Jair Bolsonaro, Brazilian President who repeatedly belittled the coronavirus pandemic has tested positive for the virus.
Mr. Bolsonaro reportedly took the test on Monday after developing symptoms, including a high temperature, the BBC reports.
The BBC reports that the President has repeatedly played down the risks posed by the virus, calling it “a little flu” and saying that he would not be seriously affected by it.
Bolsonaro was criticised for urging the country’s regional governors to ease lockdowns, which he says hurt the economy.
The President watered down regulations on wearing face masks.
Back in April, he said that even if he were to be infected with the virus, he would “not have to worry as I wouldn’t feel anything, at most it would be like a little flue or a little cold”.
When he made the remark, the number of Covid-19-related deaths was still under 3,000 and the number of infections was around 40,000.
The President was quoted on March 11 as saying that; “from what I have seen until now, there are other kinds of flu which have killed more people than that [coronavirus] one”
On March the 18, he was quoted to have said that; “today we have information, that because we have a more tropical climate [in Brazil] we’ve almost reached the end [of the pandemic], or it’s already over (…) the virus doesn’t spread as fast in warm climates like ours”
The President hinted that he was not going to be brought down by a little flu, (referring to the coronavirus pandemic).
WikkiTimes reports that the Brazilian President has ascribed measures aimed at taming the spread of the virus as “dictatorial”.
The President’s disposition on Covid-19 in the South American country has stirred political tension, with many calling on Bolsonaro to resign.
Source: The BBC
