Bolsonaro triggers backlash for downplaying coronavirus
27 March, 2020
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro drew blistering criticism from the medical community and opponents Wednesday for downplaying the coronavirus pandemic, but renewed his attacks about containment measures to gradual its spread.
The far-best leader has repeatedly lashed out at restrictive measures to fight the virus, which he has called a "little flu" that caused an "overblown" reaction.
He triggered new outrage among critics with a good national address Tuesday evening condemning "scorched-earth" containment methods by local authorities, such as for example closing businesses and confining persons found in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil's biggest cities.
He said such methods risked wrecking the Brazilian market, Latin America's largest.
His stance, which flies in the face of World Health Organization recommendations, drew a strongly worded letter of condemnation from a group of eight medical expert associations.
They called Bolsonaro an "enemy of the people's health" whose response to the crisis was "incoherent and criminal."
"He denies the body of scientific evidence guiding the fight the COVID-19 pandemic worldwide, disdaining the severe and dedicated function by a countrywide and global network of experts and health technology experts," it said.
Politicians of varied stripes also attacked Bolsonaro, including center-right Senate president Davi Alcolumbre, who said Brazil "requires a serious, responsible leader who also cares about the people's lives and health."
Undeterred, Bolsonaro doubled down.
"Companies aren't making anything. They can't pay their employees... We will be facing chaos," he advised journalists outside the presidential home in Brasilia.
"We could end up with concerns like persons looting supermarkets... What do we must do? Get persons back to work. Protect the elderly, protect people with health issues, but that's it."
Bolsonaro, a ex - army captain who possesses been criticized for praising Brazil's brutal military dictatorship (1964-1985), likewise warned the fallout of the coronavirus crisis could set democracy at risk.
"Imagine if this derails the 'democratic norm' you all defend so staunchly?" he asked, adding: "It wouldn't result from me, don't worry."
He compared his method of the pandemic compared to that folks President Donald Trump, whom he admires.
"We're carrying out a similar series," he said.
Source: www.thejakartapost.com
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