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冠状病毒:我应该和我的孩子前往以色列s?

A Boeing 777-200 from Israeli airliner E

This article was updated on March 9, 2020 at 2:33 PM to reflect thelatest instructionsfrom the Israeli Ministry of Health requiringanyonecoming in from overseas to self-quarantine.

Thecoronavirus, or more precisely, COVID-19, is wreaking havoc on international travel — and Israel is no exception.Flights to Israel have been canceled and travelers have been put underquarantine.

We’re here to break down the state of the outbreak in Israel, how it’s affecting travel, and whether or not you should be worried about if you are traveling with kids.

What is the deal with coronavirus in Israel?

As of March 10, 2020, there are58people who have been diagnosed with the coronavirus in Israel.The majority of these patients either came from Italy, where the outbreak is currently raging (withmorethan 9,000 confirmed cases and more than 600 fatalities), other European countries, or were in close proximity with those Israeli travelers who contracted the virus.

Over tens of thousands are inquarantinein Israel right now.Currently, the CDC hasno warningagainst travel to Israel — however, Israel has currently closed itself to any tourists who can not demonstrate theabilityto self-quarantine for 14 days.

This means anyone who cannot demonstrate that they have a permanent address in Israel in which they can self-quarantine will be sent back.

Should I be avoiding the airport in general?

According to theWorld Health Organization, there’s no reason to avoid general travel, except for certain countries.It’s important to practice proper hygiene: wash your hands often for at least 20 seconds, sanitize surfaces, and avoid touching your face.There’s no need to wear a mask unless your doctor instructs otherwise.

So can I travel to Israel?

As aforementioned, if you are a tourist, you will not be allowed into Israel unless you can demonstrate that you can self-quarantine for 14 days.(But, yes: Nobody travels just to “enjoy” being quarantined in a different location.)

Flights to Israel have been canceled by many European airlines because of these regulations from the Israeli Ministry of Health, and with the new instructions, we should expect many more cancellations.

Is the coronavirus particularly dangerous to kids?

Fortunately, the answer to that is no.The coronavirus is most lethal for people 60 and older, especially those with other health conditions.Generally, if your child is healthy, as of now, you have no cause for concern.Data suggests that the virus is presenting itself moremildlyin children.

How do I talk to my kids about coronavirus?

Harvard Medical Schoolhas some great advice about how to talk to your kids about the coronavirus.However, our favorite resource isthis comicfrom NPR which explains the virus in a great, age-appropriate way.

Is the coronavirus particularly dangerous to pregnant women?

That we do not know — there just isn’t enoughinformationout there.There is however noevidencethat the virus is passed to the baby or that it is transmissible to breastmilk.Our best advice would be to talk to your doctor before any travel.

So, should I cancel my flight?

If your airline hasn’t yet canceled your flight, this is a decision you should make for yourself — along with your doctor and your kid’s pediatrician.This is a developing situation and you should keep in touch with your physicians and airlines accordingly.The truth is that many are choosing to cancel all travel until this outbreak is over, and that is understandable.

Header image: JACK GUEZ/AFP/Getty Images

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