Dear TLS,
It’s not easy for me to write you this email, but I’m doing it for the benefit of all of us.
I’m getting the feeling that you’re under-reporting on the virus compared to the aggressive stance the press has taken on these stories.
I understand that you want to keep a high standard of reporting, but this is not the time to put on gloves and err on the safe side of sterling journalism.
You do a much better job reporting against Reina and Jackson than you do on this mortal virus!
Do you really need to see the death certificate before removing the word: ‘reportedly’ dead from the virus?! You already under reported on the number of people getting sick in our town from fear of being classified as “fake” journalism, and I don’t want to think about how many people could have been saved if there were stronger warnings in the news leading to a general consciousness about the seriousness of the threat.
Quick story: I have a cousin who lives in Basel. His father was the president of the community during WWII. He approached the Mayor of the town to ask him to sign a document stating that a certain family are relatives, so that they can safely immigrate to Switzerland. His answer… How can I lie?! They ended up perishing. (See Rav Dessler on the definition of Emes and Sheker. It’s the result that counts not the mean)
I feel you have built a lot of trust over the years with the townsfolk and now is the time to take advantage of your well-earned efforts and lead! (NO ONE ELSE does.)
Please ingrain some justified fear in the minds of those who don’t seem to care, and recklessly endanger their lives and those of others. Please report on each Niftar who has relatives in Lakewood (like you do the rest of the year) and have a clear corona visual when you report these stories, like YWN does.
Thanks for considering my point of view.
Be Matzliach my friend. May we only hear Besoros Tovos!
(TLS welcomes your letters by submitting them to [email protected])
agreed! and perhaps a good idea might be for ppl to share their stories anonymously. are you sick Chalilah? how old r u ? did e one in your household get it? what does it feel like? how did it start? did anything help. etc obviously its diff for everyone. but that might make it real and be helpful.
You’re doing a great job. We’re all anxious and just reading about the deaths is enough reporting . Keep it up I don’t know what this person is talking about .
i do not agree at all. i actually would like to thank tls for remaining semi-calm yet definitely still getting the message across in this panic-stricken time!!! it makes me feel somewhat calmer when u write someone is r”l “reportedly” dead from the virus. However if u take from that u dont have to do social distancing etc, u have trouble with ur reading comprehension. it’s not a mitzvah to walk around shaking and absolutely terrified. i’m not sure what some other news sites are doing by dramatizing an already horrible terrible situation. and then they come back a few hours later after most readers already read the post, and change some “minor” details. TLS definitely sent us all the message to STAY HOME and that it’s a very difficult time right now. THANK YOU TLS FOR KEEPING US INFORMED WITH REAL CONFIRMED NEWS!!!
What a pathetic article. I can’t even believe TLS posted such nonsense
I agree
I disagree, people should not come away from reading the news shaken up. We all know the severity of the situation as is obvious from the fact that people are staying home. One of the specific reasons I read TLS is because they are neutral and without an agenda. Other news websites have an agenda and are pushing it without any authority. Thank You again TLS for the wonderful news source please keep up the good work. If anyone is looking to come away from reading the news, scared, there are plenty of news sites where they can visit.
I disagree with letter. Tls is doing a good job reporting facts. Warnings from experts to stay inside. What we don’t need is panic that causes more problems than it solves.
Fully agree with the sentiment of this article. The lack of seriousness taken by religious Jewish communities is on full display in the media and a tremendous chillul Hashem. We are not only halachically obligated to protect ourselves and members of our communities, but the broader public as well. We should be leading the way when it comes to caring about and respecting human life, not following distantly behind.
I cant say its the fault of TLS but theres no question, overall, the oilam is not taking this seriously. These are REAL PEOPLE among us who are DYING !!! Doctors and nurses are dying. A Hatzolah volunteer from Far Rockaway died. Hello ???!!! What are people not getting ??!! This is NOT a joke or a test. This is real !!
