Thread by @ACLatAm

WATCH LIVE NOW: COVID-19 in Brazil: Health, political, and economic implications of the pandemic pscp.tv/w/cWdfBjFZTEVK…

"The peak of #COVID19 in Brazil is still ahead, with far-reaching political, economic, and health consequences to come." @RobertaSBraga, Brazil Expert and @ACLatAm Assistant Director, opens today's discussion. #ACBrazil

“The best way to give a broad view of the responses in Brazil concerning this crisis is two words: duality and ambiguity,” said Ricardo Sennes, Managing Partner
@Prospectivabr and @ACLatAm Nonresident Senior Brazil Fellow. #ACBrazil

"The governors of São Paulo and Rio decided quickly to implement a strict social isolation strategy and were followed by the other governors, who are coordinating closely," said Ricardo Sennes, Managing Partner
@Prospectivabr & @ACLatAm Nonresident Senior Brazil Fellow. #ACBrazil

President Jair Bolsonaro's central governing objectives are "first, to be permanently seen by the public as the anti-establishment leaders, and second, to solidify his ideal political landscape with a new Brazilian right,” said political scientist @hussein_kalout. #ACBrazil

Alanna Rizzo, founder of @redescordiais: "Here in São Paulo, there is a huge protest" with people banging pots from their balconies. "I don't see a completely different change, but I think the new Health Minister is likely to be further down the middle."

“We have a major political trap around this new minister,” said Ricardo Sennes, @ACLatAm Nonresident Senior Brazil Fellow, recalling Luiz Henrique Mandetta was initially chosen over his predecessor, oncologist Nelson Teich, because Teich lacked public sector experience. #ACBrazil

Alanna Rizzo @redescordiais analyzes upcoming municipal elections: "It's the type of election where you need to have contact with voters to campaign, and we're in a different situation... the national narrative is on twitter, but the local level plays out on WhatsApp." #ACBrazil

"The governors who have led the local response during this crisis are the political forces that are going to drive the attention during the elections," adds Alanna Rizzo of @redescordiais. #ACBrazil

“We have never had something like Bolsonaro's way of operating,” said Ricardo Sennes, @ACLatAm Sr Brazil Fellow. "We have total political isolation of Bolsonaro. At the same time, he continues to address a specific agenda for a specific section of Brazil and it works." #ACBrazil

“No question, the consequences of the crisis are disastrous,” said political scientist @hussein_kalout. "We have 30 million Brazilians who work in the informal economy. Without long-term aid to vulnerable populations and for SMEs, growth could be damaged for a decade." #ACBrazil

“Here, there is an opportunity for collaboration with the private sector and civil society,” said @redescordiais founder Alanna Rizzo. "There is a need for coordination of efforts focused on the most vulnerable people and small to medium enterprises." #ACBrazil

"There is a need to map the aid going directly to vulnerable populations. How are we reaching people who might not have access to the programs?" added Rizzo. #ACBrazil

“Part of the administration is continuing to focus on long-term macroeconomic reforms, and the other part is recognizing that the GDP is expected to contract by 5%,” said Ricardo Sennes. "The lack of confidence in clear leadership could affect international investment." #ACBrazil

"Millions of small to medium companies will not survive three months" in the current economic environment, said Ricardo Sennes. "We need to be prepared to recover the economy in Brazil," starting w/ "a package for the infrastructure, agro-business, and service sectors." #ACBrazil

"There is a lack of dialogue," said @redescordiais founder Alanna Rizzo. "If you can't communicate with the private sector, the crisis is going to be even longer. The lack of confidence and trust is intensified by the lack of a clear message." #ACBrazil

"For the industrial sector, the supply chain has to adapt to a new world," said political scientist @hussein_kalout. "Ultimately, we have to build the solution in conversation with the major sectors, not just by the government." #ACBrazil