President Bolsonaro of Brazil Tests Positive for Coronavirus

7 July 2020 , updates by 12:34 pm

President Bolsonaro of Brazil Tests Positive for Coronavirus

After months of denying the seriousness of the pandemic and brushing aside protective measures, Mr. Bolsonaro felt symptoms of Covid-19. More than 65,000 Brazilians have died of the virus.

RIO DE JANEIRO — President Jair Bolsonaro disclosed Tuesday that he has the coronavirus, turbocharging the debate over his cavalier handling of a pandemic that has killed more than 65,000 Brazilians.

Mr. Bolsonaro has repeatedly downplayed the seriousness of the pandemic, opposed measures to stem its spread and encouraged mass rallies of his supporters. At one point he dismissed the virus as “a measly cold,” and when asked in late April about the rising death toll, he replied: “So what? Sorry, but what do you want me to do?”

Speaking to journalists outside the palace shortly after noon on Tuesday, Mr. Bolsonaro, 65, said he had taken a test after experiencing fatigue, muscle pain and a fever. He said the demands of his job had put him at risk.

“I am the president, I have to be on the front lines of the fight,” he said. He compared the virus to “rain, which is going to get to you.”

Mr. Bolsonaro said he was feeling well, which he credited to having taken hydroxychloroquine, an anti-malaria drug that studies show does not ward off the virus.

“I’m fine, I’m very well,” Mr. Bolsonaro said, standing a few feet away from journalists and taking off his mask so reporters could see his face. “Thank you to all those who prayed for me, cheered for me. Those who have criticized, no problem, you can continue to criticize at will.”

Even as several of Mr. Bolsonaro’s aides have tested positive for the virus in recent months, the president has often eschewed precautions like wearing a mask and practicing social distancing.

Most recently, he attended a luncheon hosted on Saturday by the American ambassador in Brazil to celebrate the Fourth of July holiday. In photos, participants are seen standing shoulder-to-shoulder or embracing, without wearing masks.

As Brazilians awaited the results of the president’s latest coronavirus test, messages posted on social media illustrated how politically polarized the country had become.

Two trending hashtags on Twitter Tuesday morning were #ForçaBolsonaro and #ForçaCorona — the first sending the president strength and the other effectively expressing hope that the president would fall ill.