With cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) appearing across the globe, many communities are feeling uneasy or even fearful. Below, you will find information and resources to support you and your community during this uncertain time. This list of resources will be updated regularly. Please contact our communications specialist, Diana Denza, at ddenza@rabbinicalassembly.org if you'd like to submit a resource to the list.
General Resources:
The CDC offers in-depth information on how coronavirus spreads, its symptoms, prevention and treatment, testing, and situation summaries.
If you run a business or have a congregation, please view CDC’s interim guide, which may help prevent exposures to acute respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, in non-healthcare settings. The guidance also provides planning considerations if there are more widespread, community outbreaks of COVID-19. Also consider looking at this resource from SHRM, which offers information for employers as well as an action guide.
This resource from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security will help you prepare for a pandemic both before it happens and during a crisis.
Here is a list of U.S. state health departments and links to local health departments in each state.
Our colleague, Matt Rosenberg, wrote this resource on public health, plagues, and coronavirus.
Perspectives on Infection Control in the Taharah Room:
We must be conscious of infection control issues when we do taharah. Here are 20+ articles covering a 30-year timespan. They show the range of analysis, recommendations and the evolution of thinking on this topic.
Solidarity with Chinese Americans:
75 national and local organizational signatories – including the Rabbinical Assembly – signed a letter in solidarity with Chinese Americans, which has been extremely well received in this country and in China. Here is a response from the United Chinese Americans, the largest grassroots Chinese civic organization.
Jewish Public Affairs has created a rabbi sign on letter, allowing rabbis from around the world to add their signatures by March 5, 2020. Rabbis can then share the issued letter among their congregations, post it on social media, and share it with Chinese churches and organizations in their areas.
As coronavirus fears surface, protect yourself from misinformation with this information from the Anti-Defamation League.