Head of the International Red Cross denounces: 'Bolsonaro underestimated the virus'
Brazil is paying a high price for the politicization of the pandemic and the disregard with which Jair Bolsonaro treated the outbreak of the new coronavirus. Francesco Rocca, president of the International Federation of the Red Cross, offers a harsh critical assessment of the Bolsonaro government's handling of the Covid-19 pandemic.
247 - "We are concerned about what is happening in Brazil," said the president of the International Federation of the Red Cross, the Italian Francesco Rocca, considered one of the most experienced figures in the field of health emergencies. "Bolsonaro underestimated the situation and we are living with the consequences," he stated. "It's very sad," he lamented.
The information is from the journalist Jamil Chad, specialist in covering international affairs with UN agencies in Geneva.
According to Rocca, by prioritizing the economy, Brazil's response has revealed its flaws. ILO data released this week also confirms that, as long as the virus is not contained, the economic and social situation is only likely to deteriorate.
Rocca believes the crisis has not yet peaked and warns that the winter period in South America could increase infections.
"We are paying a high price for not following what the scientific community says," said the president of the Red Cross. "We need to listen to the scientific community. The consequences are there," he said.
Rocca hopes that South American governments and others around the world will finally understand the importance of investing in healthcare infrastructure. "We talk about it, we even shout about it. But I hope that, as we leave the crisis behind, we will learn from what happened," he stated.
"Even the virus has been politicized. This is ridiculous. In the future, we will recount this as the saddest part of this crisis," he lamented.