After about a month under a relatively tight closure and strict guidelines for stopping the corona, morbidity data present an encouraging picture that may lead to easing restrictions starting next week • The hasty exit from the previous closure brought us back to homes at a frustrating speed • What does it take for us to return to a long routine?
It seems that the second closure that Israel has been in since Rosh Hashanah has helped reduce morbidity in Corona across the country.
Against the background of the encouraging data, the government is considering announcing the easing that will take effect as early as next week - and returning part of the economy to activity.
In light of this, we turned to health experts and asked them how to proceed with the opening of the closure - both publicly and personally - in order to prevent a rapid deterioration to a third closure.
Photo: Spokeswoman for the Prime Minister
Needed: Personal example on the part of politicians
Prof. Ronit Calderon-Margalit of the Hebrew University School of Public Health has advice for both the political leadership and the public.
Regarding politicians, Prof. Calderon clarifies that "violations must not occur again as in the cases of the prime minister and president on Passover, and those committed by other ministers. See this in Israel and around the world. When there are decrees and restrictions on the public - the politician, the leader, becomes central to his personal example. In the rules and broadcasting a sense of upliftment of the people - they are a fatal blow to the public's trust and its willingness to accept the difficult guidelines.The public must not have a feeling that there are 'more equal' and 'less equal', that politicians succumb to power groups, sectors in society.
"It is important to be absolutely clear that the decisions are made only because of professionalism and with the consent of the professionals. Only such a feeling, together with a personal example, will allow us not to return to the reality of closure. Otherwise it will be very bad.
"I call on leaders and heads of state to make it worse, to show that they are more guarded than the average citizen. When it is clear that everyone is equal and that no decisions are made due to pressures or power groups it will be easy to demand rule from the public."
What about the public?
According to Prof. Calderon, "It is obligatory to postpone any closed event that has people from different generations and especially one that has food. It is better to avoid gatherings in open areas. We learned that towards the second closure the big wave of infection occurred at weddings, so people must take responsibility for family and parents. - and not to organize such events, not inside and if possible not outside either.
"Whoever goes out to work and is during the day with other people in one room - who will make sure to wear a mask all the time. In general, whoever stays in the place without ventilation - will have a mask."
Prof. Calderon adds that it is appropriate to wear a mask in the public space as well.
"When walking in the open air, it is less necessary to aggravate with a mask," she says, "but even here, perhaps on the part of habit and due to the education to be equipped with a mask, it should be on us all the time."
"If the public does not take responsibility - it will not go"
Prof. Dror Mevorach, director of the corona department at Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital in Jerusalem, emphasizes some rules that the public must internalize and apply in order to avoid further closure.
"First of all, restraint and patience are needed," explains Prof. Mevorach.
"Even after the closure begins to open, there will still be red settlements in the country - and their residents must be attentive to instructions and act on them accurately, without looking enviously at the green areas. People must act to make their city green, not by all sorts of tricks but by being attentive and not "There will always be small closures and differences between areas, and this must be understood and accepted."
Practical guidelines?
Prof. Mevorach emphasizes the duty of masks.
"People have to wear masks all day long, everywhere up to the nose," he explains.
"Do not play with this issue, but actually wear a mask in the most meticulous way. This rule applies everywhere - indoors, outdoors, when it is very hot and when it is hard. I know that wearing a mask is not an easy thing, but only take it off when you are with the nuclear family or alone. In all other cases, you will be wearing a mask. "
Beyond that, Prof. Mevorach explains that "people should stay away from any kind of gathering in closed places. Do not be present in a group with other people. This is a very important rule and should be observed, unless there are other provisions - say jobs - of the government. But "The principle is simply not to be in a place where there is a gathering of several people. Here I must also say that it also applies to gatherings outside, at various events like a wedding. It is desirable that people postpone any family event and gathering, even outside, or hold the event on a limited basis."
Prof. Mevorach criticizes elected officials and claims that "there are politicians in the Knesset who combine sectoral or political considerations in making decisions about the corona. There are different audiences who want studies or gatherings, and here politicians must transcend any other sectoral or interest consideration - The public and saving the economy.
"I know it is difficult and there are often pressures. There are publics who feel persecuted or discriminated against, and politicians also sometimes find it difficult to say things that will not guarantee the public they represent. But in the long run, in medicine, and in dealing with the disease - it is the right and right decision. Representatives and also for the entire company in Israel.
"To sum things up, I expect people to be responsible and not cry over their bitter fate. The public must take responsibility and be patient about this long process."
