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| Confusion and Contradiction Reign in Iran’s Coronavirus Reporting | Confusion and Contradiction Reign in Iran’s Coronavirus Reporting |
| (7 days later) | |
| The authorities in Iran, the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak in the Middle East, reported a 58 percent jump in confirmed infections to 388 on Friday and a 30 percent increase in deaths to 34, and the health minister warned of a “pretty difficult week” ahead. | The authorities in Iran, the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak in the Middle East, reported a 58 percent jump in confirmed infections to 388 on Friday and a 30 percent increase in deaths to 34, and the health minister warned of a “pretty difficult week” ahead. |
| But the authorities denied a BBC Persia report that the deaths totaled at least 210 — a vastly higher figure — based on the news service’s own survey of Iranian hospitals. | But the authorities denied a BBC Persia report that the deaths totaled at least 210 — a vastly higher figure — based on the news service’s own survey of Iranian hospitals. |
| The conflicting information punctuated the mixed messages and confusion that have been emanating from Iran since it disclosed the first coronavirus deaths a little over a week ago. Confirmed infections and deaths have been rising steadily since then, most reported from Qom, a holy city and important Shiite pilgrimage site, but a growing number have emerged in Tehran and other parts of the country of 80 million. | The conflicting information punctuated the mixed messages and confusion that have been emanating from Iran since it disclosed the first coronavirus deaths a little over a week ago. Confirmed infections and deaths have been rising steadily since then, most reported from Qom, a holy city and important Shiite pilgrimage site, but a growing number have emerged in Tehran and other parts of the country of 80 million. |
| Senior figures in the Tehran hierarchy initially sought to play down the coronavirus as a manageable problem, exaggerated by their foreign enemies as a scare tactic. But at least seven officials have been infected, including the government’s top woman in the cabinet and a Health Ministry deputy who has been leading the coronavirus response. Infections in neighboring countries and even some as far as Canada, Norway and New Zealand have been traced to Iran. | Senior figures in the Tehran hierarchy initially sought to play down the coronavirus as a manageable problem, exaggerated by their foreign enemies as a scare tactic. But at least seven officials have been infected, including the government’s top woman in the cabinet and a Health Ministry deputy who has been leading the coronavirus response. Infections in neighboring countries and even some as far as Canada, Norway and New Zealand have been traced to Iran. |
| On Thursday, the Iranian authorities closed schools, canceled Friday prayers and moved to restrict visitors from China, the original source of the infection, even as Iran seeks to maintain robust commercial relations with China, Iran’s economic lifeline in the face of American sanctions. | On Thursday, the Iranian authorities closed schools, canceled Friday prayers and moved to restrict visitors from China, the original source of the infection, even as Iran seeks to maintain robust commercial relations with China, Iran’s economic lifeline in the face of American sanctions. |
| “We will be facing a pretty difficult week,” the health minister, Saeed Namaki, said in televised remarks on Friday. Even though health authorities have yet to assess fully the scope of infections in Iran, Mr. Namaki said that “the trajectory we see suggests a main peak of the disease in the next week and next coming days.” | “We will be facing a pretty difficult week,” the health minister, Saeed Namaki, said in televised remarks on Friday. Even though health authorities have yet to assess fully the scope of infections in Iran, Mr. Namaki said that “the trajectory we see suggests a main peak of the disease in the next week and next coming days.” |
| He exhorted the public “to please cooperate better, please help in reducing the contamination,” and to refrain from traveling — an indication that many Iranians, ingrained with distrust of the government, had been ignoring its advice. | He exhorted the public “to please cooperate better, please help in reducing the contamination,” and to refrain from traveling — an indication that many Iranians, ingrained with distrust of the government, had been ignoring its advice. |
| Kianoush Jahanpour, a Health Ministry spokesman, was quoted by official media as saying that 143 additional cases and eight additional deaths had been confirmed since Thursday, when the ministry reported 245 total cases and 26 total deaths. | Kianoush Jahanpour, a Health Ministry spokesman, was quoted by official media as saying that 143 additional cases and eight additional deaths had been confirmed since Thursday, when the ministry reported 245 total cases and 26 total deaths. |
| But official Iranian media dismissed the BBC Persian report of 210 total deaths, which was based on the news service’s tally of victims reported independently by hospitals around Iran. | But official Iranian media dismissed the BBC Persian report of 210 total deaths, which was based on the news service’s tally of victims reported independently by hospitals around Iran. |
