JERUSALEM — They say it’s like a war, but it isn’t.
Our wars are shorter, more dramatic, with something like an end coming after days or weeks. And those running them are more regimented and united.
It’s possible to exaggerate, of course. Our wars have their civilian commentators, ranging across the board politically. But nothing like the variety we’re hearing from those talking about Coronavirus.
It’s been at high fever for more than a month, with only a little hope of it leveling off. Still no proven remedies or vaccine. And politicians plus commentators–professional and otherwise–competing for attention.
Our mumbling Minister of Health illustrates the confusion at the center. He’s been capable of flaunting the procedures of the Ministry he is said to control for over over a decade, and is hard pressed to express himself publicly.
But he’s worked to lessen the controls of professionals, most notably over the problematic haredi neighborhoods.
He’s been joined by other haredi politicians, and the Mayor of Jerusalem.
Nonetheless, this city’s haredi neighborhoods have been closed, on account of high incidences of infection.
Other arguments focus on the issue of testing people for the virus. To focus on the facilities housing senior citizens–themselves responsible for a third of our deaths–or to put limited resources elsewhere?
It’s hard for politicians to stay out of this quarrel, with the relatives of those in facilities who are either ill or close to those who are, and the people in charge are better at arranging parties than monitoring populations for infectious disease.
We’re encountering serious problems at the gap between policy and implementation.
Several times the Prime Minister has announced that the few arrivals at Ben Gurion Airport will be taken to hotels. Then the reports are about an absence of testing and screening, and arrivals taking taxis to wherever they wish.
And at least three of our highest: the Prime Minister, the President, and Avigdor Lieberman, hosted family members at seders who do not live with them, after one and all urged the rest of us to make do with very limited celebrations, with only those actually living together.
Each of the television stations has its own stable of health commentators, plus questioners. It’s apparent that arguments among hospital staffs have gone on for years, and mix personal and professional perspectives.
Coverage begins at 4 p.m. and continues at least until 9 p.m. Lots of repetition, with drifts to what’s happening in other countries–in regard to Coronavirus–and competing speculation on various schemes of shuffling down from complete closings to something else.
We’re wondering how the economy is coping, with more than 25 percent unemployment, and lots of independent entrepreneurs complaining about the meager help the government is offering them.
Unlike a military situation, it takes days for decisions to occur, with continued argument, and then severe gaps between policy announced and implemented.
We don’t know when this is likely to end. Optimists have spoken about lessening restrictions after the end of Passover. Pessimists speak of the disease continuing until September. Then with another winter’s onslaught.
Will there be a vaccine? Or medication to lessen the dangers?
We hear about the benefits of medication used against malaria, but with significant side effects. Donald Trump has supported it, no matter what the professionals are saying.
Politically, we’re at a stand still. Blue and White has disappeared, and Gantz’s remnant is polled at 18 seats against Likud’s 42. In part, that reflect’s Bibi’s putting himself as chief spokesman and decision maker for Coronavirus measures, as well as Blue and White’s collapse.
Bibi created an impasse by expanding his demands after an agreement had been reached. Then he talked about continuing negotiations. Then he increased his demands.
Gantz’s turn to form the government has expired. The President has indicated that Gantz doesn’t have enough support for a mandate; and neither does Bibi; so he’ll put the issue in the Knesset. It has 21 days to name the head of a government. If that fails, there’ll be an election.. Bibi and his bloc will remain in office for the time being. And who can run an election in the midst of this pandemic?
Very latest news is of some progress in talks between Bibi and Gantz, along with comments from Bibi and his bloc of holding firm. Yet the President has responded to requests from both Gantz and Netanyahu, and continued Gantz’s mandate for another two days.
We’ll see.
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Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D., is professor emeritus of political science at Hebrew University. He may be contacted via ira.sharkanky@sdjewishworld.com