Rinat Health

Dear Friends,
 
This is a very challenging time for all of us and we wanted to reach out before Shabbat with a few updates.
 
According to the NJ Department of Health, there are zero confirmed cases of COVID-2019 in Teaneck. The Teaneck Health Department is conducting risk assessments and following directives in cooperation with the CDC and NJDOH, and urges residents to remain calm and not spread fear and panic. As noted in earlier emails, everyone is reminded to protect themselves from the flu, common cold and all respiratory viruses by thoroughly washing their hands regularly with soap, avoid touching their faces with unwashed hands, coughing into tissues or their elbow, avoiding contact with people who are ill, and properly cleaning frequently-touched surfaces. And if anyone suspects an exposure is strongly urged to call a health provider or emergency room before going there so that special arrangements can be taken to avoid any potential spread.
 
For further information about the coronavirus, contact your healthcare provider or visit the following websites:
NJDOH – General Information Page – https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/ncov.shtml
CDC – General Information Page – https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
CDC – COVID-2019 Fact Sheets: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/communication/factsheets.html
For general questions, residents are encouraged to call the COVID-2019 hotline: 1-800-222-1222. (Please note that this is the same hotline as Poison Control.)
To contact the Teaneck Health Department, call 201-837-1600 ext. 1500, or email health@teanecknj.gov.
 
Based on recommendations from infectious diseases professionals, there is no indication at this time that shul attendance should be restricted, unless:
a)     one is sick with a potentially contagious respiratory illness,
b)     one is under a NY State DOH self-quarantine, and/or
c)     one is under a CDC self-quarantine.
 
However, if you are not feeling well, out of an abundance of caution, please stay home and do not risk the wellbeing of others.
 
Purim is Monday night. We are setting up both a live stream and a call-in option for people to hear megillah if they are unable to attend in person. We will IYH send out details on how to join in those streams on Sunday.
 
As Shabbat is approaching, we wanted to share some reminders:
·       Before this Shabbat, all frequently-handled surfaces in the shul such as doorknobs and washing stations will be thoroughly cleaned with an anti-bacterial solution. These areas will also be continually cleaned throughout Shabbat.
·       We encourage you to use the many sinks and soap dispensers in the shul for frequent handwashing.  Additionally, there are Purell dispensing stations in bathrooms and beside sinks on every level of the building.
·       Refrain from shaking hands. Bumping elbows, or just saying hello, is perfectly acceptable.
·       Refrain from kissing Mezuzot, Siddurim, Chumashim, and Sifrei Torah, both directly with lips, and with lips to fingers or with Tzitzit. It’s probably best to bring your own siddurim and chumashim to shul this Shabbat.
·       The Purim Chagiga is still scheduled to take place, but as opposed to in the past, the food will not be a buffet. This year all food will be served by designated individuals following safe food-handling guidelines.
 
Per Rabbi Adler, if you are saying Kaddish within the year of Aveilut, or if you have an upcoming Yahrzeit, and you are in quarantine, do not come to shul, but instead ask someone to say kaddish for you. Observing a quarantine is more important than saying Kaddish yourself or being in shul for Zachor.
 
Anyone who is in quarantine who needs help with grocery shopping or meals, please reach out to Lisa Rothschild at lisahrothschild@gmail.com.
 
We look forward to joining together as a shul and community with these precautions in place. Please keep Eliezer Yitzchak ben Shifra in your tefillot. May Hashem heal all those who have taken ill, and guard over us in these challenging times. 
 
Shabbat Shalom
 
Bina Faber
President