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Explainer | Who to blame as world tops 5 million Covid-19 deaths?
- Pandemic mismanagement under scrutiny as global death toll grows
- Some leaders and health officials are facing legal investigations
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More than 5 million people worldwide have died from Covid-19 less than two years after the novel pathogen was first documented, despite the arrival of vaccines that have slashed fatality rates across the globe. But scientists warn the pandemic is far from over.
Several world leaders and officials are under fire for their management of the pandemic, with some facing charges and legal investigations.
Brazil: crimes and ‘quackery’
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In Brazil, one of the hardest-hit countries with more than 600,000 deaths, a Senate commission approved on October 27 a damning report that recommended President Jair Bolsonaro face at least 10 charges over his Covid policies.
The far-right leader repeatedly played down the seriousness of the virus, calling it a “little flu”, promising treatments scientists said were ineffective, rallying against lockdown measures and vaccinations.
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Among the charges are crimes against humanity, “quackery”, inciting crime and violation of health measures.
While the accusations are serious, the process may be just symbolic since Bolsonaro enjoys enough congressional support to avoid the opening of impeachment proceedings.
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