Stay. Inside.
Period.
Facts don’t care about your feelings.
Whos not staying inside???
This in an understatement!!
Unfortunately, we are hearing on a daily basis, many choshuve people are falling ill or R’L being niftar due to corona virus. We need our gedolim!
We need to watch ourselves! We need to do every possible hishtadlus we can to keep ourselves and other safe.
We understand its difficult to stay in your houses all day, but please continue to do so for all our sake, unless you must go out for a necessity!
May everyone stay safe and health. May we all be zoche to the Geula Bimhayra B’yameinu!
It is incredible of TLS to be willing to publish such an open letter and listen to others opinions. I, unfortunately agree strongly with the writer. It’s not a matter of protecting people from their fears and being careful that you don’t exaggerate claims. It’s mass pikuach nefesh. Often TLS will publish “we are getting reports of a possible downed wire etc.” Now is the time to share all the “reports” even if they take two days to verify! Every death shakes us up bec locked in our houses, we don’t have any concept of how many people are even sick. It’s like, what? This thing is for real? So many schools remained opened after doctors said they need to close because it was reiterated over and over again “there is NO CONFIRMED cases in Lakewood” so many people called it a hoax bec they didn’t see the “unconfirmed“ danger that was hovering over us. TLS is the one we trust to bring us the true story. We are counting on you If even one life is saved..,
I’m just wondering to all those who keep on saying that people aren’t taking this seriously, how do they know?
I have been inside all week and wouldn’t know
samuel- everyone knows that whats going on in the media abt how jews are treating the virus is biased unconfirmed anti-semitic reports. there are plenty of non-jewish gatherings etc taking place however of course those are not whats being told to the world. the edison politician admitted himself that whats being told isn’t true. and we know how no one can understand the devastation of schools, yeshivas, weddings being closed down- when yeshiva bochurim are forced to stay home,how does that compare to a teenage public school kid? u understand why a jewish wedding isn’t just postponed like any other wedding… just maybe stop and appreciate how much of the jewish frum community is actually listening and taking this very seriously! never mind that its erev yt- such a busy time!
mi kiamcha yisroel- look how so much of klal yisroel have stepped up to the plate in this scaary time and how much chessed is being done!! that cannot be found in anyyy other community!
OY OY OY this is a TERRIBLE LETTER
Rabbosai – do not minimize the severity of this virus and the critical need for everyone to follow every recommendation and be extremely careful.
However, equally as critical and perhaps even more critical is the absolute necessity to control anxiety and fear. The doctors today are prescribing more anxiety and anti depressant medications then any other medication including the virus. The Rabbonim are inundated with more shailos on sholom bayis and abuse then on this virus. The children of this generation are petrified and will remember how their parents handled this magayfa.
Are you stressing Emuna and Bitachon? Are you bringing as much Simcha into your house as possible? Are you calming your children (while making sure all are safe and doing what they must do)? Are you remembering the love the RBSO has for each of us individually and all of us or are you panicking and spreading that panic?
Take this seriously and do your best but PLEASE TLS – PLEASE stay the course. Keep the calm, keep sharing what you do the way you do. Do not Chas Vsholom be the reason for more panic or anxiety.
While lots of people in Lakewood are taking it seriously, it is true that this is an unprecedented situation where we need everyone to WAKE UP. This letter writer is making the unfortunately very valid point that while the clear audio and letters from Rabbanim, doctors, government, and Roshei Kehillah say to be very very serious some people just think they’re smarter than that. The only way to get to them (A small minority BH!) is to make them realize it’s NOT a hoax- it’s people they know and love, and it’s real retzicha.
People who have anxiety issues should stay off of news sites during a pandemic and just stay safe. Not a reason to withhold crucial information that can save lives.
Thank you for publishing this letter.
Thank you TLS for doing a great job of keeping the public accurately informed of the news and announcements from public officials. Keep up your great work!