RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – After saying that Brazil needs to stop being a country of “sissies” and face the novel coronavirus, President Jair Bolsonaro congratulated rural producers for not having faltered during the Covid-19 pandemic, in a reference to a biblical proverb. In an event to award rural title deeds in Goiás, Bolsonaro again thanked rural Brazilians for not having interrupted their activities during the novel coronavirus health crisis.
“Thanks to you (farmers) who did not stop, we in the city continue to survive. If the ‘stay at home, we’ll take care of the economy later’ were to be implemented in the countryside, we would have shortages, hunger, poverty and social problems,” said the President. “Congratulations to you who have not faltered at times of distress, as the biblical passage says,” he declared. Next, the President quoted that he respects all religions and stated that the Bible is a “little tool box to fix the human body”.
At the start of his speech, the President mentioned a biblical passage that says “If you falter in a time of trouble, how small is your strength” (Proverbs 24:10). The biblical passage had already been quoted by the chief executive on his social networks, when he shared a translated speech by Russian president Vladimir Putin, in which he praises Bolsonaro’s performance during the pandemic.
Deaths
Brazil counts over 166,000 deaths from the novel coronavirus and chances of a second wave of infection are now being considered. Nevertheless, the President pursues his denialist stance. To supporters last week, Bolsonaro said that the possibility of a second wave was “small talk” and that if were to occur it would need to be ” faced”.
During yesterday’s event, Bolsonaro was called the “freer of the settlers” by a rural producer awarded a title deed. “Bolsonaro is not Princess Isabel but he is the freer of all settlers,” said the producer. The expressions of support returned the President’s smile, which had not been seen for days.
After the failure of candidates he endorsed in the municipal elections, an impatient and downcast Bolsonaro has been the rule, with the exception of this Wednesday, when praise for his government kindled the President’s spirits. A good part of the compliments came from Governor Ronaldo Caiado, who pointed out that it was the 10th time that Bolsonaro had visited the state of Goiás. At the start of the pandemic, Caiado split with the President, but both revived their relationship during the year.
In the audience, pamphlets featuring “Bolsonaro 2022 Alliance for Brazil” were seen. On the microphone, a rural producer said that the President will have the support of the settlers for his reelection. “If you had a 90 percent chance (of winning), now with the settlers you have 100 percent,” said the man.
Source: Estadão Conteúdo