Purim - in Israel and around the world

[Cassini]

Hello all

I would like to preface this with the fact that I am not Jewish so I apologise in advance for any misunderstandings but it seems to me that there are two interesting things going on today on the festival of Purim:

1. Israel has vaccinated approximately 35% of its population fully with over 80% of over 60s and around 40% of other adults having had their first dose. Today is also the first major religious festival since the vaccination programme has got going and although i am not clear on current conditions in Israel I would expect to see households celebrating 🥳. This may to then give us a real world test case for vaccine efficacy in transmission rates etc in two to three week.

1. Jewish communities around the world are also celebrating so might also give data on transmission/case data etc by country and show at what point "herd" immunity stops or slows the R rate by vaccination %

I would love to hear from anyone with insight into this and have a great Purim!

Bear in mind they have still only vaccinated 35% of population. Amazing but below what would normally be considered herd immunity

Agreed Anna, but it will be really interesting to see what impact that 35% has

But from what I understand, Israel is still operating under pretty tight restrictions, including a night curfew, when non-essential businesses close and you can’t go more than 1000 metres from your home. I’m pretty sure synagogues are only allowing tiny numbers indoors. The authorities are also very conscious that last year’s Purim caused an explosion in cases, so I imagine they’re urging extreme caution in 2021.

Thanks Goat! That is interesting to read.

I think you might find it's harder to 'see' the specific impact of Purim than you expect - the UK Christmas spike isn't as clearcut as lots of people think (or as single-handedly responsible for the situation in January), it's hard to separate it from the big rise that was already taking place in December. I'm sure there is an effect from such big events but it can be hard to separate out definitively.

Jew here, fwiw. What goat said. There has been huge non-compliance in Israel and elsewhere among the ultra-Orthodox to covid restrictions, and what I'd expect is more of the same - most Jews accepting that a conventional Purim won't happen this year, a minority ignoring the rules. As that minority has ignored the rules throughout I'm not sure as a one-time event it'll show either (1) or (2).

I'm hugely frustrated/embarrassed by some of the behaviour I've seen from the more religious factions during covid.

The orthodox community in Stamford Hill is being circumspect. Rabbis have urged caution. The community has suffered terribly re deaths and infections. Many reasons for this, but one is multi generational households, so very hard to isolate etc. I imagine many will be torn - wanting to celebrate, but fearful and cautious.

Hardback and Essential thanks for the input, it seems you are both saying my wish for some nice clear data will not take place 🙁

Toomanyplates it has been very sad to see the high rates and deaths. It must be especially hard now as "normal" life seems so close.

@cassini yes, absolutely. A minority have behaved irresponsibly (we will all have seen the big weddings in the press), but for many it has been terrifying. So many, esp women, do not use social media or the Internet or read the UK press, so it is difficult for public health advice to be accessible and out there.

@TooManyPlatesInMotion

The orthodox community in Stamford Hill is being circumspect. Rabbis have urged caution. The community has suffered terribly re deaths and infections. Many reasons for this, but one is multi generational households, so very hard to isolate etc. I imagine many will be torn - wanting to celebrate, but fearful and cautious.

A more pressing reason is blatant flouting of rules and several massive weddings, barmitzvahs etc where hundreds of people have attended illegally. (I'm trying to link but not succeeding to a report in the JP).

@caravaggiolover I am not condoning the behaviour of the minority at all. However, Covid has hit BAME communities particularly hard in the UK, including orthodox communities. There are many complex reasons for this, including a minority flouting the rules. As someone who grew up in the community and lived in the area for many years (my family still do), I can say that based on my experience it is just a minority. And you will always get a minority of rule breakers. It is an extremely difficult topic to navigate in the community.

www.thejc.com/news/uk/police-hand-out-10-000-fine-after-150-attend-service-at-hertfordshire-yeshivah-1.512256

www.thejc.com/news/uk/police-issue-second-10-000-fine-over-yesodey-hatorah-wedding-1.511420

It's pretty rampant if you ask me.