18 | NOVEMBER 11 • 2021 

S

Since the resurgence of the Delta 
variant of COVID-19 in Metro 
Detroit these past few months, 
Hatzalah of Michigan has been working 
with infected community members to 
ensure they get the proper treatment. 
 Thankfully, the surge in Michigan has 
not been severe, particularly for people 
who have been vaccinated, according 
to Hatzalah of MI Medical Director Dr. 
Steve McGraw. “If you’re not vaccinated, 
the danger increases exponentially,” he 
said. 
 According to Hatzalah of MI executive 
board member Nachy Soloff, 
Hatzalah has continued its 
work in testing people for 
coronavirus, thanks to its 
partnership with the Oakland 
County Health Department. 
 “
A lot of people still need 
to be swabbed,” Soloff said. 
“When they get a positive result, we’re 
telling them the next steps they should 
take.” 

 That advice sometimes includes 
monoclonal antibody treatment — 
lab-made cells that boost the immune 
system’s ability to fight off COVID, which 
can reduce the severity and length of 
illness. Monoclonal antibody treatment 
(MAB) is especially important for people 
older than 65 or who have underlying 
health conditions. Hatzalah has recently 
instituted a process to help people access 
this treatment, which can be confusing. 
 “Being that MAB is a federal resource, 
there are strict criteria of who is eligible 
for the treatment,” Soloff said. “People can 
be ineligible for the treatment if they’re 
not at high risk or because they are past 
the time limit in which the treatment can 
help.” 
 Hatzalah knows the protocols at local 
providers such as Ascension Southfield, 
St. Joe’s in Pontiac, Henry Ford, McLaren 
Oakland and a local urgent care in 
Southfield that provides the infusion 
therapy. Volunteers determine the 
patient’s eligibility and help him or 

her navigate the appointment-making 
process. 
 Soloff said he has gotten great feedback 
from those who’ve received the treatment. 
“Some have said they felt better the next 
day,” he said. “And the treatment poses 
very little risk.” 
 According to Soloff, getting vaccinated 
is still the best way to safeguard your 
health. “It won’t necessarily prevent you 
from getting COVID,” he said. “Many 
people who are vaccinated are getting it, 
but they’re not getting it seriously. They’re 
sick for only a few days.” 
 Soloff said Hatzalah is now preparing 
to fight another enemy to health: the flu. 
“We just ran one flu vaccine clinic this 
past week and hope to hold another clinic 
within the next few weeks,” he said. 

People who have tested positive for COVID can 

email mantibodies@gmail.com. A volunteer from 

Hatzalah will be in touch.

Frontline Help for COVID

OUR COMMUNITY

Hatzalah of Michigan works to help 
patients access appropriate treatment.

JACKIE HEADAPOHL DIRECTOR OF EDITORIAL

Dr. Steve 
McGraw

For the past thirty years, Yad Ezra has held an 
annual fundraising dinner in order to raise the 
funds necessary to purchase groceries that it 
distributes during the course of a year. This 
year, at its fundraising dinner held earlier this 
fall, the organization paid tribute to Nancy 
Berman Kleinfeldt and her children, Adin, 
Caleb and Grace Kleinfeldt. Nancy and her 
children have been active supporters and lead-
ers at Yad Ezra for 20 years. 

Nancy Berman Kleinfeldt, and 
her children Adin, Caleb 
and Grace Kleinfeldt

YAD EZRA

Yad Ezra Honors 
Nancy Kleinfeldt

