Virus soars among ultra-orthodox Jews as many flout Israel's rules

BNEI BRAK, Israel — Ultra-Orthodox Jews failing to comply with government instructions to contain the coronavirus are causing it to spread so quickly that Israeli officials are considering blockading entire communities to protect the wider population.

Experts attribute the proliferation among the ultra-Orthodox to overcrowding and large families, deep distrust of state authority, ignorance of the health risks among religious leaders, an aversion to electronic and secular media that they believe is mandated by religious law, and a zealous devotion to a way of life centered on communal activity.

In the predominantly secular city of Ramat Gan, which adjoins Bnei Brak, the mayor on Monday demanded a curfew on Bnei Brak, saying the hot spot there “isn’t any longer a ticking bomb, it’s a powerful bomb that blew up in our faces.” Bnei Brak’s mayor, Avraham Rubenstein, insisted the city had done its best but could not expect religious Jews to embrace the restrictions.He also assailed the central government, saying the Health Ministry had hoarded information and that police had failed to show a firm enough hand. Late Monday, Bnei Brak said it would begin testing residents in grocery stores.

But when the government ordered the closing of all schools, and initially capped gatherings at 10 people — the minimum needed for a quorum, or minyan, for Jewish worship services — ultra-Orthodox rabbis did not all acquiesce, said Gilad Malach, an expert on the ultra-Orthodox at the Israel Democracy Institute.

But even Haredim who professed their affection for Kanievsky were still flouting his latest ruling and the government’s current restrictions on Monday. A friend, Moshe Cohen, 25, acknowledged his fear of the virus, alluding to the death notices popping up for prominent ultra-Orthodox Jews all over, including in Brooklyn, New York, the biggest concentration of Haredim outside Israel.

Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Virus fears spark Thailand prison riotAuthorities say a group of inmates started a rumor that there's a virus outbreak inside the facility. coronavirus
Source: rapplerdotcom - 🏆 4. / 86 Read more »

China says imported virus cases raise risk of new infection waveThe rising number of imported coronavirus cases in China have raised the possibility that the country will undergo a second wave of infections, a spokesman of the country’s health authority said on Sunday. Hiyang hiya naman ang buong mundo sa China at nahawa sila nitong imported virus Imported? Sinosoli lang sa inyo yung virus ninyo... kayo naman, racist sobra Wow, gustong burahin yong tatak na Made in China.Dapat panagutin ang China sa pagkalat ng Chinese Virus.
Source: manilabulletin - 🏆 25. / 51 Read more »

New York residents urged to avoid travel as virus spreadsBEIJING — Health authorities urged millions of residents of the New York City region to avoid non-essential travel due to surging coronavirus infections there as deaths in the United States and
Source: inquirerdotnet - 🏆 3. / 86 Read more »

Knicks owner James Dolan tests positive for virusAmerican tycoon James Dolan, who owns the NBA's Knicks and NHL's Rangers, becomes the first US major sports owner to contract coronavirus. NBA
Source: rapplerdotcom - 🏆 4. / 86 Read more »

Virus ship still searching for port, 4 passengers dead'I am...on a boat that I cannot get off, with coronavirus patients, with 4 dead,' one passenger said, adding that he was 'full of uncertainty, without money...and without knowing if there is a plane back home.'
Source: rapplerdotcom - 🏆 4. / 86 Read more »

PH ‘missed opportunity’ to find outbreak epicenter, contain virusMANILA, Philippines —Where exactly is the Philippines’ ground zero for the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and how did it spread from there? Nearly a month since the first local transmission was recorded, it still remains a mystery how Patient 5 contracted the SARS-CoV-2, the virus which causes the severe acute respiratory ailment, given that the […] I wasn't expecting for our country to find the epicenter ✌
Source: cebudailynews - 🏆 8. / 71 Read more »