She learns about the situation from former fellow students who currently work in hospitals. “The regime never tells the truth. The death toll from the coronavirus is many times higher than politicians claim.” She also says that there are major shortages of medicines and equipment. This is partly due to US sanctions that make it difficult for Iran to trade.
The Dutch-Iranian Atti Bahadori hears similar stories from family members. Her uncle and aunt work as a doctor in a hospital in the south of the country. “They are not allowed to report if someone dies from the coronavirus, but are obliged to state another reason, such as a heart attack or pneumonia. In this way the regime tries to keep the figures low.”
Not everyone stays at home
Like the 24-year-old woman from Isfahan, many Iranians stay inside as a precaution. But that is not possible for all citizens. For example, Bahadori’s brother just has to work these days, because otherwise he can’t make ends meet. “Because of the bad economic situation in Iran, he cannot stay at home. In fact, he runs extra services to support his family.”
34-year-old Mar Alkazemi, who lives west of Tehran, also says that not everyone stays indoors. “For many Iranians, the Persian New Year is the only time of the year when they are free, which is why they take to the streets and travel across the country.” Alkazemi has been in self-imposed quarantine for four weeks. “I only go out every few days for a little walk.”
‘We can handle this’
“Fortunately, Iranians pay close attention to each other,” said a 30-year-old woman from Tehran. She also does not want to be mentioned by name for fear. “Citizens are helping each other. For example, some Iranians are bringing mouth masks and disinfectant hand gel to hospitals to support the doctors.” She also tells how local television channels inform citizens about hygiene.
Despite the fact that Iran is currently the world’s third-largest corona seat of fire, the 30-year-old resident of Tehran remains courageous. “I am sure we can handle this. We have been through so much in recent years that I am convinced that we will also withstand this crisis. Middle Eastern people have a lot of strength.”
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