MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Brazilian health minister urged government to speak with a unified voice against COVID-19
In an television interview on Sunday, Health Minister Henrique Mandetta criticized people for gathering in public without referring directly to Bolsonaro 
Over the weekend the Brazilian president took to the streets drawing crowds and greeting followers. Brazil's health minister urged the government to speak with a unified voice in its fight against the new coronavirus, calling out President Jair Bolsonaro for downplaying the threat ahead of what are likely to be the two toughest months for the outbreak.
In an television interview airing late on Sunday, Health Minister Henrique Mandetta also criticized people for gathering in public without referring directly to Bolsonaro, who hit the streets over the weekend, drawing crowds and greeting followers.
“I hope we can speak with a single, unified message, because otherwise Brazilians end up doubting. They don't know whether to listen to the health minister, the president. Who should they listen to,” Mandetta said.
Although the minister dodged what many expected would be a firing last week, he and the president remain at odds over the outbreak, with Bolsonaro criticizing isolation policies and suggesting the worst may already be past.
Brazil's death toll rose to 1,223 people on Sunday, 99 more than the previous day's tally, while the number of confirmed cases hit 22,169, according to Health Ministry data.
Still, the far-right president, told evangelical Christian leaders in a video address on Sunday that “it seems the matter of the virus is starting to go away.”
In the interview airing later on Sunday, however, Mandetta warned that the hardest days of the outbreak will be felt in May and June.
“The behavior of society is what will dictate the coming weeks,” the minister added. “When you see people entering bakeries, supermarkets, queuing one close to the other, this is clearly wrong,” he said.
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Read all commentsMadame prepared a wonderful le gigot d’agneau Pascal, which was originally planned for Pâques, and we'll be enjoying the leftovers for days. (Cold lamb sandwiches for tomorrow.) At the moment we're again enjoying a marvelous Viña Arboleda Carménère as the evening sets on what has been a beautiful day.
Apr 18th, 2020 - 10:45 pm +2I had to look up Stornoway... I've always had a great affinity for the farmland of my family. My father's great-grandfather studied engineering in Edinburgh and migrated to Valparaiso to supervise steam-turbine repairs. One of his sons fell in love with my grandmother who emigrated with her family from Ayrshire. My mother's grandfather grew up in Aberdeenshire and literally “jumped” his ship in Valparaiso.
The word we use for a mongrel dog here is “kiltro” which best describes my mixed heritage, but also explains why many of our family studied at British schools. In the Allende land reform aftermath, my family was near bankruptcy and the Chilean naval school was offering full scholarships to fluent English applicants.
Later in life, I became closely involved in working with my counterparts in Mare Harbour and Mount Pleasant, but sadly I have never visited the islands.
I think we'll see worldwide repercussions against the Chinese and I agree with your assessments, but globalism will reman an important part of our life. It's important to allow for people to recover from looks like a severe economic recession/depression. (Le bête noire my partner refers as...)
Regarding the nasty reference by the “merely a waste of pixels on our screens” about Pinochet, I have always remained open and honest about my views of the 1973 coup d'état in my country and the very unfortunate aftermath. There are many in Chile and many throughout the world also share similar opinions:
https://www.heraldsun.com.au/blogs/andrew-bolt/in-defence-of-pinochet/news-story/d5bc36cb749074964a282eddfb283ee6
¡Salud!
Eilean Siar
Apr 16th, 2020 - 06:27 pm +1The last snark comment: “The bottom line is it's none of your business.” — is the beginning of what will prove an uncontrollable narcissist rage if you further challenge him.
His most recent potty mouth rants are self explanatory:
https://en.mercopress.com/2020/04/04/covid-19-pandemic-brazilians-have-greater-trust-in-the-health-than-in-president-bolsonaro/comments#comment508058
¡Salud!
Terry
Apr 16th, 2020 - 09:02 pm +1“ My motto has always been don't start anything, but if the party does then make sure you give as good as you get.”
Why don't you try following it, then? You insulted me 100 times before I ever said anything back to you.
Chicureo
I think the poor baby has reflux. She's been sick a lot and can't settle at night, I feel so sorry for her and we are all sleep deprived. She's so sweet though, and growing fast; we already had to buy bigger nappies and her clothes aren't ridiculously big any more. The weather here is beautiful but I don't think she likes the outdoors yet.
Ironically me and Think probably have pretty similar political views, but that's not a guarantee of getting on with someone. Too many people these days seem to think agreeing on politics is necessary and sufficient to being a good person...
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