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Dear Chaver,
In light of the growing swine flu health crisis, I am forwarding a T'shuva from our Chaver, Rabbi Dr. Aaron Glatt, regarding the possible danger and subsequent precautions necessary to protect Chevra Kadisha members as they perform Tahara. Please forward this to the Chevra Kadisha in your community. We certainly hope that this will not develop into a practical problem, r"l, but the questions have come to us at NASCK and we felt it was appropriate to prepare for the eventuality of a significant increase in cases of this flu and the possibility of an epidemic.
I turned to Rabbi Glatt who is not only an expert in infectious diseases but a well-known Maggid Shiur and Talmid Chacham, Assistant to the Rabbi at The Young Israel of Woodmere, and an active member of the Chevra Kadisha in his community. He has been a resource to our Chevra in Queens and has presented at our Chevra Kadisha conferences in the past.
This is Rabbi Dr. Aaron Glatt's response:
At the present time, based upon the best knowledge currently available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Infectious Diseases Society of America, and the Department of Health, there are no special precautions indicated in performing a tahara on a meis that died from Swine Influenza. Standard precautions (that should be in place for the performance of all Chevra Kadisha activity) should be appropriate and adequate to protect Chevra members for this situation. Please do not hesitate to call upon me if there are any further questions.
Aaron
Rabbi Aaron E. Glatt, MD, FACP, FIDSA, FSHEA
President and Chief Executive Officer New Island Hospital
Spokesperson, Infectious Diseases Society of America
Professor of Clinical Medicine and Infectious Diseases
Board certified, Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases
4295 Hempstead Turnpike
Bethpage, NY 11714
We are very excited about the Association of Chevra Kadisha and its website, www.nasck.org . We feel strongly that this will be a significant resource to provide Chizuk and direction to your Chevra Kadisha, your congregation and your community. This response from Rabbi Dr. Aaron Glatt on this current issue of concern is just one example of how we can network and strengthen each other. We are developing a very serious and extensive program that will reach out to the entire community on many levels.
For us to be successful and accomplish our goals we need to hear from you. As a first step, please visit our website at www.nasck.org. and see if your Chevra Kadisha is listed. If not, please take a moment to register or ask your Chevra coordinator or chairperson to do so. We look forward to working with you and would welcome your comments and thoughts on how the National Association of Chevra Kadisha can best serve your community and the community at-large. Our ultimate goal is L'hagdil Torah Ul'haadirah.
Kol Tuv & Gut Shabbos,
Elchonon Zohn
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