Tag:

Masks

Cases Continue to Climb in Israel as Delta-plus Spreads

by Ron Cantor July 20, 2021

New coronavirus cases have climbed to 750 a day as the Delta variant makes its way through the population in Israel. Prime Minister Naftali Bennett is hesitant to do “The easiest thing closed quotes and bring the country to a halt again, like last year’s series of lockdowns. Instead, he is urging Israelis to heed the rules and do their part.

“We can beat the Delta variant without lockdowns if we’re all diligent and determined.” specifically, Bennett, as citizens to wear masks indoors, canceled trips abroad, get vaccinated, and keep their distance in public. He is also stepping up police enforcement of indoor mask use. “Within five weeks, we can finish this thing.”

While the situation is fluid, currently, Israel remains open to travelers. However, a full-scale reception of tourists has been pushed back to September. Those entering the country must have a COVID test before and after arriving and self-isolate for the first 24 hours (for 7 days if returning from a “hot zone” country where coronavirus rates are high).

Israeli health officials are urging a third “booster” vaccine for the immune-compromised. In addition, the government continues to encourage young people—teens and preteens—to get inoculated.

Despite the spike in infections, severe cases and deaths remain low.

Prime Minister Bennett hopes to keep it that way. “Our aim is to protect the public while preventing disruptions of regular life as much as possible. More transparency and fewer lockdowns. (a reference to the previous administration’s “serious neglect”). Soon the whole world will become ‘red’ (a hot zone for COVID-19), and your trip will be canceled anyway, so don’t even order.” In other words, stay home for the summer and vacation in your homeland!

July 20, 2021 0 comment

Articles Israel Israel Insider News

Israel Continues to Open Up

by Ron Cantor June 21, 2021

written by Ron Cantor

As COVID-19 infections continue to dwindle, Israel has lifted the indoor mask requirement and put out the welcome mat for individual tourists to come—but with a few caveats.

On Monday, Israel’s Health Ministry dropped the indoor mask requirement, with a few exceptions. Masks will still be required for those who are not vaccinated, who work with the elderly, who are going into quarantine, or are flying on an airplane.

And the pilot program allowing a few small groups of tourists back into the land after borders being closed for over a year due to the pandemic seems to be going well. So, Israeli authorities have announced individual tourists who have been vaccinated will be welcome starting July 1.

At this point, only vaccinated tourists—not those who have immunity through recovery from the virus—will be allowed in. Travelers will still have to be tested before and after the flight and take a serological test to validate that they have developed antibodies. Visitors have to quarantine until the blood work results are in, which is burdensome for travelers.

However, the serological test may not be required for tourists from “white countries”—nations considered a low risk for spreading the virus, according to Israel’s Health Ministry—if the new government stays with the plans set in motion by the previous administration.

Yoel Razvozov, the new tourism minister, said that opening the doors for tourists is his number one priority. “I see creating a correct and effective outline to bring back foreign tourists to Israel as my first mission in this position, obviously without endangering (the health of) Israeli citizens.”

Travel is already picking up. Last week, Ben Gurion International Airport was the busiest it’s been in a year, with 22,500 travelers—mostly Israelis headed abroad—passing through on Thursday. This number is significantly lower than the record-setting 115,000 travelers a day in the summer of 2019. But traffic is expected to steadily increase over the coming months.

Before the pandemic, in 2019, Israel had around 4.5 million visitors—almost a quarter of those came from North America—according to Hassan Madah, head of the Americas Department of Israel’s Tourism Ministry. “We hope that soon we can also go back to 2019 where we have tourists coming without doing anything, just booking a flight and hotel.”

Note: We are working with our tour operator to host a tour in the fall. We should have prices soon. Click here to be kept up to date on the tour.

June 21, 2021 0 comment

Articles

Christians In China Donate Masks To Israel

by Christel Berns August 10, 2020

written by Christel Berns

When the coronavirus broke out in Israel, some Chinese Christians immediately initiated to buy 10,000 N-95 masks and 25,000 paper masks to donate to Israel.

Shirley Burdick is the founder of the nonprofit organization Ten Gentiles. According to its website, they aim to “equip and engage Christians to participate in God’s restoration of Israel alongside the Jewish people.”

