Jet-Skiing Through the Pandemic

FEW WORLD LEADERS HAVE BEEN as exposed by the coronavirus pandemic as Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. The far-right leader has consistently rejected any suggestion that the virus—which has killed some 12,400 Brazilians—poses a threat to his citizens, and repeatedly attacked any lawmakers, media figures or even his own ministers who disagree.

Bolsonaro was swept to power in a wave of anti-establishment sentiment in the 2018 presidential election. The 65-year-old was already one of the most divisive world leaders before the pandemic, but its arrival in Brazil has highlighted the shortcomings of the populist who has shown little regard for science or public health. There have now been more than 178,000 confirmed cases in the country—the