In 1959 the American ad agency of Doyle-Dane-Bernbach launched a campaign for the National Federation of Coffee Growers of Colombia. The slogan was “The Mountain is Coming.” What mountain, which mountain, why is this mountain important? Eventually, the meaning became clear. Juan Valdez, a fictional Colombian coffee farmer, showed the world that Folgers coffee, using 100% Colombian coffee beans grown in the mountains of Colombia, was coming to America.
Today, instead of a mountain of coffee we have Omicron. The WHO warned Europe to expect a veritable Tsunami of the Covid variant called Omicron. This while Britain has reported nearly 100,000 cases of Covid a day, and France nearly 150,000 daily cases. Seemingly, the mountain has arrived in Europe. Nearly 260,000 cases a day of Covid have been reported in the USA.
In Israel, health officials warn that the tsunami of Omicron is due within two weeks or less. Media reports health officials are concerned that the wave of covid cases threaten to overwhelm the hospital system, already suffering from understaffing and overworked doctors and nurses.
The rise in cases has already begun. Israel reported nearly 4,000 cases of Covid yesterday, the highest number in months. The contagion rate is nearly 3% and the R factor is 1.62. So far in Israel 1,374,453 cases have been reported, with 147 hospitalized, of them 89 in serious condition and of them 39 on ventilators. 78% of the serious cases are unvaccinated.
In Israel, there are now about 2 million children between the ages of 0-15. So far in Israel 36% of the cases of Covid are children, but this is down from 50%. The drop is attributed to the fierce campaign the government is waging to vaccinate children. The government has begun sending out mobile vaccination vans to schools across the country.
However, Ynetnews reports that the Israeli government is now zig-zagging. There is talk in the health ministry of trying ‘herd immunity’ since the new Omicron variant rarely causes serious illness. On the other hand, the government has reinstated the use of the Green Pass for all but vital stores, like supermarkets, pharmacies, HMOs, in the malls. There is also talk of a lockdown of the population to prevent the spread of the Omicron. Which is it to be, pundits ask, herd immunity, or a lockdown.
Worldwide, the number of cases has risen by 11% according to the World Health Organization, with 284,955,429 cases, 5,439,362 deaths, and 27,662, 287 active cases. In the USA, 54,656,866 cases have been reported, with 844,272 deaths and 12,404,303 active cases. Back in mid-November the USA had 9,239,157 active cases, a rise of over 4 million active cases in about six-weeks. In New York City nearly half of the children hospitalized in New York are under 5.
Israel has 1,374,453 cases with 8243 deaths and 18,652 active cases. Back in mid-November, Israel had only 5,300 active cases and a contagion rate of .95% of those tested.
If there is any good news it’s that that the death rates have not climbed precipitously. In mid-November the death toll in the USA was 787,984, a rise of about 55,000 in six-weeks.
And some health officials predict that the Omicron will drop off as quickly as it came. According to Bloomberg News, the rate of hospitalization in S. Africa has plunged dramatically, suggesting that the Omicron variant may have peaked there, and provide a harbinger of what’s to happen in the rest of the world. “
So far in South Africa, only 1.7% of identified Covid-19 cases were admitted to hospital in the second week of infections in the fourth wave, compared with 19% in the same week of the third delta-driven wave, South African Health Minister Joe Phaahla said at a press conference. “Health officials presented evidence that the strain may be milder, and that infections may already be peaking in the country’s most populous province, Gauteng.” South Africa announced the discovery of Omicron on Nov 25, 2021.
Pfizer’s anti-Covid Paxlovid pills arriving at Ben Gurion Airport
Another positive item is that the first shipment of Pfizer’s Paxlovid, the C-19 fighting pill, has been delivered to Israel. Reportedly, the pill, that has been approved by the FDA in the United States. Paxlovid is said to be over 90% effective in preventing hospitalizations and deaths from Covid in high-risk patients . Israel will also receive Merck’s Molnupiravir pills, also granted FDA approval, in the coming weeks.
Israel has also begun testing a fourth vaccine since scientists have discovered that the efficacy of the third “booster” vaccine dwindles after 4-6 months. So far, health care workers, those at risk, and those 70+ will be eligible for the fourth vaccine. Media reports that the fourth vaccine may be available as soon as January.
However, this is the flu season, Israel is reminded by the Health Ministry. As of today, nearly 2,000 people have been hospitalized with the flu. And one woman was diagnosed with “Flurona” a combination of the flu and covid viruses.
So, while the mountain is coming, there is hope that it is made of freeze dried coffee and will dissolve and disappear as quickly as it came.
Meanwhile, as 2020 comes to an end Israel’s population has climbed to nearly 10 million. According to the Israel bureau of statistics, the total is 9.45 million. 73.9% are Jewish. 21.1% are Arab. Israel also received 25,000 are new immigrants. 30 % from Russia, 14.6% France, 13.9% USA, 12.4% Ukraine.
And as New Years approaches, Israelis are advised not to attend large events, to keep social distance and wear masks. Time will tell if the advice is heeded.
So, as one pundit pointed out, no matter where you are, don’t forget to heed what the health experts say, “Get vaccinated, keep your hands clean, and wear your masks.”
Happy New Year to all. Stay safe and well
