I'm writing from Jerusalem, and our experience here is relevant.
1. Trying to regiment Israelis is like trying to herd cats. For about a year mask discipline was mandatory, spottily enforced and widely ignored. A lot depends on who your friends and milieu are; in my circles obeying the rules is considered simple citizenship, fortunate…
I'm writing from Jerusalem, and our experience here is relevant.
1. Trying to regiment Israelis is like trying to herd cats. For about a year mask discipline was mandatory, spottily enforced and widely ignored. A lot depends on who your friends and milieu are; in my circles obeying the rules is considered simple citizenship, fortunately, but it's hardly universal.
2. Eventually, in a total population of 9.3 million, we were suffering 9000 new cases a day, and you knew that about 0.8-1% of them weren't going to make it; a big blow for a small country. We had over 1200 critical cases at any one time and the hospitals were at the end of their tether.
3. Today over 80% of adults are vaccinated or post-infection. Mask discipline has been rescinded outdoors; indoors it is spottily enforced and widely ignored.
4. But the decisive thing is statistics. You can't argue with them. The daily infection rate is now below 100 a day. Critical cases hover around 100 total.
5. Life is pretty much back to normal. I'm going to three weddings this week, having attended none in person for over a year. No masks, band, dancing, just like before COVID. Are we taking our lives in our hands? Refer to 4 above; the numbers don't lie.
6. If indeed 70% of the adult population is vaccinated by July 4 - alongside those who got sick and have recovered - it'll all be behind the people in the States as well.
I'm writing from Jerusalem, and our experience here is relevant.
1. Trying to regiment Israelis is like trying to herd cats. For about a year mask discipline was mandatory, spottily enforced and widely ignored. A lot depends on who your friends and milieu are; in my circles obeying the rules is considered simple citizenship, fortunately, but it's hardly universal.
2. Eventually, in a total population of 9.3 million, we were suffering 9000 new cases a day, and you knew that about 0.8-1% of them weren't going to make it; a big blow for a small country. We had over 1200 critical cases at any one time and the hospitals were at the end of their tether.
3. Today over 80% of adults are vaccinated or post-infection. Mask discipline has been rescinded outdoors; indoors it is spottily enforced and widely ignored.
4. But the decisive thing is statistics. You can't argue with them. The daily infection rate is now below 100 a day. Critical cases hover around 100 total.
5. Life is pretty much back to normal. I'm going to three weddings this week, having attended none in person for over a year. No masks, band, dancing, just like before COVID. Are we taking our lives in our hands? Refer to 4 above; the numbers don't lie.
6. If indeed 70% of the adult population is vaccinated by July 4 - alongside those who got sick and have recovered - it'll all be behind the people in the States as well.