Dear Matzav Inbox,
Here we go again. The pre-Sukkos air is crisp, the leaves are turning, and the viruses are back. Every fall, we brace ourselves for the usual wave of respiratory illnesses, but this year, we’re dealing with something even more contagious: the new COVID-19 strain known as “Stratus.”
This variant, officially labeled XFG, has already pushed aside the previous dominant strain, “Nimbus,” and is sweeping through the country with frightening speed. It’s spreading so efficiently because it evades much of the body’s immune defense, leaving people vulnerable—even those who’ve been sick or vaccinated before.
Nineteen states are already reporting “high” or “very high” COVID levels in wastewater testing, with places like Nevada, Utah, Connecticut, and Delaware hit especially hard. And yes, it’s spreading in our communities too.
So what are we doing? Packing into shuls. Using the same mikvaos. Acting as if everything is fine while the virus keeps multiplying. It’s madness.
I’m saying this as bluntly as possible: shut it all down before it’s too late. We don’t need another outbreak tearing through our neighborhoods, our schools, and our homes. We’ve seen what happens when people ignore the warnings. It’s not heroic—it’s reckless.
You don’t have to be a doctor to understand basic cause and effect. Masks save lives. Distancing works. Common sense matters. When someone refuses to mask up, they’re not showing faith. They’re endangering others. They’re a rodef.
So yes, mask up, you rodef. Stay home if you’re sick. Keep the shuls closed until this wave passes. Because pikuach nefesh isn’t optional.
Name Withheld (because truth doesn’t always need applause)
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