Rinat Health

Dear Members,
 
As you are likely aware, global spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is a growing worldwide health concern. On Tuesday, February 25, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) gave a press conference updating the country on the current status of the coronavirus and what steps should be taken moving forward. We wanted to share with you what Rinat is doing to stay current and some of the steps we are taking to prevent the spread of illness across our community.
 
Monitoring New Developments
As the CDC emphasized, current risk to the American public of COVID-19 infection is low. The number of cases across the U.S. is still small; however, the CDC also notes that widespread transmission throughout the United States is likely to occur.  We are constantly monitoring new developments and will regularly continue to reevaluate our steps and actions. We are closely monitoring information from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the New Jersey Department of Health, and the Bergen County Department of Health.
 
Planning for Potential Local Occurrences
If coronavirus spreads to our area, we will make decisions about potential actions due to disease transmission prevention guidelines, based on the guidance of the CDC and local Departments of Health. We will keep you informed of any decisions in a timely fashion. Please note that as of the release time of this notice, there are no special steps called for other than good personal hygiene and thorough handwashing. 
 
The New Jersey Health Department has developed this guide for families.
 
Preventing and Minimizing the Spread of Infectious Disease
The most effective way to stay healthy and minimize the spread of infectious disease is to follow basic health best practices and infection prevention as follows:

• Wash hands often, with soap and water, rubbings hands together with soap lather for at least 20 seconds before rinsing.​​​​​​​
• If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Proper use of hand sanitizer involves rubbing your hands together so that all surfaces are covered with the gel, using enough product that your hands should not become dry for at least 20 seconds. Rub together until dry, do not use towels, and do not wash off the reside.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth, and those of your children, with unwashed hands. 
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

If a tissue is not available, it is best to sneeze or cough into one's elbow to keep the cough or sneeze from spreading and to avoid adding germs to your hands.

If you are coughing repeatedly, remove yourself from groups of people.

• Regularly clean and disinfect frequently-touched objects and surfaces. 
• Go to the doctor if an illness does not clear up in a few days or if you suspect a viral infection, such as the flu. Please share the confirmed diagnosis with the office for tracking and follow-up purposes. Please note that symptoms for COVID-19 can include fever, cough or shortness of breath.
• If you have not already done so, get the annual flu vaccine, unless medically contraindicated.
• Members should not come to shul with symptoms of illness, including fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and upper respiratory infection, even if you are a chiyuv or are saying kaddish.

 
The CDC has issued travel advisories for China, Hong Kong, Iran, Italy, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam - we therefore ask if you have traveled, or will travel, to any of these locations, or any other location the CDC includes should the list be expanded, to self-quarantine upon return for 14 days before returning to Rinat. (This likewise applies to chiyuvim.)
 
Anyone with a compromised immune system should be exceptionally careful.  The overwhelming majority of affected patients in China who became severely or critically ill were those with significant lung disease (including chronic smokers without other respiratory complication), compromised immune systems, or other significant underlying illnesses such as diabetes.
 
Thank you in advance for being our partner in keeping our community strong and healthy.
 
Rabbi Yosef Adler              Bina Faber                     Elissa Yurowitz        
Rabbi                                 President                        Executive Director