Attachment To Israel

Apparently, she often brings a group of Chinese Christians to Mizmor Ledavid for Friday night services. Mizmor Ledavid is an Orthodox synagogue in Jerusalem. Also, she hosts the group to connect to the members of the synagogue and have Shabbat dinner in their homes.

“They feel an attachment to Israel but don’t know what it is,” she said. “Some of them come several times a year for all the Jewish holidays. When I took them to synagogue some of them started crying.”

So when the coronavirus broke out in Israel too, these frequent Chinese visitors immediately reached out to help. They shipped 10,000 N-95 masks and 25,000 paper masks to Israel.

Photo | The Jerusalem Post – Masks for Israel

Chinese And Israeli Flag

Ashdod City’s deputy mayor distributed the masks after it arrived. Jerusalem reported that the donated masks went to “Ma’aynei Hayeshua Medical Center, the ultra-Orthodox hospital in Bnai Brak.” It also reached the urgent care facility Terem in Jerusalem, and to a nursing home.

“They put the labels of the Chinese flag and the Israeli flag (on the boxes),” Shirley said. “It’s wonderful to deliver love from Chinese Christians to Israeli society. It is something new that Christians are coming to help the Jewish people.”

Donating Masks

Many protestant churches donated masks as well. In an email, Joshua, who raised funds for the donation said:

“In the beginning of the coronavirus outbreak, every city in China was desperate for face masks, and people were very worried. Many countries, both government and non-government organizations, and individuals lend helping hands to China. And we saw Jewish brethren praying for us at the Kotel; we were deeply moved. We are very grateful!”

And his wife Sarah, added, “When the coronavirus broke out in Israel, we knew that Israel was going through what we already went through. Proverbs 3:27 says, ‘Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due when it is in your power to act.’ We want to do everything we can to help our Jewish brothers and sisters to overcome the difficulties.”

Reference: The Jerusalem Post

ALSO READ: Israel Acquired 61 M. Surgical Masks, 811 Respirators in Last Month, Prepares for Next Wave of Coronavirus

August 10, 2020 0 comment

Articles

89-Year-Old Grandma Sews Over 100 Masks To Help Amid COVID-19 Crisis

by Christel Berns April 27, 2020

written by Christel Berns

Most people’s initial response to the spread of coronavirus was fear, panic, and how to seek protection and hide. But this 89-year-old grandma responded selflessly and thought of how she could help the people around her.

It is known to all that elderly people are most likely to be at risk when encountering COVID-19. That is why seniors are advised to be extra safe and careful. However, one elderly woman from Chicago, Illinois is making a difference.

Selfless Grandma

Facebook

Teresa Provo, also known as Grandma Terry, is making headlines for her selfless act amid the pandemic crisis. Unlike some who were demanding help, she never complained nor waited for anyone to come along and help her. Instead, the moment she heard that there was a shortage of masks and everything was on lockdown, she took the initiative to help. She immediately thought of her family and other people around the world and responded to the need.

Police Officers Pray Together For Fellow Officer Affected By COVID-19

This 89-year-old woman saw the crisis as an opportunity to aid others. And she began making her own masks because her first thought was to protect others when the pandemic broke out.

“First, she found all of the fabric she could. Then she proceeded to sew masks for all of her family members and friends — adding up to about 50 masks total,” reported Shareably.

The selfless grandma then mailed everyone all over the country from Chicago, Wisconsin, Florida, Minnesota and California that her masks are all ready to go.

Photo | Good News Network

Proactive To Help

Despite the threat in her health for people like her age, Grandma Terry never resorted to the full-on panic mode. Amazingly, she became proactive to help others in any way that she could.

Moreover, she even went the extra mile to personalize each mask according to the person’s favorite sports team. Also, the sweet grandma included handwritten notes.

The news went around about her doing such a noble act. So when a group of elderly people called “Red Hat Club” heard of what she did, they decided to join her cause. Now, Grandma Terry, along with the Red Hat Club, made masks for the nursing home residents in Chicago, Illinois. As a result, they made over 600 masks.

“It took us two weeks, but we get ‘em done,” she said. “I’m still working on some.”

Apparently, Grandma Terry is making sewing her hobby in this time of isolation. She is indulging herself towards her sewing machine which has “basically been a savior during this time.”

Source: Shareably

April 27, 2020 0 comment