Welcome to The Times of Israel’s Daily Briefing, your 15-minute audio update on what’s happening in Israel, the Middle East, and the Jewish world, from Sunday through Thursday.

Today’s panel includes health and science correspondent Nathan Jeffay and Paralympics 2021 reporter Amy Spiro, along with host Jessica Steinberg.

Jeffay helps us make sense of the race taking place between soaring COVID-19 infections and the vaccination drive. Israelis are wondering how it will all pan out, particularly ahead of the September 1 school year and Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year starting September 6;

Jeffay also discusses the coronavirus statistics inundating the news, which can be confusing and misleading. He breaks down the numbers, helping us understand what the vaccines and boosters are doing for us.

Ahead of the Tuesday, August 24 start of the 2021 Paralympics in Tokyo, Spiro previews the Israeli athletes at the Games, letting us know who to watch. It's a far larger Israeli delegation at the Paralympics than at the recent Olympics Games, and with greater diversity as well, something Spiro investigates in her piece (see below).

Finally, Jeffay gives us a brief look into his upcoming feature on coronavirus czar Salman Zarka, an in-depth interview with the Druze doctor who's doing everything he can to bring the pandemic under control.

Discussed articles include:

Health chief says Israel may limit family gatherings on Rosh Hashanah 

Rapid virus test stations boosted amid complaints of slow service 

Rowing, shooting, wheelchair tennis: Israel sets its sights on the Paralympics 

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IMAGE: Israelis present their vaccination certificates at the entrance of the Rimon Cafe on August 18, 2021 (Photo by Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)

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