Brazil's Trump, Jair Bolsonaro Claim's Covid Vaccine Could Turn People into Crocodiles

If Brazil's right wing president Jair Bolsonaro wasn't burning down the Amazon, few would care that he's stark raving mad. However, Bolsonaro's anti-environmental policies are exacerbating climate change, destroying the habitat of thousands of species and driving indigenous tribes from their homes.

Reuters: "Deforestation in Brazil’s Amazon rainforest surged to a 12-year high in 2020, official government data showed on Monday, with destruction soaring since President Jair Bolsonaro took office and weakened environmental enforcement."

Eco Watch: "The rainforest is also home to roughly three million species of plants and animals and one million indigenous people, the BBC reported. As habitat is lost, many species could be driven to extinction before they are even discovered. Protected tribal lands serve as a buffer against deforestation, and indigenous tribes survey the land to protect the trees. Their way of life and actual lives are at risk as the forest is cut down."

So, we are forced to pay attention to Brazil's corrupt and increasingly unhinged nationalist leader. And Thursday, Bolsonaro, who has called the coronavirus a "little flu," went on an epic rant, informing the Brazilian people that he wouldn't be taking the new Covid vaccine because it could turn people into "crocodiles or bearded ladies." Apparently, he was trying to impress on his citizens that some individuals might suffer side effects, but his speech will certainly decrease the inoculation rate in Brazil and mean greater suffering and death.

Associated Press: "Bolsonaro’s comments, broadcast on his social media channels Thursday night, alarmed health experts who said they could undermine efforts to achieve vaccination levels essential to halting the pandemic ..."

Just for good measure, Bolsonaro also cast doubt on the use of masks to halt the spread of the coronavirus. So, yes, Donald Trump does have some competition in the "Stupidest World Leader" competition this year.

#news #Bolsonaro #environment #coronavirus

By: Don Lam & Curated Content