Name? Jair Bolsonaro
Westphalian identity? Brasilian
Age? 65
Why is he in the news? After months of downplaying the impact and legitimacy of the virus, President Bolsonaro has tested positive for Covid19; displaying symptoms such as fatigue and fever.
Why do we care? Thus far, Bolsonaro is the second major leader (we’re looking at you, Boris) who contracted the virus. Perhaps now Bolsonaro will take the virus a bit more seriously than “a measly cold” and address the over a million Brazilian cases. At the very least, maybe he’ll visit Trump sometime in the next two weeks…
Why should you care? The world cannot seem to agree on an adequate response to Covid-19. While complete lockdowns are causing more damage than they actually prevent, the other extreme of Bolsonaro is not a solution either. Can’t we find a middle ground? It does seem like countries with second waves are reaction more rational than others. (Israel…)
Who else cares? Donald Trump. As the U.S. just formally withdrew from the World Health Organization in the midst of its latest surge in cases, the lone ranger is seemingly continuing his own downplaying of the virus and its impact. Will his attitude and approach change now that one of his best buddies has tested positive?
Any further comments? As hopeful that Bolsonaro’s contracting Covid will result in a shift in his actions and rhetoric, there also exists the possibility that he is able to utilize this as a political tool to boost his support. Should Bolsonaro only have a mild case; never needing to enter a hospital and overcoming Corona quickly, he will be able to use his personal experience to support his prior claim that it is only “a measly cold” and thus, nothing worth fussing over. For the stability and safety of the Brazilian people, we’re hoping its a bit worse than a cold…
