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Halachot Related to Coronavirus/COVID-19 Pandemic: Difference between revisions

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* Rav Asher says that for choleh shebifanenu the knowledge that another choleh is going to come in soon is considered pikuach nefesh if will with certainty be helpful. Therefore, if an older patient comes into the hospital but they know a younger patient is going to come in, they can consider them as though they came in together and treat according to who is in immediate danger and who has the better chance to live. Rav Schachter felt the same way in his teshuva.
* Rav Asher says that for choleh shebifanenu the knowledge that another choleh is going to come in soon is considered pikuach nefesh if will with certainty be helpful. Therefore, if an older patient comes into the hospital but they know a younger patient is going to come in, they can consider them as though they came in together and treat according to who is in immediate danger and who has the better chance to live. Rav Schachter felt the same way in his teshuva.
* If a hospital has a certain regulation, does he need to disregard the hospital protocols? Rav Asher Weiss felt that the doctors should not disregard hospital protocol, for multiple reasons but partly because if he doesn't he'll lose his license and having more able doctors at this time is pikuach nefesh.
* If a hospital has a certain regulation, does he need to disregard the hospital protocols? Rav Asher Weiss felt that the doctors should not disregard hospital protocol, for multiple reasons but partly because if he doesn't he'll lose his license and having more able doctors at this time is pikuach nefesh.
* Pulling a patient off a ventilator because someone entered the hospital who has a better chance of living, Rav Asher (min 27) felt is forbidden. Rav Schachter felt that one should try to convince the older patient to sign a DNR at that point in order to save the younger patient. </ref>
* Pulling a patient off a ventilator because someone entered the hospital who has a better chance of living, Rav Asher (min 27) felt is forbidden. Rather the doctor should say that he feels uncomfortable to do this and should let another doctor do it. Rav Schachter felt that one should try to convince the older patient to sign a DNR at that point in order to save the younger patient. </ref>
# A doctor may and is encouraged to perform a life saving procedure if he is wearing the correct protective gear.<ref>[https://aiayk.org/pesachaudio/ Rav Asher Weiss (Aguda Teleconference, April 6, 2020, min 18-22)] explains that you can’t put yourself in danger. However, you can if you’re saving someone from an immediate danger and you’re putting yourself in minimal danger then it is a middat chasidut to do so. Therefore, a doctor should do mechanical ventilation CPR on a COVID19 patient if he has the correct protective gear.</ref>
# A doctor may and is encouraged to perform a life saving procedure if he is wearing the correct protective gear.<ref>[https://aiayk.org/pesachaudio/ Rav Asher Weiss (Aguda Teleconference, April 6, 2020, min 18-22)] explains that you can’t put yourself in danger. However, you can if you’re saving someone from an immediate danger and you’re putting yourself in minimal danger then it is a middat chasidut to do so. Therefore, a doctor should do mechanical ventilation CPR on a COVID19 patient if he has the correct protective gear.</ref>
# A doctor returning from the hospital on Shabbat and needs to shower for health reasons so as not to catch the corona virus on his body or clothing, may do so. If he can manage with a cold shower, he should do so. If he can't, he may turn on the hot water with a [[shinuy]].<Ref>[https://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/951538/rabbi-hershel-schachter/piskei-corona-26-showering-when-returning-home-from-the-hospital-or-the-mikvah-on-shabbos-or-yom-tov/ Rav Schachter (Piskei Corona #26)]. See there for how he distinguishes this from the woman returning from the mikveh on Shabbat.</ref>
# A doctor returning from the hospital on Shabbat and needs to shower for health reasons so as not to catch the corona virus on his body or clothing, may do so. If he can manage with a cold shower, he should do so. If he can't, he may turn on the hot water with a [[shinuy]].<Ref>[https://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/951538/rabbi-hershel-schachter/piskei-corona-26-showering-when-returning-home-from-the-hospital-or-the-mikvah-on-shabbos-or-yom-tov/ Rav Schachter (Piskei Corona #26)]. See there for how he distinguishes this from the woman returning from the mikveh on Shabbat.</ref>