Partial re-lockdown

Homemade bread

The govt. has finally decided to impose a lockdown on pubs, gyms, culture venues and event halls, as an official declared that the coronavirus is out of control. A little too late, I'd say. By leaving out cafes and restaurants which are only restricted to 20 persons, and leaving out synagogues ... there is anger why the lockdowns were selective. Actually a pro-religious minister threatened that synagogues be opened ... otherwise .... And the ultra-orthodox ministers threatened to pull out of the coalition govt. if their religious schools (yeshivas) were restricted. So in the end ... it's not public health that's the concerns the govt; it's political games. The Deputy Health Minister say the 2nd wave of infections are worse than the first ... though rumours say it's actually milder.   https://www.timesofisrael.com/deputy-health-minister-2nd-wave-worse-than-1st-mass-gatherings-must-stop/?fbclid=IwAR21ukP77CLa6tTVFljkvmcgFkxFsomWRLxdSHDRNTWBOfBV99bd8P8rxEY

Meantime the latest news is Israeli hospitals are collapsing as more and more people rush to emergency units. I really hope something is done soon ... or the pandemic will destroy more of the economy that the govt seems to think.   https://www.ynetnews.com/article/SyYEmhxkD?fbclid=IwAR2s6qOTA7r7rsYv-DyyozC0tE3kEmTrNktUkRoKIvwK3eKC8m0l-A95f-0

Jasmine over the wall

Palestine has seen over 500 infections and is asking Israel to close the borders as they believe most cases were imported from workers going to Israel to work and returning to palestine each evening. But the palestinians are clamouring for work ... most are too poor and unskilled to do anything else but construction work in Israel.  

By the way ... one of our students is a great baker. During these months of lockdown, we've avoided going out to buy bread so one of our students volunteered to do it. His brother in Latin America is a real baker and gives instructions through the phone ... and voila! Each week we have loaves with ginger or orange or lemon zest. Great stuff.

And this afternoon on my way home, I noticed the thick jasmine bush climbing over our 15 foot wall. Because it's not been trimmed, it's very luscious and flowering despite the heat.  A beautiful sight.