The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic reached Latin America later than
other continents. The first case recorded in Brazil was on Feb 25, 2020. But now,
Brazil has the most cases and deaths in Latin America (105 222 cases and 7288 deaths
as of May 4), and these are probably substantial underestimates. Even more worryingly,
the doubling of the rate of deaths is estimated at only 5 days and a recent study
by Imperial College (London, UK), which analysed the active transmission rate of COVID-19
in 48 countries, showed that Brazil is the country with the highest rate of transmission
(R0 of 2·81). Large cities such as São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro are the main hotspots
now but there are concerns and early signs that infections are moving inland into
smaller cities with inadequate provisions of intensive care beds and ventilators.
Yet, perhaps the biggest threat to Brazil's COVID-19 response is its president, Jair
Bolsonaro.
When asked by journalists last week about the rapidly increasing numbers of COVID-19
cases, he responded: “So what? What do you want me to do?” He not only continues to
sow confusion by openly flouting and discouraging the sensible measures of physical
distancing and lockdown brought in by state governors and city mayors but has also
lost two important and influential ministers in the past 3 weeks. First, on April
16, Luiz Henrique Mandetta, the respected and well liked Health Minister, was sacked
after a television interview, in which he strongly criticised Bolsonaro's actions
and called for unity, or else risk leaving the 210 million Brazilians utterly confused.
Then on April 24, following the removal of the head of Brazil's federal police by
Bolsonaro, Justice Minister Sérgio Moro, one of the most powerful figures of the right-wing
government and appointed by Bolsonaro to combat corruption, announced his resignation.
Such disarray at the heart of the administration is a deadly distraction in the middle
of a public health emergency and is also a stark sign that Brazil's leadership has
lost its moral compass, if it ever had one.
Even without the vacuum of political actions at federal level, Brazil would have a
difficult time to combat COVID-19. About 13 million Brazilians live in favelas, often
with more than three people per room and little access to clean water. Physical distancing
and hygiene recommendations are near impossible to follow in these environments—many
favelas have organised themselves to implement measures as best as possible. Brazil
has a large informal employment sector with many sources of income no longer an option.
The Indigenous population has been under severe threat even before the COVID-19 outbreak
because the government has been ignoring or even encouraging illegal mining and logging
in the Amazon rainforest. These loggers and miners now risk bringing COVID-19 to remote
populations. An open letter on May 3 by a global coalition of artists, celebrities,
scientists, and intellectuals, organised by the Brazilian photojournalist Sebastião
Salgado, warns of an impending genocide.
What are the health and science community and civil society doing in a country known
for its activism and outspoken opposition to injustice and inequity and with health
as a constitutional right? Many scientific organisations, such as the Brazilian Academy
of Sciences and ABRASCO, have long-opposed Bolsonaro because of severe cuts in the
science budget and a more general demolition of social security and public services.
In the context of COVID-19, many organisations have launched manifestos aimed at the
public—such as Pact for Life and Brazil—and written statements and pleas to government
officials calling for unity and joined up solutions. Pot-banging from balconies as
protest during presidential announcements happens frequently. There is much research
going on, from basic science to epidemiology, and there is rapid production of personal
protective equipment, respirators, and testing kits.
These are hopeful actions. Yet, leadership at the highest level of government is crucial
in quickly averting the worst outcome of this pandemic, as is evident from other countries.
In our 2009 Brazil Series, the authors concluded: “The challenge is ultimately political,
requiring continuous engagement by Brazilian society as a whole to secure the right
to health for all Brazilian people.” Brazil as a country must come together to give
a clear answer to the “So what?” by its President. He needs to drastically change
course or must be the next to go.
© 2020 Bruna Prado/Getty Images
2020
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