In very short order, the coronavirus has paralyzed the world, exacting a heavy price in lives in many countries. But beyond the direct damage caused by the virus, including high morbidity and mortality rates in some of the countries, one of the most daunting aspects is coping with the uncertainty surrounding the virus.
Unlike most Jewish communities in the world, which have managed to adapt on the fly to the new situation while providing some sort of response to their members, the Jewish community in Italy -- particularly those in Roma and Milan -- have been unable to keep pace with the developments. The Jewish communities in the country are counting their dead, unspared the devastating damage the virus has inflicted.
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"Everyone here personally knows several people infected with the virus, and sadly also people and relatives who have passed away. It's a terrible feeling of loss, anxiety and fear of an uncertain future," said Edward Amati, a member of the Jewish community in Rome.
Due to the directives in the country, families cannot leave their homes, and many of them are coping with real difficulties due to a lack of food and medicine supplies, an absence of basic goods, the need for emotional assistance, anxieties and more.
Additionally, Italy's Jews fear no one will be able to provide their family members with food for the upcoming Passover holiday.
Seeking to help, CauseMatch.com, a crowdfunding hub for Jewish social groups, launched a campaign urging donations from Jews around the world for their fellow communities in Rome and Milan.
"Half a million euros -- that's the amount needed to allow regular supplies of food, medicines and other necessities to these families ahead of Passover," the campaign's manager explained.
"In times like these, people tend to focus on their own issues, but we must not forget those who are left helpless. At the end of the day, helping those in need is also part of fighting the virus. Solidarity is key to getting through this," he said.
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