Public health institutions insist that washing one’s hands frequently is an essential first step in confronting the coronavirus epidemic. But in the Gaza Strip, 98% of the water is contaminated.
Israel’s bombardments of the Gaza Strip’s wells and water infrastructure have forced 97% of its two million residents to live without clean water for hygiene and consumption.
Hospitals have needed to reduce the cleaning and sterilizing of medical equipment and facilities. Staff can only wash their hands when it’s essential, not regularly when going from one patient to another.
The hospitals are massively overcrowded due to Israel’s assaults on nonviolent protesters at the Great March of Return. Measles (124 cases including two deaths in 2019) and other highly contagious infectious diseases are appearing in the Gaza Strip. Waterborne diseases are spreading at an alarming rate.
Israel’s blockade has completely depleted 44% of essential medications in the Gaza Strip, and 46% are at less than a one-month supply.
Sources: WHO, Electronic Intifada, Mondoweiss
