After a year and three pandemic closures across the country, we finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. Israel ‘s disease rate is down as the number of vaccinated people rises.
This is great news indeed but we still can’t emit a sigh of relief. We need to be vigilant in case everything that we have worked so hard on in the past year goes down the drain.
3 צפייה בגלריה
Medical staff celebrate Purim at Soroka Medical Center in Be’er Sheva, Feb. 24, 2021
(Photo: Barel Ephraim)
Purim is upon us, traditionally a courtship time for children and adults alike.
And while we may want to reach Purim 2021 relatively free from the hidden patch, the newly discovered versions of the virus have shattered such hopes.
These changes have kept the disease rate and the number of diseases high, despite Israel’s very successful vaccination campaign.
We need to consider this during Purim, which is no less than a potential hotbed for a new nationwide coronavirus outbreak.
The story of Purim has traditionally been read out to dozens of people packed into enclosed spaces; Purim feasts usually involve an abundance of family and extended family members; Art often exchanges gifts and food as part of the so-called Jewish ritual manot mishloach.
While the pious and Haredi see Purim as a time together and kind acts such as going from house to house to raise money for the less fortunate – I wish my fellow men , this year do not open your doors.
As the founding leader of Lema’anchem, which advises thousands of patients on getting proper medical treatment, I have found both trust in donations to continue my work and work non-stop. to support those who need it most.
That’s why I feel reasonable in saying: Take care of yourself and your families this holiday by staying at home.
Exchange gifts can be made by leaving them on the threshold without communicating with each other. Reading the megillah can and should be done outdoors, although synagogues should only be open to those who have fully absorbed or passed on the virus. Donations can be made online or by phone.
We need to stop and stay at home if we want to celebrate this Easter coming free from the yoke of the virus.
Yossi Erblich is chairman of Lema’anchem and a public activist in the fields of medicine and medical counseling and management.