Coronavirus and Related Shylahs- What do the Gedolim Have to Say?

Wearing a KN95 Mask on Shabbos

Question

May one wear a mask over his face or mouth on Shabbos in an area that has no eruv? Is it any different then wearing gloves or coat to protect oneself?

Thanks.

Doniel Glatzer

Lakewood, NJ

Rav Auerbach 

In recent weeks, the Daf Yomi has been dealing with wearing different types of jewelry and clothing-type keilim on Shabbos. The rule is that when something is worn for protection of one’s body, it is permitted. Therefore, you most definitely may wear your KN 95 mask on Shabbos.

Birkas Ilanos on Truck Trees

Question

I usually recite Birkas Illanos on Rosh Chodesh Nissan. Due to Corona, I stopped leaving my home and did not recite it. Towards the end of Nissan, a truck came around with two trees planted in it announcing that he was making Birkas Illanos available to everyone. I personally was a little suspicious about this concept, which I could not find a clear source for in halacha. I wound up making the brocha a few days before Iyar, but I would like to know if I was correct in my assessment not to recite the brocha on the truck trees.

Thank you.

Rav Auerbach

I discussed this question extensively with Rav Yosef Efrati, whom my father-in-law, Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv, relied on in these areas, and we concluded that since these trees are not yonek (nurtured) from the ground, it is inappropriate to make a brocha on them.