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Iran Extends Temporary Release of British-Iranian Woman Iran Extends Temporary Release of British-Iranian Woman
(2 days later)
A British-Iranian woman who was granted temporary release from prison in Iran in March amid the coronavirus pandemic has had her furlough extended indefinitely, her family said on Wednesday, raising hopes that she could be granted clemency and return to Britain.A British-Iranian woman who was granted temporary release from prison in Iran in March amid the coronavirus pandemic has had her furlough extended indefinitely, her family said on Wednesday, raising hopes that she could be granted clemency and return to Britain.
A court in Iran sentenced the woman, Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, 41, to five years in prison in 2016, saying she had plotted to overthrow the country’s government, charges that she and her family have vigorously denied. She was freed from the Evin prison, north of Tehran, in mid-March, as the authorities released prisoners amid fears about the spread of the coronavirus among detainees.A court in Iran sentenced the woman, Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, 41, to five years in prison in 2016, saying she had plotted to overthrow the country’s government, charges that she and her family have vigorously denied. She was freed from the Evin prison, north of Tehran, in mid-March, as the authorities released prisoners amid fears about the spread of the coronavirus among detainees.
Iran was hit by the virus in January, becoming the worst-affected country in the Middle East. Since then, it has reported more than 124,000 cases and 7,100 deaths.Iran was hit by the virus in January, becoming the worst-affected country in the Middle East. Since then, it has reported more than 124,000 cases and 7,100 deaths.
Since her release, Ms. Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who was a project manager with the Thomson Reuters Foundation at the time of her arrest, has been staying with her parents in Tehran while wearing an ankle bracelet, her family said. Her temporary release was supposed to end on Wednesday, but her husband, Richard Ratcliffe, said that she had been told by the Iranian authorities that it had been extended indefinitely.Since her release, Ms. Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who was a project manager with the Thomson Reuters Foundation at the time of her arrest, has been staying with her parents in Tehran while wearing an ankle bracelet, her family said. Her temporary release was supposed to end on Wednesday, but her husband, Richard Ratcliffe, said that she had been told by the Iranian authorities that it had been extended indefinitely.
“Today is a step forward,” Mr. Ratcliffe said by phone. “But you remain a bargaining chip all the time,” he said of his wife. The couple have a 5-year-old daughter, Gabriella, who spent more than three years with her mother’s family in Tehran before she was allowed to return to Britain in October.“Today is a step forward,” Mr. Ratcliffe said by phone. “But you remain a bargaining chip all the time,” he said of his wife. The couple have a 5-year-old daughter, Gabriella, who spent more than three years with her mother’s family in Tehran before she was allowed to return to Britain in October.
Mr. Ratcliffe, who spoke to Ms. Zaghari-Ratcliffe on Wednesday, said his wife was relieved about the news of her indefinite release. “It’s quite up and down,” he said. “Some days, she’s doing fine; some days, she’s feeling that this will never end.”Mr. Ratcliffe, who spoke to Ms. Zaghari-Ratcliffe on Wednesday, said his wife was relieved about the news of her indefinite release. “It’s quite up and down,” he said. “Some days, she’s doing fine; some days, she’s feeling that this will never end.”
A native of Iran who had lived in London for years, Ms. Zaghari-Ratcliffe was detained at a Tehran airport in 2016 while trying to return to Britain with the couple’s young daughter after visiting family. In January, Ms. Zaghari-Ratcliffe was briefly transferred to a psychiatric hospital unit, prompting fear for her well-being.A native of Iran who had lived in London for years, Ms. Zaghari-Ratcliffe was detained at a Tehran airport in 2016 while trying to return to Britain with the couple’s young daughter after visiting family. In January, Ms. Zaghari-Ratcliffe was briefly transferred to a psychiatric hospital unit, prompting fear for her well-being.
“The great strain is on your mental health,” Mr. Ratcliffe said about his wife’s condition. “The system is remarkable at putting people under pressure.”“The great strain is on your mental health,” Mr. Ratcliffe said about his wife’s condition. “The system is remarkable at putting people under pressure.”
Ms. Zaghari-Ratcliffe’s case has pitted Britain against Iran in a yearslong diplomatic dispute, and her detention has epitomized the ordeal faced by several dual citizens who have been sentenced in Iran on conspiracy or national security charges in recent years.Ms. Zaghari-Ratcliffe’s case has pitted Britain against Iran in a yearslong diplomatic dispute, and her detention has epitomized the ordeal faced by several dual citizens who have been sentenced in Iran on conspiracy or national security charges in recent years.
