The ultra-orthodox New York suspected of being behind the measles epidemic

As the measles epidemic continues to spread, sparking growing fear, ultra-Orthodox Jewish communities in New York are accused of being one of the sources of the epidemic.

Although according to community leaders, 97% of their members adhere to the vaccination program, dictated by the health authorities, a minority still holds, despite the efforts of religious leaders and doctors, to teach them that the RRO vaccine causes autism, has been scientifically refuted.

Brooklyn (Photo: AFP)

In addition, religious and community leaders, including 500 local rabbis, have published in the Jewish newspapers a public manifesto assuring readers that there is no question of dietary restrictions on the vaccine, while maintaining children who have not received the vaccine at school are acceptable. required to protect other children. Rabbi Moshe Sternbuch of Jerusalem added that Orthodox Jews are forced to vaccinate their children.

Brooklyn (Photo: AFP)

Earlier this month, New York Mayor Bill de Blasio announced a state of emergency to prevent the spread of measles in New York. He banned children who could not prove that they had received the vaccine from entering schools. He also warned that he would fine families $ 1,000 for each unvaccinated child.

Ultra Orthodox in Brooklyn (Photo: Shutterstock)

Measles is a very contagious virus. The large number of children in each family and the uncomfortable living conditions in the ultra-Orthodox communities, which separate from the outside world, contribute to the rapid spread of the disease.

Anti-Semitism is a real concern in Jewish American communities as well as among health authorities. The New York Times published an article about a woman shopping with her toddler, who left the store, leaving her shopping behind after a religious Jew came and coughed. "Let's go Jews are not vaccinated," she told her young child.

Some think that focusing on Orthodox Jewish communities while other communities across the country also refuse to vaccinate their children, is true anti-Semitism