The coronavirus tsunami: A chance to promote closer US-Israel cooperation

The country that put a man on the Moon, the superpower whose investment in research and development accounts for a quarter of global investment, is struggling with a seemingly primitive threat.

By EITAN YUDILEVICH
A nearly deserted 7th Avenue in Times Square is seen near midday in Manhattan during the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in New York City, New York, U.S., April 7, 2020 (photo credit: REUTERS/MIKE SEGAR)
A nearly deserted 7th Avenue in Times Square is seen near midday in Manhattan during the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in New York City, New York, U.S., April 7, 2020
(photo credit: REUTERS/MIKE SEGAR)
Leaders of the Israeli health establishment have referred to the COVID-19/coronavirus pandemic as a “tsunami.” This is something we can all relate to as we watch the crisis unfold around us. It seems that Israel was actually better prepared for a real tsunami than it was for the virus. While signs saying "Tsunami – Escape Route" have appeared on the promenade in Tel Aviv, most of us have heard little to nothing about Israel’s preparation for a pandemic.
It is difficult to be optimistic in the face of such a global emergency and a never-ending stream of bad news coming from the United States, especially from New York State. At this very moment, New York Gov. Andrew Como is declaring that his state does not have enough ventilators to deal with the growing number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients. The country that put a man on the Moon, the superpower whose investment in research and development accounts for a quarter of global investment, is struggling with a seemingly primitive threat.
Where will all this lead us? While the answer is hard to predict, there is a need to act with resolution and maintain a sense of optimism. While the current situation is unprecedented and one which we have never had to confront before, judging from the past, Israel will emerge from it without suffering as much as many countries will, thanks to Israel’s resourcefulness, ability to adapt and find creative solutions to seemingly insurmountable challenges.
Based on history, we can also predict that America will emerge from this crisis stronger. A trillion-dollar stimulus package was swiftly passed by Congress with bipartisan support, and signed into law by President Trump, allocating funding for healthcare, large and small companies, and direct payments to millions of American workers who have been laid off or furloughed. Discussions are currently underway for an additional $2 trillion economic aid package. The business sector has also joined the collective national effort with automotive giant General Motors mobilizing its manufacturing facilities to set up new production lines to produce ventilators.
IN ISRAEL, the hi-tech community is preparing for the long process of recovery from the crisis. There is real fear that start-ups will suffer. Many feel that their very existence is threatened, even more than it was during the economic crisis of 2008. At the same time, companies are demonstrating agility by identifying new opportunities and adjusting their products to meet the challenges brought on by the pandemic. Emerging from this crisis will not be easy because the Israeli high-tech sector is dependent on exports, and its recovery is contingent on a positive, global turnaround, especially in America.
We are very closely following what is happening in the US, and now, in the midst of the crisis, when the burden is heavy for all, we must continue to promote close US-Israel cooperation.
This was the case after the events of 9/11 when homeland security became a topic of global concern, and as the US and Israel strove to reduce oil dependency by focusing on the energy sector.  The COVID-19 pandemic provides many opportunities for US-Israel-collaboration in healthcare and other related fields that will result in its aftermath, along with the lessons learned.
In the short term, cooperation should be focused on fighting the coronavirus by providing solutions in the life sciences and biotechnology, such as diagnostics, therapeutics and other healthcare-related topics.
Another area of potential collaboration is artificial intelligence for accelerating drug development. Since there is no reason to believe this epidemic will be a one-time occurrence, AI may be able to assist with future epidemics by predicting and monitoring the spread of disease in populations.
It is our collective hope that in the near future we will go back to meeting people face-to-face without the fear of a sudden cough. For now, it is clear that technologies like Zoom will continue to play a large role in our lives even after the pandemic fades.
As people become more comfortable with the technology, they may realize that they can be very productive without having to board a plane and travel long distances. This, along with the health concerns that will continue to be with us in the foreseeable future, will encourage the use of new and sophisticated technologies for teleworking.
For many years, US-Israel cooperation has brought about innovative solutions that benefit the entire world. When a tsunami hits, or better yet, before it hits is the time to develop and deliver innovative solutions.
The writer is executive director of the Israel-United States Binational Industrial Research and Development (BIRD) Foundation.
Article translated from Hebrew.