Western governments and human rights organizations have long denounced the detentions as a strategy by the Iranian authorities to use dual citizens as a leverage in the repatriation of Iranian prisoners in other countries.Western governments and human rights organizations have long denounced the detentions as a strategy by the Iranian authorities to use dual citizens as a leverage in the repatriation of Iranian prisoners in other countries.
“She’s now a ‘potential good news’ bargaining chip instead of a ‘possibly bad news’ bargaining chip,” Mr. Ratcliffe said of his wife.“She’s now a ‘potential good news’ bargaining chip instead of a ‘possibly bad news’ bargaining chip,” Mr. Ratcliffe said of his wife.
On Saturday, a French-Iranian researcher, Fariba Adelkhah, was sentenced to six years in prison “for gathering and conspiring against Iran’s national security,” according to her lawyer, Saeid Dehghan.On Saturday, a French-Iranian researcher, Fariba Adelkhah, was sentenced to six years in prison “for gathering and conspiring against Iran’s national security,” according to her lawyer, Saeid Dehghan.
Ms. Adelkhah has been detained in the same prison, Evin, where Ms. Zaghari-Ratcliffe was held. Ms. Adelkhah went on a hunger strike this year, as did Ms. Zaghari-Ratcliffe and her husband last year, to demand their unconditional release.Ms. Adelkhah has been detained in the same prison, Evin, where Ms. Zaghari-Ratcliffe was held. Ms. Adelkhah went on a hunger strike this year, as did Ms. Zaghari-Ratcliffe and her husband last year, to demand their unconditional release.
Updated June 1, 2020 Updated June 2, 2020
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.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.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.
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.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.
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.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.)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.)
More than 40 million people — the equivalent of 1 in 4 U.S. workers — have filed for unemployment benefits since the pandemic took hold. One in five who were working in February reported losing a job or being furloughed in March or the beginning of April, data from a Federal Reserve survey released on May 14 showed, and that pain was highly concentrated among low earners. Fully 39 percent of former workers living in a household earning $40,000 or less lost work, compared with 13 percent in those making more than $100,000, a Fed official said.More than 40 million people — the equivalent of 1 in 4 U.S. workers — have filed for unemployment benefits since the pandemic took hold. One in five who were working in February reported losing a job or being furloughed in March or the beginning of April, data from a Federal Reserve survey released on May 14 showed, and that pain was highly concentrated among low earners. Fully 39 percent of former workers living in a household earning $40,000 or less lost work, compared with 13 percent in those making more than $100,000, a Fed official said.
Yes, but make sure you keep six feet of distance between you and people who don’t live in your home. Even if you just hang out in a park, rather than go for a jog or a walk, getting some fresh air, and hopefully sunshine, is a good idea.
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.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.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’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.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.
Charity Navigator, which evaluates charities using a numbers-based system, has a running list of nonprofits working in communities affected by the outbreak. You can give blood through the American Red Cross, and World Central Kitchen has stepped in to distribute meals in major cities.
Ms. Zaghari-Ratcliffe’s situation has shifted amid the coronavirus pandemic, Mr. Ratcliffe said, and at a time when Iran has toned down its approach toward the West after tensions escalated this year. Iranian and American officials were said to have recently discussed a possible prisoner swap between an American Navy veteran, Michael White, and an unnamed Iranian-American doctor in U.S. custody. And in March, the French researcher Roland Marchal, the partner of Ms. Adelkhah who was arrested alongside her last year, was released as part of a prisoner swap involving an Iranian engineer, Jalal Ruhollahnejad, held in France and wanted in the United States.Ms. Zaghari-Ratcliffe’s situation has shifted amid the coronavirus pandemic, Mr. Ratcliffe said, and at a time when Iran has toned down its approach toward the West after tensions escalated this year. Iranian and American officials were said to have recently discussed a possible prisoner swap between an American Navy veteran, Michael White, and an unnamed Iranian-American doctor in U.S. custody. And in March, the French researcher Roland Marchal, the partner of Ms. Adelkhah who was arrested alongside her last year, was released as part of a prisoner swap involving an Iranian engineer, Jalal Ruhollahnejad, held in France and wanted in the United States.
Still, Mr. Ratcliffe said he feared that his wife could be forced to return to prison or ordered to stay under house detention indefinitely. Her ankle bracelet prevents her from venturing farther than about 1,000 feet outside.Still, Mr. Ratcliffe said he feared that his wife could be forced to return to prison or ordered to stay under house detention indefinitely. Her ankle bracelet prevents her from venturing farther than about 1,000 feet outside.
Ms. Zaghari-Ratcliffe will have to check every Saturday if she has to return to prison until a decision is made on clemency, Mr. Ratcliffe added.Ms. Zaghari-Ratcliffe will have to check every Saturday if she has to return to prison until a decision is made on clemency, Mr. Ratcliffe added.