'As Virus Spreads in Russia’s Caucasus, Rumors Swirl Over Strongman’s Health' diff viewer (3/4)

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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
2020-06-03 02:14:24 UTC	2020-06-03 02:46:25 UTC (32 minutes 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.
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.
~~Updated June 1, 2020~~	Updated June 2, 2020
	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.)
More than 40 million people — the equivalent of 1 in 4 U.S. workers — have filed for unemployment benefits since the pandemic took hold. One in five who were working in February reported losing a job or being furloughed in March or the beginning of April, data from a Federal Reserve survey released on May 14 showed, and that pain was highly concentrated among low earners. Fully 39 percent of former workers living in a household earning $40,000 or less lost work, compared with 13 percent in those making more than $100,000, a Fed official said.	More than 40 million people — the equivalent of 1 in 4 U.S. workers — have filed for unemployment benefits since the pandemic took hold. One in five who were working in February reported losing a job or being furloughed in March or the beginning of April, data from a Federal Reserve survey released on May 14 showed, and that pain was highly concentrated among low earners. Fully 39 percent of former workers living in a household earning $40,000 or less lost work, compared with 13 percent in those making more than $100,000, a Fed official said.
Yes, but make sure you keep six feet of distance between you and people who don’t live in your home. Even if you just hang out in a park, rather than go for a jog or a walk, getting some fresh air, and hopefully sunshine, is a good idea.
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.
Charity Navigator, which evaluates charities using a numbers-based system, has a running list of nonprofits working in communities affected by the outbreak. You can give blood through the American Red Cross, and World Central Kitchen has stepped in to distribute meals in major cities.
“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.