Amid pandemic, large wedding ceremonies ‘our most problematic issue’ for Palestinians

Article Link: https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/super-spreader-weddings-west-bank-1.5717669

Discussion posted by: Arye ben-Shaoul

Back in the spring, it seemed the Palestinians were getting the coronavirus pandemic under control. Despite limited resources and a struggling health service, by the end of May, they saw the fruits of a three-month lockdown: only two deaths and about 400 coronavirus cases in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. But then the wedding invitations went out. Coronavirus infections began to rise and have been climbing inexorably ever since. “The wedding ceremonies are our most problematic issue,” said Dr. Wael Taadan, a physician and administrator at the Palestine Red Crescent Society and a member of the committee advising Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on managing the virus.