Haredi (traditionalist Orthodox) Jews in NY are being singled out rn, bcs the outbreak includes many Haredi communities & bcs of widespread non-compliance w/ masking & distancing. But the approach is inflammatory, stigmatizing & non-productive. Here’s what to do instead.[1/12]

First, it’s not about excusing or accusing: It’s about public health. Everyone is responsible for masking & distancing! To help that happen, we need to identify risk factors, wrap-around social & economic needs, obstacles to compliance & care--and find creative solutions. [2/12]

Everyone already emphasizes what makes Haredi Jews different. But almost no one is stepping back & asking, what risk factors do the hardest-hit communities have in common socially & economically? [3/12]

Socio-economic factors: dense housing makes it harder to distance, plain & simple. Communities in denser housing (larger families, lower income, &/or urban), have been ravaged by the virus. Many Haredim live in dense housing. Why is that never the lede? [4/12]

Another is having to go work in-person. People who must work on-site are more exposed and have been among the hardest-hit by the virus. Most Haredim have jobs that can’t be done remotely (and btw, most Hasidic men work, rather than study, full-time.) [5/12]

Sub-communities (w/ denser housing, lower-income, on-site workers, high sociality) already ravaged by the virus may say, “Most of us got sick already, & ppl relaxed masking in the summer but cases didn’t go up.” We need public health messaging that addresses this directly.[6/12]

It’d be easy for someone like me, who works remotely and lives in less dense housing, to be shocked by non-compliance w/ distancing & masking--these are crucial life-saving measures! Yet, I’m not in the shoes of someone who’s in daily close proximity with dozens of people. [7/12]

Let me go a step further. A few people in my close circles have had the virus, but most haven’t--baruch Hashem! My experience is a privileged one. There are health centers in NYC that reported 50% or higher positive rates for antibodies in May. [8/12]

Messaging: non-compliance is more likely in the absence of comprehensive, medically-informed public-health messaging from non-gvt community leaders. This has been true of many Haredi communities during the fall surge (unlike the spring)--& is true for many Americans. [9/12]

A political factor: many Americans tragically believe the virus is “fake news.” Many of POTUS’ adherents follow suit, including many Haredim. His campaign allegedly robo-called Hasidic Jews to go protest social distancing restrictions, further inflaming the situation. [10/12]

Singling out Haredi Jews means singling out a vulnerable minority. Last year there were a record number of antisemitic assaults on Haredi NYers. They’re subjected to daily harassment. They need more allies from those of us committed to fighting scapegoating of minorities. [11/12]

Risk of exposure, & public health behaviors like masking & distancing & staying outdoors are all influenced by a wide variety of socio-economic, political, and religious factors. We need nuance & sensitivity to work effectively with impacted, oft-targeted communities. [12/12]

PS yes, religious sociality (e.g. group prayer) is a v significant COVID-19 risk factor in many communities, including Haredi! But let's not miss the forest for the trees. Haredim are whole, complex humans, & public health solutions need to treat them as such, for everyone's sake