The corona is declining, but the tone in the government is rising:
a heated debate broke out today (Sunday) at a cabinet meeting centered on Health Minister Horowitz and Education Minister Yifat Shasha Bitton, when at the height of the controversy even shouts began between the two ministers.
In the discussion around the readiness for a future variant (earned the nickname "Omega").
"When will we understand that this (the corona; etc.) is simply a cyclical disease? When will we return to routine."
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett replied: "There is a routine in Israel today."
Shasha Bitton replied: "There are more masks. To what extent will we make it a routine of life as we do in other countries? This is not a defiance, has the Ministry of Health defined when we should just look at it as a pandemic?".
At this point Health Minister Horowitz replied: "When it becomes a normal disease we will treat the winner like this. We are not there. In other countries like Romania, fewer are vaccinated, and when a wave comes, mortality is in huge numbers."
The Minister of Education replied: "We do get vaccinated."
Horowitz: "We still have a large group that is not vaccinated. Everything is open and still, we minimize risks. In Australia there is a closure only without vaccinated."
At this point, the Minister without a portfolio, Eli Avidar, entered into an argument: "To say that we are in a routine is a malfunction. The green mark is destroying business, and there is no point in bringing examples from around the world, like Australia. They have been shut down for a year and a half."
Prime Minister Bennett intervened: "The likelihood of another epidemic in the next decade is very high and not every disease will be vaccinated. There are insights into the situation 'between the waves'. "There is a vaccine that bypasses the vaccine, it's a different story. My heart's tendency is to close hermetically. A significant part of the move is to drop a token to the public that we are in a new situation, and it will have to cooperate.
"To say we're in a routine is a glitch."
Minister Eli Avidar, Photo: Oren Ben Hakon
At this point, the review received by members of the government ended.
Horowitz: "We bring sets of regulations that allow tests to be done for those who return. This is an extension to 28 days. In addition, they extend the length of time that a health declaration can be filled out before boarding a plane. Regarding education - Youth movements - can exist if the accommodation is in the open air. "
Ministry of Health spokesman: "The installation comes to reduce contacts when a community turns red."
Justice Minister Gideon Saar: "It's just forceful to bring this section."
After the shouts began between the health minister and the education minister, Shasha Bitton said: "I am not willing to tolerate this disparaging style."
Horowitz: "You oppose any proposal that is always made. There is a limit. You come to an agreement with the Ministry of Education and then they violate everything."
Defense Minister Bnei Gantz abstained from voting on the installation: "I did not understand anything so I abstained."
At the beginning of the cabinet meeting, Bennett said: "In the corona world, especially in Europe, which is currently breaking records in morbidity indices. Some countries in Europe, such as the Netherlands and Austria, are returning to restrictions and closures, while here in Israel everything is open. We must keep our finger on the pulse and continue to adhere to the guidelines.
"Last Thursday we held the national 'Omega' exercise in order to prepare for the scenario of a new strain of the virus. We are not complacent about the success of managing the fourth wave, because it is impossible to know what may be waiting around the corner. Today the vaccine will be approved for children in Israel. "Of every parent, but I call on parents to take care of the children and vaccinate them. I will of course vaccinate my little son, David, as soon as possible. It may be that mother will take him, but we will do it."