Israel's coronavirus policy is zigzagging at such a rapid pace that any efforts to calm the public in the wake of the rapid spread of the Omicron variant are overpowered by simultaneous sowing of terror.
The quarantine mandate makes no sense, enforcement of rules on entry of travelers into the country has been lax (again) and the easing of other health restrictions as infections continue to climb is wreaking havoc inside schools.
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People line up for PCR and Rapid Antigen COVID-19 coronavirus tests in Tel Aviv
(Photo: AP)
It seems that the government, which had so successfully dealt with the Delta variant and managed to hold off the Omicron strain for a while - is now failing to agree on a common plan on how to fight the pandemic.
The Finance Ministry is reportedly pushing to waive the Green Pass altogether, while the Health Ministry continues to encourage vaccinations.
While experts warn that the new variant could infect 99% of the public, Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz reassures us that everything is under control, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett warns that Israel could soon see 50,000 new COVID cases a day, and the Education Ministry has yet to present a plan on how to deal with the mindboggling number of infections, isolations and shutdowns in schools.
And the citizenry? They are left with a deep feeling of confusion, chaos and frustration.
The same government that not so long ago mobilized the country's brightest medical minds and gave us a sense of security, showing it understands the situation and knows what it is doing, is now sending a very mixed message.
A government that seemed so strong and united in the battle against the virus seems now to be doing damage control at best, working to shorten lines at COVID testing facilities and transfer as much responsibility as it can to the people.
We all need a responsible adult, a parent, who can talk to us at eye level, put a hand on our shoulder and reassure us that everything is alright.
Instead, we get a prime minister who warns us of an Omicron tidal wave, with no clear exit plan, while restriction rules are changing in the blink of an eye.
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A line of cars in front of a COVID testing center in Caesarea
(Photo: Gal Nehushtan )
If the government has decided that Omicron is not that dangerous, the public can conduct COVID testing at home and that we must act responsibly because the public is pretty much on its own - they should just come out and tell us.
If Israel is working to reach herd immunity - tell us. If the government decided to stop fighting this pandemic - tell us.
If that is the case, may each and every one of us stay safe and healthy, and good luck in the next wave.