Wiener Zeitung, April 23, 2021
German original: https://www.wienerzeitung.at/meinung/blogs/juedisch-leben/2101544-Ja-da-ist-schon-ein-bisschen-Euphorie.html
Visits to the restaurant, the theater, to the movies are possible again in Israel. But here the vaccination campaign is picking up steam as well. And IKG President Deutsch appeals strongly to Community members to get vaccinated.
Yes, I do admit: it is a rather liberating feeling having received the first vaccination against Covid-19. Not a carte blanche to get irresponsible of course, because immunization occurs only after the second shot, and not immediately, but still: it is the feeling that something is happening, things are moving in the right direction. When will be able to go to the movies again with a clear conscience? When will be able to meet friends in a restaurant?
All that is possible already in Israel. The photos I see every day on my Facebook timeline make me happy. Yes, there, too, a mask still has to be worn when watching a movie, and keeping a distance is still mandated. But still: the last time I was at the movies was before the lockdown in March, over a year ago, to see the documentation about the former Minister for Women’s’ Affairs, Johanna Dohnal. I’m looking forward to going to the movies again.
And yes, that is of course a very superficial view, because the are more important things: that more people have work again, that children can go to school again every day. But for that we would also need authorized vaccines for children and youth.
Consumption Secures Jobs
But on one hand, the pandemic affects mental well-being. So when movie theaters and concert halls open their doors again, it will bring a little bit of lightness into the lives of many who need it. But in the case of the cultural scene, the food service industry, the hotels, and retail, on the other hand, it is about consumption and many, many jobs. So when I watch a movie, I help others not being unemployed. This is how division of labor in our society works.
We have seen different pictures from Israel a few weeks ago. It seemed like pretty much everybody hat their picture taken being vaccinated against the coronavirus. For me, those were triumphant photographs: we will not be intimated!
In the meantime, the vaccination campaign in Austria, too, has picked up some steam. More and more people from my surroundings have received the first, or even the second vaccination. Last week it was my turn, this morning my husband was vaccinated. The mass vaccination site erected by the City of Vienna here at the Austria Center is impressive. Everything works like clockwork, thousands of people are being guided through every day without having to wait for too long.
It is unfortunate, however, that no vaccination photos are being taken here. Taking photos and videos is forbidden on the entire site. As I tried to take a picture of a sign in the entrance area, I was - very politely- made aware of this ban. But photos of friends and family members who are happy to receive their shot would have a stimulating effect (others think they are annoying and fostering jealousy - I do not agree).
“We Get Vaccinated!”
With regard to stimulation: how do you get as many people as possible to get vaccinated? One one hand, there are government campaigns. But the personal surroundings can also be convincing. In that sense, Oskar Deutsch, President of the Jewish Community Vienna (IKG), recently phrased an intense appeal to the members of the Jewish Community.
“Salvation of life is one of the most important commands in Judaism,” wrote the IKG President. And: “In real life this now means: we get vaccinated! Anyone who has the opportunity should go ahead as a good example! With the vaccine we protect ourselves and our surroundings. When many people are vaccinated, we can get back to our everyday lives step by step. A look at Israel is enough these days to see how life blossoms back after the vaccinations.”
Indeed, not just Jewish Communities, but people worldwide look at Israel these days. Because not only the careful return to a life that is not lived only behind four walls is delighting. Also the data from the quickly executed vaccination campaign there are a cause for optimism. A team of researchers from Tel Aviv University now show when the turning point for infections among the age group 60+ was reached: two weeks after half of this age group had received their first shot.
Since more and more vaccinations have been arriving in Austria as well, it could well be that lockdowns will become unnecessary within a few months. This does not mean, however, that this will be a reality like in 2019. We all probably will have to live with cautionary measures for a while.
This is also evident in the measures that Israel is taking to slowly restart tourism. As of May 23, travel groups will be allowed to enter under the condition that the tourists are vaccinated. However, Israel does not yet rely on international vaccination certificates. The country demands a negative PCR - test before departure and a serological test as proof of vaccination upon arrival in Israel. Over time, individual travelers, too, should be able to fly to Israel again. At the same time, Israel wants to sign agreements with individual countries regarding mutual recognition of vaccination certificates.
And this will -at least for a number of years- probably be the new normal: one not only has to proof identity, citizenship, or immigration status, but also vaccination status. At least when traveling. In Austria, too, the Green Passport is designed to document antibodies after a Covid-19 infection or confirm a recent negative test, respectively. There is no passport yet. But it will probably be one piece of the puzzle on the way to a life that over time will enable more activities again. It will be nice.
And yes, there is definitely some euphoria in between these lines. Because I have the impression that the first vaccination will not only bring with it a feeling of relief. In my case, it also showed for how long we have been under pressure. It feels good to ease this pressure a bit.