[ufo]

Here in Brazil the pandemic is currently in the worst phase it has ever been, with no signs of improving in the near future.

I'm glad that other countries can have good news to share but unfortunately that is certainly not the case here.

[wrycoder]

At this end of this article, there are some detailed reports on the effectiveness of ivermectin in Brazil.

https://covid19criticalcare.com/ivermectin-in-covid-19/epide...

[ufo]

Why does the plight of Brazil have to be a magnet for all manner of denialism to show up in the comments? Ivermectin doesn't work, just like Hydroxichloroquine doesn't. Seriously, if these things actually worked wouldn't it be expected that rich countries would purchase the entire supply, as they've been doing with the vaccines? Part of that tragedy we're going through is precisely because our government instead of working to acquire life-saving vaccines, is pushing the lie that there's an "early treatment" for COVID with these medications.

[wrycoder]

I guess you didn't read the paper I referenced.

[ArkanExplorer]

Are you saying that just based on PCR testing results, or actual experience in daily life?

You at least get to shop, study, entertain and transport yourself in public without limitations, which is something that most people from elsewhere in the world cannot say?

[dillondoyle]

Would love to hear personal experience of OP but there are horrifying news stories.

Lots of young people and kids getting very sick [1], lack of food [2], running out of oxygen w/ over 4k dying a day (reported who knows the real number..), vaccine they are using only 50% effective [3], asking women to delay getting pregnant [4] and more.

1 https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/brazil-alarming-high-num... 2 https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-56765150 3 https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/4/10/out-of-control-braz... 4 https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/17/americas/brazil-pregnancy-cov...

[ufo]

Personally, it sucks having to navigate treating a serious health condition, scheduling surgery, etc, in the middle of a pandemic. The silver lining is that my close family has the privilege that we can all work from home, so at least we're relatively safe from the COVID itself.

[ufo]

The lack of limitations is part of the problem. We're currently at the highest number of COVID cases and deaths but despite that there is a lot of resistance against the government implementing a lockdown, in large part because the federal government is run by science-hating lunatics.

The most horrifying recent news is that hospitals around the country are running out of sedatives used for COVID intensive care. There have been reports of intubated patients waking up from sedation and having to be tied down to their beds to keep them from ripping out the air tube. It's inhumane.

(Link warning: shocking images) https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/equilibrioesaude/2021/04/nas-u...

[ArkanExplorer]

But what guarantee is there that lockdown would prevent this?

Peru has had strict lockdowns, but their COVID deaths are about the same as Brazil, when adjusted by population size.

The same in Europe - Sweden actually has fewer deaths than strict lockdown countries.

Wouldn't it be simpler for Brazilian society to just properly fund and manage healthcare (which it sounds like is the primary problem) rather than ceasing most economic, public, and social activity as part of lockdown?

[ufo]

Intensive care units are at over 90% capacity in most of the country, even after taking into account the recent expansions in the number of beds available. Even if we had all the money in the world, there are not enough doctors to take care of the current volume of COVID patients. At this point, secondary measures to reduce the rate of new infections are the only way to try to avoid a total collapse of the healthcare system.

Sweden is also not a good example of against lockdowns. https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-factcheck-prageru-sweden-...

[ArkanExplorer]

COVID deaths per capita:

https://www.statista.com/statistics/1104709/coronavirus-deat...

Brazil has fewer COVID deaths per capita than Czechia, Hungary, Belgium, Slovakia, Slovenia, Italy, UK.

These are all countries that have had strict lockdowns and have modern healthcare systems.

This would suggest that Brazil is doing well and that their current approach is justified.

Brazil is now entering the Winter of the Southern Hemisphere, whilst Europe and North America are entering Summer - which also adds a seasonal element to comparisons.

Aren't ICUs meant to be used to capacity? Why would hospital planners build ICUs that aren't going to be used?

What about looking at general public health improvements, such as improving air quality (by increasing the price of coal and oil products, and encouraging EVs) and reducing obesity (by taxing sugar) - which will have benefits beyond this current epidemic - given that obesity and cardiovascular health are major comorbidity factors for COVID severity.

[ufo]

It's hard to believe that you are arguing in good faith if you're trying to suggest that Brazil is anywhere close to doing well when it comes to COVID.