Just before retiring, the Corona commissioner reveals in an interview with "Israel Today": Returning control to the authorities will be delayed for a week • On the education system: "Optimistic about opening first-fourth grades" • On the gatherings: " "I mean it's going to happen at the end of the month"
"The traffic light plan will be rejected, and there are reasons for optimism regarding the resumption of activity in schools,"
says Corona commissioner Prof. Roni Gamzo in an exclusive interview with Israel Today.
"The traffic light program at the local level was expected to return to our lives in exactly one week, but due to the increase in morbidity, its implementation will be postponed," explains Prof. Gamzo, noting that "the program will probably be launched on November 22."
The traffic light plan is conditional on a reduction to a number of infections of 500 per day and a coefficient of infection of 0.8, a target that is currently not met - and therefore there is a fear that its implementation will be delayed further.
"We left a locksmith on October 18, and we are currently in the third stage," notes Prof. Gamzo. "In the exit layout, we determined the return of the traffic light in stage three or four according to morbidity data. Given the complexity currently with the coefficient of infection, there is more concern "But it's meant to happen around November 22."
Photo: Mazawi Advertisers, Ministry of Health Spokeswoman
The decision, he said, ultimately, "will be in accordance with the numbers of those infected and the decision of the cabinet, and will depend on the policy of who will run the event."
As you may recall, the "traffic light model" burst into our lives about five months ago with the appointment of Prof. Gamzo, who was looking for ways to manage the eruption of the corona without reaching a closure.
However, the cabinet was in no hurry to approve the plan, and even when it was finally approved, the morbidity rose significantly and Gamzo encountered political opposition and opposition in the ultra-Orthodox cities to local restrictions.
This time he is convinced that things will be different.
"There has been an improvement in conduct"
"It will not happen," Gamzo states emphatically, "it is already managed differently now in the red cities. There is maturation and understanding that the plague is not being conducted on average, but by way of outbreaks."
The implementation of Gamzo's plan is expected to start about a week after the end of his term.
The model is expected to undergo slight adjustments in the scoring method for cities and also in restrictions.
It is expected to start more cautiously than planned with a crowd of 100 people in open space and 50 indoors.
"Obviously, if we do not take the opening steps, if we stop because of the extent of the disease, the intensity of the traffic light will decrease because more industries will not open," says the commissioner for the fight in Corona, "so it is important to open the economy and manage localities."
Photo: GPO
He said, "This is a dialogue and dialogue with the heads of the authorities. Netanya was yellow a few days ago, they attacked and immediately turned it green. This is a dialogue that is important to preserve, even if it is not related to relief. It is a tool for all of us."
On the impact of the current relief on morbidity, Prof. Gamzo added: "Regarding the opening of first-fourth grades - I am optimistic. I do not currently identify a growing morbidity at the age of 10-6. We are more careful. Opening stores is a necessary thing. It is impossible. "To run a country without basic trade. The very fact that we are talking about street shops under the restrictions we have set is a relatively safe outline. We will have to keep seeing. I suggest to every shop owner and trader not to be complacent."
At the same time, Prof. Gamzo said goodbye to Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Health Prof. Itamar Grotto in warm words on Twitter. "He has been the backbone of public health in the State of Israel for many years," he wrote, "His contribution has been on many issues, especially dealing with epidemics. "The bird and swine flu, polio and corona, which he has been dealing with at high intensity over the past year."
Prof. Grotto is first and foremost a person, a friend and a first-class professional colleague, I was happy to work with him in full and fruitful understanding and cooperation.
https://t.co/jeQP24OXt5
- Magen Israel (@Magen_IL) November 8, 2020
Meanwhile, Dr. Sharon Elrai-Price, head of the public health services at the Ministry of Health, warned that the infection coefficient, which is approaching 1 (currently 0.95), indicates that the achievements of the second closure are diminishing, and that Israel is at a dangerous junction from which it can rapidly deteriorate. Massive in infection.
From the Facebook page of the Ministry of Health
"We are 'on the scales' in terms of this epidemic," said Dr. Elrai-Price, "it will not be long before we move to infection coefficient 1 - and the epidemic will spread.
Everyone has to take care of themselves and their community. "