Committee on Science and Technology submits motion to reject Bolsonaro speech at UN

a Today (22 September), the House Committee on Science, Technology, Communications and Information Technology (CCTCI) approved a motion to reject the speech of President Jair Bolsonaro (without any party) at the opening of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly, last Tuesday (21st) in New York. At the time, the president again advocated the use of early drug treatment without proven efficacy against COVID-19. Bolsonaro was the only G20 leader who said he had not yet been vaccinated. The country has already lost 591,000 people since the start of the pandemic. The proposal was proposed by the commission’s chairperson, Federal Representative Aliel Machado (PSB-PR).

According to the congressman, the committee’s role is to respond to this type of situation and defend science and scientists. “The declaration by the President of the Republic representing our country in defense of a treatment that has been proven ineffective and has no scientific evidence is very dangerous. This has a very significant impact at a time when we still have a movement at a rate of more than five hundred deaths a day in the country,” Allel highlights.

During his speech, Bolsonaro called for early treatment and used the same condition as an example. “I myself was one of those who underwent this initial treatment. We respect the doctor-patient relationship when deciding which drug to use and which is to be used off-label. And we don’t understand why so many countries, along with a large portion of the media, have been against initial treatment,” Bolsonaro said.

For the deputy, it is necessary to advance in vaccination, since only 82 million people, about 38.59% of the population, have been fully vaccinated with two doses or one dose of vaccines as of September 21, according to the media union.

“Our country needs to move forward with vaccination, as we still have many Brazilians without a full course of vaccination, which has taken so long due to the incompetence and irresponsibility of the government. This is not possible, at a time when the world is screaming for progress in science and respect for protocols, we have Ideological discourse that targets supporters and distorts science.”

Rep. Pera do Pindari (PSB-MA) also spoke about the president’s statement and asked the president to sign the approved request. “I would like to congratulate MP Aliel for initiating this proposal and ask him to agree. I consider it a proper and appropriate manifestation at the height of events in New York yesterday. It was unfortunate, sad and shameful for us. Bindari stressed that the President of the Republic is behaving like a leader of global denial and ignorance. This commission is doing its part. as the Commission on Science and Technology”.

The initiative also had the support of other members of the committee. Representative Luiza Erundina (Psol-SP), spoke about the importance of the proposal at CCTCI. “It is very important that this committee takes this position and expresses clearly and quickly against these statements,” Irundina said.