The Brazilian Political and Health Crisis.

by Tiago Noce.

At the beginning of this crisis, I thought it was going to be something small and quick to solve, and by the time it reached the Americas (The continent!), it would be old news, almost forgotten even. Well, I couldn’t have been more wrong than that. My name is Tiago Noce, and I’m a sophomore in LIU Global. I was in Italy a week before COVID-19’s outbreak in the country. This virus, along with 9/11, the Syrian war and refugee crisis, and many other occurrences, is probably one of the most impactful phenomena of the century, affecting or having affected every country around the globe. I’m currently in Brazil, my motherland, where, according to the World Health Organization, 58, 506 cases were confirmed, and nearly 4,050 deaths. In most Brazillian cities, it is prohibited to go out without a mask, and only essential businesses have the authorization to remain open. Currently, in Brazil, there is a debate, that on one hand, there are those in favor of reopening the market and lifting all social restrictions, arguing that the eventual poverty and unemployment will kill more than the COVID-19 itself. On the other hand, there are those who believe in social distancing, respecting recommendations provided by doctors, having conclusions based on science and empirical processes. I would like to put into perspective that Brazil’s infrastructure and socio-economic position makes it impossible for it to withstand huge contamination as observed in European countries like Italy and Spain. But don’t fool yourself, COVID-19’s crisis is not the only thing that’s happening in Brazil. While all this health crisis is going on, we still have to deal with our constant political instability. I personally, stand beside what science says and pieces of information it provides, and don’t rely upon political measures taken only to improve presidential morale. On that note, I also presume that this period will come with a large number of negotiations in regard to rent, taxes, interest, and salaries. I do believe that social distancing is the most effective tool in fighting COVID-19 because it is a moment of reclusion to assure the future continuation of the economy and, in a certain, life itself. I understand the argument that post-crisis poverty and unemployment will haunt a big part of the population and deeply harm the economy, and I do agree that an economic plan is needed. But, as of the time, I don’t see the full reopening of the market as the answer, certainly not, when this option was created with the needs of big companies in mind. I think that a plan should be built aiming at the small and medium business owners since this crisis will hit harder for them. I would really appreciate it if my government on the national and regional scale would take the lead on the proper economic response for all citizens. Sadly, I have lost faith in Brazil’s political entity, especially in a president that when confronted with the increasing number of deaths answers: “So what? I’m sorry. What do you want me to do? I’m Messias, but I don’t do miracles”. In a nutshell, right now, Brazil is facing two major crises, a political one and a health-related one. The way I see it, COVID-19 can either represent a turning point for the country’s politics, with an eventual and much needed, political reform. Or it is a crisis that will affect only the social sphere of the country, leaving the political organization intact. One thing is for sure, this virus will alter social behaviors forever, and relationships will be changed permanently. In times like these, I wonder how people will react once all the restrictions have ended and which behavior associated with the crisis will become permanent. Above all, I wonder what new changes in humans’ mentality this disease will cause, such as if concepts once taken as certain will change or if we will start to value more relationships than control, and what kind of innovation this will proportionate for us. Overall, what we, as humankind, fail to accept and understand is that we are not in control of every single aspect of this world, and maybe this crazy desire for total control will be our downfall.