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Another Health Minister in Brazil Exits Amid Chaotic Coronavirus Response Another Health Minister in Brazil Exits Amid Chaotic Coronavirus Response
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RIO DE JANEIRO — The Brazilian government’s chaotic response to the coronavirus pandemic worsened Friday as its latest health minister quit barely a month into the job, with daily deaths from infection climbing and a defiant president exhorting people to get back to work.RIO DE JANEIRO — The Brazilian government’s chaotic response to the coronavirus pandemic worsened Friday as its latest health minister quit barely a month into the job, with daily deaths from infection climbing and a defiant president exhorting people to get back to work.
The departure of the health minister, Nelson Teich, who took over just four weeks ago after the termination of his predecessor, threatened to compound the political upheaval that has called into question the ability of the president, Jair Bolsonaro, to govern Latin America’s largest country.The departure of the health minister, Nelson Teich, who took over just four weeks ago after the termination of his predecessor, threatened to compound the political upheaval that has called into question the ability of the president, Jair Bolsonaro, to govern Latin America’s largest country.
With upward of 800 people dying each day from Covid-19, the disease caused by the virus, Brazil’s death rate is now second only to that of the United States. Lax quarantine measures are leading to rising contagion as Mr. Bolsonaro urges Brazilian workers to effectively defy local lockdown orders from states and municipalities.With upward of 800 people dying each day from Covid-19, the disease caused by the virus, Brazil’s death rate is now second only to that of the United States. Lax quarantine measures are leading to rising contagion as Mr. Bolsonaro urges Brazilian workers to effectively defy local lockdown orders from states and municipalities.
Mr. Teich, an oncologist with no political experience, stepped into the job on April 17 after the president fired Luiz Henrique Mandetta, a pediatric orthopedist and politician, following a weekslong standoff.Mr. Teich, an oncologist with no political experience, stepped into the job on April 17 after the president fired Luiz Henrique Mandetta, a pediatric orthopedist and politician, following a weekslong standoff.
Mr. Mandetta defended quarantine measures that several governors and mayors had imposed in mid-March to curb the spread of the pandemic. Mr. Bolsonaro railed against them, calling them economically ruinous.Mr. Mandetta defended quarantine measures that several governors and mayors had imposed in mid-March to curb the spread of the pandemic. Mr. Bolsonaro railed against them, calling them economically ruinous.
During a news conference Friday afternoon, Mr. Teich did not provide a reason for his resignation.During a news conference Friday afternoon, Mr. Teich did not provide a reason for his resignation.
“Life is made up of choices, and today I chose to leave,” he said. “I didn’t accept the job for the position itself. I accepted it because I thought I could help the country and its people.”“Life is made up of choices, and today I chose to leave,” he said. “I didn’t accept the job for the position itself. I accepted it because I thought I could help the country and its people.”
A replacement had not been announced as of Friday afternoon. It was unclear whether Mr. Bolsonaro intended to appoint a new minister with medical expertise. The second-highest ranking official at the ministry, Eduardo Pazuello, is an active-duty Army general who has been in the job a few weeks.A replacement had not been announced as of Friday afternoon. It was unclear whether Mr. Bolsonaro intended to appoint a new minister with medical expertise. The second-highest ranking official at the ministry, Eduardo Pazuello, is an active-duty Army general who has been in the job a few weeks.
Mr. Teich maintained a lower profile than his predecessor, and refrained from challenging the president publicly. But it became evident this week that the two were not in sync. The minister was caught off guard by an executive order Mr. Bolsonaro signed calling beauty salons and gyms essential businesses that needed to reopen.Mr. Teich maintained a lower profile than his predecessor, and refrained from challenging the president publicly. But it became evident this week that the two were not in sync. The minister was caught off guard by an executive order Mr. Bolsonaro signed calling beauty salons and gyms essential businesses that needed to reopen.
As of Friday, Brazil had 218,223 diagnosed cases of the virus and 14,817 deaths.As of Friday, Brazil had 218,223 diagnosed cases of the virus and 14,817 deaths.
Andre Wilheim, an internal medicine doctor in Rio de Janeiro who has been treating coronavirus patients, said medical workers are exhausted and overwhelmed.Andre Wilheim, an internal medicine doctor in Rio de Janeiro who has been treating coronavirus patients, said medical workers are exhausted and overwhelmed.
“I’m disappointed by a president who denies reality,” he said. “We are expecting more cases now that fewer people are following isolation measures and the health care system isn’t prepared for that.”“I’m disappointed by a president who denies reality,” he said. “We are expecting more cases now that fewer people are following isolation measures and the health care system isn’t prepared for that.”
During his final week in office, Mr. Teich was trying to draft a unified plan to respond to the pandemic, but the effort faltered as the president and key governors sparred.During his final week in office, Mr. Teich was trying to draft a unified plan to respond to the pandemic, but the effort faltered as the president and key governors sparred.
