Orthodox Jews in Brooklyn burn masks during massive protest against New York's new COVID rules

[qwlauren35]

https://www.jta.org/2020/10/07/health/orthodox-jews-in-brooklyn-burn-masks-during-massive-protest-against-new-yorks-new-covid-restrictions?utm_source=JTA_Maropost&utm_campaign=JTA_DB&utm_medium=email&mpweb=1161-23464-262052

This seems hard to support. If evangelicals or militias were doing this, we would condemn them. What are your views on the mask burning and the assaults in the New York orthodox communities?

[Blues Heron]

1. Who would support this insane lunacy?

Sickos

[soothsayer]

2. This is why we can't have nice things

Wear a mask. Don’t have large gatherings. It goes for everyone. No one is being singled out.

[qwlauren35]

5. I'm not sure exactly how it went down

But it sounds like Cuomo said one thing, and then went a step further, and it is predominantly affecting Orthodox communities.

On the other hand, these communities are COVID-19 hot spots.

If these communities are as isolated as they tend to be, I would think of them as I think of the White House - if they want to kill themselves, that's fine, just don't let it spread outside of your community.

And yet, I feel sorry for those in the White House who don't want the virus, but are trying to keep their jobs. Just as I feel sadness for the elderly and immunocompromised in Orthodox communities who will suffer because of the brashness and irresponsibility of the youth - most of them men doing this are young.

[soothsayer]

6. Yeah I caught most of cuomo talking about this yesterday

No one should be having mass gatherings. It’s crazy.

[Me.]

8. But They Are Not Isolated

they walk around the neighborhood as they please. If it is affecting that community more it is because they are flouting the guidelines more. I saw one man, on the news, screaming at a health inspector for wearing a mask.They were also responsible for measles outbreaks in other parts of the state because they would not be vaccinated.

[NCjack]

3. Fools. If there are DEMs in that group, I hope they mailed in their ballots.

[still_one]

4. Are you implying that most Jews would NOT condemn this action?

[qwlauren35]

10. I am trying to understand.

This is not the first time that the Orthodox communities have fought against measures to limit the virus. I am trying to understand if Reformed and Conservative Jews tend to distance themselves, or feel a solidarity and a desire to respect their decision.

As an African-American, I *hate*, abhor, condemn the violence of the looting that seems to be done in the name of BLM, but I support the protests.

The protests against school and synagogue closings... I am torn. These protests are happening all over the country. Different states are dealing with it in different ways. I'm in Maryland and all schools are closed. But if a religious school wants to put their families at risk, as long as they comply with isolation and quarantine rules... I am torn.

I'm about to travel to a hot spot in another state. I will be quarantining after I get back. I'm not happy about it, but those are my state's guidelines.

I think the Orthodox community should follow the state's guidelines for hot spots. I do not think they are applied unfairly. The Orthodox communities ARE hot spots.

Should all other Jews condemn the resistance? I just don't know.

The violence, yes. The protests?

[still_one]

11. The question I would ask is there data indicating that American Jews are violating the social

distancing and mask rules at a greater rate than other demographic groups?

I can only speak for myself but I condemn any group who refuses to follow the guidelines during the pandemic. I am from California, but I support De Blasio in this situation. We have a major health crisis in this country due to the pandemic. 210000 people are dead, and 7.5 million infected, some that will have life long side effects from this.

A lot of folks are eligible for the Darwin awards with this pandemic. It isn't just that a lot of them will pay the consequence for their ignorance, but they will take a lot of innocents along with them on this.

Even when an effective vaccine is out, this foolishness will go on for sometime

Human nature

[Me.]

12. I JUst Saw Clarification

First...it is not Jewish people per se but the orthodox communities who feel it is incumbent upon them to demonstrate civil disobedience regarding the wearing of masks in public. THey just burned an enormous pile of them which is such a shame as they could be used elsewhere.

[still_one]

14. I think like many orthodox groups', this anti-science mentality is idiocy

[Me.]

15. All Anti-Science Is Dangerous, Including THat From The Big Menace In The WH

[Me.]

13. Many Of My Neighbors Are Conservative/Reformed/Non Practicing

and each and every one of them is vigilant when it comes to health safety and following the guidelines. In my own bldg for instance, we are required to wear a mask in the public areas, there are hand sanitizing stations everywhere, we are asked to only have 2 people in the elevator at a time and no parties or group gatherings.
and no, they don't want to die a hideous death from the virus and go not support what the Hasidim are doing.

[handmade34]

7. key here is

Orthodox... that dogma thing gets in the way no matter the religion or ideology

[Me.]

9. Exactly