The 2019 coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 novel virus, originated in Wuhan, China before rapidly spreading around the world.
COVID-19 is a highly infectious respiratory disease, with a high rate of transmissibility. Symptoms of infection include fever, joint and muscle aches, respiratory distress, loss of the sense of taste, cognitive fog, fatigue, sore throat, and more. Senior citizens are most at risk of dying from the disease, though secondary pre-existing conditions like obesity can make some patients more susceptible to danger. In severe cases, patients undergo respiratory distress and require intubation on ventilators.
In response to the coronavirus pandemic, governments have initiated several policies to prevent spread. Many countries have severely restricted flights or entry into their state, with some like Israel adopting color systems to rank the risk posed by each destination. Contact tracing has become the norm, with citizens being obligated to quarantine after they have come into contact with an infected person. Social distancing and mask mandates have also become popular in many countries to prevent spread of infection. Early in the pandemic, lockdowns were used to prevent interaction between the public, in a severe attempt to halt transmission. Perhaps most controversial were the introduction of coronavirus passports, which would allow vaccinated citizens to move freely with a new form of ID. Critics assert that coronavirus passports represent an extreme violation of liberties.
There is an ongoing debate as to the origin of the coronavirus. Initially, it was accepted that the coronavirus originated in a wet market in Wuhan, China, within bats sold as food. However, it has been suggested that the virus may have originated from a virus research lab in Wuhan.
Several pharmaceutical companies have developed innovative mRNA vaccines to counter the coronavirus. Pfizer, Biontech, Astrazeneca, Moderna, Sinopharm and others have produced vaccines, however there is ongoing debate about their efficacy against new strains of the virus. Other pharmaceutical companies have developed treatments and drugs to alleviate and combat coronavirus symptoms.
The coronavirus is prone to mutations, and has already produced several well known variants, including the Delta and Lambda strains. The pandemic and virus may also colloquially be known as corona and COVID.
“We are now seeing a recurring rise in infection and serious cases.," Nitzan Horowitz said and recommended that people, especially those at-risk, wear masks.
The new variant has nine mutations on its spike protein and has spread to at least eight countries.
Bourla revealed that he would donate the $1 million award to building a Holocaust museum in his hometown in an interview for The Jerusalem Post.
Bourla was recognized for his exceptional leadership in developing the first safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine, which remains the gold standard for vaccines against the novel coronavirus.
Researchers say the findings can help doctors council pregnant women on which trimester is best to receive a COVID vaccine.
The amount of the grant will change depending on the turnover of the business in a base year.
The Jewish response to the coronavirus pandemic was largely traditional: fasting and repentance, prayer and Psalms, especially Psalm 91 (Yoshev B’Seter).
The Pandemic Response Committee recommended that children in Israel between the ages of 6 months and five years may soon be eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
The study found that nanobodies derived from a llama could be used to develop an inhalable spray to combat COVID-19 and other viral diseases.
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen exchanged texts with Pfizer chief Albert Bourla for a month when they were negotiating a massive vaccine contract.
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