Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro wears a protective mask during a March 18 press conference on the country's COVID-19 outbreak. As of March 27, Brazil had reported a total of 2,915 cases of the virus and 77 deaths.
Over the weekend of March 21-22, the governors of several Brazilian states, including Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, imposed bans on non-essential commercial activities as well as mass events to help stem the spread of COVID-19. President Jair Bolsonaro condemned these moves in an interview with CNN Brazil the evening of March 22, emphasizing the damage being done to economic growth. This has then led to a heated exchange of comments between Bolsonaro and Sao Paulo Governor Joao Doria, a former ally of the far-right president, who has since chastised the Bolsonaro's lack of leadership and perceived flippant attitude over the country's escalating outbreak. Bolsonaro’s position also has been condemned by many members of the country's Congress, as well as Brazilians.
