Brazil’s Bolsonaro keeps mum at first event since recovery

BRASILIA, Brazil  — Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro on Wednesday attended his first public event since recovering from COVID-19, though he declined to speak.

Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro wearing a protective mask to curb the spread of the new coronavirus, left, talks with Agriculture Minister Tereza Cristina during the launching ceremony of a rights guarantee program for rural women, at the Planalto Presidential Palace in Brasilia, Brazil, Wednesday, July 29, 2020. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)

Brazil’s president is typically last to address at the presidential palace, but Bolsonaro only watched the event recognizing women who work in rural areas around Latin America and left the room once it ended. He wore a mask throughout the event.

Bolsonaro consistently downplayed the coronavirus’ severity during the pandemic, and he often joined supporters and took outings from the presidential residence, sometimes without a mask.

On July 7, he told reporters he had tested positive for COVID-19, then spent more than two weeks confined to the presidential residence while participating in meetings by video call.

On Saturday, he announced he had tested negative and left his home, rode a motorcycle around Brasilia and took photos with some well-wishers.

Bolsonaro said he experienced only minor symptoms during his convalescence and took to social media to promote the use of hydroxychloroquine for treatment.

On the final days before announcing his recovery, Bolsonaro began participating in the daily flag-lowering ceremony in front of the residence. He remained separated by a reflecting pool from the few dozen supporters who attended.

gsg