“The activity of the Communist and Workers’ Parties under the conditions of the pandemic and the capitalist crisis, for safeguarding the health and the rights of the popular strata, in the struggle to change society, for socialism. ”
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Tudeh Party of Iran
The Struggle of the Working Class and People of Iran against Dictatorship in the Context of the Economic and COVID-19 Crises
The outbreak of COVID-19 disease(novel coronavirus or SARS-CoV-2) in the final days of 2019,and its spread thereafter,came at a time when capitalism had not yet recovered from the 2008 financial crisis and was hurtlingtowards a new economic crisis. The COVID-19 pandemic has plunged global capitalism into a much broader and deeper crisis. It tested the resilience of the political, economic, and social structures of all countries. Objective studies already undertaken prove beyond doubt that, despite all excuses, those countries with weaker public health and shacky social provision failed to protect their population, and it was the working class and vulnerable communitieswho suffered most. Iran, under the theocratic regime, is a case in point. Iran is going through major socio-economic and political crises, while tens of thousands have lost their lives in the COVID-19 pandemic due to the irresponsible and criminal policies of the dictatorial theocratic regime. According to the most recentofficial statistics announced bythe Islamic Republic of Iran (30October 2020), more than 605,000 people have been infected with COVID-19and 34,478have died as a result, from a population of around 83 million. On 30 October,a spokesperson for the Ministry of Health confirmed that 5,128 patients with COVID-19 are being treated in ICUs (intensive care units). However, health practitioners working on the ground in Iran have stated that the true figures for the dead are at least 2.5 times more than the official government figures. Unfortunately, after India (with a population of 1.38 billion), Iran has the highest number of COVID-19 cases and deaths in Asia. On 18 September, Iran’s deputy health minister announced that if a third wave of coronaviruswas not prevented, the death toll couldrise to 45,000. The authorities have now confirmed that the country is in fact in the grip of a fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. On 20 October, Dr Saeed Namaki, Minister of Health, admitted that some government departments have in fact openly disregarded COVID-19-specific protocols. He warned that without an immediate and urgent course of action on the part of the officials, the country could enter a “Black Hole” [i.e. be facing a catastrophe].Most COVID-19 victims in Iran are from theworking class and poorest strata. Furthermore, more than6,000 doctors, nurses, medical practitioners,and paramedics have been diagnosed with the virus and at least 200 of them have lost their lives while serving the people. IB Special Edition
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