All posts by nedhamson

Activist, writer, researcher, addicted to sharing information and facts.

Bennett: Save your family’s elders – don’t eat with them on Rosh Hashanah – The Jerusalem Post

Former defense minister Naftali Bennett warned Israelis not to host their Rosh Hashanah dinners with the elderly of their families, including older parents and grandparents, because of coronavirus transmission concerns.

“Approaching Rosh Hashanah, many families came to me and asked a very simple question: whether to have a Rosh Hashanah dinner with their grandparents. The answer is unfortunately no. I understand how difficult this is – we in the Bennett family also apply it to ourselves,” he said on Sunday.
He instead encouraged people to visit their parents or grandparents before Rosh Hashanah, in a safe location such as outside.
“Do it outside: in the yard, in the garden, in the open air, three meters away. It is very important to visit them, to be with them for an hour or two, but outside and far away to strengthen them. We must take care of our parents,” he said.
“I know that there is a lot of fear in the air,” he said. “We will get through this. This is not hard like the Torah from Sinai. If all of us wear a mask, do not congregate indoors and care for the elderly, I’m sure we’ll get through this safely.”

Source: Bennett: Save your family’s elders – don’t eat with them on Rosh Hashanah – The Jerusalem Post

Trump has paid only lip service on Holocaust restitution – The Jerusalem Post

The US State Department’s congressional report on the state of restitution of Jewish property from the Holocaust era is nothing but a lip service. Despite its impressive name, “Justice for Uncompensated Survivors Today (JUST) Act Report,” the report does not guarantee anything. The report scans 46 countries that signed the “Terezin Declaration” in 2009, at the conclusion of an international conference on restitution of Jewish property held in Prague. It is toothless and does not contain sanctions on a state that ignores it.

The report includes a snapshot of the restitution of Jewish property with and without heirs. Surprisingly, it also includes a snapshot of pensions and assistance to Holocaust survivors, Holocaust remembrance, and the condition of Jewish cemeteries. The report is due to be debated in a congressional plenum or by its committees in the hope that action will be taken by the states concerned. However, there is no guarantee that this will happen because President Trump did not adopt the report and did not ask Congress to discuss it. Source: Trump has paid only lip service on Holocaust restitution – The Jerusalem Post

Op-Ed: Biden’s plan to rally world’s democracies at 2021 summit

  • Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden would convene a global summit of democracies to address issues ranging from climate change to beating the pandemic and its economic aftershocks.
  • The intersection of domestic and foreign policy is fundamental to Biden’s strategy.

Source: Op-Ed: Biden’s plan to rally world’s democracies at 2021 summit

Avian Flu Diary: MMWR: Transmission Dynamics of COVID-19 In Child Care Facilities – Utah

SARS-CoV-2 Infections among young children acquired in child care settings were transmitted to their household members. Testing of contacts of laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases in child care settings, including children who might not have symptoms, could improve control of transmission from child care attendees to family members. Source: Avian Flu Diary: MMWR: Transmission Dynamics of COVID-19 In Child Care Facilities – Utah

Coronavirus closure? Ministers accuse Gamzu of ‘zigzagging all the time’ – The Jerusalem Post

“The coronavirus is neither a political or populist matter, it is a matter of life and death,” he continued. “I suggest to anyone who claims otherwise, to tour coronavirus wards and see the situation for themselves.”

He added that if the plan is withdrawn, then by next Tuesday there will be no public restrictions, the price of which would be several thousand dead.

“I will not give into pressure just to please such and such people,” he stressed. Source: Coronavirus closure? Ministers accuse Gamzu of ‘zigzagging all the time’ – The Jerusalem Post

Scientists baffled by orcas ramming sailing boats near Spain and Portugal | Environment | The Guardian (This is our ocean…)

An orca feeds near the boat of Moroccan tuna fishermen.

Highly intelligent social mammals, orcas are the largest of the dolphin family. Researchers who study a small population in the Strait of Gibraltar say they are curious and it is normal for them to follow a boat closely, even to interact with the rudder, but never with the force suggested here.

The Spanish maritime authorities warned vessels to “keep a distance”. But reports from sailors around the strait throughout July and August suggest this may be difficult – at least one pod appears to be pursuing boats in behaviour that scientists agree is “highly unusual” and “concerning”. It is too early to understand what is going on, but it might indicate stress in a population that is endangered.

Source: Scientists baffled by orcas ramming sailing boats near Spain and Portugal | Environment | The Guardian

7 Historic Caribbean Hurricane Holes — Repeating Islands

All at Sea presents seven historic “hurricane holes” in the Caribbean, stating that “For centuries, mariners have found natural harbors, protected bays and dense mangrove lagoons in which to protect their vessels from storms,” although “No location is 100 percent safe when it comes to sheltering from a hurricane.” The author offers examples from Antigua, […]

7 Historic Caribbean Hurricane Holes — Repeating Islands