Weary of restrictions, maskless Turks risk fourth wave as variants take hold

ISTANBUL — Health Minister Fahrettin Koca sent a heartfelt plea on Thursday to his fellow Turks in a bid to boost COVID-19 vaccination.

“Let’s call our loved ones in Urfa today and ask them how they are,” he tweeted. “Let’s talk about the first dose of the vaccine. Sanliurfa is our only province still in the red. The vaccination rate is low and the risk level too high.”