In the exit strategy of closure, through which we will begin to recover from the damages of the Corona war, there are similar elements to combat terrorism • Because Israel is so experienced - the chances of success are high • However, there are dangers like other waves of eruption • So how do we do it correctly? There are clear steps

Last Monday, the Corona virus was first updated since the beginning of the war, because Israel is preparing for the "day after." In his speech, Prime Minister Netanyahu spoke about the need for the continuation and even the short-term closure, which is to establish the ability to liberate the state at a pace. Here too, the process is completely identical to the war on terror, and because Israel is so experienced in this dynamic - the chances of success are high.

Netanyahu: "Starting Wednesday - No way out of the house" // Photo: GPO

Much has been said recently about an "exit strategy" - this is the process by which the country will begin to recover from the damage from the Corona virus war and return to routine activities. However, this process is fraught with many dangers, including other waves of eruptions - we know it well, and if we compare it to counter-terrorism, a discipline that our country is so experienced with, we will realize that there are a lot of parallel elements here.

First, stabilization operations. In the war against a wave of terror, the phase of taking control of the threatening area and the holding of the problem centers continues to another stage and is the stabilization period. This period includes a gradual return to a routine of areas where the danger is very low, in parallel with the continuing fighting effort against significant focal points. This situation is very similar to what is happening at the moment we are in today - intensifying quarantine in areas where the disease is spreading while preserving the situation in the rest of the country. The idea is to stabilize the country and create a clear lateral picture for the process to continue.

The next step is to get the routine back on track. Although in the immediate term, not everything will be opened and everything will be in order, but restrictions on movement will begin. Opening of middle-class businesses is still incomplete, with the main message being the prevention of the gathering. This situation is very similar to the advanced stages in the fight against terrorism - after the stabilization operations bring about the necessary achievement, and some continue in the background, in areas where there is stability over the period of release for routine life. All this in tandem with the empowerment of control processes through increased supervision, especially in terms of hygiene and the closure of areas intended for gathering - beaches, shopping malls and more. Local authorities have a crucial role to play in these contexts.

From here, move on to the next step, and it is the return of almost all businesses to normal operations - all of which is of course dependent on the success of the stabilization and life stages. As the data suggest the dampening of the virus and allow for concentration of effort in areas where difficulty exists, routine can be restored to almost full status. Thus, and in 14 day time intervals, which are essentially the virus's activity clock, we will understand if we are headed for a full exit or slow and lengthy process.

The conditions for returning to routine

This process, and here too, like fighting terrorism, has four key conditions:

The first: Intelligence - through both ISRAC testing and monitoring, must provide ongoing information to decision-making processes, and in particular aspects of early identification of a possible outbreak at a particular focal point, which will enable its rapid response, its proliferation, or the security language - to prevent it.

The second: reserves ready for quick action - this is both means and manpower. In a situation where a developing focus is revealed - its isolation is quickly isolated by security forces, the strengthening of the inspection within it, the isolation of infected areas from clean areas, and the removal of the danger before it is created.

Corona Struggle: Preparing the IDF for Passover // Credit: Doc

Third: Consciousness and behavior - There is no doubt that the public plays a crucial role in this story. Maintaining hygiene, self-discipline, restraint, and the realization that as time goes on our condition improves - this behavior will determine. Similar to terrorist periods, this is responsible behavior, as is the public's reporting of places where there is a danger of non-compliance. Today in the Information Age - this can flow quickly through a spatial focus for public inquiries. Public involvement should be encouraged and promoted in a prevention context. Here, too, is the matter of gloves and masks in the required places - these measures must be made available because they are "friction reducers" and have proven benefits.

Fourth: Enforcement - requires very strict enforcement and supervision of the guidelines, and emphasizes the locations of the problem, such as food centers, and later shopping malls and areas where a population is gathered. Just as a check was made at the entrance to a firearm - the check now must be in the context of body heat or alternatively a check with protective measures such as masks or gloves. All this as stated for the period when we are in the process of exit, it is about eight to twelve weeks of intermediate status - that as the efforts described will give their cows time to shorten.

More on:

Closure throughout the state as of 4 p.m. Wednesday evening - Do not leave home

Before the closure: Attack on the writers and huge queues

Senior Chinese doctor: "Closure does not depend on mass screening"

The State of Israel is very experienced in these situations, and the institutional mechanisms know how to do what is required. Hence the process is very likely to be successful and one can certainly be optimistic. With all modesty, we must realize that the first phase of the virus's containment and reduction of the infection was very successful in Israel - the data indicates - the epidemic did not spread except at locations where there is currently a grip and a targeted neutralization process.

The Corona event will continue to occupy us, but given the structured steps from the stabilization operations to the return to routine, we will know to continue our lives in parallel to a full return to normal life. We are used to living under terrorist threats, we are used to dealing with outbreaks, we know the dynamics of tides. And that's exactly what is expected here.

Should the responsibility be transferred to the IDF?

The optimistic thing about our situation in the Corona with regard to accepting terrorist attacks is that a lot depends on our behavior here. The messages coming out of the health system are very true - the public effort, the behavior of each and every citizen is perhaps the most effective "weapon" during the stabilization period, and the more aware (and not complicated at all) this process will be.

And another word about the discourse on transferring responsibility to the IDF. In my opinion, despite all the advantages that the IDF and the defense establishment have, the decision to keep the event managed by civilian parties under the PM's command is correct at this stage. The IDF's job is to protect the state from an external enemy. I do not remember that the mercenaries around us raised their hands and surrendered. The transfer of responsibility for the state to the security system is true if and only if we face a catastrophe - and that is not the case.

Therefore, at these stages, it is appropriate to give the Home Front Command responsibility for certain aspects of the civilian activity. To reinforce the Israeli police force. The army needs help here, but its activities are not a center of gravity. The bulk of the military effort is not yet the Corona. We must give credit to the civilian bodies that have so far succeeded in making informed decisions that will allow us to start the crisis. As time goes on the systems know how to combine hands and give an effective response. Learn and get better. Move forward and win.

The writer is a brigade commander in the former IDF, currently investigating military and company relations