I endorse Rabbi and Nina Glick’s plea to avoid judging each other too harshly (“The Three Week Challenge,” July 9, 2020), but when it comes to taking precautions related to COVID-19, they are wrong to prescribe that “each person chooses to do what they feel is best for themselves.” That simply does not work when dealing with a pandemic. We are all in the same boat, like it or not. My behavior affects your health, and your behavior affects my health. We therefore cannot say that our behavior is “no one else’s business.” If the careless actions of one individual or institution are creating conditions that will promote the spread of the virus, then it’s everybody’s business.

The Glicks write that “the bottom line is that no one knows much about this virus,” but we actually do know enough: It’s incredibly contagious, can be quite deadly and its spread can be effectively controlled by practicing social distancing, including appropriate masking. It’s important to keep in mind that when you wear a mask and socially distance, you are doing this not primarily to protect yourself, but to protect others. There is no excuse at all to put other people’s families in danger, so we really need to take these precautions seriously and not slack off.

We’re certainly all weary of this situation and eager for things to return to normal, but complacency is the enemy. We’ve underestimated this virus far too often, and it’s cost us greatly. If we become careless, it will cost us more.

David Fass
Teaneck