Hassan Rouhani, once again, showed his detachment from reality of Iran society. In a meeting with scientific committees of National Task Force, he suggested the people who go to foreign countries to receive coronavirus vaccine should pay for it inside the country and pay private companies that “receive the importing license from us.” According to the President of Islamic Republic, others must stay in line for their turn! Iranians have been deprived of their basic needs, could not afford chicken to put on the table and have to wait in mile-long lines, buying the risk of COVID-19 so they don’t starve.
Rouhani’s suggestion means if somebody belongs to a higher economical class, they could be safe but not ordinary citizens. Rouhani also forgot to mention what country provides such service, since many countries are waiting to receive their pre-ordered vaccines from manufacturers. This could only mean Islamic Republic is going to issue licenses to specific private companies, allowing them to sell AstraZeneca, Sputnik V, Sinopharm, Covaxin vaccines the government imports with tax payers’ money.
Dr. Minoo Mohraz, a member of National Task Force, criticized the president saying this would promote “class-specific access” to vaccines. She pointed out even if that were a good option, which is not, the receivers won’t be immune until at least 70% of the population is vaccinated. The infectious diseases specialist emphasized during a pandemic, vaccine must be free for everybody. In her interview, Dr. Mohraz confirmed previous reports about serious complications of Russian coronavirus vaccine, Sputnik V. She said, there have been serious complications, some resolved but some still exist. It’s worth noting, Islamic Republic officials had previously denied all reports.
Meanwhile, Alborz, Lorestan, Markazi, Kohgiloyeh-Boyerahmad, Semnan, Zanjan, Fars, Khorasan Razavi, Qazvin and other provinces report worsening situation. Ministry of Health updated the list of “high risk” areas by adding new cities. According to the Spokesperson, there are currently 32 “red” and 85 “orange” counties across Iran. She confirmed in addition to south, center and west of the country, some cities in the east and north have reported increasing patients of COVID-19 and coronavirus infections. Mashhad, for instance, reported 53% increase in its outpatient cases.
The Interior Ministry announced any gathering on the “Nature Day”, April 2, in parks and camp sites is forbidden. Tehran and Karaj residents are confined to their borders. On Nature Day, 13th day of the Persian New Year, people celebrate the nature in small family gatherings outdoors. In the meantime, Rouhani referred to the upcoming Ramadan, emphasizing “the successful experience of last year” to be used in this year’s “holy month.” In Ramadan, crowded gatherings are hold indoors to “pray and mourn.” Last year, despite all warnings, Islamic Republic allowed gatherings in Ramdan, Qadr nights and Eid Fitr which led to a new wave in the country.
Sima Sadat Lari played her daily role presenting manipulated data. Ministry’s data have been criticized widely and even Iran Medical Board officials dismissed them saying the real numbers are at least 3 times higher. Ministry of Health Spokesperson claimed 96 died of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours in Iran while 10,330 tested positive for the novel coronavirus. Daily PCR tests reached 70,000 for the first time in the past 410 days. As seen on the graphs, critical and active cases continue to soar.
R0: 3.77
Total: 1,885,564 (+10,330)
Dead: 62,665 (+96)
Recovered: 1,617,333
Critical: 3,970 (+17)
Admitted: 205,566 (+1,708)
Tests: 12,821,847 (15.4% of the population, assuming each test was performed on 1 person)
Cover: Hossein Movahedinejad
