Today, Explained Brazil’s coronavirus disaster
Jun 24, 2020
Gustavo Ribeiro, a journalist and political scientist based in Sao Paulo, reveals Brazil's dire struggle with COVID-19. He discusses President Bolsonaro's downplaying of the virus, referring to it as the "sniffles," and the country’s chilling rise to over a million cases. Ribeiro highlights the failures in healthcare, the alarming spread among vulnerable communities, and the growing food insecurity. The episode also delves into the political chaos surrounding the pandemic response, including public distrust and the threat of social unrest.
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Disregarding the Virus
- President Bolsonaro downplayed COVID-19 as "the sniffles", influencing many Brazilians to disregard the virus.
- This led to a spread from wealthier, infected Brazilians to their domestic workers and subsequently poorer communities.
First Death in Rio
- The first COVID-19 death in Rio de Janeiro highlighted the wealth disparity in the pandemic's impact.
- A housemaid, infected by her employer who hid their diagnosis, spread the virus and died due to pre-existing conditions.
Amazon Spread
- The virus spread rapidly through the Amazon due to river transportation, close living quarters, and warm climate.
- These factors made social distancing difficult and facilitated transmission among the population.