Israel is beginning to slowly remove the restrictions that have kept our infections, and death toll, down to a very low level. Many businesses are now allowed to open. but with a restricted number of customers at any given time. Movement limits have been eased, but with the requirement to have a face mask and gloves still in effect. Most important, The first schools are to begin to open. Only the lower grades at the start. Others will be added gradually. Still on the banned list: big shopping malls, entertainment events, spectator sports, and anything else that would bring a large crowd to a small physical space. The Entertainment and Tourism industries are not going back to normal yet.
On the personal front, we’re still “confined to quarters”. But we are in contact with family and friends every day. Sadly, 2 of our friends died this past week. But neither was a victim of COVID-19. We know one was a heart attack, and suspect that the second was also. One of our neighbors lost a young (16 yr old) cousin. He built a physical training set up in his back yard and was exercising on it when he apparently slipped and fell. He struck his head, and the blow killed him. We haven’t lost anyone we know to the virus, but there are other lethal things still out there.
The local population is still helping out a lot. The teenagers have dropped by to bring us flags for Israel Independence Day, and our village council and the county authorities have both called to ensure we are managing satisfactorily. We’re doing our grocery shopping and getting our medications by remote ordering. Things are delivered directly to our home. This is quite a step for those of us who grew up before the cyber age. Whenever this really ends there will be a need for periodic dental and eye exams. These are routine items, non life threatening, and therefore can be delayed. Oh yes, forgot to mention that our personal family physician lives in the same village and can be called to make a house call if it became necessary.
Wetherhorn 