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| At the Iranian Border, Iraqis Try to Keep a Virus From Entering | At the Iranian Border, Iraqis Try to Keep a Virus From Entering |
| (3 months later) | |
| ZURBATIYA, Iraq — The voices rose angrily and a knot of people gathered on the Iraqi side of the border crossing with Iran. Two Iranian diplomats were trying to get relatives out of Iran, where the coronavirus is rampant, and into Iraq. | ZURBATIYA, Iraq — The voices rose angrily and a knot of people gathered on the Iraqi side of the border crossing with Iran. Two Iranian diplomats were trying to get relatives out of Iran, where the coronavirus is rampant, and into Iraq. |
| “I am telling you their names have been sent,” one of the Iranians said, sounding exasperated. | “I am telling you their names have been sent,” one of the Iranians said, sounding exasperated. |
| “I am looking here, I don’t see their names,” said Brig. Gen. Ahmed Juma Abid of the Iraqi border police, as he nervously held up a stapled bunch of papers. “I cannot let them in unless Baghdad has sent their names.” | “I am looking here, I don’t see their names,” said Brig. Gen. Ahmed Juma Abid of the Iraqi border police, as he nervously held up a stapled bunch of papers. “I cannot let them in unless Baghdad has sent their names.” |
| The diplomats stalked off making calls on their cellphones. Off to one side stood the subject of the kerfuffle, several women, in sweeping black abayas and veils that covered all but their eyes, and three children: a girl and two boys. | The diplomats stalked off making calls on their cellphones. Off to one side stood the subject of the kerfuffle, several women, in sweeping black abayas and veils that covered all but their eyes, and three children: a girl and two boys. |
| This was the scene at the Zurbatiya border crossing in central Iraq one day this week as border patrol guards in hazmat suits, goggles, masks and gloves struggled to keep out the coronavirus, an invisible enemy that is as adept at hiding as the most sophisticated smuggler. | This was the scene at the Zurbatiya border crossing in central Iraq one day this week as border patrol guards in hazmat suits, goggles, masks and gloves struggled to keep out the coronavirus, an invisible enemy that is as adept at hiding as the most sophisticated smuggler. |
| The border with Iran — Iraq’s close ally and trading partner — had been largely porous, with families living on both sides and Shiite Muslim religious pilgrims going back and forth. | The border with Iran — Iraq’s close ally and trading partner — had been largely porous, with families living on both sides and Shiite Muslim religious pilgrims going back and forth. |
| The coronavirus pandemic changed that overnight. | The coronavirus pandemic changed that overnight. |
| Iran is one of the epicenters, with at least 10,000 cases of the coronavirus — the third highest in the world — and experts say the actual number could be far higher. | Iran is one of the epicenters, with at least 10,000 cases of the coronavirus — the third highest in the world — and experts say the actual number could be far higher. |
| Iraq had recorded only 93 cases by Friday and is desperately trying to insulate itself from Iran’s fate. On Sunday, Iraq will temporarily shut all land border crossings outside of Iraqi Kurdistan for two weeks. | Iraq had recorded only 93 cases by Friday and is desperately trying to insulate itself from Iran’s fate. On Sunday, Iraq will temporarily shut all land border crossings outside of Iraqi Kurdistan for two weeks. |
| Most Iranians have been banned from entering Iraq for the last three weeks. Diplomats, however, had been excepted and some have been trying to bend the rules to bring in their families. | Most Iranians have been banned from entering Iraq for the last three weeks. Diplomats, however, had been excepted and some have been trying to bend the rules to bring in their families. |
| But most of those crossing the border are Iraqis. Some 500,000 live in Iran, and tens of thousands have returned since the virus broke out. They are university students, business people, construction workers and professors, and many have lived in Iran for years. | But most of those crossing the border are Iraqis. Some 500,000 live in Iran, and tens of thousands have returned since the virus broke out. They are university students, business people, construction workers and professors, and many have lived in Iran for years. |
| Their stories also offered a glimpse of the situation in Iran, which has been largely hidden from the country’s own citizens as well as from the rest of the world as the leadership in Tehran endeavors to project an image of having everything under control. | Their stories also offered a glimpse of the situation in Iran, which has been largely hidden from the country’s own citizens as well as from the rest of the world as the leadership in Tehran endeavors to project an image of having everything under control. |
| On Monday afternoon, Jowad Abu Sajat walked briskly across the border pulling a small rolling suitcase behind him. | On Monday afternoon, Jowad Abu Sajat walked briskly across the border pulling a small rolling suitcase behind him. |
| “It’s a disaster there,” he said shaking his head. “I have left everything. I have my home there, my business. We have lived there for seven years.” | “It’s a disaster there,” he said shaking his head. “I have left everything. I have my home there, my business. We have lived there for seven years.” |
