January 8, 2021 Share
The night before New Year’s Eve in Rio de Janeiro, thousands of revelers clad in their bathing suits crowded onto the iconic Ipanema beach to have some seaside drinks. It was one of many open-air parties occurring along Brazil’s vast coastline since the summer heat set in, and as the COVID-19 death toll climbed higher.
“It was so packed, you couldn’t set foot on the beach,” said a maintenance worker at a luxury apartment building across the street. “And it wasn’t just at night; the beach was packed during the day, too. And no one wears a mask!” he added, insisting on not being quoted by name out of worry the building’s owner would punish him for speaking to a reporter.
Capitol Police rejected offers of federal help to quell mob WASHINGTON (AP) Three days before supporters of President Donald Trump rioted at the Capitol, the Pentagon asked the U.S Capitol Police if it needed National Guard manpower. And as the mob descended on the building Wednesday, Justice Department leaders reached out to offer up […]
Hopes of herd immunity wane in Manaus as city declares state of emergency to curb Covid resurgence
Hospitals and cemeteries are again overwhelmed, resembling the brutal outbreak last April. It comes as Brazil s death toll hits 200,000
8 January 2021 • 5:53pm
Parque Taruma cemetery is a grim reminder of what can happen if Covid-19 spreads uncontrolled
Credit: Simon Townsley
Standing in the glaringly white, air conditioned corridors of one of Manaus’ newest hospitals in September, Dr Thales Schincariol insisted that the hard-hit Brazilian city was unlikely to witness a resurgence of Covid-19.
“Studies suggest two thirds of the Manaus was already infected,” the then assistant secretary for health told The Telegraph. “We don’t know the exact figure for herd immunity, but because we’ve crossed the 50 per cent mark we don’t expect a second wave.”