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| Iraq Resists Iranian Pressure to Reopen Border Closed to Slow Covid-19 | Iraq Resists Iranian Pressure to Reopen Border Closed to Slow Covid-19 |
| (3 days later) | |
| BAGHDAD — Truck by truck, border post by border post, a power struggle is unfolding between Iraq and Iran over when to reopen the frontier between the two countries, which Iraq closed five weeks ago to limit the spread of the coronavirus. | BAGHDAD — Truck by truck, border post by border post, a power struggle is unfolding between Iraq and Iran over when to reopen the frontier between the two countries, which Iraq closed five weeks ago to limit the spread of the coronavirus. |
| Iran, which has been hit hard by the virus but needs trade with Iraq to help stabilize its economy, wants it reopened immediately. | Iran, which has been hit hard by the virus but needs trade with Iraq to help stabilize its economy, wants it reopened immediately. |
| Iraq, which fears opening the border to the region’s most heavily infected country, is resisting. | Iraq, which fears opening the border to the region’s most heavily infected country, is resisting. |
| The dispute comes at a time of mounting pressure in Iraq to reduce Iran’s influence, which has been an increasingly powerful force in Iraqi affairs since the United States and its allies overthrew the government of the Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein in 2003. | The dispute comes at a time of mounting pressure in Iraq to reduce Iran’s influence, which has been an increasingly powerful force in Iraqi affairs since the United States and its allies overthrew the government of the Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein in 2003. |
| The coronavirus first arrived in Iraq from Iran, and only through strenuous efforts has Iraq kept its caseload relatively low, with only 82 deaths attributed to the virus by Monday. | The coronavirus first arrived in Iraq from Iran, and only through strenuous efforts has Iraq kept its caseload relatively low, with only 82 deaths attributed to the virus by Monday. |
| Iran is one of the world’s coronavirus epicenters, with more than 75,000 cases and 5,200 deaths reported, and some 1,400 new cases a day. | Iran is one of the world’s coronavirus epicenters, with more than 75,000 cases and 5,200 deaths reported, and some 1,400 new cases a day. |
| Iraq closed its 1000-mile border with Iran to Iranians on March 8 and a week later stopped even Iraqi citizens living in Iran from returning to their home country. Until then, the border had been largely porous, with some Iraqis having family members on both sides and Shiite Muslim religious pilgrims going back and forth. | Iraq closed its 1000-mile border with Iran to Iranians on March 8 and a week later stopped even Iraqi citizens living in Iran from returning to their home country. Until then, the border had been largely porous, with some Iraqis having family members on both sides and Shiite Muslim religious pilgrims going back and forth. |
| Now, Iran’s leaders are desperate to start reviving an economy staggering under American sanctions and falling oil prices. They recently reopened cities and ended the country’s stay-at-home policy to try to get Iranians back to work. | Now, Iran’s leaders are desperate to start reviving an economy staggering under American sanctions and falling oil prices. They recently reopened cities and ended the country’s stay-at-home policy to try to get Iranians back to work. |
| Without trade and movement between Iran and Iraq, however, Tehran will be hard put to get some of its non-oil industries fully functional again. | Without trade and movement between Iran and Iraq, however, Tehran will be hard put to get some of its non-oil industries fully functional again. |
| Until the coronavirus closed the borders, Iraq had been a major market for Iranian agricultural products, for construction materials, and for dairy goods as well as farmed fish. | Until the coronavirus closed the borders, Iraq had been a major market for Iranian agricultural products, for construction materials, and for dairy goods as well as farmed fish. |
| Iran’s goal was to increase trade with its neighbor to $20 billion worth of goods over the next couple of years. Iraq may not be Iran’s biggest trading partner — China is — but it does offer access to the dollars Tehran desperately needs. | Iran’s goal was to increase trade with its neighbor to $20 billion worth of goods over the next couple of years. Iraq may not be Iran’s biggest trading partner — China is — but it does offer access to the dollars Tehran desperately needs. |
