Why is the rate, including among officials, of coronavirus so high in Iran? It is because, up to now, a total disrespect for avoiding the virus (i.e., officials meeting infected persons from China to welcome them back to Iran, shaking their hands, giving them hugs, and then the officials go back to work—and even go to meet and report back to Pres. Rouhani). I know, this is shocking, but explains why so many high officials in Iran are now infected and one already dead. I’m sure the Supreme Leader is now paranoid for himself. “Why is Iran’s reported mortality rate for coronavirus higher than in other countries?,” Dan De Luce, NBC, February 25, 2020. As this story reports, “Iran’s reported mortality rate for the illness — about 16 percent — surpasses the rate for other countries by a dramatic margin.”
Why won’t they close the 11,000 shrines, and encourage Iranians and Shiites to continue to visit? The reason is cash. Admission fees, donations, etc. are critical to the imams’ income, so they don’t want to close the thousands of shrines in Iran (and Iraq), despite the health risks of everyone touching the same grills and bars and some who kiss those things during rituals and visits. “Iranian Clerics Keep Shrines Open, Even As Virus Spreads,” AP, February 25, 2020. It is more important to give donations than to have good health.
Iran and Russia have signed many contracts in recent years, for billions of dollars; none of them have materialized. So it is not surprise that Russia would back out again—Iran is not predictable. “Russia Pulls Out Of $1.3 Billion Railway Project With Iran,” Radio Farda, February 26, 2020.
“Iran’s elections were a sham,” Struan Stevenson, UPI, February 27, 2020.
“Iran cleric encourages visitors to Qom religious sites, despite coronavirus fears,” Middle East Monitor, February 27, 2020.
Listen to what this important doctor says about the cover-up/mismanagement: “We think that this virus has been in Iran for the past three to four weeks and has circulated throughout the country. Right now in Iran we are facing a coronavirus epidemic,” said a senior medical doctor at the Masih Daneshvari hospital in Tehran, the country’s top pulmonary public hospital and the main facility overseeing coronavirus patients. “Doctors Inside Iran Believe Coronavirus Is More Serious Than Reported, and Getting Worse,” Tara Kangarlou, Time, February 27, 2020.
“Tehran Friday prayers fall victim to coronavirus,” Al-Monitor, February 27, 2020.
“Amid virus, Saudis close Islam’s holiest sites to foreigners,” Jon Gambrell, AP, Lancaster Online, February 27, 2020.
“Coronavirus Outbreak In Iran Has Tehran Residents Doubting Government Response,” Peter Kenyon, NPR, February 27, 2020.
“Coronavirus Could Break Iranian Society,” Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, February 27, 2020.
“The news is exploding regarding Iran and the virus. The Regime’s practices are catching up to it and affecting others in a big way. See “Amid virus, Saudis close Islam’s holiest sites to foreigners,” Jon Gambrell, AP, February 27, 2020.