Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro Tests Positive for COVID, Takes His Mask Off Anyway
The president was tested on Monday after experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19. Video showed him removing his mask as he spoke to journalists.
Mauro Pimentel/AFP via Getty
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has tested positive for coronavirus. Despite the diagnosis, footage taken Tuesday showed him removing his mask as he spoke to journalists in a bizarre display of defiance. The Brazilian leader, who has consistently played down the threat of the virus, was tested Monday and received a lung screening after showing symptoms consistent with COVID-19, according to CNN Brazil. He had also been taking a treatment of hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin as he awaited the results of his test. Bolsonaro had reportedly tested negative for the virus three times before between March 12 and March 17 after several Brazilian officials tested positive. Brazil is second to the United States in the number of deaths from the virus at 65,000.
“Just look at my face: I’m fine,” Bolsonaro says, taking off his mask in front of journalists after announcing he has just tested positive for coronavirus pic.twitter.com/JIHHcjniPl
— Tom Phillips (@tomphillipsin) July 7, 2020
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