| Iran also is a major natural gas supplier to Iraq, which depends on it to fuel its electricity plants in the south and center of the country in periods of high use. While gas deliveries were not hampered by the border closures, Iran’s other products have not reached Iraqi markets in large quantities for more than a month. | Iran also is a major natural gas supplier to Iraq, which depends on it to fuel its electricity plants in the south and center of the country in periods of high use. While gas deliveries were not hampered by the border closures, Iran’s other products have not reached Iraqi markets in large quantities for more than a month. |
| Last week, the head of Iran’s Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization, Ali Reza Rashidian, announced that “planning has begun to reopen the borders between Iraq and Iran.” | Last week, the head of Iran’s Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization, Ali Reza Rashidian, announced that “planning has begun to reopen the borders between Iraq and Iran.” |
| Iraqi officials were aghast, and issued a quick denial. | Iraqi officials were aghast, and issued a quick denial. |
| “Our land border crossings with Iran and Kuwait are completely closed for the movement of passengers and commercial exchange and this closing will continue until further notice,” said Alaa al-Deen al-Qaisi, the spokesman for the Iraqi Border Authority. | “Our land border crossings with Iran and Kuwait are completely closed for the movement of passengers and commercial exchange and this closing will continue until further notice,” said Alaa al-Deen al-Qaisi, the spokesman for the Iraqi Border Authority. |
| Behind the scenes, Iran was lobbying the Iraqi Foreign Ministry to open the borders, said Badr al-Zayadi, a member of Parliament from Basra, a border city, who serves on the Security and Defense Committee. | Behind the scenes, Iran was lobbying the Iraqi Foreign Ministry to open the borders, said Badr al-Zayadi, a member of Parliament from Basra, a border city, who serves on the Security and Defense Committee. |
| The two countries have a charged and complex relationship, with overlapping ties and enmities going back hundreds of years. Both countries are majority Shiite Muslim, and Iran supported Iraq’s postwar development and sent forces in to help defeat the Islamic State. | The two countries have a charged and complex relationship, with overlapping ties and enmities going back hundreds of years. Both countries are majority Shiite Muslim, and Iran supported Iraq’s postwar development and sent forces in to help defeat the Islamic State. |
| But more recently, Iran has exerted political and economic pressure on Iraq that many Iraqis believe are not in the country’s best interest. Iran intervened in the selection of a prime minister and pushed Iraq to oust the American military from the country. | But more recently, Iran has exerted political and economic pressure on Iraq that many Iraqis believe are not in the country’s best interest. Iran intervened in the selection of a prime minister and pushed Iraq to oust the American military from the country. |
| During anti-government protests in Iraq last fall, anti-Iranian sentiment emerged. | During anti-government protests in Iraq last fall, anti-Iranian sentiment emerged. |
| “During the protests, it started with a call to buy Iraqi products, and many people saw it as a patriotic thing to do, and demand even grew for some Iraqi products,” said Abbas Kadhim, director of the Atlantic Council’s Iraq Initiative. | “During the protests, it started with a call to buy Iraqi products, and many people saw it as a patriotic thing to do, and demand even grew for some Iraqi products,” said Abbas Kadhim, director of the Atlantic Council’s Iraq Initiative. |
| But the anti-Iranian sentiment was limited to a relatively small group. | But the anti-Iranian sentiment was limited to a relatively small group. |
| Now, in the coronavirus era, with the health of Iraqis at stake, the push to distance the country from Iran has gained broader appeal. | Now, in the coronavirus era, with the health of Iraqis at stake, the push to distance the country from Iran has gained broader appeal. |
| “People don’t talk about it as anti-Iranian,” Mr. Kadhim said. “There are niceties. But people speak about their health. They will support Iran, but not at the expense of health.” | “People don’t talk about it as anti-Iranian,” Mr. Kadhim said. “There are niceties. But people speak about their health. They will support Iran, but not at the expense of health.” |
| In southern Iraq, cities including Najaf and Karbala have been turning back trucks laden with Iranian goods — mostly foodstuffs. | In southern Iraq, cities including Najaf and Karbala have been turning back trucks laden with Iranian goods — mostly foodstuffs. |
