The U.S is considering restricting travel from Brazil as the country's outbreak of the novel coronavirus worsens and threatens to make it the new epicenter of the pandemic. The right-wing populist president who President Donald Trump consistently calls a 'good friend' has dismissed the
The U.S is considering restricting travel from Brazil as the country's outbreak of the novel coronavirus worsens and threatens to make it the new epicenter of the pandemic.
In a country of 211 million people, some scientists have estimated that over 1 million may be infected already, according to the Associated Press. Aerial images of mass graves have sparked deep concern, with anger against Bolsonaro and even calls for his impeachment growing and evident in panelaços -- protests of banging pots and pans.
Hospital systems in Rio de Janeiro and four other major cities are already overwhelmed with patients and nearing failure, medical officials told the Associated Press. Rio de Janeiro state has nearly 9,000 cases with almost 800 deaths already, but the hardest hit state has been São Palo, home to South America's largest city, where there are over 26,000 cases and 2,200 deaths, according to Brazil's Health Ministry.
While Bolsonaro has been blamed for the deteriorating crisis, Trump seemed to downplay his responsibility, saying,"Brazil went a different way than other countries in South America. If you look at the chart, you'll see what happened, unfortunately, to Brazil."Other U.S. officials have not criticized Bolsonaro's response either.
One new step under consideration, however, is implementing restrictions on travel from Brazil to the U.S., according to Trump, like those still in place for China and 28 European countries.
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