Some good news on the coronavirus front

Even when you and I are going through difficult times, we can have hope. Because of God’s great love, we are not consumed. His compassion for us never fails. He is faithful. This is a great promise we can hold on to no matter our circumstances.

This week there is some good news on the coronavirus front in Israel – the government just approved a new plan to help financially support Israelis who have been hit the hardest. The leaders are learning from past mistakes as they make decisions regarding this second wave of the pandemic. Another piece of good news that I want to highlight – a health technology group has developed a test that will give results in as little as 30 minutes. Here are more details about these developments.

ISRAELI GOVERNMENT APPROVES CORONAVIRUS FINANCIAL RESCUE PLAN

Late last week, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Israel Katz presented a financial rescue plan. Netanyahu conceded that the government reopened some parts of Israel’s economy too quickly which lead to a resurgence in coronavirus cases nationwide.

The financial rescue plan was approved on Monday.

The plan includes expanding the number of people eligible for unemployment benefits, assistance to self-employed workers and businesses, adaptation grants (grants to help those who don’t qualify for unemployment) for people who are 67 and over, and a number of tax breaks.

To guarantee economic certainty for the coming year, the plan includes a social safety net for waged and self-employed workers and a financial safety net for businesses until June 2021.

The government would also provide training for individuals making a career change to “coronavirus-era professions.”

Netanyahu also said that additional financial and health plans will be devised in the coming weeks and that Israel’s powerful economy allowed the country to take loans with low-interest rates, according to Ynetnews.