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| ‘The Fields Heal Everyone’: Post-Soviet Leaders’ Coronavirus Denial | ‘The Fields Heal Everyone’: Post-Soviet Leaders’ Coronavirus Denial |
| (3 days later) | |
| MOSCOW — The leaders of several former Soviet republics in Central Asia and elsewhere are still denying the severity of the coronavirus pandemic, weeks after most other governments abandoned that approach. | MOSCOW — The leaders of several former Soviet republics in Central Asia and elsewhere are still denying the severity of the coronavirus pandemic, weeks after most other governments abandoned that approach. |
| In Turkmenistan, ranked worst in the world for press freedom last year by Reporters Without Borders, state media began reporting on the virus only last week, monitors say. The president has promoted a medicinal herb as a cure. | In Turkmenistan, ranked worst in the world for press freedom last year by Reporters Without Borders, state media began reporting on the virus only last week, monitors say. The president has promoted a medicinal herb as a cure. |
| In Belarus, the president has kept schools and businesses open while promoting folk remedies like steaming in a sauna or drinking vodka, saying, “It’s better to die on your feet than on your knees.” | In Belarus, the president has kept schools and businesses open while promoting folk remedies like steaming in a sauna or drinking vodka, saying, “It’s better to die on your feet than on your knees.” |
| And in Tajikistan, the authorities herded thousands of students into a stadium for a Persian new year party, at which the president gave a speech extolling his citizens’ cleanliness as a reason the epidemic has not taken hold there. | And in Tajikistan, the authorities herded thousands of students into a stadium for a Persian new year party, at which the president gave a speech extolling his citizens’ cleanliness as a reason the epidemic has not taken hold there. |
| Caught in strange eddies of history, these leaders, all former Soviet apparatchiks who still operate Soviet-style states with near total control over the police and the news media, are lingering as some of the last “total deniers” of the severity of the virus, said Steve Swerdlow, a human rights lawyer and an authority on Central Asia. | Caught in strange eddies of history, these leaders, all former Soviet apparatchiks who still operate Soviet-style states with near total control over the police and the news media, are lingering as some of the last “total deniers” of the severity of the virus, said Steve Swerdlow, a human rights lawyer and an authority on Central Asia. |
| It is unfortunate, he said, because given the impressive apparatus of repression in these states, it “would be so remarkably easy to mobilize and centralize the response around this epidemic.” | It is unfortunate, he said, because given the impressive apparatus of repression in these states, it “would be so remarkably easy to mobilize and centralize the response around this epidemic.” |
| Instead, they have continued down the ever-lonelier path of playing down the problem, a strategy that has backfired elsewhere. | Instead, they have continued down the ever-lonelier path of playing down the problem, a strategy that has backfired elsewhere. |
| Most leaders who first minimized the threat have done an about face, including President Trump, who once compared the deadly pathogen disease to a seasonal flu. | Most leaders who first minimized the threat have done an about face, including President Trump, who once compared the deadly pathogen disease to a seasonal flu. |
| Until last week, Prime Minister Boris Johnson of Britain had pursued a strategy of mitigating the virus that resisted serious restrictions on movement. “I’m shaking hands continuously,” he said, before contracting the coronavirus himself and going into isolation. | Until last week, Prime Minister Boris Johnson of Britain had pursued a strategy of mitigating the virus that resisted serious restrictions on movement. “I’m shaking hands continuously,” he said, before contracting the coronavirus himself and going into isolation. |
| Brazil’s president, Jair Bolsonaro, has also held out. Although this week he described the pandemic as “the greatest challenge of our generation,” he has not endorsed strict isolation measures, even as the country’s reported cases have climbed to about 7,000, with nearly 250 deaths. His stance has led lawmakers and the head of Brazil’s Supreme Court to essentially suggest that the public ignore his advice, and a movement calling for his impeachment is gaining support. | Brazil’s president, Jair Bolsonaro, has also held out. Although this week he described the pandemic as “the greatest challenge of our generation,” he has not endorsed strict isolation measures, even as the country’s reported cases have climbed to about 7,000, with nearly 250 deaths. His stance has led lawmakers and the head of Brazil’s Supreme Court to essentially suggest that the public ignore his advice, and a movement calling for his impeachment is gaining support. |
| In Russia, President Vladimir V. Putin said the situation was under control and visited a coronavirus hospital on the outskirts of Moscow, where he shook hands with a doctor who later tested positive. On Wednesday, Mr. Putin’s spokesman said the president now preferred to work remotely from his country residence. | In Russia, President Vladimir V. Putin said the situation was under control and visited a coronavirus hospital on the outskirts of Moscow, where he shook hands with a doctor who later tested positive. On Wednesday, Mr. Putin’s spokesman said the president now preferred to work remotely from his country residence. |
