Not Yet Out Of The Woods

The Los Alamos National Laboratory, according to the Washington Post, has found mutations of the COVID-19 that are apparently more contagious than the original. These mutations are spreading around the world. The laboratory wants to warn researchers that these mutations should be considered when working on a vaccine or by the time the vaccine is on the market it will not be effective.

These mutations apparently replicate faster than the original. One, called D614G has different spikes than those seen in the original coronavirus strain. The lab speculates that one strain hit the west coast and a mutation the east coast of the USA. These mutations are not surprising, said Dr. Peter Pitts, but it does increase the urgency to protect the public through social isolation and other means.

Meanwhile, Pfizer pharmaceuticals has begun human testing multiple versions of an experimental vaccine this week, starting on ages 18-55 and moving to over 85 if the tests prove effective and safe.

While in Israel, according to Israel’s Channel 11 news, the National Emergency Authority has issued a forecast that a second wave of infections may hit around the time of the Jewish New Year. The authority called on the government to use this period to prepare hospitals for a substantial increase in respiratory ventilation treatment capacity.

And Israel’s Health Ministry director general said yesterday that HMO clinics will begin serological (blood) tests of 100,000 citizens to see how widely the virus has spread across the country and how susceptible the population is to a new wave of infections.

Israel is slowly opening up the schools. Next week the pre-schools are scheduled to open followed by other grades. However, Marco Jelli, a mathematical epidemiologist from Trento, Italy said closing schools reduces the surge of the virus by 40% -60% and slows the epidemic. Tests have shown that children who test positive have just as much of the virus as adults and are just as infectious.

Dr. Christian Drostan, a virologist in Berlin, tested 60,000 people for COVID-19 and said, “I’m a bit reluctant to happily recommend to politicians that we can now reopen day cares and schools.” However, Dr. Jennifer Nozzo, an epidemiologist at Johns Hopkins, said, “I do worry at some point the accumulated harm from the measures may exceed the harm to the kids from the virus.” She inferred the schools could not be closed for long.

Experts all agree that students should be scheduled to come to school at different times, reduce the number of students in the building at any one time, desks should be at least 2 meters apart, with separation shields if possible. Large gatherings of students should be avoided.

So far, restrictions have mostly been lifted in Israel. Israel has essentially emerged from quarantine. Malls and outdoor markets have reopened. Restaurants are still awaiting the ok. Masks and social distancing are still required when outside. Groups are limited to 20 except for a wedding where the number rises to 50. Preschool begins on Sunday. Grades above four are still waiting to hear when their school can begin. Children and grandchildren can visit parents and grandparents. Although hugging and kissing are not recommended.

Prof. Yehuda Carmeli, an epidemiologist, said that “We are at a dangerous juncture.” According to a Times of Israel report, Carmeli said, “But the economy demands we do more. A lot will depend on what we see happen in the coming weeks. It will be very difficult emotionally and socially for all of us if we have to go back to curfew at some point.” He thought schools should have just ended for kids over 10. “We were close to the summer break, anyway.” Kids over 10 could be home alone allowing their parents to go back to work.

The USA’s Center for Disease Control has predicted that opening up the country would result in a spike in the virus. While they have seen a downturn in NYC, Texas and Florida have both recorded a sharp increase.

According to reports, Israel is one of the world’s leaders in testing people. The findings are that young people are the most affected but have a low mortality rate. Fewer than 5% over 80 are infected. Israel with 260 or so deaths, has done well compared to countries with a similar population, like Sweden, with 2,500 deaths, Belgium with 7,500 deaths. The USA has proportionally 300 times the number of deaths as Israel.

Many early spreaders were young people returning from vacation. The others were from Purim parties where people who didn’t know they had the virus infected others.

Experts all agree that masks slow the spread of the virus. Researchers at Ben Gurion University have discovered that surface coatings based on nanomaterials they have developed, with both antiviral and antibacterial properties, can be used to fight the current coronavirus. The nanomaterial contain nanoparticles of safe metal ions and polymers, including copper, that can be turned into a liquid and can be sprayed on surfaces to prevent the virus from adhering. Apparently, the coronavirus doesn’t like copper.

This new spray, if it proves effective, would be applied to surfaces in hospitals and ships and schools to prevent the virus from spreading.

Also, according to Ynetnews, Israel has isolated a key coronavirus antibody at its main biological research laboratory, the defense minister said on Monday, calling the step a “significant breakthrough” toward a possible treatment for the COVID-19 pandemic. The “monoclonal neutralizing antibody” developed at the Israel Institute for Biological Research (IIBR) “can neutralize it (the disease-causing coronavirus) inside carriers’ bodies,” outgoing Defense Minister Naftali Bennett said in a statement.

POLITICS

The High Court has ruled that PM Netanyahu’s is eligibile to run for PM. The Likud and Blue and White made changes to the coalition agreement that the court found objectionable. The Knesset ratified the agreement Thursday.

The swearing in will take place on May 13 as coalition wrangling continues.

Current Defense Minister Bennet is vying for the Health Ministry since Blue and White’s Gantz will become the new Defense Minister until, after 18-months, he become Prime Minister in the rotation agreement. However, it was announced on Thursday that a Health Minister has been chosen, just not Bennet.

A flurry of criticism has arisen over Netanyahu’s announcement he will annex 130 settlements in the West Bank according to think tank scholars David Makovsky and Dennis Ross who wrote in a Times of Israel opinion piece. The pair say this is Netanyahu last hurrah as a PM, and knowing that he won’t run again, and wants to become President Netanyahu can now enforce the Trump peace plan and annex the settlements. Risking the wrath of Jordan and other moderate Arab states willing to make an agreement with Israel. Blue and White leader Gantz has said he would support Netanyahu’s initiative.