Following the new guidelines, all of us are about to change in the near future • Everything you wanted to know about the virus and ways to deal with its spread • Questions and Answers

• Medical staff dealing with the virus // Photo: Reuters

The Ministry of Health issued a series of new, unprecedented guidelines yesterday as part of the preparations for the Corona epidemic, which aims to "reduce the potential for infection and prevent the spread of morbidity in Israel." The guidelines were again issued as part of a special announcement by Prime Minister Netanyahu, whose participation again indicates the seriousness of the danger of the spread of the Corona virus and that this is a scale that has not yet been seen in Israel and the world.

How does the Ministry of Health limit mass events?

The ministry demands as much as possible to avoid the crowds of a group of people in one space, and if they already exist, then only in a limited band - and no more than 100 people. In addition, exceptions will also be provided to enable proper routine living, including for essential IDF meetings and emergency services.

Netanyahu on the Corona: "More than a hundred people should be avoided" // Photo: Ami Shamir

What about private and family events?

Private events such as weddings, bar mitzvahs and family reunions will be allowed on condition that only up to 100 people attend. The new directive means that many very planned events will be canceled, and yesterday families have already canceled cancellations planned for the next two months.

What about cultural and sporting events?

Cultural events, including shows, shows and concerts, cannot be held, but only - if at all - in a very limited format. Sporting events will take place without a crowd, and the Ministry of Health said that if players or judges from abroad participate, the sporting regulations should be adhered to. Additionally, stores, malls and shopping centers are responsible for preventing overcrowding and regulating visitors at any given moment, and the public must be careful Keeping a reasonable distance between people.

What about the universities and colleges?

The Ministry of Health announced that they would discuss with the Council for Higher Education the opening of the second semester (spring semester) in a way that would take place through distance learning rather than frontal learning. The announcement means that there is a very high chance that in the coming days a decision will be made to hold the academic school year only by distance teaching, which means closing the universities and colleges until a new announcement is made, but no final decision has been made on this question. In the meantime, it is also expected that at universities and colleges classes with more than 100 students will be eliminated and transferred to online teaching.

And what about the job?

As part of the preparations for the next steps, employers should prepare for the possibility of remote work. This means that the Ministry of Health is already preparing the public for the possibility that if the disease spreads quickly and severely, then the public will be asked to stay at home and not leave for work at all.

What to do if I feel sick and worried that this is Corona?

The unequivocal guideline is to announce the suspicion before arriving at the health fund clinic or hospital, to allow them to prepare accordingly. In addition, we recommend that you call the Department of Health (* 5400) for general information and help, or call Magen David Adom (101) in case of flu-like symptoms, including fever, cough, shortness of breath and difficulty breathing.

Bus driver keeps distance from passengers // Photo: Michelle Dot Com

And what about the schools?

All schools, except academic institutions, will continue to operate normally until another announcement is made. It is estimated that a school closure announcement could be made if the disease continues to spread rapidly and severely, as the Ministry of Health is concerned. The Ministry of Education is preparing to move the schools to distance learning online, in case all schools are closed, as some countries in the world have already done. The Ministry of Education also issued special guidelines for parents and teachers.

And what about sick people?

The Ministry of Health first instructed yesterday that people with a fever of 38 degrees and above and respiratory symptoms (cough or difficulty breathing) should stay home for up to two days after the fever subsides, regardless of corona testing.

Where do you plan to hospitalize the Corona patients?

Today, most of the Corona patients (97 patients have been reported last night) are admitted to most hospitals in Israel, although most of them are in mild condition and yesterday, Corona patients were also admitted to their homes for the first time with close monitoring of the Maccabi hospital. The Ministry of Health prepares most of the Corona patients in the country to be hospitalized at home (as in the seasonal flu every winter), with the monitoring of doctors and siblings of the health funds, while in the hospitals only the patients whose condition requires hospitalization.

What are the estimates for the continued spread of the Corona?

The Ministry of Health estimates that there will soon be a rapid increase in the number of patients in the country, which will reach hundreds, thousands and even more. In light of these estimates and the difficult experience in China and Italy, the Ministry of Health in Israel is trying to reduce and delay the spread of the virus as much as possible to prevent hospital collapse and to allow relative control of the epidemic.

How can the Ministry of Health force the isolation on tens of thousands of Israelis?

The Ministry of Health has legal authority (and it also helps the police) to enforce the home isolation, and a breach of the isolation could be considered a serious criminal offense of spreading illness. Earlier this week, police also said it had already investigated eight complaints against civilians who violated the isolation they were owed. At the same time, the Ministry of Health has already received about 2,000 complaints about the breach of isolation. At the same time, it is important to remember that most of the Ministry of Health's efforts to reduce the spread of the epidemic are based on social and civic solidarity and personal commitment by all of us for the general public, no less than medical technologies and threats of enforcement, policing and even coercion.