Is Jair Bolsonaro Attempting To Curb Brazil's Attempts To Contain The Virus? The Truth

Brazilian president Jai Bolsonaro touched a raw nerve after repeatedly dismissing the deadly COVID-19 outbreak as a “little cold.”

Bolsonaro, who has time and again downplayed the effects of COVID, took things to a whole new level with a rather startling remark on Sunday. Rebuking the concept of lockdown, Bolsonaro stated, “We are all going to die one day.”—implicitly urging the people of Brazil to get back to business in the face of the crisis.

“The virus is here, we're going to have to confront it. Confront it like a man, not a boy!” said Bolsonaro to the hordes of supporters who flocked around his residence on Sunday, as per the Associated Press. “We're all going to die one day,” he added.

The far-right populist president has been slammed, time and again, for his alleged ineptitude and muddled approach in tackling the global pandemic, which continues to plague and claim the lives of the millions world over.

While it's certain that Bolsonaro’s perspective comes from thinking solely about ways to bolster Brazil’s economy, his statements sent shockwaves across the Latinos, as it appears as the citizens' plea for safety amid the outbreak fell on deaf ears. He also inquired why should schools and organizations remain shut if the virus poses serious risks to only those above the age of 60.

Unsurprisingly, Bolsonaro’s words instigated fury across Brazil, as chants of “Bolsonaro Out” reverberated across Rio De Janeiro and Sao Paulo in the country. What’s alarming to note is that given the mortality rates and no. of cases tested positive in Brazil, the country leads the list among all Latin American countries grappling under the coronavirus outbreak.

The health ministry of Brazil has reiterated that the country’s health care system is headed to a downward slope—especially after millions of underprivileged citizens will be needing food, resources, and shelter for survival during the ongoing crisis. Currently, the ministry record 3,904 tested cases 114 COVID-19 related deaths.

Despite the statistics, Bolsonaro refuses to be bogged down by the current scenario. In addition to predicting that the tough times will pass shortly, Bolsonaro opined that “Our lives have to continue; jobs should be maintained.” Hinting at small businesses to get back on track.