Front Burner

Half a million COVID-19 deaths in Brazil, no end in sight

COVID-19 deaths have surpassed half a million in Brazil. Over the weekend, thousands of Brazilians took to the streets to protest President Jair Bolsonaro’s pandemic response. Today on Front Burner, how will Brazil find its way out of this crisis?
BRASILIA, BRAZIL - JUNE 19: Protesters during a protest against Bolsonaro's administration on June 19, 2021 in Brasilia, Brazil. Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro is facing a probe for pandemic mismanagement as the country approaches the half million deaths from COVID. The controversial decision to host the Copa America 2021 amid the coronavirus crisis is questioned by a large part of the population. (Andressa Anholete/Getty Images)

Dozens of states across Brazil took part in anti-Bolsonaro protests this weekend. Thousands took to the streets to protest against the president's leadership during the pandemic. Many are furious with how the government passed up the chance to buy COVID-19 vaccines. Some even called the lack of action around the pandemic a form of genocide. 

This all comes as Brazil surpassed half a million COVID-19 related deaths.

Today on Front Burner, director of the Igarapé Institute in Rio de Janeiro and political analyst Robert Muggah on the devastating toll that COVID-19 has taken on Brazil, the implications that has on President Jair Bolsonaro, and what it might take for the country to come out of this crisis.

 

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