One of the points of contention between Mr. Bolsonaro and his two health ministers was the president’s enthusiastic endorsement of hydroxychloroquine, an anti-malaria drug with serious side effects that has been prescribed to some coronavirus patients.One of the points of contention between Mr. Bolsonaro and his two health ministers was the president’s enthusiastic endorsement of hydroxychloroquine, an anti-malaria drug with serious side effects that has been prescribed to some coronavirus patients.
The refusal by Mr. Teich and Mr. Mandetta to endorse widespread use of the drug frustrated Mr. Bolsonaro, who has no medical expertise. He confounded medical experts by ordering the armed forces pharmaceutical laboratory to mass produce the drug.The refusal by Mr. Teich and Mr. Mandetta to endorse widespread use of the drug frustrated Mr. Bolsonaro, who has no medical expertise. He confounded medical experts by ordering the armed forces pharmaceutical laboratory to mass produce the drug.
Brazil’s health care system has also been hampered by limited testing capability and a shortage of ventilators, which are used to treat critically ill patients. The federal government has made little headway to address those shortcomings, leaving governors scrambling to ramp up capabilities.Brazil’s health care system has also been hampered by limited testing capability and a shortage of ventilators, which are used to treat critically ill patients. The federal government has made little headway to address those shortcomings, leaving governors scrambling to ramp up capabilities.
Mr. Teich’s departure came three weeks after Mr. Bolsonaro’s most popular cabinet member, Justice Mister Sergio Moro, resigned following a dramatic falling out.Mr. Teich’s departure came three weeks after Mr. Bolsonaro’s most popular cabinet member, Justice Mister Sergio Moro, resigned following a dramatic falling out.
Mr. Moro accused the president of trying to replace key figures within the federal police force in order to shield relatives and friends from criminal investigations. The accusation turned the president himself into the target of an obstruction of justice inquiry that is before the Supreme Court.Mr. Moro accused the president of trying to replace key figures within the federal police force in order to shield relatives and friends from criminal investigations. The accusation turned the president himself into the target of an obstruction of justice inquiry that is before the Supreme Court.
Updated June 12, 2020 Updated June 16, 2020
The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave.
So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.
The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.
Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.
Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.
States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.
The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.
Prominent politicians lamented the new upheaval at the Health Ministry.Prominent politicians lamented the new upheaval at the Health Ministry.
“President Bolsonaro, no one will be able to do a serious job with your meddling in ministries and the federal police,” the Rio de Janeiro governor, Wilson Witzel, a former supporter of the president, wrote in a message on Twitter. “That is why governors and mayors need to manage this pandemic crisis and not the president.”“President Bolsonaro, no one will be able to do a serious job with your meddling in ministries and the federal police,” the Rio de Janeiro governor, Wilson Witzel, a former supporter of the president, wrote in a message on Twitter. “That is why governors and mayors need to manage this pandemic crisis and not the president.”
Mr. Mandetta called for prayers for Brazil’s public health system, which is overwhelmed by a crush of critical care patients in several states. “Science. Patience. Faith!” he wrote in a message on Twitter that included the hashtag #StayHome.Mr. Mandetta called for prayers for Brazil’s public health system, which is overwhelmed by a crush of critical care patients in several states. “Science. Patience. Faith!” he wrote in a message on Twitter that included the hashtag #StayHome.
Economists have warned that Brazil’s health and political crises could plunge its economy into the deepest recession in the country’s history. The value of the real, Brazil’s currency, has dropped 30 percent this year against the dollar. Some states have said they cannot pay public servants in coming months without a federal bailout.Economists have warned that Brazil’s health and political crises could plunge its economy into the deepest recession in the country’s history. The value of the real, Brazil’s currency, has dropped 30 percent this year against the dollar. Some states have said they cannot pay public servants in coming months without a federal bailout.
Political risk consultancies to foreign investors and businesses have warned their clients to steer clear of Brazil as Mr. Bolsonaro faces growing calls for impeachment and his popularity drops.Political risk consultancies to foreign investors and businesses have warned their clients to steer clear of Brazil as Mr. Bolsonaro faces growing calls for impeachment and his popularity drops.
“My investment advice would be not to run into a burning building,” Armando Castelar, an economist at the Gavekal Research consultancy wrote in a paper outlining Brazil’s challenges. “Right now, Brazil is best left to the specialists, crazies, long-term opportunists and those without other options.”“My investment advice would be not to run into a burning building,” Armando Castelar, an economist at the Gavekal Research consultancy wrote in a paper outlining Brazil’s challenges. “Right now, Brazil is best left to the specialists, crazies, long-term opportunists and those without other options.”
Manuela Andreoni and Letícia Casado contributed reporting.Manuela Andreoni and Letícia Casado contributed reporting.