Israelis Grapple With Sense of Perpetual Crisis Since COVID-19
Translated & summarized from Now 14 by baba
Israel and the world have experienced a continuous series of crises since late 2019, starting with the COVID-19 pandemic and escalating with the October 7th attacks. This has created a pervasive sense of instability and a lack of recovery time between major events. While the feeling of enduring "seven bad years" is understandable, the article suggests optimism that this difficult period may be nearing its end.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- A succession of crises, from COVID-19 to the October 7th attacks, has created a sense of perpetual instability in Israel and globally.
- The COVID-19 pandemic introduced widespread disruptions like lockdowns and remote work, altering daily life.
- The October 7th Hamas terror attack is identified as a profound turning point and a source of deep societal loss.
- Lack of sufficient recovery time between crises contributes to the feeling of ongoing upheaval.
- Constant connectivity through smartphones exacerbates anxiety by keeping individuals constantly aware of events.
- Despite the challenges, the article suggests optimism that this difficult period may be nearing its end.
Recent years have been marked by a succession of crises in Israel and globally, leading to a pervasive feeling of instability and a loss of normalcy. Beginning with the COVID-19 pandemic in late 2019, which brought widespread lockdowns and disrupted daily life, the world has experienced a continuous stream of challenges. These include economic pressures, political instability, and significant geopolitical events.
The October 7th Hamas terror attack is described as a profound turning point for Israeli society, causing immense loss and fundamentally altering the lives of millions. The ensuing war has further disrupted routines, building upon the adaptations forced by the pandemic, such as remote work and social restrictions.
Even as the immediate threat of COVID-19 receded, a sense of stability has not fully returned, with a constant flow of news contributing to ongoing anxiety. The article suggests that the problem lies not only in the sheer number of events but also in the lack of sufficient time between crises for individuals and society to recover and feel settled.
The human brain tends to remember exceptional events more vividly than quiet periods, and the constant connectivity through smartphones ensures that news of global and national events is always accessible. This perpetual awareness may explain a growing desire among people to seize the moment, travel, meet, and celebrate without delay.
While acknowledging that the feeling of enduring "seven bad years" is understandable given the sequence of events since 2020, the article also offers a note of optimism. It suggests that if this period is indeed characterized as seven difficult years, a significant portion may already be behind us, potentially indicating an approaching end to this era of upheaval and a return to quieter times.