1. Quarantine in the Torah.
2. Belgian Law as of March 17, 2020: Stay Home
VRT NWS
De Veiligheidsraad heeft beslist dat er vanaf morgenmiddag "verregaande maatregelen" worden getroffen om de gezondheid van alle burgers in België te beschermen. Niet-essentiële winkels zullen worden gesloten en er komt ook een samenscholingsverbod. De maatregelen zullen tot 5 april gelden."
https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2020/03/17/liveblog-17-maart/
The Security Council has decided that "far-reaching measures" will be taken from tomorrow afternoon to protect the health of all citizens in Belgium. Non-essential shops will be closed and there will also be a ban on gathering. The measures will apply until April 5.
3. The law of the country is the law: "Dina d'malchuta dina."
4. Saving a Life: Pikuach Nefesh
ת"ר מפקחין פקוח נפש בשבת והזריז ה"ז משובח ואין צריך ליטול רשות מב"ד הא כיצד ראה תינוק שנפל לים פורש מצודה ומעלהו והזריז ה"ז משובח ואין צריך ליטול רשות מב"ד ואע"ג דקא צייד כוורי ראה תינוק שנפל לבור עוקר חוליא ומעלהו והזריז ה"ז משובח ואין צריך ליטול רשות מב"ד אע"ג דמתקן דרגא
New York Times
"Need a Coronavirus Test? Being Rich and Famous May Help"
A shortage in testing has left sick people and health care workers around the U.S. without answers. Yet the list of celebrity patients grows every day, raising questions about privileged access.
By Megan Twohey, Steve Eder and Marc Stein
March 18, 2020
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/18/us/coronavirus-testing-elite.html
5. Jewish Imperative to Care for the Vulnerable: The Stranger, The Orphan, The Widow
6. Blessed Is the True Judge: Baruch Dayan HeEmet
For rain and other good tidings, one recites the special blessing: Blessed…Who is good and Who does good. Even for bad tidings, one recites a special blessing: Blessed…the true Judge. Similarly, when one built a new house or purchased new vessels, he recites: Blessed…Who has given us life, sustained us, and brought us to this time. The mishna articulates a general principle: One recites a blessing for the bad that befalls him just as he does for the good. In other words, one recites the appropriate blessing for the trouble that he is experiencing at present despite the fact that it may conceal some positive element in the future. Similarly, one must recite a blessing for the good that befalls him just as for the bad.
Discussion Questions
1. In this time period of the Coronavirus pandemic, where do you see blessings?
2. How do you understand "good" and "bad" based on the above gemara?
3. What are you hoping/praying for?