When a person or animal is in danger or pressure, the sympathetic system is activated and adrenaline is secreted for immediate action, while increasing the level of panic. Over-reacting can lead to stagnation and complete paralysis and avoid proper preparation to deal with the danger. In a state of ongoing danger, the panic must be calmed down, prepared and planned for the following data-based actions, and act with the utmost care to best deal with the danger.

We must all understand that the danger of overcrowding and panic from the Corona virus may be more serious than the public health danger from the virus itself, which is already clear that we do not pose an existential danger to humanity or Israel. Therefore, decision makers must act to reduce public panic and encourage a corresponding response to the situation. There is a regular public health doctrine on how to manage a public health emergency and communicate with the public while encouraging vigilance and proper response, but preventing overreact and panic. For example, dramatic press conferences, the dispatching of "rolling" media outlets on each case, and the spread of scary videos of rock shrapnel, which only arouse panic and do not contribute to a proportionate and correct response, should be avoided.

In accordance with the principles of public health, responding to the event should be based on facts while thinking ahead of the next steps and addressing the needs of the individual and society. There is always uncertainty, but we already have a lot of information based on the virus and its ways of dealing with it, to which should be added epidemiological knowledge from Israel. At this stage, it is necessary to publish to the professionals and the public a detailed epidemiological report that will include an epidemiological curve, a description of the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of the cases, the rate of morbidity according to age groups, etc. It is essential to produce a broad snapshot and not just look at the details.

It is not possible at this stage to know how long the Corona crisis will last, but it is clear that it will be at least a few months. Therefore, it is essential to move on the national and personal levels from the acute immediate response phase, which cannot be sustained for a long time, to the phase of a continuous emergency routine. Along with the right actions for social distancing to "flatten the curve", Israel and its citizens must not be flattened.

There is a need to address the public in Israel, and especially those in need of help, how to maintain a sane routine of living alongside the continued functioning of essential systems. The actions to create social remoteness, including the cancellation of studies and work, are required but must be done in accordance with a regular program that responds to the affected people - otherwise the actions will lead to complete stagnation that cannot last long. The public should receive answers to questions about what it needs to do right now and how economic security will be ensured on a personal level, including about receiving wages after a work stoppage has been forced upon it.

Over-reacting can also impair the necessary preparation. If we come to a situation of large-scale morbidity, the health care teams will be the ones on the front line. Must invest and support them, in accordance with a regular plan. Neglecting public health and public medicine in Israel for years has compromised our readiness. Now is the last minute to invest your efforts and resources in healthcare so that they can protect us properly.

It is well planned that the valuable resource of advanced care in hospitals be utilized optimally, and that a system of care should be built on adequate conditions for minor patients in designated out-of-hospital facilities. Even during emergencies, it is worth investing in actions that strengthen the long-term health care system, most notably concern for health workers.

Prof. Hagai Levin is Chairman of the Association of Public Health Doctors and Professor of Epidemiology at the School of Public Health of Hadassah and the Hebrew University