IMPORTANT UPDATE FROM DR. RON SCHUTZ, PRESIDENT OF JCCO SERVICES ON HOLD…. FOR NOW Stay Healthy! Dear members and friends, I am writing you today to address the current health concerns all of us are experiencing. I am sure you are all aware of the evolving situation regarding the global Coronavirus outbreak. There is a lot of information as well as misinformation circulating that contributes to unnecessary confusion and fear. We currently have no information that any of our members have contracted the virus however it has been documented to be in Bend. While the risk of an individual becoming infected here at present is low, we all need to take prudent measures to slow its spread and protect our most vulnerable. Multiple governmental and health agencies have recommended measures to achieve that goal. Based on these guidelines, in consultation with Rabbi Yossi and in the interest of protecting our community, we have made the decision to immediately suspend all congregational events and gatherings in March including services and Torah study. We will re-evaluate the situation on a daily basis and keep you abreast of any further changes to the schedule. We appreciate your understanding as we work our way through this unprecedented situation. Meanwhile, going forward, we all need to take the proper precautionary measures to protect ourselves as well as those around us. You can find details of these at the Center for Disease Control (CDC) https://www.cdc.gov/ or Deschutes County Health Departments’ https://www.deschutes.org/health websites. Hand hygiene is critical. Washing thoroughly for 20 seconds with soap and water is very effective. If you can’t do that, use hand sanitizer. Regardless, avoid unnecessary touching of your face with your hands. Staying away from gatherings or crowded spaces (social distancing) helps. If you feel ill, stay home and call your physician for further guidance. Get adequate sleep, stay hydrated, and eat a healthy diet. We have members and neighbors who are in the high risk group for not only contracting the virus, but for suffering more severe symptoms if they do. If you are in this category, please let us know so we can arrange help for you for shopping, getting prescriptions, going to doctors appointments, errands, etc. And if you’re able to volunteer time to assist with this effort, we want to hear from you too. Rabbi Yossi is eager and available to offer pastoral services and support for those in need, whether in person or on the phone. Finally, I realize how stressful this situation is for everyone. As a physician, I’ve encountered difficult health issues for many years. It is natural to experience some degree of anxiety. If you do, you are not alone or abnormal. It reminds us of how we do not have the degree of control over our lives and circumstances that we might have wished. Sometimes we need a reminder, though a gentler reminder would have been nice. But being a little anxious does not mean hope is lost, or that we are completely powerless. What we can do is take reasonable precautions, look out for each other, be kind, compassionate and supportive, and have faith that we will get through this challenge together. Shabbat shalom, Ron
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