Coronavirus gets countries talking to each other

The coronavirus crisis, albeit bringing a strain on many parts of life, also shows unprecedent cooperation.

As of Wednesday, the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in 180 countries and territories stood at over 938,452, with more than 47,290 deaths, according to the Johns Hopkins University and Medicine Coronavirus Resource Center.

“The global coordination… has been variable, with some regions doing better than others,” according Dr. Osman Dar, director of the One Health Project at London’s Chatham House.

The response in the Middle East region demonstrates this variability.

For example, Israeli medical teams are offering their Palestinian Authority counterparts in the West Bank training in how to deal with the disease. In Gaza, Israel is passing coronavirus test kits to Hamas via a border crossing.

As the experts say, “some of the medical material that the Mossad has brought into the country is the direct result of Israel’s warming ties with Arab states, The cooperation between Israel and these former enemy states continues to grow in many areas, But the cooperation during a time of crisis is particularly encouraging.”

MMP
photo: Sarah Grillo/Axios