Brazil’s Social, Economic, and Political Crisis Continues to Expand in Light of President Bolsonaro’s Erratic Approach to COVID-19

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Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro continues to disregard public health advice amid the coronavirus pandemic, still pursuing his “political war” against quarantine measures implemented by state governments, while demanding “a return to normality.” On May 17, 2020, he mingled with lockdown protesters even as São Paulo, Brazil’s largest city, struggled to keep its healthcare system functioning. His actions came after the May 15 resignation of a second health minister in less than a month. Nelson Teich stepped down after Bolsonaro pushed to end lockdown measures and called for widespread use of the drug chloroquine to treat the virus without further testing. Popular support for the president seems to be cratering. Commentators offered increasingly gloomy assessments.

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