Society

Bolsa Família is the answer to Covid-19. But Bolsonaro has slashed it

Expanding the Bolsa Família program could be the solution to Brazil's impending economic collapse, but the initiative has been downsized

Bolsa Família is the answer to Covid-19. But Bolsonaro has slashed it
Elderly woman in Belo Horizonte. Photo: Luis War/Shutterstock

In one of his now numerous rants against social isolation as a key tactic to contain the spread of Covid-19, President Jair Bolsonaro told a true-crime show host this week that “unfortunately, some deaths will occur … so be it, it happens, and we’ll move on.” He continued by saying that the fight against the disease — by forcing the country into a recession as people go on self-isolation — will end up being more damaging than the coronavirus itself.

Staunchly against quarantines issued by state governors, Mr. Bolsonaro has said on a daily basis that “Brazilians want to go back to work,” and that “Brazil cannot stop.” This echoes a similar campaign launched last month in Milan, Italy — proved wrong after 9,000 Covid-19 deaths.

The president does have a point in worrying about the economy. Brazil’s industrial activity has been on a continuous slowdown and unemployment rates remain in the double digits, growing from 11.2 to 11.6 percent of the workforce between November and February. So plunging...

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