| Mr. Sajat’s business was buying and selling iron in Mashhad, in the far northeast of Iran. | Mr. Sajat’s business was buying and selling iron in Mashhad, in the far northeast of Iran. |
| “Now everything is stopped because of corona,” he said. “My workers no longer come to work. There are no customers. The disease — we thought that the Iranians were giving accurate numbers, but then when I went out and saw people on the street. I understood the number of sick and dead was higher than they had said and I was afraid.” | “Now everything is stopped because of corona,” he said. “My workers no longer come to work. There are no customers. The disease — we thought that the Iranians were giving accurate numbers, but then when I went out and saw people on the street. I understood the number of sick and dead was higher than they had said and I was afraid.” |
| He sent his family ahead, hoping he could keep his business going, but three weeks later decided it was pointless. | He sent his family ahead, hoping he could keep his business going, but three weeks later decided it was pointless. |
| As soon as he crossed into Iraq, health workers took his temperature — a fever of 100.4 or higher would have sent him to quarantine for additional tests. He was questioned and asked for his contact information. | As soon as he crossed into Iraq, health workers took his temperature — a fever of 100.4 or higher would have sent him to quarantine for additional tests. He was questioned and asked for his contact information. |
| The provincial health ministry sends a team to check on recent arrivals every couple of days to see if they develop symptoms. | The provincial health ministry sends a team to check on recent arrivals every couple of days to see if they develop symptoms. |
| Like everyone else coming from Iran, Mr. Sajat was told to self-quarantine for 14 days, then sent on his way. | Like everyone else coming from Iran, Mr. Sajat was told to self-quarantine for 14 days, then sent on his way. |
| A 23-year-old Iraqi mother of two boys, Hoda Ghulab Ibrahim, arrived from Ilam, a city in western Iran, and described a place that sounded like a ghost town. | A 23-year-old Iraqi mother of two boys, Hoda Ghulab Ibrahim, arrived from Ilam, a city in western Iran, and described a place that sounded like a ghost town. |
| “Life has stopped in Elam,” she said as she was waiting for her medical check. “The souks are closed, the schools are closed the situation is getting worse every day.” | “Life has stopped in Elam,” she said as she was waiting for her medical check. “The souks are closed, the schools are closed the situation is getting worse every day.” |
| Iran has closed schools and universities, prohibited travel between provinces, and canceled sporting events and Friday Prayers, several returnees said. Cafes and restaurants are closed, as are museums and movie theaters. | Iran has closed schools and universities, prohibited travel between provinces, and canceled sporting events and Friday Prayers, several returnees said. Cafes and restaurants are closed, as are museums and movie theaters. |
| “I could not leave my house because I was afraid of my children getting infected,” Ms. Ibrahim said. “Most of the people are at home now. Life is dead.” | “I could not leave my house because I was afraid of my children getting infected,” Ms. Ibrahim said. “Most of the people are at home now. Life is dead.” |
| Afraid to visit their friends in person, people are talking for hours on the phone, she said. | Afraid to visit their friends in person, people are talking for hours on the phone, she said. |
| Despite the virus’s heavy toll in Iran, at the border there was a steady flow of Iranians returning home. Most had no choice — they were workers whose visas had run out or pilgrims who had completed their tour. | Despite the virus’s heavy toll in Iran, at the border there was a steady flow of Iranians returning home. Most had no choice — they were workers whose visas had run out or pilgrims who had completed their tour. |
| As porters trundled their luggage across the sand and rock expanse leading to the border gates, most shrugged off any apprehension about going back. | As porters trundled their luggage across the sand and rock expanse leading to the border gates, most shrugged off any apprehension about going back. |
| “I am going back because I was afraid they would close the border,” said Zahra, 24, who did not want to give her last name. “But we live in Hamedan and there is no corona there,” she added, referring to a city in western Iran. | “I am going back because I was afraid they would close the border,” said Zahra, 24, who did not want to give her last name. “But we live in Hamedan and there is no corona there,” she added, referring to a city in western Iran. |
| Her mother, Farida, sounded a more religious note. | Her mother, Farida, sounded a more religious note. |
| “Yes, I am worried, but God is here,” she said. | “Yes, I am worried, but God is here,” she said. |
| “We believe in God; your fate is written on your forehead,” she said touching her index finger to her brow. “And besides, the Iranian people are strong.” | “We believe in God; your fate is written on your forehead,” she said touching her index finger to her brow. “And besides, the Iranian people are strong.” |