| But an arc of former Soviet countries around Russia, including several in Central Asia — sometimes called the mustache belt, for the large numbers of mustachioed men — have stood out in denying the severity of the global crisis. | But an arc of former Soviet countries around Russia, including several in Central Asia — sometimes called the mustache belt, for the large numbers of mustachioed men — have stood out in denying the severity of the global crisis. |
| In Turkmenistan, state television viewers have mostly been spared the grim news of the pandemic. Only on March 25, days after the country closed its borders and the police started taking the temperatures of people arriving in the capital, did the state news media first report on the containment measures, according to Chronicles of Turkmenistan, a group that monitors the Turkmen news media. | In Turkmenistan, state television viewers have mostly been spared the grim news of the pandemic. Only on March 25, days after the country closed its borders and the police started taking the temperatures of people arriving in the capital, did the state news media first report on the containment measures, according to Chronicles of Turkmenistan, a group that monitors the Turkmen news media. |
| The country’s president, Gurbanguly Berdimukhammedov, had gone on television earlier in the month to recommend burning a medicinal herb, harmala, without saying why or mentioning the coronavirus. | The country’s president, Gurbanguly Berdimukhammedov, had gone on television earlier in the month to recommend burning a medicinal herb, harmala, without saying why or mentioning the coronavirus. |
| “Our wise ancestors strictly followed tradition,” he said. “They burned harmala on important occasions, whether moving to a new home, a wedding and at certain times when infectious diseases arose.” | “Our wise ancestors strictly followed tradition,” he said. “They burned harmala on important occasions, whether moving to a new home, a wedding and at certain times when infectious diseases arose.” |
| Radio Free Europe, which has journalists in the country, reported that Turkmenistan has tried to squelch even private conversations about the virus. Plainclothes police officers detain those who gossip about it in food lines, the news organization said. Despite sharing a border with Iran, which has reported more than 44,000 infections, Turkmenistan’s government says the country has not had a single case. | Radio Free Europe, which has journalists in the country, reported that Turkmenistan has tried to squelch even private conversations about the virus. Plainclothes police officers detain those who gossip about it in food lines, the news organization said. Despite sharing a border with Iran, which has reported more than 44,000 infections, Turkmenistan’s government says the country has not had a single case. |
| “To me it’s very short sighted,” Dmitri Trenin, the director of the Moscow Carnegie Center, said of the former Soviet leaders’ minimizing the epidemic. “If you say, ‘Well, we are an island in a stormy sea and that is because of me,’ then you’ve cloaked yourself in armor that doesn’t allow a single chink. If there is one chink, your credibility goes down.” | “To me it’s very short sighted,” Dmitri Trenin, the director of the Moscow Carnegie Center, said of the former Soviet leaders’ minimizing the epidemic. “If you say, ‘Well, we are an island in a stormy sea and that is because of me,’ then you’ve cloaked yourself in armor that doesn’t allow a single chink. If there is one chink, your credibility goes down.” |
| And they are not likely to be able to hold out long, he added. “Look around — they are surrounded by countries with multiple cases.” | And they are not likely to be able to hold out long, he added. “Look around — they are surrounded by countries with multiple cases.” |
| The president of Tajikistan, Emomali Rohman, who has been in power since soon after the Soviet collapse in 1991, initially embraced precautionary measures like closing mosques but then reversed course, without public explanation. | The president of Tajikistan, Emomali Rohman, who has been in power since soon after the Soviet collapse in 1991, initially embraced precautionary measures like closing mosques but then reversed course, without public explanation. |
| The message, though, was clear: He would defy the virus. As with the region’s other long-serving potentates, stability has been a cornerstone of Mr. Rohman’s political image. He casts himself as a fatherly figure who brought normalcy after the mayhem of the Soviet breakup and an ensuing civil war. | The message, though, was clear: He would defy the virus. As with the region’s other long-serving potentates, stability has been a cornerstone of Mr. Rohman’s political image. He casts himself as a fatherly figure who brought normalcy after the mayhem of the Soviet breakup and an ensuing civil war. |
