In my opinion, COVID-19 is a test for Bein Adam L’Chaveiro and lockdowns are only necessary when we fail that test. Lemme explain.
The best way to keep the virus in check is for everyone to act as if they may have the virus. Keep hands to yourself, don’t touch things you don’t have to, use sanitizer before going out, wear a mask so your breath doesn’t get on people, don’t go into crowds, be very careful in general, etc.
But instead, unfortunately, too many of us have done the opposite. How many times have we heard our friends or family say “It’s OK to do this, I won’t catch the virus from it” or “I’m not going to bother with this precaution, it’s not going to help much to prevent me from catching COVID”
The fact that the only way to prevent people from being spreaders, Rachmana Litzlon, is to lock everyone in their homes illustrates that whatever we told ourselves on Yom Kippur about being better to others wasn’t enough.