Coronavirus Meets Copacabana
The pandemic has already reached Brazil. The country is far from ready for what comes next.
The Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro was lit up with a display of flags in solidarity with countries around the world affected by the pandemic. Photo: CNN
Washing one’s hands thoroughly is one of the top recommendations from the WHO for individuals to protect themselves from the current COVID-19 pandemic. There’s a Portuguese-Brazilian expression for this, lavo as minhas mãos (“I wash my hands”). But that expression, as a similar one in English, has a second meaning—“I don’t care,” or, “It’s not my problem.” Some Brazilians fear that is the attitude adopted by their president in face of the ongoing world crisis that is already taking a toll on their country.
The Coronavirus outbreak in Brazil hasn’t reached the same levels as other major nations, but is beginning to increase exponentially, mirroring the initial chain of events in afflicted countries like Italy. Studies by the University of São Paulo indicate that the amount of people infected by the Coronavirus is doubling every 54 hours in Brazil. On March 14th, there were just over 100 cases in the country. Three days later, this number increased to 290. By March 20th, there were already 904 confirmed cases of Coronavirus in Brazil, raising concerns that not enough is being done to stop the spread.
President Bolsonaro: from denial to reluctant acceptance of the pandemic
Much like Trump in the US, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has been widely criticized for his delayed response toward the fast-moving pandemic. Rather than sending a clear message to the Brazilian people, Bolsonaro has wavered back and forth between responsibility and denial, leaving the country’s citizens worried.
During an official visit to the United States on March 3rd, Bolsonaro referred to the Coronavirus outbreak as “fantasy” and denied the existence of any ongoing crisis, blaming the press for sensationalizing the pandemic. The next day, he commented that “other colds kill much more people” than the Coronavirus, seemingly attempting to minimize the gravity of the outbreak. Later that same day, Bolsonaro’s tone seemed to shift. After his secretary of communication (who had traveled to the US with him) tested positive for the virus, Bolsonaro appeared on live television wearing a surgical mask, alongside the Minister of Health, Luiz Henrique Mandetta. In his speech, Bolsonaro recommended the suspension of pro-government manifestations that had been planned for March 15th all around Brazil.
The day of the protests, however, he backtracked. He defied the Health Ministry’s recommendation to remain isolated and instead attended the demonstrations, shaking hands with hundreds of supporters. This move was met with condemnation across Brazil. On the night of March 18th, as Bolsonaro addressed the crisis to the nation on live television, he was met with one of the starkest forms of protest at Brazilians’ disposal: the panelaço—the act of collectively banging pots and pans (panelas) on balconies to disrupt the speech of a political adversary. According to a poll from Atlas Político, approval for Bolsonaro’s handling of the coronavirus is at 36%, and suggests that the president’s popularity is being in inverse proportion to the progression of the virus.
Prospects for official responses to COVID-19 in Brazil
The Brazilian government has been scrambling to find solutions, even if temporary, to at least slow down, if not contain, the further spread of the virus. With at least five members of Congress already testing positive, the Brazilian Senate held its first virtual session in history on March 20th. All present members voted unanimously in favor of a state of public emergency, which would allow the government to increase public spending and surpass the fiscal deficit goal for 2020, allocating funds toward combatting the pandemic. The governor of Rio de Janeiro ordered the closure of all state borders and banned residents from congregating in popular tourist areas and beaches. He also solicited the suspension of all arrivals by air in the state of Rio. Bolsonaro, however, has objected to this, and insists that such a decision could only be made at the federal level, saying that Rio isn’t “an independent nation”.
Perhaps even more alarming, 17 members of Bolsonaro’s inner circle, all of whom traveled with him to the United States last week in the same meeting with President Trump, tested positive as well. Bolsonaro has publicly disclosed that it is possible he “might have the Coronavirus,” raising issues on his already frail health since his stabbing in September 2018.
Some fear that time is running out for an adequate response from the Bolsonaro administration. The next days will be critical in minimizing the spread of the disease not only in Brazil but to other countries in the region as well. It will be left to history to judge whatever action, or inaction, Brazil took under the leadership of the current president and administration in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic.