COVID-19

The 2019 coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 novel virus, originated in Wuhan, China before rapidly spreading around the world.

COVID-19 is a highly infectious respiratory disease, with a high rate of transmissibility. Symptoms of infection include fever, joint and muscle aches, respiratory distress, loss of the sense of taste, cognitive fog, fatigue, sore throat, and more. Senior citizens are most at risk of dying from the disease, though secondary pre-existing conditions like obesity can make some patients more susceptible to danger. In severe cases, patients undergo respiratory distress and require intubation on ventilators.

In response to the coronavirus pandemic, governments have initiated several policies to prevent spread. Many countries have severely restricted flights or entry into their state, with some like Israel adopting color systems to rank the risk posed by each destination. Contact tracing has become the norm, with citizens being obligated to quarantine after they have come into contact with an infected person. Social distancing and mask mandates have also become popular in many countries to prevent spread of infection. Early in the pandemic, lockdowns were used to prevent interaction between the public, in a severe attempt to halt transmission. Perhaps most controversial were the introduction of coronavirus passports, which would allow vaccinated citizens to move freely with a new form of ID. Critics assert that coronavirus passports represent an extreme violation of liberties.

There is an ongoing debate as to the origin of the coronavirus. Initially, it was accepted that the coronavirus originated in a wet market in Wuhan, China, within bats sold as food. However, it has been suggested that the virus may have originated from a virus research lab in Wuhan.

Several pharmaceutical companies have developed innovative mRNA vaccines to counter the coronavirus. Pfizer, Biontech, Astrazeneca, Moderna, Sinopharm and others have produced vaccines, however there is ongoing debate about their efficacy against new strains of the virus. Other pharmaceutical companies have developed treatments and drugs to alleviate and combat coronavirus symptoms.

The coronavirus is prone to mutations, and has already produced several well known variants, including the Delta and Lambda strains. The pandemic and virus may also colloquially be known as corona and COVID.

COVID-19

US Senate panel votes to hold Fauci in contempt of Congress after refusing to answer questioning

Senate panel obtains Fauci’s COVID-era iPhone records as contempt vote approaches - report

Fauci invokes Fifth Amendment at Rand Paul-led US Senate COVID hearing

FDA approves world's first mRNA-based flu vaccine, signaling start of a new illness-prevention era

Sleep deprived and pushing through: The view from central Israel amid Iran missiles - opinion

Farming under fire: Feeding Israel in crisis - opinion

Intense 'Razor Blade' throat pain reported with new COVID-19 variant

New COVID-19 variant NB.1.8.1 spreads globally, cases confirmed in Russia and US

Multiple cases of new COVID-19 variant found by CDC's airport screening program -CBS

'House of horrors': Children rescued from home after being isolated since COVID-19 lockdown

My Word: The Butterfly Effect and the difference a year makes

Trump's White House launches COVID website that criticizes WHO, Fauci and Biden

Shin Bet politicization dangerous to Israel's security, rights of Israelis - opinion

Technion close to develop oral consumption of medications to tackle COVID, flu, instead of vaccines