The data show that despite the conduct on Purim, the situation is relatively stable • The number of infections is still high, but the age distribution has changed - and allows for a different approach • Interpretation
Take risks
Photo:
Joshua Joseph
So where are we going from here on out?
The situation is deceptive, the number of infected is still high (several thousand a day) although significantly lower, the coefficient of infection is close to 1 (but has decreased slightly in recent days), the number of severe patients is stubbornly around 700 with several dozen severe patients joining daily ( But significantly lower than 1,200 in the peak period), in addition to the positive testing rate around 4% (after we have already passed the 10%).
It is clear to everyone that the plague is changing its behavior.
The most important variable at the moment is the number of vaccinators.
Now, about three months after the start of the mass vaccination campaign, more than half of the residents of the State of Israel have already been vaccinated with at least one vaccine.
We have symbolically passed the five million vaccinated, and many, many continue to be vaccinated.
Activating the green label, for vaccinated and recovering people, together with the high rate of vaccinated especially among at-risk populations, allow us to take certain risks.
In public health, the principle of risk management is that we manage the risks in a way that is infinitely better than a situation where the risks manage us.
Indeed, the high immunization rates, which are a certificate of honor for the Israeli health system, and for the Israeli public in general, allow us to reach the "new normal" that has been talked about so much, but this time in a safer way.
The data now show that, despite the poor conduct during the Purim period, we are in a relatively stable situation.
The number of people infected is still high, but the age distribution has changed dramatically since the beginning of the epidemic, a figure that allows us to behave differently.
But we must not rest on laurels.
Immunization must continue - there are still about 250,000 unvaccinated people over the age of 50, and another about 750,000 between the ages of 50-16.
The continuation of the welcome initiatives coming from below is the order of the hour.
The rate of immunization in Arab society is now much more satisfactory, and credit should be given to all those involved in the craft - from the Ministry of Health, the HMOs, MDA and no less importantly - the local authorities and civil society. Local authorities have a lot of room to encourage immunization, as well as jobs, universities, etc. But we should not walk the slippery slope that would ultimately lead to a breach of trust, and the harm outweighs the benefit.
We must not reach a fourth closure - it will be destructive
But vaccines are not everything.
The excellent "Magen Hinuch" program, which is tirelessly led and pushed by Yuval Cohen of Mapat, must introduce the rapid tests that have finally been approved by the Ministry of Health for widespread and intelligent use. And in decentralized management, one must accept responsibility and despite the great feeling of going out into a more normal life, not crowding in, and as much as possible doing things outside, in a way that is less dangerous.
Must still go with the masks and soon see if they are needed when outside and among vaccinated people.
The isolation policy must be examined and acted as differentially as possible.
We must not reach a fourth closure, it will be destructive, it will damage trust and we have all the possible tools to avoid it and arrive safely to celebrate Passover with the families as part of the guidelines.
It is in our hands, first of all of the various government ministries, but also of the various communities.
Again we call on you, let's get vaccinated as much as possible - it saves lives and it's an act of solidarity.