| For Mazin Abbas Absawi, the decision to leave the Iranian pilgrimage city of Qum was difficult. He has been studying religion at a seminary there for four years. Although it closed last month because of the coronavirus, Iran now feels more like home to him than Iraq. | For Mazin Abbas Absawi, the decision to leave the Iranian pilgrimage city of Qum was difficult. He has been studying religion at a seminary there for four years. Although it closed last month because of the coronavirus, Iran now feels more like home to him than Iraq. |
| But with six children and his extended family with him, he felt that staying the city where the virus likely began in Iran was too much of a risk. | But with six children and his extended family with him, he felt that staying the city where the virus likely began in Iran was too much of a risk. |
| Updated June 12, 2020 | |
| 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. | |
| So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement. | |
| A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study. | |
| The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April. | |
| 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. | |
| 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. | |
| 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.) | |
| 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. | |
| 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. | |
| “In Iran, nobody knew how bad the virus was, nobody,” he said. “We heard about it in China, but OK, that was China. And then we heard about it in Iran, but not so many cases. But slowly, slowly it began to spread.” | “In Iran, nobody knew how bad the virus was, nobody,” he said. “We heard about it in China, but OK, that was China. And then we heard about it in Iran, but not so many cases. But slowly, slowly it began to spread.” |
| His 13-member family filed across the border quietly, clearly worried about the risk of infection. They stood in a line in the medical tent facing the relatives of the Iranian diplomats, who were sitting in the few chairs waiting for their status to be resolved. | His 13-member family filed across the border quietly, clearly worried about the risk of infection. They stood in a line in the medical tent facing the relatives of the Iranian diplomats, who were sitting in the few chairs waiting for their status to be resolved. |
| The Iranian diplomats and their relatives appeared unworried and none were wearing masks or gloves. | The Iranian diplomats and their relatives appeared unworried and none were wearing masks or gloves. |
| The Absawi family was fully covered: from the youngest to the oldest, each was wearing a mask and plastic protective gloves. The gloves were so big on the youngest children, it looked as if they had just plunged their hands into baggies. | The Absawi family was fully covered: from the youngest to the oldest, each was wearing a mask and plastic protective gloves. The gloves were so big on the youngest children, it looked as if they had just plunged their hands into baggies. |
| ‘If I am going to die, I feel I would rather die in my own country,” said Mr. Absawi as he headed for his home province of Muthanna, in Iraq’s southwest. | ‘If I am going to die, I feel I would rather die in my own country,” said Mr. Absawi as he headed for his home province of Muthanna, in Iraq’s southwest. |
| The Iranians were soon off to a hotel in Najaf, Iraq, where they were to wait for the required paperwork. | The Iranians were soon off to a hotel in Najaf, Iraq, where they were to wait for the required paperwork. |
| That night, the Najaf Health Department sent medical workers to swab them and sent the samples to Baghdad. One of the women tested positive for the coronavirus, said Dr. Radwan Kamil al-Kindi, the director general of the Najaf Health Service. | That night, the Najaf Health Department sent medical workers to swab them and sent the samples to Baghdad. One of the women tested positive for the coronavirus, said Dr. Radwan Kamil al-Kindi, the director general of the Najaf Health Service. |
| One of the diplomats, the Iranian consul in Najaf, was upset, Dr. al-Kindi said, and refused to accept the news. | One of the diplomats, the Iranian consul in Najaf, was upset, Dr. al-Kindi said, and refused to accept the news. |
| “So I gave them a choice, go into quarantine for 14 days or leave,” Dr. al-Kindi said. “The consul did not want to go into quarantine. I kept thinking, ‘Damn you guys, you bring in this infection.’ All of our infections in Iraq came from Iran.” | “So I gave them a choice, go into quarantine for 14 days or leave,” Dr. al-Kindi said. “The consul did not want to go into quarantine. I kept thinking, ‘Damn you guys, you bring in this infection.’ All of our infections in Iraq came from Iran.” |
| Dr. al-Kindi held his ground. The diplomats and their relatives returned to Iran that night, said Dr. al-Kindi, looking a little embarrassed that he had to be so tough with a foreign guest. | Dr. al-Kindi held his ground. The diplomats and their relatives returned to Iran that night, said Dr. al-Kindi, looking a little embarrassed that he had to be so tough with a foreign guest. |
| “But, you know, I cannot let them infect my people,” he said. | “But, you know, I cannot let them infect my people,” he said. |
| Falih Hassan contributed reporting. | Falih Hassan contributed reporting. |