Israeli vaccine study, 'wonder' drug' spark much needed COVID hope

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 reporter Nathan Jeffay, along with host Amanda Borschel-Dan. To start today's episode off, Rettig Gur describes a virtual town hall put on by Yesh Atid's Yair Lapid last night in English. "Nobody campaigns like Yesh Atid campaigns," he says. Jeffay has some cautious good COVID news to share: A new study claims that vaccinated people become far less of a COVID transmission risk even before receiving their second dose. He also discusses reports of a new "wonder drug" that fights the cytokine storm which has caught the world's attention, as well as that of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Israel is speaking about opening up the country for those who are vaccinated started February 23. How is exactly would that work out? Discussed articles include: Vaccine reduces spread risk even before 2nd shot, Israeli study indicates New Israeli drug cured 29 of 30 moderate/serious COVID cases in days — hospital Feeling better ‘in 2 hours’: COVID drug for critically ill starts Phase 3 trials Israeli inventor of promising COVID drug hopes it can help vaccineless countries Web search data, help from Israel, mean England can catch COVID spikes early Gyms, malls, hotels could be reopened to the vaccinated on February 23 Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on iTunes, Spotify, PlayerFM, Google Play, or wherever you get your podcasts. PHOTO: Foreign workers and asylum seekers receive a COvid19 vaccine, at a vaccination center in South Tel Aviv, administered by the Ichiliov hospital and the Tel Aviv Municipality. February 9, 2021. (Miriam Alster/FLASH90) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.