Brazil Orders Residents to Cover Up

Brazil has become a hot spot for coronavirus cases. Despite local measures to prevent the spread, including stay at home orders, the results have been inconsistent. This is, in part, because of a lack of federal leadership and compliance. In São Paulo, a study last week found that only 46% percent of residents actually remained at home.

But local authorities aren’t just relying on quarantine and social distancing measures to keep people safe. In some places, they are forcing residents to wear masks in public. The cities of Belo Horizonte, Rio de Janeiro, and Salvador, among others, are requiring that residents use facial coverings. A similar measure was enacted for the entire state of Santa Catarina and, starting tomorrow, the state of São Paulo.

These aren’t just suggestions. No, these are orders - you must cover your face if you’re going to be in public.

We’re living in unprecedented times, and Brazil is smack-dab in the middle of the craziness. In just a matter of days, the head of the Federal Police was fired along with the Minister of Health; the Justice Minister resigned; and Brazil’s currency, the real, hit a new low. And we can’t ignore the frustration of many towards President Bolsonaro, who himself attends large gatherings of supporters while downplaying the “little flu.”

Just as the US starts to reopen, Brazil is facing a difficult decision - what next? The health, economic, and political risks cannot be overstated. Brazil is facing a crisis of epic proportions.