When Covid Subsided, Israel Reopened Its Schools. - The New York Times
Within days of full reopening, infections were reported at a Jerusalem high school, which quickly mushroomed into the largest outbreak in a single school in Israel, possibly the world
nytimes.com/2020/08/04/wor…
Within days of full reopening, infections were reported at a Jerusalem high school, which quickly mushroomed into the largest outbreak in a single school in Israel, possibly the world
nytimes.com/2020/08/04/wor…
Because incidence seemed low they started a phased opening early May then, desperate to reboot their economy, fully reopened at the end of the month.
This was against the advice of their then Chief epidemiologist who ended up reaping img as her advice went unheeded by the Gov.
The virus rippled out to the students’ homes, then to other schools &neighborhoods, ultimately infecting hundreds of students, teachers, relatives.
The virus rippled out to the students’ homes, then to other schools &neighborhoods, ultimately infecting hundreds of students, teachers, relatives.
The Gov message was “jobs, jobs, jobs....Go out and enjoy yourself””.
Then blamed citizens when they did. Sounds awfully familiar.
Then blamed citizens when they did. Sounds awfully familiar.
Whilst instructions were issued - hand washing, mask wearing, windows open, 6ft distance, it proved impossible to maintain in the crowded classrooms.
Add heat to the mix & soon parents were complaining it was “inhuman” to make children wear masks.
Add heat to the mix & soon parents were complaining it was “inhuman” to make children wear masks.
Early on, with one positivd, classmates and teachers quarantined. 2nd case not linked to the first. School closed & 2 week quarantine..
All tested. 60% of all positives were asymptomatic..
Teachers suffered the most and some hospitalised.
It passed onto parents and beyond.
All tested. 60% of all positives were asymptomatic..
Teachers suffered the most and some hospitalised.
It passed onto parents and beyond.
Eventually more than 240 schools were shut and 22,520 teachers & students quarantined.
Nearly 1k students & teachers contracted Covid. A nursery school teacher died.
With Proms cancelled kids held underground parties. More Covid spread.
Contact tracing not prioritised.
Nearly 1k students & teachers contracted Covid. A nursery school teacher died.
With Proms cancelled kids held underground parties. More Covid spread.
Contact tracing not prioritised.
Meanwhile, beyond the schools COVID returned with a vengeance. 800 cases a day in late June spiralled to 2k a day late July. (Israel population 9.1 mill)
Other events such as weddings spread the virus. All reopened too quickly with poorly thought through preventative measures
Other events such as weddings spread the virus. All reopened too quickly with poorly thought through preventative measures
We will have to see if smaller classes of 10-15, with bubbles maintained throughout break times work
They hope younger children will spread the virus less. The evidence is contradictory on that one
Full classes for them
More online teaching for older students
More spacing
They hope younger children will spread the virus less. The evidence is contradictory on that one
Full classes for them
More online teaching for older students
More spacing
This analysis suggests that school reopening topped the Covid driver list in Israel.
haaretz.com/israel-news/.p…
haaretz.com/israel-news/.p…
Thanks to @alexprice0 for this graph altho’ it is true to say that reopening schools resulted in more reopening generally.
Still quite a striking graph as, by mid May, save for a few schools Israel had largely reopened them all.
Still quite a striking graph as, by mid May, save for a few schools Israel had largely reopened them all.
