Governor Whitson Whitsel of the Brazilian state of Rio de Janeiro criticized a rally in support of President Jair Bolsonaro, which was held in the capital.
The rally in support of Bolsonaro was held on Sunday in the government district of Brasilia. The photo and video published by Globo TV shows a convoy that actually blocked traffic in the government area, dozens of people carry flags and banners in support of the President and against the country’s former Justice Minister, the Supreme Court and the head of the lower house of parliament. Bolsonaro himself came to the convoy.
“Day in and day out, we appeal to the people to stay home and take care of their health, and the President welcomes the crowds. I don’t know what the president wants to do that way. But every life lost will be on his conscience. That’s a terrible example”, – the governor wrote on Twitter, who about two weeks ago announced he had contracted the coronavirus but continues to work from home.
He added that while the whole world has focused on maintaining social distance, and Brazil itself has been trying for the past two months to cope with the crisis in the health system, “the president is going the other way, building people ‘corridors of death’.
“How long will the president treat COVID-19 as a mild cold?” – wrote Whitzel.
According to the latest data from the Ministry of Health, the number of confirmed cases of infection with coronavirus in Brazil is more than 96 thousand, 6750 people died.
Bolsonaro actively criticizes the provisions restricting trade and services in the states to combat the spread of coronavirus COVID-19, and advocates the need for “vertical isolation”, in which only citizens at risk and over 60 years of age should stay home. Regional authorities have decided, as recommended by WHO, to restrict the movement of all citizens without exception.
Criticism of Bolsonaro has intensified in recent days amid the resignation of the Brazilian Minister of Justice, Sergio Moro, who accused the President of interfering with the agency responsible for investigating corruption scandals. The Brazilian Attorney General’s Office has asked the Supreme Federal Court to investigate the former Minister’s allegations.
In addition, the Federal Court in Brazil has extended by five days the period during which the President must report the results of his analysis to COVID-19. In March, Bolsonaro visited the United States, accompanied by a delegation whose more than 20 members then contracted coronavirus. The president performed several tests, always denying that he was infected. In the case of a positive test, Bolsonaru, who does not respect self-isolation and actively communicates on the street with his supporters, can be prosecuted enough to impeach the opposition insists on.