Up until a week ago, it could be said that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the top officials at the Health Ministry were handling the worst global health crisis in 100 years responsibility, wisely, and devotedly. Israel secured a major strategic advantage when it beat a lot of other nations – including wealthy western ones – by issuing quarantine orders for anyone returning from abroad, as well as other regulations, from the get-go.
But since last Saturday, the system has started to falter, and we need to call on the Defense Ministry to take command and be given full control of the country's battle against coronavirus, with the country shifting into full emergency mode. Thus far, Defense Minister Naftali Bennett has shown impressive ability to organize quickly and meet pressing needs, such as arranging for hotels to accommodate patients (there is no way of knowing why most of the light cases haven't been sent there already), and has successfully helped secure vital equipment for testing.
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Bennett is providing the public with crucial information about the epidemic, unfortunately via Facebook for the most part, in a way that is sharp, clear, and catchy – much better than some of the regular spokespeople for the Health Ministry and the Treasury.
One of the problems that emerged in Israel's handling of the crisis was a shortage of testing kits. Actually, the problem wasn't only with a shortage of the kits themselves, which are in demand all over the world, but with the Health Ministry's rigid policy that there was no need to rush and conduct mass tests on everyone who needed, or wanted, to be tested.
For over a week, the Health Ministry blocked the launch of drive-through testing facilities, to be managed by Magen David Adom, that could have already tested thousands of Israelis per day. Since the coronavirus began to turn serious in Israel on Feb. 23, Magen David Adom has tested only 14,000 people nationwide. Mass testing will provide critical data with which to map the spread of the epidemic in Israel by region, community, and population clusters, thus making it easier to halt or slow.
Another problem is protection for the medical and support staff at hospitals and clinics who are now on the front line of the war on corona and feel exposed to the virus because of the lack of protective gear and the growing number of medical workers who are in quarantine following exposure. According to figures from the Health Ministry, some 3,000 medical workers are quarantined, with dozens more doctors and nurses added to the list every week.
A total of 42 medial workers have already tested positive for coronavirus, but were only diagnosed after exposing patients and fellow workers. If the Defense Ministry takes over and Israel goes into full-scale emergency mode, it would help. As would a mass "call-up" of doctors, nurses, and medical and nursing students to start helping immediately in the country's hospitals.
The severe restrictions announced by the Health Ministry, similar to what many other countries in the world are doing, are designed to slow the spread of the virus, with the main goal being to stem the tide of seriously ill patients to hospitals out of concern that hospitals will not be able to care for hundreds or thousands of patients who need to be on ventilators. The horrifying situation in northern Italy is a warning for healthcare systems all over the world and the main reason for the historically unprecedented steps being taken everywhere. The Defense Ministry can be very helpful in the rapid acquisition of equipment and ventilators, as well as the erection of additional intensive care units that are so lacking in Israel's hospitals.
Much has already been said about the steps the Health Ministry has taken to check the spread of the epidemic being based on societal solidarity and each citizen's commitment to the general public, no less than on medical technology and threats of police enforcement. But it seems that solidarity isn't enough, and additional measures will have to be employed to make sure social distancing and quarantine are upheld. The Defense Ministry and the police need to take a hand in that, too, but it must be done under close legal and parliamentary oversight.
Much has also been said about how Israel's battle against coronavirus needs to rest not only on putting the population into isolation but also on strong social and economic foundations. The Finance Ministry and the cabinet need to take these into account and help compensate everyone who is financially harmed by the epidemic and announce a plan to reduce financial and social fears that could, in turn, affect the battle against corona.
Policing and threats of fines of imprisonment aren't enough to make the public accept the tough and unusual instructions currently in place – there needs to be an economic plan that will compensate the public for the economic blow. Without a concerted effort from the Treasury and the Bank of Israel, the health and defense ministries won't be able to keep the lockdown in place for long, even if the goal is to protect everyone's health and lives.
