Coronavirus: in Iran, mosques and universities transformed into mask factories

Text by: RFI Follow

To fight the pandemic, members of the Islamic militia or students make masks or clothing for hospital staff.

Publicity

With our correspondent in Tehran , Siavosh Ghazi

Every day, on Iranian television, we discover images of young girls sitting in front of sewing machines. They are in mosques or even classrooms in universities. These volunteers wear the black chador because they belong to the body of Bassidj, the famous Islamic militia.

They make masks or clothing for hospital staff. All these products are then distributed free of charge to hospitals or poor neighborhoods.

Iranian detection kit

Official media compare this mobilization with that in the 1980s to support Iranian fighters during the Iran-Iraq war.

The armed forces and the body of Revolutionary Guards, on which Bassidj depends, have mobilized all means in the fight against the coronavirus. Iran has produced its own coronavirus detection kit and private factories or the armed forces have modified their production lines to produce masks, gloves and even disinfectants.

American sanctions indeed prevent the country from buying drugs or medical equipment.

No containment

In an attempt to limit the spread of the disease, the Iranian authorities have not imposed confinement, but they are asking people to stay in their homes "as much as possible ". Most of the businesses deemed non-essential are closed.

The new coronavirus has killed nearly 3,900 people in Iran, according to official figures released on Tuesday, April 7. Iran is the country most affected by this epidemic in the Near and Middle East.

Newsletter With the Daily Newsletter, find the headlines directly in your mailbox

Follow all international news by downloading the RFI application

• Coronavirus
• Iran
• Health and Medicine