Corona Virus Vital Education
Kindergarten teacher’s last words that we should all read
Shalva Zalfreund, a respected and loved kindergarten teacher from the city of Petah Tikva, Israel, where I live, died of COVID-19 on Friday, two weeks after she sent a message to parents asking them to respect the regulations to stop the spread of the Corona virus, and not send sick children to the daycare. She was 64 years old. Upon discovering she was ill Shalva wrote the following letter to the parents (excerpts translated from Hebrew).
I am in a risk group [for infection]. The authorities know with certainty about families who violated isolation or did not follow the city’s guidelines to not send children [to the kindergarten] when they have a family member in isolation at their home. These guidelines are intended to protect people like myself. Unfortunately, some preferred to send the child to the daycare out of a feeling that ‘it will be OK’, while fatally damaging the important values of mutual responsibility and ‘you shall not stand on the blood of your neighbor’.
It is true that isolation for a small child is an unpleasant experience, but it passes in two weeks. One can find lots of reasons and excuses why we do not have to maintain isolation. But it is possible for one moment to be partners in real life saving, to educate our children for mutual responsibility, respect for the other and the preservation of life.
For me, it no longer matters whom I contracted it from and who violated isolation. I just beg and plead for the grandparents, neighbors and older relatives who surround us and do not deserve to die.
If there is one person who will read these words and understand the consequences of the duty of isolation, let this be my reward.
I truly love each and every one of you.
A big hug to the kids.
Shalva
