The divide between what should live and what should die.

The discrimination practiced by the Bolsonaro government has strengthened social apartheid during the coronavirus crisis. However, despite this situation affecting millions of Brazilians in the peripheries and favelas, the president's statements create a smokescreen that confuses the population and gives the impression that his defense of not isolating the population is a defense of the poor and working class.

Characterized by the mechanisms of discrimination produced and operated by the public and private structures and institutions that reproduce and strengthen it, social apartheid is inscribed in the operation of the social system and functions, to a certain extent, independently of individuals.

Throughout its history, Brazil has faced numerous pandemics and crises; however, despite significant progress and global recognition for having the largest, most comprehensive, and one of the best public health systems in the world, we have failed to achieve a truly inclusive social structure.

The perpetuated inequality strengthens the social apartheid we live in. The Brazilian state's choice not to conduct mass testing disregards the reality of the country's peripheries, favelas, and impoverished communities, where health and sanitation infrastructure is precarious and, therefore, once the virus spreads, it is difficult to control later. A tragedy foretold!

According to data published by IBGE in October 2019, Brazil has 55 million people living in poverty, representing approximately ¼ of the country's population. According to the National Sanitation Information System, in Brazil, more than 100 million Brazilians lack access to sewage systems and 35 million lack access to water. By disregarding data like this in addressing the virus in the field of public health, the government acts in a discriminatory manner, treating these population segments differently and introducing, through public policy, a "divide between those who should live and those who should die," which could constitute an unprecedented form of social eugenics in the country.