n>The COVID-19 epidemic has brought a wealth of new ethical questions (and new texts, such as Jewish Law Decisions Related to Corona and Minchat Asher: A Collection of Classes, Responsa, Letters and Articles Related to the Corona Pandemic), all asking how, exactly, we should practice our Judaism and care for our country’s most vulnerable people in this terrible time. When it comes to the elderly, for instance, how do we balance the risks of contracting COVID-19 with the perils of loneliness and isolation? When it comes to commerce, is it better to go to the store (potentially exposing more individuals, particularly low-wage workers, to the virus) or to have our staples delivered (potentially taking still-scarce delivery slots away from at-risk folks who can’t shop in person)? Do we buy from Amazon (which mistreats its workforce) or from local shops (which may not sell organic, responsibly sourced, sustainable products)? For those with the option of eating out—New York City, for instance, has just entered stage 2of the reopening process—how can we do so as morally as possible?Read Full Article »
