Brazilian President: "Making a fuss over a 'small flu'... Everyone dies eventually"

President Jair Bolsonaro of Brazil
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Shin-won] Jair Bolsonaro, the President of Brazil, has sparked controversy by tweeting that the COVID-19 pandemic is exaggerated.

Recently, President Bolsonaro posted a video on his Twitter account. In the video, he said, "We must face the virus as a reality. Someday, we will all die," and urged, "We need to end social distancing and return to work." He also posted a video stating, "If social distancing continues, we will face severe unemployment in the future," and "It will take years to recover."

President Bolsonaro has consistently claimed that the COVID-19 situation is being exaggerated. He argued, "The media is hysterical over a disease like a 'mild flu.' Companies and schools must return to normal."

However, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases and deaths in Brazil is rapidly increasing, raising concerns both domestically and internationally. According to the Brazilian Ministry of Health, as of March 31, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Brazil reached 5,717, an increase of 1,138 from the previous day. Deaths totaled 201, with a mortality rate of about 3.5%.

Moreover, President Bolsonaro has continued to act unilaterally by ignoring the recommendations of the Brazilian Ministry of Health, meeting residents and supporters while moving around Brasilia city. The Ministry of Health has issued guidelines to local governments advising high-risk groups such as those aged 60 and over and people with underlying conditions to refrain from social activities and work for at least three months, avoid attending events, movie theaters, and religious activities, and reduce contact with others through measures such as working from home.

Meanwhile, Twitter deleted Bolsonaro's tweet under international regulations addressing content that contradicts official public health information. Facebook and Instagram also consecutively removed posts by President Bolsonaro, stating that his posts contained misinformation about COVID-19 that could cause real harm to people.