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Some people say we’re a light unto nations because we’re showing how to vaccinate an entire country.  Others say we’re the guinea pigs of the world.  Still others say, how come we’re not getting these vaccines to Gaza and the West Bank.  First off, it doesn’t work until at least fifty percent or so of the people are immune.  So once we get the immunity, we can move on to the next community.  I’m pretty sure the game we’re playing of “Ask me!” “No, you have to invite me!” will be over as soon as it becomes feasible.  In the meantime, I think the rule for airplanes still holds – that you put your oxygen mask before you put it on someone else.

january 13, 2021 – who gets the vaccine Read Post »

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what is the most important thing the ophthalmologist had to tell us? that he just got a green passport! “What can you do with it?” I asked. He thought for a moment. “Nothing. ” then he added. “Yet.” Still, he was thrilled. It gave me great hope.

But soon after, we were talking with a guy who was trying to get a vaccine – and he got the appointment. “Since after all, we’re guinea pigs for Pfizer and will all get the vaccine eventually. ” And then he said, “But what happens if all the Israelis get it and it turns out to be poison? It will be the end of the Jewish people.”

tell me we’re all not crazy

january 12, 2021 – green passport and anxiety Read Post »

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it was impossible for me to answer the phone to anyone over 10 years old today.  I’m so contentious there’s almost no one I’m not critical of, almost no one I don’t want to pick an argument with.  I don’t know why in particular I was not happy.  Everything was going my way – I spoke to the government offices about the IAWE, got cheerful but wrong answers, and transfered money to them easily, got all the information from the bank to send to the accountant for them, etc etc.  i even played games on zoom with my granddaughter – who – like my dear late mother – cheated with great pleasure and good humor.  I wrote a poem in Yiddish yesterday for my grandson and he recorded it today. 

And most important, I avoided the media – didn’t look at Nancy Pelosi, at hospital capacity, at impeachment, at PM trials.  

So why was it so dangerous to talk to me?  It was.  With the exception of Ezi, I tried to keep even people I loved far away.  It was a general meltdown.  And it was only alleviated by a little interview with Ahmed Tibi on TV.  When I see him I think anything is possible.

it seems it has turned out that I overestimated my situation – i’m not just crazy – i’m sick.

january 11, 2021 – meltdown Read Post »

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we’ve got 2 weeks of lockdown for sure, and maybe a bit more.  People around here blame the weddings and schools in the religious sector and the Arab sector and say that if Bibi wasn’t so scared of losing their vote, we could have had a partial lockdown of these areas alone.  Had we not had agreements with Dubai, we might not have let people go in and out of the airport without testing.  The number of people who came back from Dubai with Corona was very significant.   Even more significant is the fact that the lockdown has enabled a postponement of the trial of Bibi.  It is pretty clear that the lockdown is the result of this final factor and the government easily led us to this.  We’ve been in such isolation anyway, so it’s hard to see much of a difference.  But the number of unemployed, the number of businesses that have closed, the number of people in financial ruin, has been so high and the current situation has finished them off.

january 8, 2021 – why are we in lockdown Read Post »

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In case you haven’t noticed, today is the day when we celebrate the Hebrew language.  How did I find out?  My 8-year old granddaughter learned about it in school and told me on facetime that she had learned about Haim Nachman Bialik today and his significance in the development of the language. 

So I made a point of listening to Avshalom Kor and his praise of the complexities of Hebrew.  My own difficulties with Hebrew stem exactly from that – that as the language of the bible that was revived only a century ago, each word drops you into a world thousands of years old.  I love that but it scares me – the depth of Hebrew… 

january 5, 2021 – Hebrew language day Read Post »

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Here we are almost past the pretend lockdown we’ve been in for almost 2 weeks and the rise in infection has become uncontrollable.  For the past weeks I’ve gotten great guffaws when I explained that I couldn’t go somewhere because of the closure and now they’re saying that even the vaccinating nurses are suspect.  We really don’t know how to stay away from each other.

on the other hand, I’m afraid I will be too scared to move when we’re all safe again.

 

 

january 5, 2021 – lockdown for real this time Read Post »

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I get it-you want to know how I’m getting the vaccine, when so many others are still waiting.  so here’s the order in my neighborhood. 

First, my son-in-law  and my daughter – because they are on the medical staff which takes precedent here. 

Then, the old people – like Ezi and me.  Almost all of my Jewish and Arab friends have begun the process.

If you’re too young, you can always hang around the vaccine centers and wait until there are leftovers.  After all, they can’t throw the stuff away if someone doesn’t arrive, so you get to be the depository for what otherwise would be wasted.

If you’re not ready to possibly be disappointed for a few days until this happens, you wait your turn.  Teachers are next – because if the teachers are safe the schools can open up and people can get back to work.  

Then the younger people can start – not yet.  

Two problems.  1.  we are buying vaccines at high speed but it isn’t fast enough.  even though we’re trying very hard and over 1,100,000 have started the process – they have to get a second shot for it to be worth it. 2.  we don’t have enough, so the process is slowing down.

Once we get past immunizing more than half of the almost 9 million people here, we can see our way to begin immunizing the Palestinian population. It is important that it happens as a concerted effort and that it happens soon.  Even if you are a racist you would agree that this is a high priority for all of us.  But I would add that there is no way I can be comfortable if my neighbor is in danger.

 

 

 

january 4, 2021 – who gets the vaccine? Read Post »