In an effort to push Israel out of the third nationwide closure triggered by a pandemic and restore some regularity, the government chose to reopen large areas of the country’s economy and education.
But unlike the reopening after the two previously closed national closures, this time the decision was not driven by open political consideration or the government’s appeal to any particular region that as one cause of self-interest.
4 צפייה בגלריה
Israel visits Tel Aviv cafe as the country imposes coronavirus restrictions, 7 March 2021
(Photo: Reuters)
No, this time it was the reopening of Israel’s cultural life, economy and education system that was crushed and crushed on the recommendation of Health Ministry professionals and several teams of independent experts.
This reopening can also be attributed to Israel’s highly successful vaccination campaign, which has fully absorbed 90% of the country’s over-50 population.
There is no doubt about it – reality in Israel has changed and the lifting of restrictions is not as dangerous as it once was. Undoubtedly it would be a mistake.
Few people thought the vaccine would be so effective so soon. Nevertheless, a large number of Israelis chose to trust the country’s health experts and include themselves while avoiding the fear of those who chose to spread lies about the vaccine without scientific evidence. .
It is not for nothing that the highly successful distribution of Israel ‘s vaccine – which has helped to prove that the vaccine has few side effects – has been praised by the international and scientific communities.
But still, we need to be vigilant. Even a vaccination campaign may not be successful enough to prevent the recurrence of the pathogen due to the growing number of mutations.
Currently, Israel’s defense against the coronavirus is suffering from two major outbreaks that could help the virus recover in full force.
The first is Ben-Gurion International Airport, where treatment of the virus during the pandemic was deficient at best.
After trying a number of failed solutions from closing the airport completely (and crossing thousands of Israelis abroad) to allowing entry with very little guidance, the government has finally decided to implement a rapid test for new entrants and an electronic bracelet to monitor returners from overseas who return quarantine must now be at home.
Another potential problem is the education system, which is now bigger than ever among a number of diseases among Israeli youth.
The return of part of the secondary school children explained the level of incompetence and lack of initiative shown by everyone in the education system.
From the heads of the Ministry of Education to the teachers’ unions, no one properly prepared schools for the safe opening of returning students.
Now we can only wait for approval for a speedy vaccination campaign for students and faculty, just as the country’s top medical professionals suggested months ago.
Stopping the pandemic coronavirus infection also depends on the industry sector which now has to adhere to restrictions, as tight as they can be.
Because we have only one choice now: Vaccination and education or economic recession.