Just as the coronavirus has exhibited its potential as a public health crisis, some Israelis are exhibiting irresponsible behavior in their response to it.
Who in heaven's name are those who are continuing to fly to and from overseas destinations?
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A man wears a mask in the near-deserted departure area at Ben-Gurion Airport
(Photo: Reuters)
Many people leaving the country are most likely tourists heading home, but with businesses stalled and tourism all but stopped, who are the people who risk potentially bringing more coronavirus into the country?
For years, Israelis were made to think that they could not trust the establishment. Bureaucrats lie, officials never live up to their promises, etc.
But now, in the face of a real crisis, we have seen a well-organized and efficient response that is overseen by Health Ministry Director-General Moshe Bar-Siman-Tov, who is calmly navigating the country through the storm.
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Prime Minister Netanyahu with Health Ministry DG Moshe Bar-Siman-Tov
(Photo: Barel Ephraim)
Still, there are some fools among us who are putting us all in danger. It would be hard to find an Israeli who is not personally familiar with someone in quarantine.
Although it is an inconvenience (to say the least) and a long time to be in isolation, especially after being abroad and itching to get back to routine, most people understand they must stick to the guidelines to protect themselves and others.
I am worried about those who fail to maintain their quarantine as directed; people who think they are smarter than anyone else.
Two such people are friends of friends and I know they have completely brushed off Health Ministry guidelines and are walking among us, maintaining their usual routine, going to work and visiting crowded venues.
The only way to deal with the coronavirus spread is by mutual and community responsibility. Many of us will never know whether we have been infected, others will suffer only mild symptoms and so the spread of the virus will continue - ultimately affecting those in poorer health and at greater risk of death.
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A supermarket in the Galilee undergoing cleanup after a coronavirus patient visited
(Photo: Anil Nabwani )
The elderly are less likely to survive the illness, those who have serious medical conditions or whose immune system is compromised, even those suffering from asthma could be in danger.
Do these people who fail to take their responsibility seriously want to be the cause of someone's death?
Would they be prepared to monetarily compensate families who have lost their main income provider?
I call on them to care about other's lives, even if they do not care about their own.