'It Has to Stop Being a Country of Fags', Says Bolsonaro about Combating Covid-19

President said he regrets deaths, but pandemic must be tackled

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Julia Chaib
Brasília

President Jair Bolsonaro (without a party) said on Tuesday (10) that Brazil needs to "stop being a sissy country" and just face the coronavirus pandemic.

"Everything is now a pandemic. You have to end this business. I am sorry for the dead. We are all going to die one day. It is no use running away from it, running away from reality, it has to stop being a sissy country," said the president.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro gestures during the launch of a program for the resumption of tourism, a sector severely affected by the new coronavirus outbreak, at Planalto Palace in Brasilia, on November 10, 2020. - Brazil's decision to halt trials of a Chinese-developed Covid-19 vaccine triggered a politically charged row Tuesday as a top health official expressed "indignation" and far-right President Jair Bolsonaro claimed the ruling as a personal victory. (Photo by EVARISTO SA / AFP) - AFP

"We have to face it, open chest, fight," he continued. Next, Bolsonaro said that the generation today is "Toddynho, Nutella, zap."

The president made the statement after saying that he was correct in proposing less drastic measures of social isolation and criticizing mayors and other countries that opted for tougher policies and that now "start to frighten the Brazilian people with the second wave."

Bolsonaro gave the statements when speaking to an audience made up of business people in the tourism sector at an event to launch policies to boost the area in Brazil.

Translated by Kiratiana Freelon

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