Bolsonaro Criticizes Spread of “Disinformation and Panic” Over Pandemic

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – On Sunday, July 12th, the President said that the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic was marked by “disinformation” and “panic”. In a social media post entitled “the moment of truth”, the President also talked about the country’s economic situation.

“Misinformation was a widely used weapon. Panic was spread by making people believe they only had one serious problem to face,” he said. Since the start of the pandemic, the President has reiterated that fighting the virus is necessary, as well as unemployment. “I have always said that the side effect of fighting the virus could not be worse than the virus itself. ”

Last Tuesday, July 7th, Bolsonaro announced that he had tested positive for Covid-19. In social media statements, Bolsonaro said he is being treated with chloroquine, a drug with no proven efficacy against the disease, according to the World Health Organization (W.H.O.).

“The reality of the future of each Brazilian family must be depoliticized from the pandemic. The real figures of this war will soon emerge,” said the President, who has criticized social distancing measures adopted by mayors and governors to fight the spread of Covid-19.

Bolsonaro did not specify in the post which “real figures” he was referring to. The Special Secretariat of Communication reported that the Planalto will not comment on the matter.

The pandemic has already claimed 71,469 lives from the disease in Brazil and 1,839,850 confirmed cases in all units of the federation, according to the Ministry of Health. On Sunday the country completed 58 days with no one in charge of the portfolio, which is being temporarily led by General Eduardo Pazuello.

Federal Supreme Court (STF) Justice Gilmar Mendes said last Saturday, July 11th, that the Army is associated with “genocide,” referring to the health crisis in the country amid the novel coronavirus pandemic, aggravated by the absence of a Health Minister in office.

Recession

The President also said the country is “on the brink of recession” with “millions of jobs destroyed and tens of millions of casual workers deprived of income. It won’t be easy, but we will rebound,” he added.

The Chief Executive said the situation is not only worse due to the federal government’s actions. He mentioned the release of credit for small and medium-sized companies and the R$60.1 billion tax relief for states and municipalities, in addition to the R$600 emergency aid paid to citizens.

Eighty days after the program was launched, however, there are still ten million Brazilians waiting to receive the emergency aid. This section of the population is waiting for the outcome of the Executive’s assessment or reassessment in order to grant the benefit.

Source: Estadão Conteúdo