Covid-19 crisis and now potential impeachment crisis engulf Brazil’s Bolsonaro

Issued on: 29/04/2020 - 10:41Modified: 29/04/2020 - 10:43

By: Dheepthika LAURENT

IN THE PAPERS - Wednesday, April 29: We look at concerns over links between coronavirus and a potentially deadly childhood syndrome called Kawasaki syndrome that has Australian doctors on alert. Also, there's anger over Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro's handling of the coronavirus crisis as the death toll surpasses 5,000. He’s also the focus of a new Supreme Court investigation into obstruction of justice. Finally, a 101-year-old New York woman has beaten coronavirus, after surviving the Spanish flu!

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Paediatricians in Australia are changing their approach after the UK alerted its doctors to coronavirus possibly being linked to Kawasaki syndrome. The Guardian Australia reports on the little-known disease that causes blood vessels to inflame and can lead to heart disease in young children. It comes after a spate of cases in the UK that left children in intensive care. However, doctors say the disease is treatable in most cases and are simply calling for caution, rather than panic.

In Brazil, the death toll from coronavirus surged past 5,000 yesterday. It comes amid much anger over President Jair Bolsonaro's handling, or rather lack thereof, of the crisis. In fact the president's reaction was, according to the Brazilian daily Folha da Sao Paolo, "So what? I’m sorry. What do you want me to do? I’m Messiah but I can’t perform miracles". The health crisis comes amidst a political crisis. The Brazilian Supreme Court has authorised an investigation into allegations that Bolsonaro tried to influence the naming of a new police chief. For the Washington Post, as the country faces duel crises, it's clear that once the pandemic subsides, Bolsonaro will have to answer for his "appalling misbehaviour".

Finally, let’s end on a more uplifting story about Angela Friedman, a 101-year-old New Yorker who has recovered from coronavirus. Friedman also survived the Spanish flu, as well as cancers, miscarriages and internal bleeding. A true survivor with superhuman DNA, her family is quoted in Metro as saying!