Economist Podcasts Despair and disparities: covid-19 consumes Brazil
Mar 8, 2021
Sarah Maslin, Brazil correspondent for The Economist, shares insights on Brazil's chaotic COVID-19 response and the devastating impact of the P1 variant. She discusses how socio-economic disparities have intensified health crises and the urgent need for vaccination. Emma Duncan, Britain editor, weighs in on the fallout from Harry and Meghan's explosive interview with Oprah, exploring serious allegations of mental health struggles and racism within the royal family. The contrasting cultural perceptions of this scandal add another layer to the discussion.
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Brazil's COVID-19 Crisis
- Brazil is experiencing a devastating second wave of COVID-19, with record fatalities and overwhelmed hospitals.
- The government's response has been inadequate, contributing to a sense of fatalism among Brazilians.
Overwhelmed Hospitals
- Unlike the initial wave, the second wave is impacting nearly all of Brazil's states simultaneously, limiting the ability to share resources.
- A health secretary's plea highlights the dire situation: "We have no ICU beds [...] We simply have no ICU beds available."
The P1 Variant
- The P1 variant, discovered in Manaus, is significantly more contagious and capable of reinfecting those previously infected.
- This variant also appears to be affecting younger people more severely than previous strains.