General Braga Netto is already the operational president of Brazil and the decision was even communi

[Judi Lynn]

5. From mid-March:

Bolsonaro chooses general to head new coronavirus committee
Minister Braga Netto will be responsible for articulating government action and advising the president on developments in the pandemic


Writing, O Estado de S. Paulo
March 17, 2020 | 0027

BRASÍLIA - President Jair Bolsonaro created a committee for the supervision and monitoring of the crisis caused by the pandemic in the coronavirus in the country, according to a decree published in an extra edition of the Official Gazette on Monday, 16. He chose the chief minister of the Civil House , General Walter Braga Netto , installed in February, to coordinate the group.

With a stint in East Timor, as a UN military observer, and coordinating security for the Rio Olympics, Braga Netto was chief of the Army's General Staff until the beginning of February. The general became minister to, according to Bolsonaro said on the day of his inauguration, "strengthen the relationship" with Congress . He replaced Onyx Lorenzoni , who was sent to the Ministry of Citizenship in place of Osmar Terra .



General Walter Braga Netto Photo: Marcelo Camargo / Agência Brasil

The way Bolsonaro is dealing with the coronavirus epidemic has generated criticism. On Sunday, the president ignored the recommendations of his doctors, to remain in isolation after having had contact with at least 13 people who tested positive for covid-19 , and the Ministry of Health, to avoid crowds, and spent more than an hour greeting at least 272 supporters who gathered in front of the Planalto Palace.

The coronavirus committee will have a total of 22 members. There will be 17 ministers, in addition to the presidents of Caixa, Banco do Brasil, the National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES) and the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa). There will also be a vacancy for the coordination of the Public Health Emergency Operations Center.

The committee will be responsible for coordinating government action and advising President Bolsonaro on the consequences of the pandemic. Until this second, there are 234 confirmed cases of infection by the virus.

The collegiate body must act in a coordinated manner with another, the Interministerial Executive Group on Public Health Emergency of National and International Importance, created by decree on January 30 and coordinated by the Minister of Health, Luiz Henrique Mandetta.

https://politica.estadao.com.br/noticias/geral,bolsonaro-escolhe-general-para-chefiar-novo-comite-do-coronavirus,70003235920

(Internet translation)

Short article, no more at link.