Amid Coronavirus, Israel Modifies Funeral Rituals for First Victim
In the coronavirus ward, medical workers mostly communicate via video with the patients. And the new protective protocols prevent them from giving the hands-on care the patients also need.
So the younger & healthier coronavirus patients have taken upon themselves to care for the older, suffering coronavirus patients.
These younger, less affected patients fluff the pillows of the more severely affected, adjust their oxygen masks, and help them call their family members.
As 88-year-old Aryeh Even's situation deteriorated, the other patients refused to allow him to feel alone. They cared for him and remained with him in his last moments when his own family were not allowed to be at his side.
Two patients even said Shema Yisrael with Mr. Even at the end of his life.
It takes compassion to respond as these patients have.
But it also takes courage, seeing the effects of the same disease from which they themselves suffer, to face Aryeh Even's suffering & death head-on — with beautiful Jewish compassion.
May this courage & compassion be a zechut for all Am Yisrael.
And may all the ill merit a complete & speedy refuah of the nefesh & the guf.
And may Hashem erase this epidemic immediately from our midst, with no more victims.