published on January 6th, 2021 in The Times of Israel
Last Friday, I received my first COVID-19 immunization vaccine. I will receive the second one in mid-January. This week, while listening to one of my favorite podcasts, “The Promised Podcast,” I was shocked to hear that prominent Israeli leftists and environmentalists have cast doubts upon the value or efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccinations.
I find this disturbing because, while there are still many unknowns about the virus and the vaccinations against the virus, the science is solid. It is my expectation that people who hold beliefs similar to my own, both socially and environmentally, would respect the science behind the vaccines. Most importantly, I expect my colleagues in the environmental movement to understand that only if 60% to 70% (maybe more) of the population gets vaccinated will we all be protected from the ravages of the coronavirus.
I understand that there are risks in taking the relatively new vaccine, but the damage the pandemic is doing to our society and to the world makes it imperative that we use logic and facts to make decisions and not unfounded conspiracy theories from Facebook or Twitter.
In a recent convenient sample survey on mask-wearing, conducted by the Arava Institute in September 2020, among Israelis connected to the environmental movement, 95% responded that they wear masks regularly, according to government guidelines or in closed space and at events. When asked the reasons they wear masks, only 37% listed social pressure. Less than 60% also listed that they wear masks for fear of getting fined or fear of getting sick. The overwhelming majority of respondents, 84%, listed concern for infecting others, while 90% listed the belief that everyone must do their part to stop the spread of the virus.
When queried on climate change, 80% of the same respondents confirmed their belief in scientific expert’s warnings about climate change and 90% confirmed their belief that climate change is an existential threat to humanity.
Vaccination, like mask-wearing, is not only an act of self-interest, but it is also an act of civic responsibility required from an overwhelming majority of us in order to stop the spread of the virus. Those of us on the political left and or in the environmental movement, who often declare our concern for the threat climate change poses to humanity, must lead by personal example. Like climate change, the pandemic is an unseen threat that can only be mitigated by everyone doing their part.
David Lehrer, Executive Director
