Gloom, doom, and hope in the COVID-19 fight

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 senior analyst Haviv Rettig Gur and health and science correspondent Nathan Jeffay, along with host Amanda Borschel-Dan. We begin today’s program with an update on Israel's battle with the coronavirus pandemic as it leads the world in both vaccinations and lockdown days. Can Israel reach herd immunity without vaccinating children? When will the restrictions be lifted? Why is Israel seeing a slowdown in its vaccine drive? When will vaccinations be open for all age groups. Jeffay answers all our questions. And with two days left until parties must present their final slates before March's national election, we look at the latest mergers, defections and departures from across the political spectrum, and how they may affect the final results. Discussed articles include: We will have to live with COVID-19 for a long time, says Israeli expert Israel’s vaccine drive slowing, with clinics struggling to bring people in Ya’alon bows out of politics: The ‘battle for change’ has more chance without me Ex-commando, social activist, Reform rabbi take top slots in Labor primary Helping make obstacles for TV ninjas, a mom shows girls how to defy life’s tests Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on iTunes, Spotify, PlayerFM, Google Play, or wherever you get your podcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.