Israel's Response (aka, "It's The Restriction of Networks, Stupid")

I recently saw someone comment online that when Israel got to just about 50% fully vaccinated, their cases fell off a cliff.  I figured I'd take a moment to look at Israel's lock-down from this past winter.  

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COVID-19_pandemic_in_Israel#Third_wave

At first, they went into a bit of a lockdown...

• Traveling limited to 1,000 meter radius from home (individual sporting activities are allowed) 
• Gatherings limited to 10 people indoors or 20 people outdoors, for approved events (e.g. funerals and weddings)
• Visiting another person's home is forbidden
• Closure of all non-essential stores and services
• Businesses that do not receive customers can remain open at 50% capacity or up to 10 employees, whichever is greater
• Restaurants will open for delivery only
• Closure of bed and breakfasts, zoos, safaris and parks
• Closure of alternative medicine centers, beauty, and hair salons
• Cancellation of driving lessons
• Public transportation reduced to 50% capacity

Then, as they saw cases reach approximately 90 cases per day per 100k population at the start of January, they tighted up

• Gatherings limited to 5 people indoors or 10 people outdoors, except for funerals, weddings and Brit milahs which gathering limited to 10 people indoors or 20 people outdoors
• Closing the entire education system including preschools, except special education. Grade schools to continue online schooling. (meanwhile, since last fall, Massachusetts has had an unending push to get kids back to in-person learning)
• Travel abroad allowed only for essential purposes.

They very slowly started easing up on these restrictions, starting in February, but even in their third stage which started in March, they had significantly more restrictions than we have seen in the US for most of the last year

• Gatherings of up to 20 people indoors and 50 outdoors are allowed
• In-person interactions with the public for non-essential services are allowed (if the service cannot be provided remotely)
• Temperature checks for those entering public locations or businesses are canceled 
• Events of up to 300 people and up to 50% venue capacity are allowed, with up to 5% non-green-pass-holders with negative test results allowed
• Indoor dining at restaurants allowed at 75% capacity with 2 meters between tables, for up to 100 green pass holders. Outdoor seating of up to 100 outdoors (no green pass required)
• Places of worship not registered with green pass limited to 20 people inside, 50 outside. Those registered limited to 50% capacity (fixed seating) or 1 person per each 7 square meters.
• Tourist attractions open for green pass holders.
• Entry of Israeli citizens via Ben Gurion airport to increase to 3000 daily. Exit available to all those holding vaccination or recovery certificates.
• Entry into Israel via land crossings with Jordan: open twice weekly.

Vaccines are an essential and critical tool in the effort and we should all push to get more people vaccinated, but you know what crushes the spread of COVID-19? Restricting networks by which the virus moves from person to person.

Stay safe. Stay sane. Stay informed. Don't for a second think that the restrictions we've performed in the US compare to those in other countries.

Further information:
https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-to-fully-reopen-in-a-month-if-no-new-rise-in-contagion-virus-czar/
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2021-04-12/israel-is-open-but-not-back-to-normal