COVID has infected the Israeli economy. What is the cure?

Welcome to The Times of Israel’s Daily Briefing: Your 15-minute audio update on what’s happening in Israel, the Middle East, and the Jewish world, from Sunday through Thursday. Today’s panel comprises founding editor David Horovitz and economic editor Shoshanna Solomon, along with host Amanda Borschel-Dan. With some Israeli students going back to school today, the panel opens with a look at how the country has managed, or perhaps mismanaged, the education system during the pandemic and asks what the impact of closing schools has been on the economy. And as Israel marks "family day," we assess why women have been hardest hit by the economic fall out of the pandemic. In an effort to get out of the economic crisis while pushing Israel's vaccination campaign, the government is planning a range of carrot and stick incentives to get the shot. Will corner-cutting Israelis stick to the rules? Solomon breaks down the reasons behind the shekel's incredible rise against the dollar and explains how and why the Bank of Israel is trying to weaken it. And finally, we look at how the hi-tech sector is booming, despite the effects of the pandemic on the economy. As an example, Solomon brings listeners some background on a potentially revolutionary burns treatment startup. Discussed articles include: Some Israeli kids head back to school amid confusion and uncertainty Don’t want to vaccinate? Israel set to limit access to cafes, culture and more Why, amid collapsing economy wracked by COVID, is shekel near a 12-year high? Bank of Israel to buy $30 billion in forex in 2021 to curb shekel rise Bank of Israel holds rate at 0.1% as fast vaccination pace injects optimism Unemployment could be Achilles’ heel of Israel’s road to recovery – experts Haifa hospital starts using startup’s ‘artificial skin’ to treat burn wounds Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on iTunes, Spotify, PlayerFM, Google Play, or wherever you get your podcasts. PHOTO: A Magen David Adom worker wears protective clothing as he arrives to treat a patient with symptoms of COVID-19 at the Mahane Yehuda market in Jerusalem, on January 12, 2021. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.