Opinion | In war against Coronavirus or the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, technological might always wins
- Israel’s devotion to science and military strength has given it an advantage both in the fight against the coronavirus and in the latest conflict with the Palestinians
Is the coronavirus racist? Of course not. Covid-19 and its variants do not discriminate between race, creed and jurisdiction. The only real defences are social distancing and vaccines.
The virus transmits through people. Epidemiologists suggest minimising travel and contact to slow transmission. Those who care more about money object to shutting down the economy. Asia reacted more quickly by adopting masks and staying at home. The West cared more about individualism and objected to masks, allowing the pandemic to get out of control.
Money and vaccines have begun to bring matters under control, except that if coronavirus continues to spread in countries that cannot afford vaccines or get enough supplies, no one is safe.
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Thus, a virus has turned inequality into a life-and-death matter. It is clear that the pandemic can be addressed with science and technology, competent organisation and mass cooperation. But this approach would have to be based on the fundamental principle that everyone should be equally protected.
