February 25, 2021
Canadian Donors to Fund Global study to
Determine the Impact of COVID-19 on the
Central Nervous System
Canadian Friends of Haifa University has launched a campaign to fund the University's study on the impact of the coronavirus on the central nervous system and its possible risks of later life cognitive decline, Alzheimer’s disease, and other dementias.

The study brings together research teams from 38 countries, including the University of Toronto, to study more than 22 million COVID-19 cases. The team will receive technical guidance from the World Health Organization and the support of the American National Institutes of Health, and the International Alzheimer’s Association.

Dr. Galit Weinstein, the only representative from Israel, heads the University of Haifa's Epidemiology Program at the University's School of Public Health, and will be participating in the new global study
Please support this important research by calling the Canadian office 416.972.9400 or making a secure online donation. Cheques should be made payable to Canadian Friends of Haifa University. All credit cards are accepted.
Nasal spray reduced Coronavirus infection at B'nei Brak Synagogue
A recent study, conducted by researchers from University of Haifa, University of Virginia, Nasus Pharma and Hadassah Medical Center, indicates that an Israeli-made nasal spray may have reduced coronavirus infection rates at a mass gathering during Rosh Hashanah in the highly endemic community of B'nei Brak.

Some 83 members of a B'nei Brak synagogue used the nasal spray "Traffix" during Rosh Hashanah services. After two weeks, 2.4% of Traffix users were infected with the coronavirus while 10% of non-users were infected with the coronavirus. The odds ratio for coronavirus infection in Traffix users was reduced by 78%. The results led the researchers to recommend the use of Traffix in addition to other precautionary measures.
Israel reopens after mass vaccination program
Israel has the highest vaccination rate in the world; more than 49-percent of Israel's population has already received at least one dose and there are expectations that 95 percent of Israelis over 50 years of age will be fully vaccinated in two weeks' time.

But Israel's determination to get back to normal as soon as possible means that it's heading toward a two-tier system of living, one for the vaccinated and one for the unvaccinated and that's raising questions about the right of the individual.

Listen to broadcast on ABC with guest: Dr Maya Peled Raz, Head of Community Health Division, The School of Public Health; Head, Research Ethics Committee, University of Haifa.
IDF troops to assist in cleanup of disastrous
tar spill off Israel's coast 
An oil spill in the Mediterranean hospitalized several people in Israel over the weekend and is threatening natural wildlife.

The oil spill, which dumped tons of tar into the ocean, forced Israeli authorities to shutter all beaches from Israel’s north to south. Hundreds of volunteers gathered to clean up the tar on Israeli shores, but the toxic fumes sent several people to the hospital.

Dozens of tons of pollutant spilled at sea in what University of Haifa marine scientist, Dr. Dor Adelist, warns could be the worst environmental disaster in decades, with 100 miles of coast affected and widespread death of wildlife. “The greatest fear is that there is a lot more tar in the sea right now that is poisoning wildlife, and still hasn’t reached us.” Continue reading