Brazil ex-president on Bolsonaro, virus, economy

In home isolation just months after his release from jail, Brazil's former leer Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva urged President Jair Bolsonaro to change his approach to new coronavirus.

He also criticized Bolsonaro for his attitude towards China throughout coronavirus pandemic.

former president kwn as Lula said in an interview with Associated Press on Wednesday that said re needs to be a greater solidarity and cooperation between nations in efforts to curb impacts of coronavirus.

Da Silva, who governed between 2003 and 2010 at time when Brazil's ecomy was strong, ackwledged that Bolsonaro is unlikely to heed growing opposition calls to step down and that re are t eugh votes in congress for impeachment.

Some people in several regions that voted massively for Bolsonaro in 2018 elections have shown ir disillusionment with him by pot-banging for more than two weeks.

president's downplaying of outbreak puts him at odds with almost all of country's 27 goverrs.

About 700 people have died from COVID-19 disease in Brazil so far, and re are almost 14,000 confirmed cases, most in Latin America. Brazil expects a peak in virus cases in late April or early May.

Last month, da Silva praised Sao Paulo Goverr João Doria, a former ally of president, for imposing restrictions designed to curb spre of virus.

Bolsonaro, who frequently refers to da Silva as a "former inmate," n said in a rio interview that he feels embarrassed when conservative politicians who have turned on him during crisis receive praise from leftist leer.

Da Silva, a 74-year-old cancer survivor, is in isolation with his girlfriend and two dogs in city of São Bernardo do Campo, on outskirts of Sao Paulo, since returning from a trip to Europe.

He said he has t h any symptoms of virus, r been tested, and is meeting with very few politicians.

Most of his conversations are w online.

former president said his 580 days in jail have helped him cope better with health recommendations to remain home. He is free while appealing corruption and money laundering convictions, which he says are politically motivated.

Bolsonaro has challenged recommendations of World Health Organization and of his own health ministry on social distancing and or measures to curb virus.

He has repeatedly called COVID-19 "a little flu."

Former President sa Silva believes Brazil might need to print money to avoid closing of businesses and social chaos.

Brazil's ecomy has suffered since 2015, with about 12 million people unemployed and three times as many in informal sector and working gigs.

Da Silva's prescription runs counter to ideology running through Bolsonaro's ministration, led by University of Chicago-trained Ecomy Minister Paulo Guedes. After his appointment, he promised to shrink both size and influence of state through vast privatizations and by reining in state-bank lending.

Since outbreak, re has been some recognition of need to provide financial relief.

Among or things, state bank Caixa Ecomica Federal slashed interest rates on overdrafts and credit card installments, and government allowed people to withdraw equivalent of one month's minimum w from retirement accounts.

It also approved monthly payments of 117 US dollars to help keep low-income workers afloat, which are expected to begin Thursday.

Still, it isn't eugh, da Silva said. He ded that support for possibly printing money isn't rical, but rar a necessary measure in a desperate circumstance.

Brazilian leftist politicians of different parties, including da Silva's Workers' Party, published a letter last week calling for Bolsonaro's resignation over his manment during pandemic.

former president didn't sign it, but said his views are clear.

For most people, new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough, that clear up in two to three weeks.

For some, especially older ults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and could le to death.