How does it feel that the spread has been so great?
- People are worried. They wear face mask and gloves. You avoid taking each other's hand when you meet, you keep your distance. TV shows instructions on how to wash your hands and says that you should have a face mask. We have been to several pharmacies and the masks are over. Many have been looking for masks. The schools are closed, you have set movie screenings at cinemas, concerts, all big events.
What have been the reactions?
- You are worried that the official information is not correct, that you do not say as it is. This is the biggest mortality of the corona virus outside of China. So far, eight people have died according to official sources, 43 are infected. But people question the statistics that come from official sources. According to hospital sources in Qom and Tehran, hundreds are infected.
How will Iran handle this?
- The government has formed a crisis group. They have closed the water posts in the subway and want to minimize the number of places where viruses can spread. Iran does not have as large resources as other countries. They are already heavily employed due to strong financial restrictions. The authorities have now said that another four million masks will be distributed. But Iran is also a huge country and that is why the turmoil is so great.