Op-Ed: Modify Traditions During Rockland Coronavirus Outbreak

by Rockland County Legislature Chairman Alden H. Wolfe

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced all of us to change our plans when it comes to celebrating Easter and Passover. We are all in this fight together and we must all do our part to halt the spread of this highly contagious disease. This year that means we cannot go visiting family and friends, we cannot host large Easter dinners or Passover seders, and we cannot go to churches or synagogues.

Most Christians are now celebrating Holy Week, which started yesterday - on Palm Sunday - and will culminate on Easter, this coming Sunday. Orthodox Christians will celebrate Easter on April 19. Jews begin their observance of Passover, or Pesach, at sundown on Wednesday. The holiday ends on April 16.

Many of our relatives, friends, neighbors, and coworkers have experienced depression, anxiety and fear due to the virus and the actions we have had to take to slow its spread. I acknowledge those concerns and I know that many people were looking forward to celebrating the holidays with extended families and friends. But now is not the time to give up on our efforts.

Rockland County has already seen more than 5,700 positive cases of the virus, according to the New York State Health Department.

The federal COVID-19 Task Force is warning everyone in the United States to brace themselves for even more horrific numbers of fatalities this week and next and urging people to refrain from going to the grocery store or pharmacy for the next two weeks.

By working together - by staying home, by enjoying Easter dinners and Passover seders only with immediate family members inside our immediate households, by not going to churches or synagogues - we will all break free from this virus.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION TO KNOW

• Governor Cuomo had banned all non-essential gatherings of individuals of any size for any reason, including parties and celebrations.

• Continue to practice good hygiene, including frequent hand-washing with soap and water. Cough or sneeze into your sleeve or a tissue. Keep six feet of distance between yourself and others if you must go to the pharmacy or grocery store. You are allowed to pick up or have take-out food delivered. Note: The federal COVID-19 Task Force has said even grocery shopping and pharmacy trips should be avoided for the next two weeks.
• All nonessential businesses are required to have 100 percent of their workforce stay home. Go here for information on essential businesses: https://esd.ny.gov/guidance-executive-order-2026
• Contact your doctor or the state hotline if you or your family develop symptoms of the virus, which can include fever and a dry cough.
• Anyone tested at the mobile site at Anthony Wayne Recreational Area in Harriman State Park can access their results directly through the BioReference Laboratories patient portal. Visit the Rockland County Department of Health’s COVID-19 page for information on how to do so.
• The New York State Department of Health’s 24-hour hotline is ‪1-888-364-3065. An expert will answer your answer questions about COVID-19, including testing information.

Editor's Note: When Chairman Wolfe submitted this piece April 6 he cited the death toll from coronavirus in Rockland which was then confirmed at 69. As of 10 a.m. April 7 the confirmed death toll in Rockland was 119.