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As Virus Spreads in Russia’s Caucasus, Rumors Swirl Over Strongman’s Health As Virus Spreads in Russia’s Caucasus, Rumors Swirl Over Strongman’s Health
(7 days later)
MOSCOW — The strongman leader of Chechnya, a close ally of President Vladimir V. Putin, is hospitalized with possible symptoms of the coronavirus, state-run news agencies say. A spokesman suggests he is just keeping a low profile because he is “thinking.”MOSCOW — The strongman leader of Chechnya, a close ally of President Vladimir V. Putin, is hospitalized with possible symptoms of the coronavirus, state-run news agencies say. A spokesman suggests he is just keeping a low profile because he is “thinking.”
Uncertainty over the health of the leader, Ramzan Kadyrov, has broad implications, coming just as the virus is shaking the volatile and predominantly Muslim Caucasus region of southern Russia.Uncertainty over the health of the leader, Ramzan Kadyrov, has broad implications, coming just as the virus is shaking the volatile and predominantly Muslim Caucasus region of southern Russia.
Even Chechnya’s very status as part of Russia — at issue in two wars in the post-Soviet era — revolves in no small part on the close ties between Mr. Kadyrov and Mr. Putin.Even Chechnya’s very status as part of Russia — at issue in two wars in the post-Soviet era — revolves in no small part on the close ties between Mr. Kadyrov and Mr. Putin.
“This entire system depends on the personal relationship between Putin and Kadyrov,” said Ekaterina Sokiryanskaya, a specialist on human rights in the region, who is based in St. Petersburg. “It can’t be easily passed on.”“This entire system depends on the personal relationship between Putin and Kadyrov,” said Ekaterina Sokiryanskaya, a specialist on human rights in the region, who is based in St. Petersburg. “It can’t be easily passed on.”
Official numbers are still low — Chechnya has reported 1,046 cases of the virus and 11 deaths — but signs are emerging daily that the toll across the Caucasus is far greater, and growing.Official numbers are still low — Chechnya has reported 1,046 cases of the virus and 11 deaths — but signs are emerging daily that the toll across the Caucasus is far greater, and growing.
The pandemic appears to be hitting the neighboring republic of Dagestan harder. Mr. Putin held an unusual televised video conference with Dagestani leaders this week, warning that traditional festivities marking the end of Ramadan this weekend posed a threat.The pandemic appears to be hitting the neighboring republic of Dagestan harder. Mr. Putin held an unusual televised video conference with Dagestani leaders this week, warning that traditional festivities marking the end of Ramadan this weekend posed a threat.
A top cleric, Mufti Akhmad Abdulayev, told Mr. Putin on the call that more than 700 people had died there, including 50 medical workers. “No one is keeping statistics on the people who are dying of illnesses in their homes,” he said. “They die, they are buried according to tradition, and no one counts them.”A top cleric, Mufti Akhmad Abdulayev, told Mr. Putin on the call that more than 700 people had died there, including 50 medical workers. “No one is keeping statistics on the people who are dying of illnesses in their homes,” he said. “They die, they are buried according to tradition, and no one counts them.”
Mr. Kadyrov, 43, the governor of the Chechen Republic, has long played an outsize role in the region. His father, Akhmad, fought the Russians during Chechnya’s first bloody war for independence, in the 1990s, then switched sides and backed Mr. Putin in the second Chechen war, in the early 2000s.Mr. Kadyrov, 43, the governor of the Chechen Republic, has long played an outsize role in the region. His father, Akhmad, fought the Russians during Chechnya’s first bloody war for independence, in the 1990s, then switched sides and backed Mr. Putin in the second Chechen war, in the early 2000s.
After his father was killed by rebels in 2004, Mr. Kadyrov came to symbolize Mr. Putin’s consolidation of domestic power. The Kremlin showered Chechnya with cash, gave Mr. Kadyrov leeway to enforce brutal crackdowns on critics and militants and helped finance his lavish lifestyle.After his father was killed by rebels in 2004, Mr. Kadyrov came to symbolize Mr. Putin’s consolidation of domestic power. The Kremlin showered Chechnya with cash, gave Mr. Kadyrov leeway to enforce brutal crackdowns on critics and militants and helped finance his lavish lifestyle.
But Grigory Shvedov, editor of the news outlet Caucasian Knot, which covers the region, said Mr. Kadyrov is not irreplaceable. The Kremlin’s control over Chechnya, he said, depends in large part on the money it pumps into local coffers.But Grigory Shvedov, editor of the news outlet Caucasian Knot, which covers the region, said Mr. Kadyrov is not irreplaceable. The Kremlin’s control over Chechnya, he said, depends in large part on the money it pumps into local coffers.
“If Chechnya continues to get its budget subsidies, Chechnya can be led by someone else,” Mr. Shvedov said.“If Chechnya continues to get its budget subsidies, Chechnya can be led by someone else,” Mr. Shvedov said.
Russia’s two main state-run news agencies, Tass and RIA Novosti, reported on Thursday that Mr. Kadyrov had been taken to a Moscow hospital, possibly with symptoms of the coronavirus. Mr. Kadyrov’s aides issued only cryptic comments afterward.Russia’s two main state-run news agencies, Tass and RIA Novosti, reported on Thursday that Mr. Kadyrov had been taken to a Moscow hospital, possibly with symptoms of the coronavirus. Mr. Kadyrov’s aides issued only cryptic comments afterward.
Dzhambulat Umarov, the Chechen information minister, posted a quotation on Instagram that appeared to be from Mr. Kadyrov and that seemed to ridicule questions about his health, without confirming or denying that he was sick.Dzhambulat Umarov, the Chechen information minister, posted a quotation on Instagram that appeared to be from Mr. Kadyrov and that seemed to ridicule questions about his health, without confirming or denying that he was sick.
