I had a conversation today with a friend in Montreal. As we and so many others are, she is extremely nervous about the COVID-19 situation. No one really knows what lies ahead. Unfortunately, there seems to be a feeling there and here that in some communities that are considered to be more “yeshivish,” many people have adopted a laissez-faire attitude toward wearing masks and being diligent about social distancing. She mentioned that she has refrained from visiting stores in “that” particular neighborhood, but needed to get an item that she knew she would have to get at a particular store in the yeshivish neighborhood as it was not available closer to where she lived. As she stood on the checkout line she realized that only one person was wearing a mask. Directly behind her stood one older gentleman who explained that he only wears a mask because he is older, insinuating that if he were younger he too would choose not to wear one. Directly in front of her on line was a gentleman for whom many had been saying Tehillim, as he had been intubated for weeks with the virus. Now recovered, he also felt no need to wear a mask. By the way, it is the law in Montreal that everyone must wear a mask.

Then she related her experience upon entering Cheskie’s Bakery, a well-known favorite that caters to the chasidic, yeshivish, modern, Hispanic and French Canadian communities. On the entranceway to their small store, which is now allowing only five people in at a time, there is the following sign: “Please wash your hands and wear a mask. If someone is not wearing a mask please do not say anything. We want to keep the store friendly.”

Fast forward to Spring Valley, where on the opening day of the new Bingo store it was necessary for the police to come and close the store as many employees apparently chose not to wear masks. I watched the video of the “manager” gathering all of his employees together to warn them (apparently after he was warned) that if at any time during the day they remove their mask they will be without a job. With a lack of anything to do I decided that we should visit the new store and grab all of its bargains. I did not see any employees without masks, but I have to say that there were many customers who walked around with their masks below their noses or under their chins and even one or two with no covering. When I indicated to a woman by pointing to my nose that she should lift her mask she did so until I walked about three feet past her, at which time she immediately took it down again.

I have to say that about every 15 minutes there was a message over the PA system reminding shoppers that they must wear masks at all times. They are trying, but social distancing is a phenomenon that they seem to know nothing about. I don’t know what the solution is but to stay home and not allow ourselves to go anywhere anymore. As it is, there is hardly any place to go.

I myself am worried and concerned. I know what this virus can do. We have friends who have passed away, and in our own home Mordechai is suffering greatly since he had the virus, which has drastically affected his memory. When a routine is taken away from someone and the only option is to sit at home, the monotony and boredom certainly takes a toll, especially on a person who seven years ago was diagnosed with vascular dementia. No one knows where this is heading. I just cannot figure out why there are those who feel that they do not have to be concerned about being careful and following the rules. I know that our lives are in the hands of Hashem, but are we not supposed to do our part in preventing tragedies as much as possible? Do the people who refuse to follow the rules honestly believe that nothing will happen to them? Are they living in a dream world? I hope that it works for them, but not at the expense of all of us.

We all know of the “kooks” who refuse to wear masks for various reasons, and no greater evidence needs to be shown than the horrendous attack on a lady in our local Staples. All she did was ask a woman who was standing next to her to please put on a mask. Only afterward did the story come out about the victim’s liver transplant four months ago. What shocked me more than the attack, which was despicable, was the number of people who were surrounding the area where it happened and just stood there and did nothing, even as this woman was lying on the floor screaming out in pain and outrage (footage is easily available to be seen by all). I did not see one person run over to her, either the fellow patrons or the Staples staff. Another Kitty Genovese, slightly different yet familiarly the same. For those who are too young to know who Kitty Genovese was, her story is available on Google I am sure.

So, yes, I think the world is topsy turvy. Nothing seems to make any sense anymore. Just like everyone else I am sick of it, but that does not give me a reason to change the rules. Won’t it be a joke that hopefully on Purim of this coming year our costume will be no masks and just our own smiley faces? I dread the fact that we might have to wait that long.

Rabbi Mordechai and Nina Glick are living in Bergenfield after many years of service to the Montreal Jewish community. Rabbi Glick was the rav of Congregation Ahavat Yisroel as well as a practicing clinical psychologist in private practice. He also taught at Champlain Regional College. The Glicks were frequent speakers at the OU marriage retreats. Nina coordinated all Yachad activities in Montreal and was a co/founder of Maison Shalom, a group home for young adults with special needs. They can be reached at [email protected].