| Last week, when 20 cargo trucks arrived at the city gates of Najaf, the governor stopped them. The same thing happened in Karbala, which, like Najaf, is a city of Shiite shrines whose economy is heavily dependent on Iranian pilgrims. | Last week, when 20 cargo trucks arrived at the city gates of Najaf, the governor stopped them. The same thing happened in Karbala, which, like Najaf, is a city of Shiite shrines whose economy is heavily dependent on Iranian pilgrims. |
| “Karbala Province is preventing the entry of all dairy and other soft materials, whether from Iran or other neighboring countries, because of the possibility of that the coronavirus might be transmit in or on these foodstuffs,” said the deputy governor of Karbala, Jassim al-Fatlawi. “This is being done in keeping with public health guidance.” | “Karbala Province is preventing the entry of all dairy and other soft materials, whether from Iran or other neighboring countries, because of the possibility of that the coronavirus might be transmit in or on these foodstuffs,” said the deputy governor of Karbala, Jassim al-Fatlawi. “This is being done in keeping with public health guidance.” |
| He added, “Karbala does not allow any Iranian visitors to enter — we want to keep the coronavirus from spreading in the city.” | He added, “Karbala does not allow any Iranian visitors to enter — we want to keep the coronavirus from spreading in the city.” |
| Updated June 5, 2020 | Updated June 5, 2020 |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| On Monday, the border patrol in Basra stopped members of Iranian-backed militias from taking Iraqi trucks to Iran, presumably to bring them back filled with Iranian goods for sale. | On Monday, the border patrol in Basra stopped members of Iranian-backed militias from taking Iraqi trucks to Iran, presumably to bring them back filled with Iranian goods for sale. |
| The closings have taken a toll on Iranian exports. | The closings have taken a toll on Iranian exports. |
| One company, Kalleh Dairy, which produces yogurt and cheeses, has laid off workers in Iran because of the decreased Iraqi demand and the limited border crossings, said Abu Jassim Al-Kufi, an agent for the brand. | One company, Kalleh Dairy, which produces yogurt and cheeses, has laid off workers in Iran because of the decreased Iraqi demand and the limited border crossings, said Abu Jassim Al-Kufi, an agent for the brand. |
| Political observers here see Iraq’s resistance to reopening the border as a signal that Iraqis no longer want Iran to assume it can get what it wants from their country, when it wants. | Political observers here see Iraq’s resistance to reopening the border as a signal that Iraqis no longer want Iran to assume it can get what it wants from their country, when it wants. |
| That is especially the case when it comes to Iranian efforts to dominate the Iraqi marketplace with dairy products and construction materials such as bricks, which Iran sells more cheaply, hurting Iraqi production. | That is especially the case when it comes to Iranian efforts to dominate the Iraqi marketplace with dairy products and construction materials such as bricks, which Iran sells more cheaply, hurting Iraqi production. |
| “The virus has given the Iraqis a cover and justification to express their feelings about the relationship between Iraq and Iran,’ said Yaseen al-Bakri, a political-science professor at Al Nahrain University in Baghdad. | “The virus has given the Iraqis a cover and justification to express their feelings about the relationship between Iraq and Iran,’ said Yaseen al-Bakri, a political-science professor at Al Nahrain University in Baghdad. |
| “Many Iraqis understand that there are many negative sides in this relationship that damage the Iraqis,” he said, “but they have concerns about mentioning these things publicly. But today, the virus has given them an acceptable way to say it.” | “Many Iraqis understand that there are many negative sides in this relationship that damage the Iraqis,” he said, “but they have concerns about mentioning these things publicly. But today, the virus has given them an acceptable way to say it.” |
| One Iraqi, Hassan Mohammed, a 31-year old government employee in Najaf, said his family had recently given him clear instructions when he went shopping. | One Iraqi, Hassan Mohammed, a 31-year old government employee in Najaf, said his family had recently given him clear instructions when he went shopping. |
| “Before I went to the market, my family told me, ‘Do not buy dairy or cheese or any other foods from Iran, because many infected people are in Iran,’” he said. | “Before I went to the market, my family told me, ‘Do not buy dairy or cheese or any other foods from Iran, because many infected people are in Iran,’” he said. |