Rumors Defy Warnings by Jordanian Government Concerning COVID-19

 Jordanian policemen check the electronic pass of a driver, amid concerns over the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), at a checkpoint in Amman, Jordan April 8, 2020. REUTERS/Muhammad Hamed
Jordanian policemen check the electronic pass of a driver, amid concerns over the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), at a checkpoint in Amman, Jordan April 8, 2020. REUTERS/Muhammad Hamed
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Rumors Defy Warnings by Jordanian Government Concerning COVID-19

 Jordanian policemen check the electronic pass of a driver, amid concerns over the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), at a checkpoint in Amman, Jordan April 8, 2020. REUTERS/Muhammad Hamed
Jordanian policemen check the electronic pass of a driver, amid concerns over the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), at a checkpoint in Amman, Jordan April 8, 2020. REUTERS/Muhammad Hamed

Over the past few days, social networking sites and activists in Jordan have fueled discontent towards some of the persons infected with the novel coronavirus, despite the continuous official warnings about revealing the personal data and spreading rumors about the patients.

While the virus has been relatively contained since the first case was confirmed on March 2, gossips about reported infections exceeded all ethical limits and in some cases patients were defamed, their personal information shared and fake accounts were spread about them.

The case of a pharmacist, who has purportedly returned to work before completing his quarantine period, sparked many rumors and lies, especially after the death of his father because of coronavirus.

The pharmacist’s brother, Uday, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the whole family was defamed and bullied.

The government’s dealing with the case seemed to have caused confusion. The father’s death - which occurred two days before the first official corona-related death was announced on March 28 - was not declared to be linked to the virus.

This has prompted some activists to publish the full family names and hold them responsible for the error, even though the pharmacist was asked to return to his work, before the issuance of the results of his laboratory tests, as Uday recounts.

Some Jordanians were quick to launch a torrent of jokes and sarcastic comments on social media platforms, against the family of the deceased, leaving the family members emotionally drained.

Meanwhile, a number of patients in Jordanian hospitals said they were bullied by medical staff, who accused them of transmitting the infection to others, based on fabricated reports on social media.



Iraq Makes First Official Contact with New Syrian Administration

Head of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and Syria's de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa shakes hands with Iraqi National Intelligence Service (INIS) head Hamid Al-Shatri on the day of their meeting in Damascus, Syria December 26, 2024. (Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham/Handout via Reuters)
Head of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and Syria's de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa shakes hands with Iraqi National Intelligence Service (INIS) head Hamid Al-Shatri on the day of their meeting in Damascus, Syria December 26, 2024. (Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham/Handout via Reuters)
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Iraq Makes First Official Contact with New Syrian Administration

Head of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and Syria's de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa shakes hands with Iraqi National Intelligence Service (INIS) head Hamid Al-Shatri on the day of their meeting in Damascus, Syria December 26, 2024. (Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham/Handout via Reuters)
Head of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and Syria's de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa shakes hands with Iraqi National Intelligence Service (INIS) head Hamid Al-Shatri on the day of their meeting in Damascus, Syria December 26, 2024. (Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham/Handout via Reuters)

Head of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and Syria's de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa received in Damascus on Thursday Iraqi National Intelligence Service (INIS) Head Hamid Al-Shatri, who was on his first foreign visit since assuming his post less than a week ago.

They discussed developments in Syria and the need for security and stability along their shared 600 km border, Iraq's state news agency reported.

Iraqi observers underscored the importance of the visit given the common files shared between the two neighbors, as well as mainly Iraqi Shiite political concerns over the sudden change in Syria.

The Baghdad government had stressed after the ouster of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad earlier this month the need to respect the “free will” of the Syrian people.

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani said his country “is not opposed to communicating with the new administration in Syria as long as it sought Syria and the region’s stability.”

A member of the Iraqi delegation visiting Damascus on Thursday said officials stressed to Syrian authorities the need to be wary of armed groups that may exploit the security vacuum to launch attacks against Iraq and other regions, reported AFP.

“Iraq is seeking assurances from Syria about border issues and security inside Syria itself,” he added, while emphasizing the need for all parties to refrain from meddling in Syria’s internal affairs.

A “senior source” in Baghdad said the Syrian administration expressed its understanding of Iraq’s concerns, reported Iraq’s state news agency (INA).

Discussions tackled ensuring security at jails that are holding ISIS detainees, it revealed. Officials also tackled cooperation that would prevent the resurgence of ISIS, as well as demands related to protecting minorities and religious shrines.

Sudani had last week called on the new authorities in Damascus to provide assurances about its political process that “would not exclude any party.”

Iraqi former PM Haidar al-Malla told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Iraqi delegation’s visit “is a step in the right direction.”

He underlined the importance of holding direct dialogue with the new Syrian leadership, adding that Shatri was the best choice for heading the delegation given his political and security roles.

“Syria is at the heart of the world and it is an important country in the region. We share borders stretching more than 600 kms, so Iraq and Syria’s security are indivisible,” he remarked.

Iraq had notably sentenced Sharaa to death - when he was known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani – on charges of “terrorism and killing Iraqis” when he was a member of ISIS. He defected soon after and formed the al-Nusra Front in Syria that would later become the HTS.

On the sentence, legal expert Ali al-Tamimi said it will continue to stand until it is annulled by the judiciary.

The sentence has no impact at the moment because Iraq is now dealing with the policy of an entire state, not just members of armed groups, he explained.