“They don’t like it when I’m silent,” Mr. Kadyrov is quoted as saying in Mr. Umarov’s Instagram post. “It’s nothing personal. It’s just that I am silent when I … AM THINKING.”“They don’t like it when I’m silent,” Mr. Kadyrov is quoted as saying in Mr. Umarov’s Instagram post. “It’s nothing personal. It’s just that I am silent when I … AM THINKING.”
Mr. Kadyrov had imposed a tough lockdown as the virus began to spread, even closing the borders of his mountainous region of 1.5 million people to the rest of the country.Mr. Kadyrov had imposed a tough lockdown as the virus began to spread, even closing the borders of his mountainous region of 1.5 million people to the rest of the country.
He called anyone who violated quarantine orders “worse than a terrorist” and said they should be “buried in a hole in the earth,” but he did not stick to social distancing guidelines himself. Visiting a hospital treating coronavirus patients in April, for instance, Mr. Kadyrov did not don a mask when he posed for a group selfie with medical workers.He called anyone who violated quarantine orders “worse than a terrorist” and said they should be “buried in a hole in the earth,” but he did not stick to social distancing guidelines himself. Visiting a hospital treating coronavirus patients in April, for instance, Mr. Kadyrov did not don a mask when he posed for a group selfie with medical workers.
And when medical workers at one Chechen hospital publicly complained about shortages of protective gear, Mr. Kadyrov called them “provocateurs” who should be fired.And when medical workers at one Chechen hospital publicly complained about shortages of protective gear, Mr. Kadyrov called them “provocateurs” who should be fired.
Updated June 24, 2020 Updated June 30, 2020
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.
Scientists around the country have tried to identify everyday materials that do a good job of filtering microscopic particles. In recent tests, HEPA furnace filters scored high, as did vacuum cleaner bags, fabric similar to flannel pajamas and those of 600-count pillowcases. Other materials tested included layered coffee filters and scarves and bandannas. These scored lower, but still captured a small percentage of particles.Scientists around the country have tried to identify everyday materials that do a good job of filtering microscopic particles. In recent tests, HEPA furnace filters scored high, as did vacuum cleaner bags, fabric similar to flannel pajamas and those of 600-count pillowcases. Other materials tested included layered coffee filters and scarves and bandannas. These scored lower, but still captured a small percentage of particles.
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.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.
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.
It’s not clear, however, if sowing fear — Mr. Kadyrov’s typical approach to governance — has been sufficient to slow the spread of the virus.It’s not clear, however, if sowing fear — Mr. Kadyrov’s typical approach to governance — has been sufficient to slow the spread of the virus.
“The Chechen authorities, in my view, are not prepared to shoot or kidnap people violating quarantine,” Mr. Shvedov said. “Lacking this tool kit, they become less effective.”“The Chechen authorities, in my view, are not prepared to shoot or kidnap people violating quarantine,” Mr. Shvedov said. “Lacking this tool kit, they become less effective.”
Overall, Russia has reported 326,448 coronavirus cases, the second-highest total in the world. The government insists its relatively low death count — 3,249 — is accurate, though overall mortality figures suggest a higher total.Overall, Russia has reported 326,448 coronavirus cases, the second-highest total in the world. The government insists its relatively low death count — 3,249 — is accurate, though overall mortality figures suggest a higher total.
Dagestani officials are increasingly acknowledging that the statistics do not describe the true scale of the outbreak.Dagestani officials are increasingly acknowledging that the statistics do not describe the true scale of the outbreak.
“Across Dagestan, one of the most serious problems is that the numbers of coronavirus cases and deaths are understated,” a Moscow infectious disease specialist, Dr. Irina Tragira, said in a news release issued by the Dagestani city of Derbent.“Across Dagestan, one of the most serious problems is that the numbers of coronavirus cases and deaths are understated,” a Moscow infectious disease specialist, Dr. Irina Tragira, said in a news release issued by the Dagestani city of Derbent.
As a result, Dr. Tragira said, medication for coronavirus patients is “catastrophically lacking.” She said Dagestan had already recorded 820 pneumonia deaths that had not been classified as coronavirus-related. According to the official count, 65 people have died of the coronavirus in Dagestan.As a result, Dr. Tragira said, medication for coronavirus patients is “catastrophically lacking.” She said Dagestan had already recorded 820 pneumonia deaths that had not been classified as coronavirus-related. According to the official count, 65 people have died of the coronavirus in Dagestan.
The toll among medical workers in Dagestan appears to be particularly severe even for Russia, where doctors and nurses have been dying in staggering numbers. Several doctors in Dagestan said in interviews that some residents did not heed warnings to stay away from relatives and funerals until it was too late.The toll among medical workers in Dagestan appears to be particularly severe even for Russia, where doctors and nurses have been dying in staggering numbers. Several doctors in Dagestan said in interviews that some residents did not heed warnings to stay away from relatives and funerals until it was too late.
A nephrologist, Dr. Zagidat Amayeva, confided the concern to her daughter weeks before she died of the coronavirus this spring. The patients at her small-town dialysis clinic, Dr. Amayeva said, did not appear to be taking the pandemic seriously even as the government asked people to stay home.A nephrologist, Dr. Zagidat Amayeva, confided the concern to her daughter weeks before she died of the coronavirus this spring. The patients at her small-town dialysis clinic, Dr. Amayeva said, did not appear to be taking the pandemic seriously even as the government asked people to stay home.
“Most people did not believe all this,” Dr. Amayeva’s daughter, Tamara Aliyeva, said.“Most people did not believe all this,” Dr. Amayeva’s daughter, Tamara Aliyeva, said.