Losing the Fight Against COVID, Brazil Goes Into Tighter Lockdown

First Published: 2nd of March, 2021

Most Brazilians don’t seem to worry much about COVID-19. If you walk through the streets in the evening and browse around the bars, you would see crowds of people dancing, sporting, having a picnic and otherwise having good “crowded” time. And that’s to say nothing of indoor family gatherings and parties.

For far too long, COVID-19 has been brushed aside as minor matter in Brazil – nothing to worry out. After all, it carries a very low fatality rate, doesn’t it? Not really. The average young, healthy adult need not worry too much about their own health and safety, but it is the elderly and those with underlying medical conditions whom we are worried about. And it is the healthy ones who pick up the virus, walk around with it and unknowingly pass it on to those who are likely to die from it.

So far, over 255,000 people have died from the COVID-19 virus in Brazil. And here’s the kicker: it’s when someone you have known personally dies from the virus that the dreadfulness of the COVID-19 virus hits home. “Who feels it, knows it.”

What’s worse is that Brazil is now notorious for having variants of the COVID-19 virus that are more easily transmitted and deadlier, and which are known to have a more severe effect on children than the original COVID-19. This is what countries are trying to protect from, and this is what experts worry might cause Brazil to become isolated from the world. Already, several countries have banned incoming travelers from Brazil.

Efficacy of the Vaccine

While the COVID-19 vaccine has been proven to be effective in clinical trials, in the real world, it’s another story. After about 1 month since Brazil rolled out its vaccination program, the virus shows little signs of slowing down. If you look at the graph below, you will see that the ongoing vaccination program in Brazil has done little to flatten the curve.

The narrative by the Brazilian government has suddenly moved from, “oh it’s nothing to worry about,” to “this is a real and serious problem to be dealt with.” Even President Bolsonaro, who once called COVID a “little flu,” and attended anti-lockdown rallies, is rushing to cover his ass.

“I’ve told India to accelerate the vaccine shipment. I’m doing everything I can.” Bolsonaro said recently.

Government Steps Up COVID-19 Measures

With the recent appearances of new strains of the virus, an unrelenting infection rate and hundreds of new deaths everyday, the Brazilian government has put its foot down and implemented stronger lockdown measures in an effort to curb the spread of the deadly virus.

Effective 1st March, 2021

Effective today, March 1st, 2021, all states across Brazil has implemented tighter lockdown measures in a desperate attempt to curb the spread of the virus. Although the measures will vary slightly from state to state, the effort is pretty much uniform across all states. For example, in the state of Mato Grosso, the new curfew confines everyone to their homes from 7 PM to 5 AM. All bars, restaurants, supermarkets and other “non-essential” businesses must close before 7 PM. Exceptions include pharmacies, health services, funeral homes, and gas stations.

Further, only 1 person per family is allowed to enter a supermarket. All non-essential businesses must close before noon on Saturdays. On Sundays, non-essential businesses are forbidden to operate.

Any person breaching these measures will be fined $180 Brazilian reals (about 50 USD). The Brazilian Military Police is further authorized to break up crowds and gatherings across the country and arrest those who breach the restrictions.