Jair Bolsonaro , President of Brazil and a worldleader in denialof Covid-19 ’s threat , has test positivistic for the computer virus but has not change his tune on the disease . How his symptoms progress could have a major impact on the reaction to the pandemic in Brazil , and to some extent worldwide .
On Monday , Brazilian word mercantile establishment report Bolsonaro had a fever and other symptoms of the disease . On Tuesday he confirmed on live television that his viral test was prescribed for SARS CoV-2 , afterpreviously describinga lung scan as “ clean ” .
Outside Brazil Bolsonaro is often referred to as the “ Trump of the Tropics ” . Despite many similarities in their styles and policies , there have also been adult difference in their reaction to the pandemic . Where Trump has changed his billet many times , ranging from dissolve the computer virus asa hoaxto pick China , to boasting theUS has the secure Covid resolution in the world , Bolsonaro has been much more consistent .
From the start Bolsonaro has denied that Covid-19 represents a serious threat to wellness , calling it “ a trivial flu ” . He has attacked attempts by governor to see to it the disease , even joining protests , fuel his health minister for taking it gravely , and even defied discriminative orders . His only yielding has been to promote hydroxychloroquine , the anti - malarial drug Trump touted whose benefits against the virusremain extremely uncertain .
far-flung outbreak of the virus did not take hold in Brazil until well after the death price was wax in several other countries , but Bolsonaro blow any opportunity for disease control . Brazil now has thesecond - highest routine of character and deaths globally . Those figures in part chew over the nation ’s immense population , but even in per caput terms it is rapidly pass nations that were hit much earlier .
Although he has repeatedly set himself against the best scientific advice , and all uncommitted grounds , Bolsonaro can be impart credit for consistence even when it is his own life in danger , declare , “ There ’s no rationality for fear . That ’s life . Life go on , "
At 65 , Bolsonaro is well into the age chain of mountains where Covid-19 deaths are vulgar . Nevertheless , even at his years , the majority of those infected survive , often with quite light symptom . If that is the case for Bolsonaro , there is a danger he will double - down on his claim the condition is minor , along with his religion in Plaquenil , and those who listen to him will have their beliefs reinforced . On the other deal , if Bolsonaro ’s symptom exasperate to the point he requires intensive care , and especially if he go bad , it could deepen the lunar time period of public debate , despite the minimum scientific relevance of a sample size of it of one .
The Prime Ministers of Russia , the UK , andGuinea - Bissau , and President of Honduras , have previously test positive for the virus , along with an regalia of senior minister inother countries . The president of Burundi Pierre Nkurunzizadied of a heart attackin June , in brief after his wife was hospitalise for Covid-19 .
