The coronavirus cabinet on Tuesday approved an overnight curfew during the Purim Jewish holiday that runs from Thursday to Sunday from 8:30 pm to 5am – in a bid to reduce seizures and prevent the recurrence of the COVID-19.
To clear up the confusion, Israel’s chief coronavirus health officer, Dr. Nachman Ash answered a series of hot button questions regarding the curfew as well as the pathogen itself and a worldwide vaccine campaign.
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Coronavirus czar Prof. Nachman Ashes
(Photo: yoavian bird)
How worried are you about parties and gatherings on Purim?
“It’s terrible. These are just the events in which people are more likely to get the virus. One confirmed patient in one of these parties can infect up to 50 people, now multiplying this by the number of parties involved. “
Will movement be restricted between 8:30 pm and 5am when the curfew is in effect?
“Yes, people cannot go up to 1,000 meters from home in those hours. Collection bans will also be effective. This means that anyone leaving their home must return before 8:30 pm. “
Will movement from town to town be restricted on Friday mornings and noon?
“No, during the day there will be no restrictions on movement. And although gatherings are banned, travel around the country is allowed until 8:30 pm. “
With public confidence as low as ever, how would you expect the people to follow the lead?
Everyone needs to think about the good they are doing by following the guidelines. Unless I am infected, I will not infect other people – family, friends. In addition, we need to look at what might happen if we do not follow the guidelines and diseases will start to spread again. “
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Police officers execute Israel’s third COVID-19 lock-up in Tel Aviv
(Photo: Moti Kimchi)
Is this the last lock?
“I can’t make such a promise.” If the diseases come back, we need to go back to our old solutions. That is why we are gradually reopening everything. “
Does vaccination also prevent infection?
“We don’t know for sure yet.” We assume that it partially prevents infection but may not be 100%. At the moment, investigations into that are still ongoing. However, as long as nothing is proven, we must act as if those who have been vaccinated can spread the virus further. “
Families still can’t gather even though all the members received both photos and are fully inoculated, why?
“We still don’t know if the vaccine prevents the spread of the virus.” We believe if someone is infected but is carrying the virus, they can still longer transmission and those who have not yet been vaccinated. One has to consider this potential and be careful. “
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A health worker holds a vial of the COVID-19 vaccine and a syringe
(Photo: AP)
Can those who received both pictures, and are therefore fully protected, be indoors without a mask?
“No.” First, we do not yet know whether the vaccine provides full protection against disease. Secondly, there are new COVID changes that we do not know are against the vaccine. “
What is the difference between the antibodies in people who have been vaccinated and those who have survived the illness?
“It simply doesn’t matter. Antibodies are formed as the body experiences the virus, which is accomplished either through inoculation or infection. And while both provide some protection against the virus, we still don’t know which is more effective. “
When will Ben Gurion Airport open?
“We are looking for a solution that will allow us to ensure that passengers are quarantined when they return. We have signs that some of those arriving in Israel are breaking quarantine. Once we find a suitable solution, we can open up the airport in a wider way. “
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A social distance signal can be seen on the floor of the departure destination at Ben Gurion Airport
(Photo: Reuters)
Will the government allow those who have survived the virus to enter?
“We will immunize people who have survived. Full or not – it depends on professional assessments. One job might be enough. Our team of experts are currently discussing the issue and will make a decision shortly. “
When will it be possible to vaccinate children under 16?
“When the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves the vaccine for children.”
Do we need to get the vaccine again further down the line?
“We don’t know yet. I accept that if the vaccine is not ‘updated’ to deal with new changes, we will have no reason to have another injection in August. In fact, a new improved vaccine may come out also so we don’t know for sure. “
Some have got inoculated but serological tests show they have not developed any antibodies, why is that?
“We don’t know yet.” What we do know is that the level of antibodies tends to go down after vaccination. However, this vaccine works at the cellular level. That is, the body’s cells remember the virus, and as soon as it regenerates the body, they quickly make more antibodies. “
Is there an Israeli version?
“There are many differences, and there are some in Israel as well. They do not differ much from the original type, however. These changes are not more drastic, and they are not more sustainable to the end. vaccine. “
Does the British variant really affect young people more than the original virus?
“I think you can say cautiously that it will. While we do not have evidence to support this claim in Israel, in the UK, the opposite has been more contagious among young people, with some laboratories show that it causes a more serious illness. “”
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Children return to school in Jerusalem amid COVID-19 epidemic
(Photo: EPA)
How is the Israeli vaccine coming?
“The Israeli vaccine is still in the development stages. it has passed the first stage of clinical trials and has now reached the second stage. We are waiting to see how things go because, in the end. there is no guarantee that it will succeed. Developing a vaccine is a complex process, but one must understand that it may or may not work. “
has the South African variable reached Israel?
“We’ve found very few issues like this here. It was also found that some fully absorbed people experienced this variant, among others, although they showed only mild symptoms. It is not yet known whether the South African variant is more contagious. “
How will unvaccinated children be treated when it comes to the Green Pass?
“The Green Pass is only given to those who have been vaccinated against the virus or who have passed on it and who have access to a number of venues such as gyms. This means that unvaccinated children will be prevented from entering these areas. “
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Police officers execute COVID-19 lock-in in Tel Aviv
(Photo: AP)
Will there be lock packaging?
“We’ve been talking about Purim for a few weeks. We really wanted to do nothing and settle for the current restrictions, but then, new information came in about planned parties. As for Passover, it is a little too long to say, I hope we can celebrate the holidays cheaper than last year. “
Will there be a summary for people who cannot be vaccinated for health reasons?
“Yes. The outline will be based on a test at the entrance to each site and center. Or a 48 hour test in advance. I hope this happens soon as we are aware of the this people. “