Coronavirus, kill seniors for capitalism, Bolsonaro says

This 16 March 2020 video says about itself:

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro snubs coronavirus warnings

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro continues to ignore coronavirus warnings, making public appearances and coming in close contact with people.

A comment at YouTube on this video by Andre Pessoa says:

Here in Brazil, we are being governed by a psychopath. He only “cares” about the economy. He wants to keep his rich friends’ fortune while working-class people die pennyless: cutting salaries, encouraging companies to fire people. The governors of each state are managing the CoVid-19 situation by themselves.

So, not only United States President Donald Trump and some of his fellow Republicans prefer Big Business profits to the lives of coronavirus casualties. So does the ‘Trump of Brazil’, Jair Bolsonaro.

Translated from Dutch NOS radio today:

Brazilian president: Media has created fear, we must return to normal life

In a TV speech, Brazilian President Bolsonaro called for “to return to normal life”. The far-right president did not speak well of the far-reaching measures by various Brazilian states to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. He noted that the coronavirus is especially dangerous for people over sixty. “So why are the schools closed then?”

Because infected schoolchildren may infect and thus potentially kill their parents and grandparents. And because some infected children may also die, you neo-fascist idiot Bolsonaro!

he wondered. He also attacked the media head-on: they ‘sowed fear’ with their reporting, he claimed.

Bolsonaro, who turned 65 on Saturday, says not to worry about his own health. “Because of my athletic background, I don’t have to be afraid of anything. If I would get infected, then I would at most have the symptoms of a flu.” Earlier this month, he was in the United States, where he met, eg, President Trump. At least 23 members of the delegation traveling with Bolsonaro have been infected. The president says he has been tested and is not infected, but he declines to publish the official test results.

In Brazil, there is considerable dissatisfaction with Bolsonaro‘s approach to the corona crisis. During this speech, ‘pots and pans protests’ were heard in many places from the balconies.

This 19 March 2020 video says about itself:

Brazilians made a ruckus from their apartments Wednesday night (March 18), banging pots and pans in protest against President Jair Bolsonaro for his handling of the coronavirus outbreak. Gloria Tso reports.

That’s the sound of hundreds of Brazilians banging pots and pans – calling for President Jair Bolsonaro to step down on Wednesday.

Their frustrations boiling over with Brazil’s escalating coronavirus crisis.

Bolsonaro has been under fire for his handling of the outbreak, which he initially called a fantasy.

But as the outbreak spreads, crushing Brazil’s financial markets and infecting several politicians, Bolsonaro has been forced to confront a stark reality.

The country’s number of confirmed cases has more than doubled over the past three days.

Over 400 people have been infected – including two of Bolsonaro’s ministers.

At least four people have died.

The loud protests started as Bolsonaro made a statement on live TV where he and his top ministers wore face masks and addressed the anger.

…

Bolsonaro says he has twice tested for the virus and came out negative both times.

But 14 members of his entourage have tested positive after the group traveled to Florida to meet U.S. President Donald Trump ten days ago.

With increasing pressure to act, officials say Brazil is considering closing all its land borders.

…

Brazil’s famed Ipanema Beach and Iguazu Falls, normally packed with tourists are now nearly empty.

Another Brazilian landmark, however, offered a more promising and hopeful sign.

Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, illuminated with the flags of the world, showing solidarity with a planet in the throes of a pandemic.