After months of close calls and public appearances, Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro has tested positive for the Coronavirus. Bolsonaro becomes one of the most high profile cases of government officials who have contracted the virus and Brazil, currently ranked 2nd in the number of infections worldwide, continues to see an increase in cases.
One would expect a world leader to understand the severity of a pandemic better than most, and use extra precaution in public spaces (we’re looking at you, Tr*mp). After all, if salsa dancers in Madrid can find a way to practice safely, a president with near-endless resources should be able to effectively govern. Well, LATV’s elite team of investigators is on the case.
Could it be the time he shook hands with a large crowd of supporters?
Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro has just tested positive for Covid-19.
Bolsonaro had openly defied coronavirus warnings from his health ministry several times. Here's one such instance: pic.twitter.com/EnRh9UB6SD
— TRT World (@trtworld) July 7, 2020
Maybe it was when he joined protestors defying quarantine. He also happened to have a slight cough…
Bolsonaro claimed his history as an athlete would protect him from the coronavirus, perhaps not the best attitude towards prevention…
He doubled down on his machismo when he did maskless push-ups with supporters, while the virus continued to spread.
Left: Jair Bolsonaro does push-ups with supporters on Sunday, before joining an anti-lockdown rally and flouting social distancing guidelines
Right: A field hospital in a gym in Sao Paulo state, where the health care system is on the brink of collapse https://t.co/mS5uzR34m4 pic.twitter.com/5GXLAoGbbq
— Rob Picheta (@robpicheta) May 18, 2020
Well, it’s pretty clear how the leader of one of the world’s most influential nations, with top-notch protection at his disposal, contracted the virus despite proven and inexpensive methods for avoidance (i.e. wearing a face mask, social distancing). It’s not like he can do any worse…right?
“Just look at my face: I’m fine,” Bolsonaro says, taking off his mask in front of journalists after announcing he has just tested positive for coronavirus pic.twitter.com/JIHHcjniPl
— Tom Phillips (@tomphillipsin) July 7, 2020