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Israel should follow three rules to prevent new Corona outbreaks

Apr 24, 2020
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Ran Balicer is the founder of the Clalit Research Institute and the Director of Health Policy Planning at Clalit. Balicer here gives his take on what Israel should do to avoid new Corona outbreaks.

The state of Israel, like the rest of the world, in recent months has been completely focused on dealing with an unprecedented threat that has mercilessly defeated even the most powerful superpowers, writes Ran Balicer in Yediot Ahronoth.

It seems we have passed the first phase of the pandemic, also called the “hammer” in professional jargon, where the goal is to control the exponential spread of the disease.

Israel’s resolute handling of the outbreak has led to a dramatic drop in the number of newly infected and prevented the high mortality rate which is unfortunately seen in countries similar to ours. But the consequences for the economy and public health are serious and we will only be able to see the consequences in the future, writes Balicer.

The high price we have paid allows us to begin the second phase with relative confidence – the virus spread must continue to be limited with “surgical “and more precise tools.

During that process we will experience many ups and downs, the process is also called” the dance “due to the dynamic adjustments required in relation to social distancing policy.

It all serves one purpose: to return to as normal an everyday life as possible without causing an uncontrollable outbreak that will force us to shut the country down again.

Israel should follow three rules to prevent new ones Corona outbreak, focusing on strict social distancing and hygiene regulations. Epidemiological reports should be carried out, infections should be isolated, areas with Corona outbreaks should be managed and risk groups should be protected.

Investigation and isolation efforts should be rapid and effective and should include testing, conducting epidemiological investigation/' target='_blank'>investigations, tracing people who have been in contact with confirmed infection and isolation within 24-48 hours after symptoms have appeared, writes Balicer.

According to Balicer, we should consider it as hundreds of small “shutdowns” around each new patient. It is a very complex logistics system that requires precision and control in the test stage, while examinations, information and isolation of new patients and their contacts are enforced.

Israel should devote resources to dealing with areas where Corona outbreaks occur and assisting communities struggling to cope with the disease. This must be done by introducing increased social distance provisions such as short, local shutdowns that will prevent the virus from spreading to nearby areas.

Risk groups should be protected and it is primarily elderly residents in nursing homes, them is already being cared for through the nationwide Magen Avot (Fathers Protection) program. found dead in their own homes, which is a gloomy reminder that we should put in place a well-organized national action plan to give them a dignified life while living in more or less total isolation, writes Balicer.

We should also remember the younger patients who suffer from underlying diseases which puts them at greater risk of a serious Corona disease course if they become infected.

Clalit Research Institute, which is a branch of a health fund of the same name, has developed a simple model that can tell a person if he or she belongs to a risk group, writes Balicer.

Now the state must find an economic solution that allows people in the risk groups to stay at home until the rate of infection outside areas with Corona outbreaks has dropped significantly.

According to Balicer, the above tools are crucial to keep Corona outbreaks under control. Without them, the disease will return and spread again, thus the high price that has been paid in Israel in recent months will be wasted.

Balicer also believes that the above tools are currently more important than the debate about which companies should reopen when and under what conditions.

Balicer believes that clear guidelines for behavior in public space should be established while the epidemiological risk is assessed, regardless of the business or enterprise in question. Then all companies that comply with the guidelines can open, and those that can not or will not comply with them can be closed.

According to Balicer, it should also include bans on large gatherings, distance between customers, avoiding direct contact between customers and staff, and so on.

Balicer believes companies should be given a timetable for reopening and returning to a normality in accordance with guidelines and risk levels, in this way a balance can be struck between public needs and public health. This will also allow most employees to keep their jobs and be able to support themselves and their families.

According to Balicer, the main focus at present should be on building an epidemiological alternative to shutdowns. For every day the above systems are not put to use with transparent measurements of success available to the public – is another day that brings Israel closer to the preconditions for a new Corona outbreak. It must not happen, writes Balicer and therefore the decision and cooperation/' target='_blank'>cooperation between all government offices should be done now to achieve goals.

The economy must be restored, but at the same time we must also consider the risks along the way and it can not go fast enough. to get started, Balicer concludes.

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