It has been two years since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic and the public is exhausted. We are tired of lockdowns, self-isolations, masks, restrictions, Zoom, vaccines, infection waves, and politicians who impose rules that they end up breaking themselves.
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However, although most of us are worn out, we must awaken. More than five million people have died of the coronavirus worldwide, with over 8,200 deaths in Israel. Many also suffer from the virus' long-term effects, and some will remain disabled for the rest of their lives.
The secondary damage that COVID has inflicted – to our children's education, our livelihoods, and mental health – is no less severe and will continue to impact us for many years to come.
The world has changed dramatically in the last two years. We learned a lot about the pandemic, yet much remains to be studied. We learned that what worked yesterday might not necessarily be the right choice today. We also learned that times of uncertainty warrant difficult decisions.
True, we have made mistakes. We spent millions on breathing machines and used malaria drugs to help patients only to realize they did more harm than good. We mandated masks outdoors, even though it turned out there was no risk of infection.
Nevertheless, we have accumulated clear data over the past year that coronavirus vaccines are lifesaving. They prevent serious illness at the cost of mild side effects. In the medical community, we were disheartened to find out that its effects are short-term and boosters were needed, but we were ecstatic to find out that boosters were safe and efficient.
Over one billion people worldwide have been vaccinated against the coronavirus, and data clearly shows that doses save lives and prevent deaths. As for children, more than 5 million have been vaccinated in the United States, with some exhibiting only mild side effects. Could the medical community have concealed severe side effects on such a large scale? Certainly not.
On a personal note, at the Shaare Zedek Medical Center, I have seen severely ill coronavirus patients every day in recent months, the vast majority of whom have not gotten vaccinated. Some are put on ventilators and die, others develop life-long complications. In recent months, I have personally not seen vaccinated individuals who got infected.
I see hundreds suffering from post-COVID complications and sometimes, mild side effects exhibited by immunized individuals, but the two cannot be compared. The vaccine is safe.
It is clear by now that Omicron is the most contagious coronavirus strain to date. Is it also the deadliest? Probably not, but an outbreak would undoubtedly endanger the elderly, the immunocompromised, and those with pre-existing conditions. We are in the midst of a fifth infection wave, and the actions of the public will determine its outcomes.
Making sure to wear masks indoors will save you and those around you. We have no patience left for the masks, but we have no other choice. They must be worn over the nose, and not on the chin. We are also tired of hearing about the vaccine, but here too, we have no choice.
If every eligible Israeli gets vaccinated, if we inoculate our children, then we will protect ourselves, our families, and the entire population. And we will also be able to return to a normal life routine.
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