COVID-19 Updates

We hope you and your loved ones are in good health and spirits.

It is vital that first and foremost we turn our hearts and minds to G‑d, who can provide the ultimate means of protection and healing for the entire world. We will take all of the practical cautionary advisory steps to keep everyone healthy, but we must never lose sight of the importance and power of Prayer.

As always, the safety of our students, community and visitors is our number one priority. We are following all updates and regulations from the CDC and Health Department.

As the Coronavirus keeps spreading in the USA, please be advised of the following important information and protocols regarding Chabad Chayil's regular and special programs and services. Obviously, this situation is very fluid and the guidance and changes will be updated as necessary. Based on the information we have at this point, our plans are as follows:

At Chabad Chayil, we are dedicated to creating a safe and happy place for everyone. In that vain, we have increased our high standards of hygiene and cleanliness, and our custodian crew is working overtime. We are implementing the following additional temporary guidelines:

1.    If you or any family members are sick or showing any signs of sickness, please remain home.

2.     Share with us if you, a friend or close relative has been on a cruise ship or traveled overseas in the past three weeks or has been in close contact with someone who has.

3.     Everyone must use hand sanitizer before entering the building. Please also wash your hands with soap and water often upon entering.

4.     Let's refrain from handshaking, high fives, kisses & hugs.

5.     Shabbat dinner & lunch are on hold. Please let us know if you don't have food at home or need a place for Shabbat dinner or lunch.

6.   Please only throw your kiss to the Torah, Mezuzah, Siddur, but don’t kiss with your mouth.

7.   If you have, please use your own Yarmulke, Tallit & Tefillin.

It behooves ALL of us to be more prudent and careful; we are requesting that everyone complies with all official health policies. We are praying for the health and healing of all those who are affected by this illness and the safety and health of the whole world.

For many, the situation is creating significant concerns and uncertainty - and sometimes logistical difficulties. Our function is not just as a gathering place, but as a family and community. We know that many students have not returned home and are staying in town.

As such, we continue to be here for all of you in whatever ways you need. Our daily Minyans will continue as usual. Our limited afterschool classes will continue as usual as long as MDCPS remains open. Events like next weeks Concealed Permit class, will be postponed until further notice. 

It is imperative to remember:

Taking precautions and listening to medical advice will save lives. At the same time, panic is counterproductive. We all need to continue living and thriving while taking reasonable measures.

As we take extra precautions to avoid contagion, it's important to strengthen those areas of our 'spiritual' health that have a direct effect on our physical health. We encourage you all to keep finding safe ways to exercise your soul. As classes move on-line, we will be ramping up efforts to offer Jewish learning opportunities and conversations through Zoom and other online mediums. We encourage you to look out for these resources and utilize them. B'ezrat Hashem - with G‑d's help - we will all get through this and take lessons to heart to improve as individuals, as a community, and as a society.

The following are a number of suggestions of things that can be done to strengthen one’s 'spiritual' immunity:

1) Be sure that the Mezuzahs of your household are Kosher.

2) Be sure your Tefillin are Kosher.

3) Woman and girls, be sure to light Shabbat candles on Friday at sunset before Shabbat begins.

4) Give extra charity on a daily basis. Have a dedicated Tzedakah box in your home. Women have a custom of giving charity before candle lighting on Friday.

5) Recite chapters of Psalms daily: Suggested chapters 20, 22, 69, 150.

6) Acquire a letter in a Torah scroll.

7) Ensure that you and your fellows have some Shmurah Matzah in anticipation of the holiday of Passover. In the Kabbalah, Matzah is referred to as both "the food of faith" and "the food of healing."

8) Most importantly, strengthen oneself and others in the faith that: "if one thinks good, it will be good."

If your or anyone you know needs any help with the above Mitzvot, please let us know and we are here to provide this and any other resource.

Wishing everyone health, safety and happiness at this time. May we see the end of the coronavirus TODAY!

Sincerely,

Rabbi Moishe & Layah Kievman and the Chabad Chayil Team

We are following the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), among others, and are taking their precautions. We are asking all students, community members and visitors to do the same. We ask you to please take public health guidelines seriously and visit the following sites regularly for updates.

Reliable Resources:

The CDC has a special web page with Coronavirus information, updates and tips. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

• How it Spreads
• Steps to Prevent Illness
• Keeping the Workplace Safe (pdf)
• What to do if You Are Sick

Miami-Dade County’s Coronavirus page also has updates as well as a listing of additional online resources. http://www.miamidade.gov/global/initiatives/coronavirus/home.page

Florida Department of Health’s Coronavirus page​​​​​​​ http://www.floridahealth.gov/diseases-and-conditions/COVID-19/index.html

The Miami-Dade County Public School Board also has a Coronavirus page, as well as a Parent Guide to the Novel Coronavirus (pdf). ​​​​​​​http://covid19.dadeschools.net

I also encourage you to read this article by my friend (and brother-in-laws father) Dr Reuven Freedman, who specializes in infectious  diseases. https://mymdmiami.com/coronavirus/ 

Coronavirus Important Information (COVID-19). The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19.

·          Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

·          Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

·          Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

·          Cover your mouth or nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, then throw used tissues in the trash.

·          Wear gloves when handling and serving food

·          Clean and disinfect countertops and tables before preparing and serving food.

·          Stay home if you are sick.

·          Boost your health and your immune system - eat properly and get enough sleep. Don't hesitate to contact your healthcare provider if there is anything that concerns you.

What are the symptoms of COVID-19? Patients with COVID-19 have mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of:

·          Fever

·          Cough

·          Shortness of breath

I f you are sick, to keep from spreading respiratory illness to others, you should:

·          Contact your health care provider for guidance.

·          Stay home when you are sick.

·          Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

·          Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

Large gatherings:

The Health Department’s guidance includes information about those who should NOT attend large gatherings in the community. That includes those who:

·   are a contact to a known or suspected case of COVID-19

·   are over the age of 65 with underlying health conditions

·   are immune compromised

·   are ill

·   have been exposed to someone with a respiratory illness in the last 14 days

·   have chronic health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes or lung disease

·   have traveled internationally within the last 14 days, especially to destinations under a level 3 travel advisory

·   have traveled to or from a geographic area with widespread community transmission of COVID-19

The Florida Department of Health is advising all individuals who travel internationally to follow new guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, which are:

·   Level 3: CDC recommends 14-day self-isolation and social distancing upon return to the United States. Social distancing includes avoiding going out in public and close personal interactions. If you become symptomatic, immediately self-isolate and contact your County Health Department (CHD) or health care provider.

·   Level 2 and Cruises:  Travelers should monitor their health and limit interactions with others for 14 days after returning to the United States. If you become symptomatic, immediately self-isolate and contact your CHD or health care provider.