While the number of deaths from China’s coronavirus are going up, the latest casualty might be Iran’s Deputy Health Minister Iraj Harirchi. The Iranian official tested positive for coronavirus, causing speculation that he might end up dying in the line of duty.
Meanwhile, Harirchi has called on people not to panic. He asserts that he will recover in a few weeks.
The deputy health minister had looked obviously feverish, sweating profusely as he held a joint press conference.
He was later confirmed to have tested positive for coronavirus. Today many other officials have been reported to have tested positive as well.
BREAKING: Iran's deputy health minister tests positive for coronavirus; he had previously looked unwell during a press conference pic.twitter.com/at0DHN0m3a
— BNO News (@BNOFeed) February 25, 2020
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Later a clearly unwell Iraj Harirchi sat through a television interview. The journalists and officials in attendance at the press conference and interview had not worn masks.
There are no quarantine measures in place. The journalists in contact with Iran’s Deputy Health Minister are not being kept away from other officials or even the public.
In fact, Iraj Harirchi had downplayed the disease himself as he sat coughing and sweating in the interview.
“the situation is almost stable in the country.”
2-Yet, on social media, Iranians don't believe that officials like this deputy minister have #CoronaVirus. If they really did, then why isn't this TV presenter quarantined? She's now interviewing someone else. She was the one interviewing Harrichi yesterday. pic.twitter.com/sId5u5y7k5
— Masih Alinejad 🏳️ (@AlinejadMasih) February 25, 2020
Safety measures?
One Iranian journalist pointed out how both officials and the public downplaying their symptoms is adding to the problem. He added how downplaying the disease and lack of quarantine will just help the disease spread.
China has recently delivered 250,00 masks to Iran to prevent the virus from spreading. Better put those masks to good use.
3-Iranians actually think some officials are lying when they claim to have #CoronaVirus. By appearing in good shape despite claiming to have the virus, they're downplaying this pandemic. They're exposing Iranians to a catastrophe. This issue is serious and Iran is downplaying it
— Masih Alinejad 🏳️ (@AlinejadMasih) February 25, 2020
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Yet it’s never too late as Iran’s Deputy Health Minister showcased through self quarantine. In a video message, Harirchi also promised that authorities would bring the virus under control.
“I wanted to tell you that, rest assured that with efforts of your servants at the Health Ministry … and backed by you people, the government and all elements of the establishment, we will be victorious in our combat against this virus within the next few weeks,”
https://twitter.com/bai_mina/status/1232340367116247043
