The country, whose death toll is second only to the US at 337,000, has not been able to implement many lockdown measures due to the work of president Jair Bolsonaro. The president is greatly opposed to any lockdown measures, due to the economic impact they will produce. As he has also tried to diminish any created by local authorities in the court, a situation described as a “biological Fukushima” [Independant] has been achieved.
This is due to 90% of Brazil’s intensive care beds in most Brazilian states being filled, as well as basic supplies such as oxygen running out in several states. There were over 19,301 cases in the last week alone which is thought to be due to the more contagious brazilian strand of the virus. Furthermore, less than 3% of Brazilians have received both doses of the vaccine, meaning that many are still at risk.
An additional effect of the president’s anti-quarantine stance is many local governments do not see lockdown measures in a favourable light. This has led to the easing of limits to the movement of people, among other lockdown restrictions being lifted. As the Executive Director of Brazil’s Institute of Health Policy Studies said, it shows his “anti-lockdown narrative… has won”. Lockdown measures are also unable to be increased as the right-wing president’s supporters will sabotage them.
Brazil’s current situation shows the danger of anti-lockdown sentiment, and the political implications as president Jair Bolsonaro’s ratings continue to plummet.
Written by Anna Male
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