Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro continued his offensive against mayors and governors implementing quarantine measures, saying, “You can't impose any more quarantine than there already is” as too many jobs are being lost and the poor are being rendered even more vulnerable.
His statements are in diametric opposition to that of Health Minister Luiz Henrique Mendetta, who has encouraged social distancing and lockdowns to limit the stress placed on Brazil’s health system.
On Monday, Brazil’s Senate passed a bill that guarantees 600 reais (US$117) per month for three months to the country’s most economically vulnerable. Projections estimate that this could end up costing 50 billion reais (US$9.5 billion). In fact, Bolsonaro claims that the coronavirus crisis could end up costing Brazil up to 800 billion reais (US$$152 billion). He warns that this will lead to “chaos”, “mass unemployment and hunger”, “rioting” and that it will fracture Brazils “democratic normalcy”.
Bolsonaro has previously called the coronavirus a “little flu” and accused the Brazilian media of creating ‘hysteria’ and blowing the issue out of proportion. Cities like São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro have defied the President’s orders and declared states of emergency and implemented lockdowns. In response, Bolsonaro has criticized such mayors and governors, calling them “job killers” and ‘criminals’, saying that the “economy comes first”. He has called for these cities and regions to reopen their schools and businesses and warned that “Brazil cannot stop or we’ll turn into Venezuela”.
Aside from his aggressive stance against strict quarantine and lockdown measures, Bolsonaro has also seemingly misled the population about the necessity to follow medical guidelines such as social distancing and self-isolation. In early March, he refused his medical team’s advice to self-isolate after several members of his delegation to Florida, who met with Trump, tested positive for the coronavirus. Rather, he was seen at a rally, “shaking hands, bumping fists, and slapping […] backs”.
Additionally, he is now spreading misinformation. This past weekend, Facebook and Twitter both removed a video in which he endorsed an unproven antiviral drug, chloroquine phosphate, which can have dire health consequences, including death. In the video, he also spoke of the efficacy of hydroxychloroquine sulfate, an anti-malarial drug, which has not yet been significantly tested. Facebook said, “We remove content on Facebook and Instagram that violates our Community Standards, which do not allow misinformation that could lead to physical harm.”
Earlier this month, US President extolled the potential benefits of chloroquine during a televised briefing. A few days later, an Arizona man died after taking it. His wife, too, fell extremely ill. It was revealed that they had not bought the pharmaceutical version of chloroquine phosphate; rather, they ingested an additive used to kill parasites in fish tanks and treat fish diseases.
Bolsonaro Continues Offensive Against Quarantines, Warns Against Additional Measures
He cautions, “Brazil cannot stop or we’ll turn into Venezuela.”
April 2, 2020
IMAGE SOURCE: CAROLINA ANTUNES / BRAZILIAN PRESIDENCYBrazilian President Jair Bolsonaro