With Brazil close to 200,000 deaths by Covid-19, President Jair Bolsonaro (no party) made a joke on Monday (4) regarding the use of the face protection mask, defended by experts as an important tool to help contain the spread of the virus.
In an ironic tone, the president said he used the equipment while diving, over the holidays, on the coast of São Paulo to “not give Covid to the fish.” Bolsonaro joked ironically with the fact that the media reported that he did not wear a mask while causing crowding in Praia Grande (SP) on January 1st.
"Did you know that there was a guy on the beach swimming with a mask? I dived with a mask too, so as not to give Covid to the fish," said the president.
On the occasion in question, he dived from a speedboat and caused a crowding of beachgoers around him. He has not worn a mask in any of his interactions with the public.
Bolsonaro made the joke when talking to a group of supporters at the entrance of Palacio da Alvorada. The speech was then broadcasted on a Bolsonaro supporting website.
Translated by Cassy Dias