned to isolate himself.
On the one hand, it is reassuring that it is not a “community spread”, since it was collected elsewhere. On the other hand, this is how community outreach can begin, especially in a questionably waning immunity framework, and this highlights the critically important travel-related message we’ve been addressing in these latest updates.
Bringing the virus from other communities, at a time when we suspect that reinfection is possible, is a worrying combination. In Purim time we had no idea what was happening and what was to come. We are now in a position where in a COVID world of many unknowns, we need to apply common sense and be aware, in a unique way, that we all face the incredible responsibility of caring for each other.
We know that traveling from the beginning to the present day resulted in significantly higher rates of infection. Ignoring social distancing and not wearing masks when in close contact with others INCREASES the risk of contracting and therefore sharing the virus. Quarantine restrictions exist, not because they are popular, but as a way to protect the vulnerable; Those who choose to expose themselves have to take responsibility and follow established rules. Obviously, this is for the safety of the entire community.
We wish to never forget the lessons we learned in the past 4 months. “Vehachai yitain the libo”. We are a recovering family. We can never go through such loss again. In the same way that we take care of each other in times of great need, now that things become easier, we must first continue to think of our neighbor.
Thus:
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Be careful with social distancing and wear the mask when in close contact (particularly indoors).
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If you don’t feel well, get tested right away and isolate until a doctor authorizes your condition.
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If your result is positive, you should isolate yourself and all those who were in close contact with you should quarantine.
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Travel less and only when absolutely necessary.
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If you arrive from one of the critical states, you must strictly quarantine for 14 days, even with a negative test.
To clarify some terms:
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Quarantine relates to someone who is not ill or tests positive, but who has been exposed to someone who is; quarantine lasts for 14 days from exposure, even if you test negative for those 14 days.
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Isolation is related to someone who is sick with COVID or tests positive, and lasts 10 days after the onset of illness AND at least 3 days to feel good. (In the event that a test is positive but has no symptoms, isolation lasts 10 days from the positive test OR after 2 negative tests separated by 24 hours).
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Both quarantine and isolation require the individual to stay home and separate from all others who may be susceptible.
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Please take isolation / quarantine very seriously. Someone’s life may depend on it!
If you have any new symptoms of COVID, complete this survey: New symptoms of COVID
For any questions related to COVID, send an email [email protected].
We remain optimistic that what we are seeing is sporadic in nature and not a cause for general alarm, however, for obvious reasons, we wish everyone to pay attention to all of the above.
We look forward to a healthy and happy summer for everyone.
Wishing everyone continues to be in good health,