| His playbook for holding together a wobbly state has been to deny vulnerability, first to terrorist attacks, which have been misrepresented as opposition violence, and now to the pandemic. As late as March 22, long after most nations had begun strict social distancing, Mr. Rohman gathered about 12,000 students in a stadium for a celebration of the Persian new year, Nowruz. | His playbook for holding together a wobbly state has been to deny vulnerability, first to terrorist attacks, which have been misrepresented as opposition violence, and now to the pandemic. As late as March 22, long after most nations had begun strict social distancing, Mr. Rohman gathered about 12,000 students in a stadium for a celebration of the Persian new year, Nowruz. |
| “We should be thankful we live in an atmosphere of freedom, in an independent, prosperous country and can celebrate Nowruz in peace and stability,” he told the crowd. He suggested that Tajiks’ good habits of cleanliness would help. | “We should be thankful we live in an atmosphere of freedom, in an independent, prosperous country and can celebrate Nowruz in peace and stability,” he told the crowd. He suggested that Tajiks’ good habits of cleanliness would help. |
| “Cleanliness, good housekeeping and observing the rules of hygiene are fundamental traits of our nation,” Mr. Rohman said. He wrapped up the party by saying: “I pray to God that the most difficult days for Tajikistan will be like these times now. Good job, all of you. Be happy.” | “Cleanliness, good housekeeping and observing the rules of hygiene are fundamental traits of our nation,” Mr. Rohman said. He wrapped up the party by saying: “I pray to God that the most difficult days for Tajikistan will be like these times now. Good job, all of you. Be happy.” |
| Updated June 5, 2020 | |
| 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. | |
| Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission. | Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission. |
| Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home. | Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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.) |
| Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications. | Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications. |
| The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing. | The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing. |
| 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. |
| Two students who took part in the festival said in telephone interviews that university deans had threatened them with expulsion if they tried to skip the party to avoid infection. | Two students who took part in the festival said in telephone interviews that university deans had threatened them with expulsion if they tried to skip the party to avoid infection. |
| “We had to attend the marches. They told us we would otherwise pay with expulsion,” said one woman studying at the State Art University, who asked that she not be named to avoid retribution by state security. | “We had to attend the marches. They told us we would otherwise pay with expulsion,” said one woman studying at the State Art University, who asked that she not be named to avoid retribution by state security. |
| “I come from a mountain village,” the woman said. “I read about the risks of coronavirus, about how quickly it spreads, but I am from a poor family and I did not want to risk” being expelled. | “I come from a mountain village,” the woman said. “I read about the risks of coronavirus, about how quickly it spreads, but I am from a poor family and I did not want to risk” being expelled. |
| In a statement, the Tajik health ministry said the country had no cases of coronavirus because it had closed its borders early and quarantined all travelers. | In a statement, the Tajik health ministry said the country had no cases of coronavirus because it had closed its borders early and quarantined all travelers. |
| In Belarus, President Aleksandr Lukashenko demonstrably visited a plasterboard factory that kept humming even though its product has no immediate use in countering the pandemic. Organizers packed workers into a small room, although they kept them a good six feet or so from the president. | In Belarus, President Aleksandr Lukashenko demonstrably visited a plasterboard factory that kept humming even though its product has no immediate use in countering the pandemic. Organizers packed workers into a small room, although they kept them a good six feet or so from the president. |
| “This psychosis has crippled national economies almost everywhere in the world,” he said, indicating that he would resist distancing strategies. In mid-March, he said Belarusians would work in the fields, on tractors, through the pandemic. | “This psychosis has crippled national economies almost everywhere in the world,” he said, indicating that he would resist distancing strategies. In mid-March, he said Belarusians would work in the fields, on tractors, through the pandemic. |
| “The tractor will heal everyone,” he said. “The fields heal everyone.” | “The tractor will heal everyone,” he said. “The fields heal everyone.” |
| Belarus has reported about 150 cases but no deaths. Mr. Lukashenko has ordered the secret police to investigate anybody falsely reporting a death from coronavirus. | Belarus has reported about 150 cases but no deaths. Mr. Lukashenko has ordered the secret police to investigate anybody falsely reporting a death from coronavirus. |
| Sergei Satsuk, an independent blogger, wrote that “this order, and the background of official stability in Belarus, makes it clear: It’s time to panic.” | Sergei Satsuk, an independent blogger, wrote that “this order, and the background of official stability in Belarus, makes it clear: It’s time to panic.” |