Coronavirus Live: Israel Confirms 1,500 New Cases in a Day; Gaza Active Cases at 10,000
Ten new cities designated high-risk as Israel tweaks criteria ■ Pandemic czar says Israel in 'state of emergency' ■ Hamas chief in Gaza Sinwar contracts COVID
Coronavirus
Coronavirus is a zoonotic virus that can pass between people and certain animals. A previously unrecognized form of the virus erupted among humans, in Wuhan, China in December 2019 and despite containment efforts by the Chinese, by February 29, 2020, more than 85,000 cases were reported worldwide.
>> Coronavirus tracker: Updating count of cases and deaths in Israel and worldwide
The novel species is named “SARS-CoV-2" and the disease it causes is called "COVID-19". Its origin in animals, mode of transmission and the rate of mortality it causes remain under investigation. The clinical picture of COVID-19 also remains under investigation: the range seems to be from asymptomatic infection to illness resulting in death. The most susceptible seem to be the elderly and anybody with a comprised immune system, diabetes or preexisting pulmonary disease. Although many coronaviruses originate in bats, the story that humans caught SARS-CoV-2 by eating bat soup are nonsense. The mortality rate remains unknown.
Opinion Why Are Jews Flinging anti-Semitic Libels at Jews Who Simply Want to Pray in Synagogue?
Orthodox Jews helped win a Supreme Court victory for religious freedom in America. The response? Rank bigotry, insults and wild accusations – from fellow Jews
Children, Pregnant Women Will Be the Last to Be Vaccinated for COVID-19 in Israel
A panel has proposed that people 80 and over, medical staffers with high exposure to COVID and people with risk factors be given top preference
China's ‘XXX Files’: ‘25 Thousand People Disappear Each Year, Their Organs Are Harvested’
China experts and activists claim that the repression of minorities in Xinjiang has escalated in recent years, with thousands of Uighur Muslims in ‘reeducation camps’ being murdered and their organs harvested for wealthy Chinese and foreign patients. The Chinese deny all such allegations
Israel's Health Clubs on the Brink: Costumers Aren't Coming Back, Gyms Going Under
Nearly a quarter of the industry's 110,000 employees are losing their jobs due to the coronavirus crisis
Health Ministry Toughens COVID ‘Traffic Light’ Plan Aimed at Curbing Infections
The changes come as health officials warn that Israel is headed toward a third coronavirus wave
In Photos From Above, Even 2020 Looked Good: A Bird's-eye View of Israel's Year With COVID
Drone photography will be the main event at the Local Testimony photojournalism exhibition for 2020
Explained When and How Will COVID-19 Vaccines Become Available?
The U.S. FDA is set to meet on Dec. 10 to discuss whether to recommend emergency use authorization of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine
Opinion SCOTUS ‘Religious Freedom’ Ruling: Supremely Irresponsible, Immoral and Profoundly unJewish
We Jews already made a crucial decision about what religious freedom really means some 2,000 years ago. And it isn’t about defying COVID, shirking social solidarity and sanctifying death
Analysis Israel Is Following China on Surveillance. Here's Why That Should Worry You
The Shin Bet’s cell phone tracking has failed shamefully, yet the government keeps trying to intrude even further into our lives via our phones. And once it gets in, it’s hard to believe it will ever get out again
U.K. Authorizes Pfizer Vaccine, World’s First Shot Against the Coronavirus
The shots made by U.S.-based Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech were tested in tens of thousands of people
Are Israelis Taking It Easy and Living Off Jobless Benefits? This Economist Says No
Prof. Momi Dahan says Israelis want to go back to work and predicts a jobless rate of up to 8% after the coronavirus crisis, asserting the labor market is flexible enough to deal with it
Far-right Hungarian Politician Resigns From European Parliament After Illegal Party
Member of Prime Minister Viktor Orban's ultra-conservative party admits to attending forbidden gathering during coronavirus lockdown, which media described as 'group sex party'
Analysis Israel Buys Social Peace by Aiming Coronavirus Aid at the Middle Class
Living standards during the pandemic have dropped, but policies have eased the pain for the great middle
Israeli Study on Distance Learning Shows Attendance Is High, but Effectiveness Low
While most students are present for online classes, the proportion of students actively participating is lower and drops further with age
Explained Which COVID-19 Vaccine Could Reach Developing Countries First?
Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca vaccines could be rolled out early next year. Experts explain the key differences, and which could be the first to reach low-income countries
After 4.2 Million COVID-19 Cases in November, U.S. Pins Hope on Vaccine
The new COVID-19 cases were more than double the previous monthly record set in October, as large numbers of Americans still refuse to refuse to wear masks and continue to gather in holiday crowds
Hamas Chief in Gaza Contracts Coronavirus as Pandemic Worsens in Strip
Yahya Sinwar feels well and is working while adhering to coronavirus regulations, Hamas says ■ Number of patients on ventilators rises steeply
COVID-19 Studies: Strong Immune Response Found in Asymptomatic Patients; Virus Crosses Throat Membrane Into Brain
University communities outside of heavily populated areas may be particularly vulnerable to COVID-19 transmission from student influxes
Israel's Finance Minister Finally Presents His 2021 Budget as Coalition Teeters on Precipice
The government must approve the budget quickly since it is already in violation of laws setting the time-frame for presenting the budgets for 2020 as well as 2021
Israel to Produce 15 Million Doses of Its COVID-19 Vaccine, Research Institute Says
The third and final phase of testing on Israel's single-dose vaccine is expected to begin in April, says the director of the Institute for Biological Research
Two Coronavirus Vaccines Available in U.S. in Coming Weeks, Says Health Secretary
The first two vaccines against the novel coronavirus could be administered to Americans before Christmas, Health Secretary Alex Azar said
New Chat Service Could Save Arab Women Locked Up With Abusive Men Due to COVID-19
Calls for help from Arab Israeli women suffering domestic violence surged during both lockdowns. A new service makes it possible to get help discreetly
Israel Spending Far Less Than Other Countries to Fight Major Rise in Domestic Violence
New study shows other countries are investing at least 10 times as much relative to their national budget as cases spike during pandemic
Crowds Foil Trial Mall Openings, Sending Government Scrambling for Solutions
Malls self-reported numbers of shoppers and calculated their areas to allow more people in than would have been permitted, allowing for Black Friday crowds, while government ministries trade blame
Netanyahu Seeks Compromise on Preference for Local Goods
Critics say the plan, motivated by COVID-related joblessness, will make local industry less competitive and undermine innovation
New York City Public Schools Will Begin to Reopen With Weekly COVID-19 Testing
The governor retains the power to override the city and close down schools in neighborhoods where the test positivity rate surges
Gaza Gets Medical Aid From Kuwait as Hospitals Buckle Under COVID Caseload
The besieged Palestinian territory, suffering from poverty and a crippled medical system, has registered 20,000 coronavirus cases and nearly 100 deaths
Limited Measure? Israel Determined to Extend COVID-19 Digital Surveillance of Israelis
From the government to the police, it seems that Israel has fallen in love with the idea of surveillance on its citizens. Here are the problems they don't want to discuss