The last few days have worried the health system in particular, and the Israeli public in general.
The data on the Omicron strain, the new corona strain that is spreading in South Africa, led to the announcement of several emergency measures, mainly banning foreigners from entering Israel and isolating all returnees from abroad, with additional testing. It is important to understand that - Children from the age of 5, a third vaccine for those who were vaccinated with a second vaccine more than six months ago and certainly those who were not vaccinated at all - has become even more important.
Even if there seem to be vaccinated in three infected doses, in the meantime the cases seem mild.
In the last two weeks we have been on an upward trend in infection, and now with the new strain, even if it turns out that the vaccine is less effective against it - it is still likely that the vaccine will protect against serious illness and death.
As a lesson from the entry of the Delta strain last April, when Israel reacted with relative passivity, both in genetic monitoring and for those returning from abroad, and unfortunately the immunization program was delayed - this time the response is faster and stronger. The importance of the discourse between the various government ministries.
Evacuation of Corona patient in South Africa, Photo: AFP
While I certainly justify the move of closing the country to foreigners, with all its severity and economic damage to tourism - returning GSS staff, even if only in special situations, is in my eyes an unnecessary step, which is also unclear (because there are alternatives), and also constitutes In my opinion, crossing a red line in a democratic state. The loss of public trust in my eyes is justified and requires mental reckoning, especially in light of the High Court ruling, which ordered that such steps must be taken in the king's way in primary legislation, and not in repeated emergency provisions. Instead of going for an "easy solution", one should invest in morbidity monitoring infrastructure in a socially acceptable and agreed upon manner.
The current situation only makes it clear to us that the plague is not really behind us, as it seemed until recently.
We will continue to live with the corona, but there is a lot to do, and lessons must be learned from the past.
Strengthening the system of amputation of the chain of infection, genetic sequencing and enforcement are also important for the continuation, after the corona period.
Enforcement of the masks and the green mark has loosened recently, and must be strengthened.
All of these steps are designed to protect us at the individual level, but no less important - at the community level.
Adherence to guidelines and immunization are also important solidarity steps.
It is time to strengthen the system of vaccines, while providing information adapted to the various populations and flexible in administering vaccines, including in schools and near the various Hanukkah performances.
Ben Gurion Airport, isolation and separation on landing to prevent the variant from leaking, Photo: Coco
At the international level, it is important to understand that the unequal supply of vaccines causes continued morbidity and mortality in those countries, and beyond that - a risk of developing variants.
The epidemic will not be resolved locally.
There will be no situation where a country can declare that it is "corona free" as long as the plague rages around the world.
If the advanced countries, including Israel, do not mobilize to vaccinate the poor countries - more and more new, contagious and violent strains will develop, which will affect the lives of us all.
Also, since the onset of the corona plague, one can clearly see how it also reveals the existing socio-economic gaps, and how it deepens them, both at the local and global level.
During the "traffic light" period in Israel, we analyzed the connection between the red localities and the socio-economic cluster in which they are located, and we discovered a clear connection between red localities and weakened localities.
So too can one now see the connection between underdeveloped countries and high morbidity rates and low immunization rates.
It is important to consider the issue of disparities in dealing with the corona at the local, national and international levels, especially towards the next challenges that lie ahead, such as the impact of climate change on health.
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