Economist Podcasts Without a trace: Israel’s covid-19 spike
Jul 23, 2020
Roger McShane, The Economist's Middle East editor, discusses Israel's COVID-19 crisis and the rapid increase in cases due to government missteps and waning public trust. He outlines how protests emerge as the Prime Minister grapples with both public health and political instability. Additionally, the conversation touches on severe flooding in China and questions the effectiveness of the country’s river management strategies amid climate challenges, alongside a surprising trend in soothing celebrity bedtime stories for adults during these turbulent times.
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Israel's COVID Resurgence
- Israel's COVID-19 cases surged despite initial success.
- This resurgence is attributed to premature reopening and an overwhelmed contact tracing system.
Contact Tracing Challenges
- Israel's contact tracing program has been overwhelmed, hindering effective containment.
- Experts suggest giving control to the Defense Ministry, but political rivalries complicate this.
Israel vs. US Response
- Netanyahu's centralized response contrasts with America's state-by-state approach.
- Israel's smaller size allows quicker shutdowns but doesn't guarantee public satisfaction.