Governor Witzel Extends Social Isolation in Rio de Janeiro for Another 15 Days

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The governor of Rio, Wilson Witzel , announced the extension of social isolation in the state for another 15 days, starting next Monday, March 30th, due to the coronavirus pandemic. “I will not be responsible for the deaths of thousands of people,” he said on Friday, March 27th, in a live broadcast on Facebook.

Along with Rio’s Health Secretary Edmar Santos, Witzel announced the decree and urged the population to remain at home and maintain social distancing, noting the death toll in Spain and Italy and the maintenance of restrictive measures in the United States. “From now on, if we do not maintain the restrictions that the whole world has enforced, we will face serious difficulties to save your life,” he said.

Witzel said he is aware of the “difficulties experienced by businesses” and the population that is not working, but quoted former Central Bank President Armínio Fraga to argue for the measures to be maintained. “A sick economy is an unproductive economy,” he said.

Secretary Edmar Santos also stressed the recession Italy is facing after a government advertising campaign against isolation. “The damage there, unemployment and hunger, are much greater than if they had had the courage to believe in the virus in the first place and control the epidemic,” he said.

Without mentioning the name of President Jair Bolsonaro, Witzel criticized guidelines to cut social isolation. “Anyone saying that people should not remain at home will be held accountable, because we are in the opposite direction of the rest of the world. To tell people to go out on the streets today is criminal,” he said.

Basic food baskets

The governor said the state will be distributing one million basic food baskets, in addition to the R$600 aid for casual workers and the unemployed, to families in the state. He also thanked the work of health teams, police officers, the fire department and truck drivers. “There will be no shortage of convenience stores for you,” he said.

Marked difference in victims

Witzel quoted scientific studies in the area of pneumology that point to a marked difference in the age of victims in the country. “Curiously, in Brazil the virus is infecting people under 50. After reading the article, I was also very concerned about young people”, he said. He pointed out that, as mass testing of the population is not possible, underreporting the virus could prove exponential.

Secretary Edmar Santos said the government will also begin test treatment with hydroxychloroquine, but advised against large-scale domestic use. “If you try it at home, on your own, it can have serious complications, it can only be directed by a doctor,” he said.