Yes, a rush on eggs has caused panic throughout the Jerusalem streets.
The rest of the world may have hoarded toilet paper but in Jerusalem, eggs were grabbed off the shelves and stashed away in large quantities. People might be in isolation for the Passover holiday, but they were not going to be caught short of eggs. Facebook friends were posting frantic messages.
I got the Sec-Gen’s phone number. In response to my message, he replied, “Tomorrow will be enough eggs in the supermarkets. People are in a little panic but I think that it’ll be stopped soon. Yours, Abu.”
So there you have it. But I still hear complaints about an egg shortage.
Eggs for Passover set off panic in the Jerusalem streets.
Meanwhile, Olim, new immigrants keep on arriving, knowing they will be sent into 14-day isolation because of COVID-19.
Having been off the streets this past week, I have been following Zoom sessions and webinars.
I have also been following scenes from the Western Wall Heritage Center WebCam much more often. This view is of the locked Wilson’s Arch on the evening of Rosh Chodesh Nissan. They have since straightened up the chairs. However, that lone empty chair caught my eye.
For a mass prayer of tehilim, psalms for healing, there was a distanced crowd last week.
Facebook Live-streamed as the rabbi spoke and people watched around the world.
On another coronavirus night, one lone man was seen near the Kotel.
photo credit: The Western Wall Heritage Foundation
The notes were cleared out of the Kotel almost as usual before Passover.
There was a social distancing of workers and no holiday crowds this year.
More and more events have moved online for work and for conferences.
And willingly posed for photos before running off to an election event.
I was hoping to say that the unity government was in place.
Maybe next week?
Photo credit: Courtesy Beit HaNasi
President Reuven Rivlin met with the Head of the IDF Manpower Directorate, for a briefing on IDF efforts to halt the spread of the virus in light of the global pandemic. In light of the instructions, the meeting was held in the garden of Beit Hanasi, at the appropriate distance.
This current coronavirus operation has been named “Ray of Light” by the IDF.
No on-site visitors are allowed, but Beit Hanasi has posted its first virtual tour. I have shared many photos from these spots, but this video includes background information.
As Dr. Tzvi Sheleg said discussing the COVID-19 situation at the Galilee Medical Center, “Emergency preparedness is part of our DNA.”
The Defense Minister announced that hundreds of IDF teachers are helping the doctor’s children all over Israel as part of a project called “Educational Framework.”
Magen David Adom (MDA) has begun collecting plasma units from those patients who recovered from Corona. Based on the assumption that those who have recovered from the disease have developed special anti-virus proteins (antibodies) in their plasma, these units could provide patients with a “passive vaccine” that may help them cope with the disease.
Photo credit: Tel Aviv Jaffa municipality
The Tel Aviv municipal building was lit with the MDA symbol to show appreciation for the thousands of health care workers on the front lines in what has been described repeatedly as a war against the tiny microbe. Approximately 8,000 people were sampled yesterday by MDA teams, of whom 4,000 were in the “Drive-Thru” complexes across the country.
On the very good news front, the Deep Knowledge Group, a consortium of commercial and non-profit organizations active in the realm of DeepTech from scientific research, has ranked Israel above Singapore as the safest country to stay. Ok, for efficient treatment it is not rated so high.
But Singapore is a very different culture. There are cameras everywhere. Do NOT try spitting gum out on the street! People follow orders. They have smaller family units. In Israel, even with the President sitting away and outside with only one staff member, protests are still allowed. Dozens of people have assembled in Tel Aviv on the beach to drive to Jerusalem to protest at the Knesset.
Photo credit: Tel Aviv Jaffa Municipality
Last night Tel Aviv municipal building was lit with the “US flag in solidarity with the American people and the residents of our partner cities…We hold you close to our hearts,” tweeted the Mayor of Tel Aviv.
Also, it was done as a sign of gratitude to supporters and friends of Tel Aviv around the US who have shown their support by making significant contributions to the individuals and communities most affected by the coronavirus in Tel Aviv.
Where ever you are, stay safe and healthy.
Hope to see you back soon for more from the Jerusalem streets.
In Jerusalem, Israel, during this time of isolation from COVID-19, as the novel coronavirus spreads around the world, it is not business as usual.
Now that the sun has finally come out and the rain stopped I have moved my office outside.
Cafes are shut. Malls are basically shut. Food shopping is allowed.
The Machane Yehuda Market shuk with its open markets is closed.
However, as the coronavirus continues to spread and despite the difficulties, Israeli farmers produced 90 million pounds of fruits and vegetables, lastweek.
Avshalom Vilan, Secretary-General of The Israel Farmer’s Federation, spoke to journalists on a conference phone call about the successes and challenges of work amidst the pandemic, plans for the coming months and cooperation with Palestinian farmers.
Vilan assured food for Passover will not be a problem. The 50 million eggs for Passover already arrived from Portugal!
Yoel Zilberman is the Founder and CEO of HaShomer HaChadashan and Chairman of SunDo, a start-up that connects farmers with volunteers.
The museums are closed. However, the Israel Museum has had virtual tours available with a phone app for several years. Now those guided tours are being offered to people on the other side of the world, not just those wandering the vast galleries. The Tower of David Museum was to show off its latest virtual reality offering yesterday. Now it will really be just virtual for some time.
It is a time when apps and online classes and webinars can keep us busy 24/7. ZOOM, and Facebook Live, and Netflix offerings seem endless.
I have not left the house, but keep up to date through Whatsapp groups, from MDA and United Hatzalah.
MDA has opened four drive-thru coronavirus test centers, with the first test site in Tel Aviv.
MDA image
All sports events have been canceled. Near Teddy Stadium, on Monday night, March 22, the parking lot of Jerusalem’s Pais Arena a drive-thru COVID-19 test center for the Jerusalem area was opened. Hundreds of families may be in for a pleasant surprise to receive at Magen David Adom’s and Health Ministry’s “Drive and Test” compounds – a gift set, donated by Intel, in order to ease the isolation period.
These are family quality time game sets, to raise morale and relieve boredom. The gifts set produced by “Tsumi – The Israeli Center for Attention,” and donated by Intel; include variety of table – box games.
My neighbor took advantage of the improved weather to work outside. I decided not to share the image of other neighbors exercising on the roof.
Cars are out. Jerusalem is not yet on shutdown. Jerusalem has a large part of its economy based on tourism. With no tourists, the businesses that work with them and hotels suffer which exasperates the problem of families on poverty levels in serious ways. Deputy Mayor Fleur Nassan-Hahoum said retraining unemployed workers for positions in demand, like work in a mask factory in Talpiot is a priority.
Meanwhile, the Jerusalem Municipality posted signs to clean up for picking up large items before Passover. I admit the sounds of the sanitation workers are comforting.
What’s happening (or not happening) in the Knesset is a whole other story, not for now.
I have a list of topics I had wanted to share, but there was no time. I hope to keep these posts coming of what is really happening on and off the Jerusalem streets during COVID-19 isolation time.
In the ‘you can learn something new everyday’ department, from friends I learned of Beer Bread.
So I made Corona Bread.
Mix – 3 cups of flour, 1/4 cup sugar and one bottle of warm Corona Beer.
Bake in a moderate oven, 350 F – 175 C degrees for almost an hour.
Best warm from the oven, but not so bad the next day either.
Something pre-Passover to do, easy, tasty and makes the houses smell good.
Smell is a powerful trigger for memory – may your memories of these crazy days be good ones.
