Jair Bolsonaro ignored crucial warnings, flouted COVID-19 measures before testing positive

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro tested positive for coronavirus after repeatedly downplaying seriousness of disease and igring crucial warnings from health authorities. Brazilian government, under leership of Bolsonaro, has emerged as one of examples of failed COVID-19 response with over 1.6 million confirmed cases of coronavirus and more than 66,000 deaths so far, holding second position on both columns of tally.

re have been several incidents in past when Bolsonaro neglected social distancing measures and even targeted Brazilian authorities including goverrs and mayors for opting measures suggested by World Health Organisation (WHO). He himself escaped a close scare in March when his press secretary tested positive withing days of meeting US President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago.

During early phase of virus outbreak, Brazilian leer termed it as “little flu” and refused to impose strict lockdowns across country to contain spre. He even came down heavily on media for sparking “sense of dre” and “hysteria” over coronavirus pandemic.

Bolsonaro was also spotted riding a jet-ski and enjoying a lavish lifestyle while flouting key measures and even wearing a face mask. After few days,  65-year-old Brazilian leer went out for a can on coke and a hot dog amid rising death toll related to vel coronavirus. Insults were hurled at Bolsonaro as one woman was heard calling him “assassi” (killer) while ar dissenter screamed, “Get to work, you bum!”.

Bolsonaro has been maintaining his controversial stance of reopening businesses to keep ecomy running, even as Latin American country continues to witness a surge in number of coronavirus cases and related death toll. In March, Bolsonaro h called COVID-19 a “fantasy” and n went to a rally and shook hands with supporters which drew severe criticism.

Calling it a “little flu” during an dress, Brazilian President said, “In my particular case, with my history as an athlete, if I were infected by virus, I wouldn’t need to worry.”

A leing medical journal recently said that Bolsonaro perhaps remains biggest threat to country’s coronavirus response. Lancet, in scathing piece, highlighted Bolsonaro’s blatant disregard for sensible measures of physical distancing and lockdown to contain spre of dely virus. journal said that Brazilian President is sowing confusion among people by openly flouting COVID-19 measures anunced by state goverrs and city mayors.

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'Daunting Challenge'

In May, Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), primarily funded by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, projected nearly 90,000 deaths in Brazil related to COVID-19 by early August. IHME Director Dr Christopher Murray h said in a statement that nation’s health care system is facing a daunting challenge.

“Our aim in anuncing se findings is to inform policymakers how best to man and mobilize for COVID-19,” said Murray.

virus has severely impacted indigeus tribes of Brazil with a surge in confirmed cases of coronavirus and deaths related to virus. If authorities continue to igre devastation brought upon Brazilian people by gross neglect of severity of disease, health crisis is bound a become an irreversible humanitarian crisis.

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(Im: AP Twitter / @canelevelho)