Israel’s attitude towards Corona
How Jewish History reflects in the Israeli Handling of the Coronavirus Crisis
Israelis are reacting to COVID-19 with a characteristic intangible instinct to survive.
Throughout history Jews have faced challenges that quite honestly not all cultures would have survived. And what kept them going? What unique urge to endure has preserved the Jewish people to now? Whatever this elusive quality, it certainly has influenced the way Israeli’s are coping with COVID-19.
Each culture and country has its own way of reacting to crisis situations. In Israel, the government has treated the virus with the precision of a military operation, something they are familiar with; and the people have complied with restrictions.
Corona — Just another Challenge to add to those faced by Jews throughout History
Israel is coping with COVID-19 in the same tenacious way they have faced multiple challenges and persecution throughout history. Jews faced persecution under the Romans in the 1st century; in Europe at the hands of Christians in the 11th-12th century; pogroms in Russia during the 1800s-1900s and of course the horrors of World War II. These are just a few examples of the events which have galvanized the Jewish urge to survive and prevail as a people. The Jewish Israeli reaction to Coronavirus reflects this hereditary trait.
“We survived Hitler, you think we can’t survive this?”
Ironically, the first Israeli COVID-19 fatality was an 88-year-old Holocaust survivor.
A Nation Accustomed to Attack
Unlike most European countries and the US, Israel is surrounded by potential enemies and Israelis are used to being on alert. In the 30 years I’ve lived in Israel I’ve experienced the sense of urgency, alarm and fear of countless terrorist threats and several wars. Together with other Israelis, there is always a sense that anything could happen at any minute — there could be a siren and rush to the bomb shelters. And like the people, the government is also constantly on alert and preparing for challenges to the nation's existence. This mentality, of always being on the verge of a crisis, prepares people for unusual circumstances — like an unexpected viral attack.
Coronavirus in Israel
The status of the Coronavirus outbreak in Israel is changing daily, as it is across the globe. The first case of Corona in Israel was on February 21st when an Israeli citizen returned from the Diamond Princess cruise ship. Immediately citizens returning from Japan and South Korea were ordered to enter a 14-day home-quarantine.
On 9th March all people entering Israel were ordered to self-quarantine for 14-days. Soon after that, all educational institutes were closed, all sports activities canceled and adjustments were made to public transport.
On 14th March gatherings of more than 10 people were prohibited including youth movements, extracurricular activities and daycare. All places of entertainment were closed including malls, cinemas, theatres, pools, event halls, amusement parks, zoos, pubs, restaurants, gyms and national parks.
The newest restrictions include the controversial government tracking of infected individuals using digital monitoring. People have been instructed to keep a distance of 2m between them; go outside only for short walks close to home and businesses in the private sector must cut-back their employees by 70%. At the time of writing a complete lock-down is imminent.
How is Israel Handling COVID-19?
When the colossal implications of Corona became apparent Israel was one of the first countries to take strict measures to slow the virus’s advance. Acting as if under enemy attack, the government took swift action preempting the impact of the virus and giving authorities time to arrange supplies and logistics. But it is the Israeli people that have impressed me with their attitude towards this threat. Perhaps it is the fact that every citizen has serviced in the military and is used to following orders. Perhaps it is instinct or past experience, knowing that in order to stay safe when under attack they need to listen to government instructions.
Israelis have lived through so many attacks that they strive to keep normalcy as much as possible. It is a guiding principle during years of conflict that Israeli’s insist on continuing business-as-usual as far as it is possible. Continuing normal day-to-day activity is essential if you want to remain sane and stress-free when the country is under fire.
Frantic Shopping for Supplies?
It was a Saturday night when the first phase of restrictions was introduced; across the globe, we had seen images of people fighting in supermarkets over toilet paper; pushing and shoving to get into the shops and loading up their trolleys in preparation. I was surprised when my trip to the supermarket was completely uneventful.
Granted, there were a lot more people than usual, lining up to enter the store before it even opened, but inside everyone conducted themselves in a calm, orderly fashion. There was a matter-of-fact attitude; an atmosphere of efficiency as people went through the necessary steps to stock their kitchens for the coming days. The majority of the people didn’t rush off to the stores but instead decided to wait out the inevitable high volume of shoppers on the first day of restrictions and do their shopping later in the week.
An Upside to Corona?
Well if we try really hard we can find the half-full bottle of Corona rather than half empty. The Israeli and Palestinian governments are cooperating — believe it or not! To help prevent the spread of the virus among the 2.7 million Palestinians living in the occupied West Bank. The people of the Start-Up Nation are hard at work thinking up ways to turn the COVID-19 crisis into a springboard for inventions and innovations. Countless Coronavirus jokes and Corona memes are making the rounds on Israeli WhatsApp groups. And most of all the housewives of Israel are making the most of staying at home
Coronavirus Came Just in Time for Passover!
For Israeli housewives being ordered to stay at home in the weeks before Passover couldn’t have come at a better time. Israeli Jews turn their houses upside-down each year during the lead up to Passover. Call it Spring cleaning or Passover cleaning, the stay-at-home restrictions play brilliantly into the hands of Israeli housewives who have enthusiastically set the whole family to work, cleaning!
All of this hustle and bustle at home with cupboards being emptied, mountains of unused “stuff” being thrown out and kitchens being scrubbed until you can see your reflection in the marble culminates on Erev Passach — Passover night on 8th April. Israeli’s are now waiting in suspense to see if we will be able to have the traditional Passover meal with the whole family or if we will need to limit it to 10 guests sitting two meters apart!