COVID-19 mass graves in Bolsonaro’s Brazil

This Voice of America video says about itself:

Mass Graves Dug in Brazil Amid Coronavirus Pandemic

Authorities in Manaus, Brazil, have begun digging mass graves to bury the increasing number of coronavirus victims, Tuesday, April 21.

In an effort to curb the number of victims, Brazil’s new health minister said the government will more than double the country’s capability for coronavirus testing and devise a plan to end social isolation, which Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro said is bad for the economy.

Nelson Teich’s videotaped comments released Monday night come after several governors and mayors said they were looking into imposing stricter isolation measures to curb the spread of the new coronavirus.

Bolsonaro replaced Luiz Henrique Mandetta with Teich last week after he clashed with Mandetta over self-isolation policies, which Bolsonaro is seeking to end this week.

Bolsonaro could be facing a legal challenge by exiting self-isolation measures after the country’s top court ruled governors and mayors can decide on social isolation measures regardless of the federal government’s position.

As of Wednesday, Brazil has confirmed more than 43,592 COVID-19 cases with 2,769 deaths.

Brazilians struggling for public health need our solidarity. As Covid-19 cases have risen from 6,000 by April 1, to 38,654 (with 2,462 recorded deaths) as of April 20, Bolsonaro’s reckless attitude has been met with widespread protest. Now is the time to push for change, writes CLAUDIA WEBBE MP, vice-chair of the Brazil Solidarity Initiative.