| Many of those hospitals lack the test equipment required to confirm a coronavirus infection, raising questions about the accuracy of their reported figures. The Health Ministry has promised to sharply increase its testing capacity by next week. | Many of those hospitals lack the test equipment required to confirm a coronavirus infection, raising questions about the accuracy of their reported figures. The Health Ministry has promised to sharply increase its testing capacity by next week. |
| The confusion also has been amplified by the suspiciously high death rate of 10 percent in the official figures. The World Health Organization has said the rate was closer to 2 percent. So the official number of deaths in Iran reported so far, if accurate, suggests that the true number of infections may be higher. | The confusion also has been amplified by the suspiciously high death rate of 10 percent in the official figures. The World Health Organization has said the rate was closer to 2 percent. So the official number of deaths in Iran reported so far, if accurate, suggests that the true number of infections may be higher. |
| Adding further to the confusion was the contradictory information coming from some local officials. Nahid Khodakarami, the head of the health committee for Tehran’s City Council, for example, was quoted in official media on Friday as saying “it’s likely that between 10,000 to 15,000 people in Iran have been infected with coronavirus.” How he arrived at the conclusion is unclear. | Adding further to the confusion was the contradictory information coming from some local officials. Nahid Khodakarami, the head of the health committee for Tehran’s City Council, for example, was quoted in official media on Friday as saying “it’s likely that between 10,000 to 15,000 people in Iran have been infected with coronavirus.” How he arrived at the conclusion is unclear. |
| Contradictory news from Iran on the coronavirus also revealed an embarrassing error by the official media. Elham Sheikhi, 23, a prominent athlete from Isfahan and member of the woman’s national team in futsal, a form of soccer, said Friday in a video release that contrary to earlier announcements of her death from the coronavirus — including a condolence message from a sports federation — she was alive and healthy. Ms. Sheikhi attributed the mistake to an erroneous assumption, based on the death of a Qom woman with the same age and name. | Contradictory news from Iran on the coronavirus also revealed an embarrassing error by the official media. Elham Sheikhi, 23, a prominent athlete from Isfahan and member of the woman’s national team in futsal, a form of soccer, said Friday in a video release that contrary to earlier announcements of her death from the coronavirus — including a condolence message from a sports federation — she was alive and healthy. Ms. Sheikhi attributed the mistake to an erroneous assumption, based on the death of a Qom woman with the same age and name. |
| Updated June 22, 2020 | |
| A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico. | |
| The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth. | The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth. |
| The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave. | The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave. |
| So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement. | So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement. |
| Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks. | Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks. |
| A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study. | A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study. |
| The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April. | The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April. |
| States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people. | States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people. |
| Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days. | Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days. |
| If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.) | If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.) |
| If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others. | If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others. |
| If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested. | If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested. |
| In Washington, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who has helped lead the Trump administration’s effort to isolate Iran economically, said in congressional testimony on Friday that he did not believe Iran was prepared to handle the coronavirus outbreak. | In Washington, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who has helped lead the Trump administration’s effort to isolate Iran economically, said in congressional testimony on Friday that he did not believe Iran was prepared to handle the coronavirus outbreak. |
| “Their health care infrastructure is not robust,” Mr. Pompeo said, “and to date their willingness to share information about what’s really going on inside of the Islamic Republic of Iran has not been robust.” | “Their health care infrastructure is not robust,” Mr. Pompeo said, “and to date their willingness to share information about what’s really going on inside of the Islamic Republic of Iran has not been robust.” |
| He said he was “very concerned.” | He said he was “very concerned.” |
| Administration critics contend its sanctions policy has contributed to a deterioration in Iran’s public health resources. | Administration critics contend its sanctions policy has contributed to a deterioration in Iran’s public health resources. |
| Lara Jakes and Catie Edmondson contributed reporting. | Lara Jakes and Catie Edmondson contributed reporting. |