Health experts fear Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro's continuous dismissal of the global pandemic could lead to a devastating outcome. They predict the crisis could resemble that of Northern Italy and New York, where thousands died after undermining social distancing guidelines.
Bolsonaro has repeatedly downplayed the threat of COVID-19 to public health. He sabotaged quarantine measures imposed by Brazil's state governors. Many still protest by nightly pot-banging and daily media condemnations. They accuse the far-right populist of putting his political future before the lives of the people.
Jair, along with the presidents of Nicaragua, Belarus, and Turkmenistan, are the only four leaders still dismissing the coronavirus pandemic.
'No one can stop me'
REUTERS/Adriano Machado
Several media outlets reported the Brazilian leader's defiance of his health ministry's distancing recommendations after he stepped out to buy doughnuts and shaking the hands of fans. He was caught wiping his nose before shaking hands with an elderly fan. Another video showed Bolsonaro proclaiming, 'No one will hinder my right to come and go.'
Public health experts and infectious disease specialists believe the president's behavior is affecting the measures that are keeping Brazil safe from a healthcare calamity.
Experts say Bolsonaro's conduct may be confusing people over the need and importance of staying home and observing social distancing measures. Ivan Junior, an epidemiologist from the University of Sao Paulo, said the confusion caused by the far-right official's recklessness leads to many deaths that could have been avoided.
Since March, Brazil's state governors began implementing shelter-in-place procedures in a bid to curb and slow the spread of COVID-19. However, recent reports show a growing number of people are defying the orders and are stepping out on to the streets.
'Disorder'
Experts believe the failure of the measures stem from the lack of support favela residents get, forcing them to leave their homes and go to work. Brazilians are also known to be family-focused, and thus have a hard time shunning relatives.
They also believe Bolsonaro's dismissal has an intense impact on the citizens' views of COVID-19. The president, a 65-year-old, could be influencing people who belong in high-risk groups not to be afraid of the virus.
Despite his stance, polls show 30% of all Brazilians still support the president. In Sao Paulo, hundred turned out on the streets to denounce social distancing measures.
Many, however, have called out the president. Alberti Chebabo, vice-president of a medical organization, said Bolsonaro's dismissal is throwing away the advantages of knowing which measures to take to slow the spread of the virus.
Media outlets and politicians also began labeling the Brazilian leader as an ally of the global health crisis, COVID-19. A columnist for a local newspaper said Bolsonaro resembles a leader leading his followers to mass suicide.
Franca Junior, an epidemiologist, believe the healthcare system will see a sudden surge of cases and will struggle to cope with the demand. "Forecast suggests this will happen in three or four weeks," he said, "by then, it will be too late."
Brazil now has 22,318 cases and 1,230 coronavirus-related deaths.
