Author: Lao Cu
Source: Yuan Shan Po
The highly contagious and deadly nature of the virus is an undeniable fact. Whether the World Health Organization classifies it as a global pandemic is meaningless. Countries around the world are taking emergency measures to prevent the further spread of the virus. Therefore, public opinion is further concerned about whether information transparency is more conducive to preventing the spread of the virus?
In other words, what kind of political system is more effective in dealing with large-scale infectious diseases? Let's take a close look at how Iran is dealing with the coronavirus epidemic.
Until a week ago, there was no news about the coronavirus epidemic in Iran. It was not until last week that multiple death cases suddenly appeared in Iran. High-ranking officials such as the Vice President and Deputy Minister of Health in Iran also had multiple infection cases. On the 27th, a 23-year-old female football star in Iran died from the virus. In just one week, Iran became the country with the highest number of deaths from the novel coronavirus outside of China. How to explain why the epidemic is so serious in Iran? How to comment on Iran's preventive and treatment measures?
The media interviewed Ms. Gao Jiesita Yipulaxin, a foreign journalist stationed in Iran, who said, "If we describe it in one sentence, the Iranian government's response policy is very bad, and the main reason is, of course, structural reasons."
Ms. Gao Jiesita Yipulaxin said, "Because the Iranian Revolutionary Guards control all information and cannot disclose any information that is detrimental to the system, especially news that is detrimental to the Iranian spiritual leader."
Ms. Gao Jiesita Yipulaxin introduced, "On the other hand, due to the long-term sanctions imposed by the United States, Iran lacks the necessary medical equipment and means, and does not have enough equipment to detect the virus. Only in the capital Tehran can patients be tested for the virus. Effectively responding to this epidemic means that personnel and traffic between Iran and China must be terminated, and the source of the virus must be explained to the public, etc., and the economic consequences generated from this are difficult for Iran to bear. That's why Iran still maintains air transportation with China."
Ms. Gao Jiesita Yipulaxin introduced, "In fact, according to information from the Iranian network and Iranian medical experts we interviewed, the new coronavirus in Iran may have two sources: it may be directly brought to Iran by Chinese people, or it may be brought back by Iranians from China. However, these information are not mentioned by the Iranian official media."
Ms. Gao Jiesita Yipulaxin said, "Yesterday, the Iranian Ministry of Health announced that there were 240 confirmed cases and 24 deaths. Just from the official numbers, we can see that the actual number of infections far exceeds the official statistics. As for how many cases Iran actually has, it is a huge question. Unless independent medical institutions conduct investigations locally, it is difficult to obtain real data."
Ms. Gao Jiesita Yipulaxin introduced, "The Iranian authorities not only conceal the true situation of the epidemic, but also downplay the harm of the virus. This is why many Iranian people are very dissatisfied with the government. A few months ago, the Iranian police brutally suppressed the demonstrators, and two months ago, the government lied to the world in the Ukrainian plane incident, causing the Iranian people to no longer trust the Iranian authorities. However, the Iranian government continues to pursue an ostrich policy and continues to downplay the threat of the virus."
In the interview, Ms. Gao Jiesita Yipulaxin also told the media that in addition to the lack of transparency in the political system, Iran's religious beliefs provide a breeding ground for the spread of the virus. Iranian people are devout Shiite believers, and physical contact is involved in prayers in mosques or daily greetings, which is the best way for the virus to spread.
However, the Iranian authorities have never issued any warnings about this. Obviously, science can only take a back seat in the face of the almighty God.
Further reading:
WHO raises global risk assessment of novel coronavirus outbreak
According to reports, the World Health Organization announced on Friday that it has raised the global risk of the novel coronavirus to the "highest level."
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in Geneva on Friday that given the increasing number of countries and cases affected by the novel coronavirus outside of China in recent days, the WHO has decided to raise the risk assessment of the spread and impact of the virus from "high" to "very high," which is the highest level of risk assessment by the WHO. He called on all countries that have not yet reported cases of the novel coronavirus to "prepare for its arrival."
Tedros said, "Those who think they can avoid the virus are making a big mistake."
Tedros also said that more than 20 vaccines are being developed globally, and several treatment drugs are in clinical trials. Preliminary results are expected to be available in a few weeks.
According to official statistics cited by the media, as of Friday, the epidemic has occurred in 59 countries and regions.