Without a mask and next to Braga Netto, Bolsonaro says his ‘war is not political’ by criticizing social isolation
BRASÍLIA – Visiting a community in the Federal District and accompanied by the Minister of Defense, Braga Netto, President Jair Bolsonaro said this Saturday that his war “is not political” when he again criticized the social isolation measures adopted by governors to tell the Covid-19 pandemic.
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– War, for my part, is not political. It is a war that really has to do with the future of a nation. We cannot forget the issue of employment. The virus, people know that we are fighting vaccinations. We support protective measures, now, everything has a limit – declared the president, live broadcast on social networks.
Bolsonaro ate soup next to Braga Netto at the Associação Beneficente Cristã Casa de Maria (Beth Myriam), in a community in Itapoã, 24 km from downtown Brasília. Both were without masks at the time of transmission.
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, without wearing a protective mask, gathers to speak with supporters when leaving the Palácio da Alvorada, in Brasília Photo: Evaristo Sá / AFP – 03/31/2021The then chief minister of the Civil House, Braga Netto, speaks to Bolsonaro’s ear, during a ceremony in which the president signed laws that increase the federal government’s capacity to acquire vaccines. Despite the use of a mask, which became an unusual scene for the president, the distance between members of the government was not maintained Photo: Pablo Jacob / Agência O Globo – 03/10/2021Jair Bolsonaro during a meeting at which he called the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu: without mask or distance, in a closed environment Photo: Marcos Corrêa / Presidency of the Republic – 02/12/2021With his denial, Bolsonaro transformed public appearances into pre-pandemic campaign scenes, with indiscriminate hugs and kisses in the face of a crowd of supporters Photo: Alan Santos / PR – 12/30/2020President Jair Bolsonaro wore the mask against Covid (mandatory for the elections) only when he voted in the section of the Municipal School of Vila Militar, in Deodoro, in the West Zone of Rio Photo: Reuters – 11/15/2020Jair Bolsonaro, at the Solemnity of Fatherland Day, at the Palácio da Alvorada, greeted supporters without wearing a mask Photo: Pablo Jacob / Agência O Globo – 09/07/2020President Bolsonaro poses with the American ambassador to Brazil, Todd Chapman, during a celebration for the Independence Day of the USA, on Saturday, July 4, at the diplomat’s house Photo: Nóbrega / PR – 07/04/2020Bolsonaro during a demonstration in his favor at the Palácio da Alvorada, in Brasília Photo: Wagner Pires / Agência O Globo – 05/03/2020On the ramp of the Planalto Palace, President Jair Bolsonaro, accompanied by his daughter Laura, beckons to protesters participating in an anti-democratic demonstration in Brasília, emmaio. The president even hugged a child on the ramp. He did not approach the supporters any more because of two security bars that were installed Photo: Jorge William / Agência O Globo – 05/03/2020On the ramp of the Planalto Palace, President Jair Bolsonaro, accompanied by his daughter Laura, beckons to protesters participating in an anti-democratic demonstration in Brasília, emmaio. The president even hugged a child on the ramp. He did not approach the supporters any more because of two security bars that were installed Photo: EVARISTO SA / AFP – 03/05/2020Bolsonaro greets STF President Dias Toffoli with a hug during the inauguration of André Mendonça as Minister of Justice Photo: Pablo Jacob / Agência O Globo – 04/29/2020In mask, the first lady, Michele Bolsonaro, beside the president during the inauguration ceremony of the new Minister of Justice Photo: Pablo Jacob / Agência O Globo – 04/29/2020At the Teich inauguration ceremony, guests ignore masks, hug and stay close to each other Photo: Jorge William / Agência O Globo – 4/17/2020President Jair Bolsonaro leaves the Palácio da Alvorada, visits the HFA Hospital, then goes to a Rosário pharmacy, and to a building in the Southwest, in Brasilia. This was not the first time that Bolsonaro caused crowds on the street bakeries. On a visit to a bakery he not only gathered with supporters but also consumed food inside the establishment, which is no longer allowed Photo: Jorge William / Agência O Globo – 04/14/2020Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro meets with supporters as he leaves Palácio da Alvorada, amid the Covid-19 outbreak Photo: Ueslei Marcelino / Reuters – 02/04/2020President Jair Bolsonaro greets his supporters during a demonstration in Brasília. He should be in social isolation for having had contact with at least 10 members of his team Photo: SERGIO LIMA / AFP – 15/03/2020President Jair Bolsonaro greets his supporters during a demonstration in Brasília. He should be in social isolation for having had contact with at least 10 members of his team. Sharing equipment, such as cell phones, also meets the recommendations for providing contamination Photo: SERGIO LIMA / AFP – 15/03/2020
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At the site, which serves ‘soup’ for low-income families, the president again affirmed that the “shut-down” and “stay-at-home” policies led to unemployment.
In addition, he confirmed that the Armed Forces are willing to act in favor of immunization against covid-19 and reiterated the position then, to supporters at the Palácio da Alvorada:
– As soon as Health so desires, the Armed Forces, Navy, Army and Air Force, will be ready to help vaccinate our population.
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The statements were made five days after the beginning of a military crisis due to lack of political support, with the resignation of the then Minister of Defense, General Fernando Azevedo e Silva.
In an unprecedented exchange for the history of Brazil, the army chiefs, General Edson Leal Pujol; Navy, squadron admiral Ilques Barbosa; and from the Air Force, brigadier Antônio Carlos Bermudez also fell the following day. The so-called ministerial reform led to the dance of chairs in the Esplanade, with the change in command of five other portfolios.
