Brazil president Bolsonaro discovers Covid-19 is more than just a ‘little flu’
Brazil president breaks the news to journalists in Brasilia
RIODEJANEIRO: Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro says he has tested positive for Covid-19 after months of downplaying the virus’ severity as a “little flu”.
Bolsonaro confirmed the test results while wearing a mask and speaking to reporters in capital Brasilia. “I’m well, normal. I even want to take a walk around here, but I can’t due to medical recommendations,” he said.
The president has often appeared in public to shake hands with supporters and mingle with crowds, at times without a mask. He has said that his history as an athlete would protect him from the virus, and that it would be nothing more than a “little flu” were he to contract it.
More than 65,000 Brazilians have so far died from Covid-19 and more than 1.5 million have been infected. Both numbers are the world’s second-highest totals. On Monday, Bolsonaro told supporters that he would be tested for Covid-19. Over the weekend, the Brazilian leader celebrated the US Independence Day with the nation’s ambassador to Brazil, then shared pictures showing him with his arm around the ambassador alongside several ministers. None wore masks, despite being in close quarters.
Bolsonaro tested negative three times in March after meeting with the US President Donald Trump in Florida.
HE HAS OFTEN APPEARED IN PUBLIC TO SHAKE HANDS WITH SUPPORTERS AND MINGLE WITH CROWDS
BRASILIA: Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro said on Tueday he has tested positive for Covid-19 after months of downplaying the severity of the coronavirus.
He confirmed the test results while wearing a mask, which he had refused to do in the past, and speaking to reporters in the capital Brasilia. “I’m well, normal. I even want to take a walk around here, but I can’t due to medical recommendations,” he said.
Keisha Lance Bottoms, mayor of US city of Atlanta had tested positive on Monday.
The Brazilian president has often appeared in public to shake hands with supporters and mingle with crowds, several times without a mask. He has said that his history as an athlete would protect him from the virus, and it would be nothing more than a “little flu”, were he to contract it.
He has also repeatedly said that there is no way to prevent 70% of the population falling ill with Covid-19, and that local authorities’ measures to shut down economic activity would cause more hardship than allowing the virus to run its course.
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro at an event in Brasilia.
On Monday, Bolsonaro told supporters in Brasilia that he underwent an X-ray of his lungs that showed they were clean, and that he would be tested for Covid-19.
Over the weekend, the Brazilian leader celebrated the US Independence Day with the American envoy to Brazil, then shared pictures on social media showing him with his arm around the ambassador alongside several ministers and aides.
More than 65,000 Brazilians have so far died from Covid-19 and more than 1.6 million have been infected.
U.S. STILL KNEE-DEEP IN FIRST WAVE, SAYS FAUCI
WASHINGTON: The US is “kneedeep” in its first wave of infections, the country’s top infectious diseases expert said as deaths crossed 130,000 and infections are set to soon touch 3 million.
“It’s a serious situation that we have to address immediately,” Anthony Fauci said.
Meanwhile, China’s Sinovac Biotech is starting phase three trials of its potential coronavirus vaccine in Brazil, it said on Monday, becoming one of three companies to move into the late stages in the race to develop an inoculation against the disease.