COVID-19: Crisis in Brazil, success in Japan

The world’s worst COVID-19 outbreaks are in the U.S., with 140,000 deaths, and Brazil, where President Jair Bolsonaro tested positive again for the virus. Bolsonaro consistently downplays the impacts of coronavirus and touts the efficacy of hydroxychloroquine, an anti-malaria drug that the World Health Organization says shouldn’t be given to COVID-19 patients.

Meanwhile, in Japan, only 1000 people have died from the virus. Japan is home to the world’s oldest population, the largest city, and one of the first big outbreaks outside China. Japan quickly did contact tracing. Following rules and wearing masks have long been part of its culture.