The threat of a coronavirus pandemic is taking shape before our very eyes and the medical, economic, social, and political implications it carries are bound to be significant. The increasing number of COVID-19 cases that are diagnosed daily on almost every continent, alongside plummeting stock markets around the world have become a matter of routine. The nightmare scenario is here.
The World Health Organization is close to upgrading the coronavirus epidemic to the status of a global pandemic. In economic terms, this means that everything we know about supply and demand is going to change, and fast.
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Various experts may argue that the coronavirus is essentially like the flu and that it is only a threat to the elderly or those with pre-existing or underlying medical conditions. To them, I say that I have always wished both the elderly and the ailing a long life and I mean it. But regardless, I don't remember a virus being this contagious – or deadly.
For the sake of comparison, the SARS outbreak (2002-2003) killed "only" 774 people and was limited "only" to Asia, Canada, and some areas in Oceania. The coronavirus has already surpassed the number of SARS deaths and patients, so it is no wonder that every day, millions catch the "corona panic," which has implications that are just as severe as the disease itself.
Remember the 2008 financial crisis? That wasn't that long ago. The fact that markets came tumbling down on Monday – and are likely to do the same in the coming days – reminded me of those days. Only this time, it's worse because the system has been infected with a real virus.
This time, people's livelihoods and health are being threatened at the same time, and what could be more important than one's livelihood and health?
The COVID-19 virus really is driving the world crazy. These are strange days of late winter. Empty planes are flying over Europe to keep airlines afloat. Premier League games are being held without audiences. All over the world, university classes are being held without students, and weddings and family events – without guests.
Jews without an Israeli passport cannot visit Israel for the Purim holiday and, unless something drastic changes, they will have to miss Passover in Israel, too. All anyone really wants to do is go back to simpler times, when saying "corona" meant ordering Corona pizza. If only this would happen as early as tomorrow. Alas, a vaccine cannot take shape in one day.
It is widely believed that the coronavirus outbreak will get significantly worse before it stabilizes and gets better. This is a time to look at the glass as half full and bolster our solidarity.
People are willingly going into self-imposed quarantine so as not to potentially infect others. People – real people, not bots – are making sure to leave groceries on their neighbors' doorsteps, and Chabad emissaries visit the quarantined to read the Purim megillah.
Hopefully, we will continue to live up to the challenge that the coronavirus poses if and when the situation gets worse. After all, we are nothing without our solidarity, social cohesion, friendship, and responsibility, as individuals and as a society.
The Jewish month of Adar is a time to rejoice, even more so when Purim is upon us. But this Purim is different – it has been usurped by a real virus (we can only wish it was a costume). This virus, like its predecessors, knows no boundaries nor does it discriminate between its victims: It attacks Chinese, Italians, Swiss, Israelis and Iranians.
This is a time in which we wish good health to everyone in the world – there are no enemies in times like these and we all want to hold hands, even though we're not supposed to. The only positive thing in these bleak days is the reports coming out of China, suggesting that the outbreak is waning. That is something to celebrate this Purim.
In days like these, when airlines are on shaky ground, people's livelihoods face a tangible threat, and the Israeli healthcare system is doing everything it can to cope with the situation, it is astounding to see so many Israelis remain focused on petty politics regarding whether or not Netanyahu should or shouldn't form the next government, or with virulent attacks on two Blue and White MKs whose only sin is trying to follow their conscience.
Days of atonement in Purim are not the norm, and while the prime minister is navigating the coronavirus crisis with prudence and responsibility (would anyone really dare argue differently?), Blue and White MKs Zvi Houser and Yoaz Hendel ride in to save the holiday. They have done so without a mask.
Then again, maybe it is in the Blue and White party that they are wearing masks. If so, dear Zvi and Yoaz – it's time to come home!
