In an effort to minimize the spread of swine flu in Eretz Yisrael, the Health Ministry on Thursday released a memorandum directed at shuls around the country.

The official notice details the timeline of the disease, explaining it has spread around the globe and in 2009, was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization.

The memorandum explains the similarities between swine flu and other types of flu, adding the state has millions of doses of Tamiflu to combat the illness, and if necessary, the drug will be distributed during the winter months as required.

The illness is transmitted by saliva and microscopic particles of saliva, warning someone who is ill, actively coughing for example, is at higher risk of infecting others. Physical contact through one’s hands can also account for the spread of the flu, calling for a general increased awareness and posting proper protocol to limit the spread of the illness in shuls.

Anyone who is ill, fearing the flu, is to remain at home, not to come to shul.

A person who feels cured from flu may return 24 hours after he/she is without a fever.

Everyone should be increasingly aware to practice increased personal hygiene
a)    Sneezing and coughing into a tissue that is to be discarded into a receptacle.
b)    In the absence of tissues, one should sneeze or cough into one’s elbow, a folded arm, not into one’s hands.
c)    Frequent washing of hands with soap and water, especially after coughing.

One does not need to refrain from shaking hands, but such activity should be followed by a soapy hand wash.

In communities where a handshake includes kissing one’s hand, this practice should be avoided.

One should refrain from directly kissing holy objects with one’s lips, including paroches and sifrei torah.

Fresh air is preferred in the shul and therefore, doors and windows should be left open to permit the circulation of air.

There should be ample supplies of liquid soap and paper towels. Using a cloth towel only increases the chance of spreading the disease.

Washing hands without soap is not effective in eliminating the spread of bacteria.

In places where there is eating, utensils should be properly cleaned and one should avoid sharing utensils. Those who are feared to be ill should avoid community eating events.

The frequency of cleaning a shul and beis medresh should be increased during this time period.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)