News from Brasilia 06/05/2020

Coronavirus in Brasilia

13147 confirmed cases, 196 deaths

chart from the Health Secretary. Uptaded on June 5th, 2020

As I've been telling you in the past weeks, the situation of coronavirus in Brasilia is not wonderful of course. In the other hand, if we compare the Federal District (DF) with other regions of Brazil, we could say it's safer to be in Brasilia. Malls, some shops and parks reopened, but it doesn't mean it is recommended to leave the house if you don't need to. I know it's hard to be "locked"for so long, but we still have to be very careful. Brazil is in the international news for the high numbers of people infected and because of the number of deaths, thousands. This is so sad!

Here in Poland many restrictions were loosened. It is not mandatory to wear masks in public spaces, only inside the shops or in public transportation, for example. When we are in very large place as the "beach" I showed you a few days ago, I take out the mask. But when we are in a place with many people passing by, I still ask the kids to keep the masks on. 

An afternoon in the park with my 4 kids to celebrate Mother's day (by Brazilian calendar. We always celebrate on the second Sunday of May). I celebrated it twice since in Poland, Mother's day/Dzien Matki in on May 26th.

June is a special month in Brazil because of the FESTAS JUNINAS or June Fest or Fest of Saint John. I just love them! It is so much fun and the food is just delicious. We eat many typical foods of this celebratation, that includes some kinds of cakes (chocolate, corn), hot dog,  Salty  (arroz carreteiro, made with meat) and sweet rice...just naming them made me feel hungry. This year festas juninas will not be the same. I've just read that Nossa Senhora do Lago will have an online festa junina. Hopefully next year you will have the opportunity to go to real June Fest. But if you want to try the typical foods I told you about, you can order a delivery. You can take a look here

                                                    Photo: GPSlifetime Brasilia 

                                            Festa Junina (June Fest) has so many delicious food. This yellow food with cinnamon on top is called curau. Made with corn. I just love it, so yummy. And if you want to see and order more yummy finger food we eat in parties, I recomend one of my favorite bakeries in Brasilia, Casa dos Biscoitos Mineiros

Have a great weekend! 

Churches and religious temples reopened yesterday

Brasilia's Cathedral. photo: Metropoles 06/04/2020

It doesn't matter what is your religion. You will probably find in Brasilia people who have the same beliefs and a church or temple to go if you wish to. I am Catholic and I used to attend Mass at Paroquia Santo Antonio at SGAS 911. By the way, at Santo Antonio there was Mass in English on Saturdays. The Archidiosece of Brasilia updated the Mass times, you can read here. Here in Poland churches were never closed even during quarantaine, but only a few people could attend. In the church we use to go here in Warsaw, only 10 people could be inside during Mass. And since we are a family of 6, we never came. Now, with the loosening of the restrictions, more people can come inside, but we still don't feel safe to go. We are praying at home. 

Now talking about music, I've said in a previous post that many Brazilian singers are doing lives in this quarantaine. One of my local favorite singers is a colleague I met at the church when I was a teenager. At the time, she already sang really well. And now she sings professionally, in marriages. Her name is Leticia Castro and her website is www.queromusica.com.br. Bellow, one clip of her singing in one of the beautiful settings of Brasilia near the lake. The song's name is TREM BALA. We, Brazilians, love this song. I hope you will enjoy it too.

Leticia Castro, singer from Brasilia. www.queromusica.com.br

www.queromusica.com.br

Brasilia has an amazingly beautiful sky

The weather forecast for the next days in Brasilia is sun, sun, sun! Do you do Celsius or Fahrenheit? As I was born and raised in Brazil, my mind is all about degrees Celsius, kg, km. If your head, in the other hand, just works with inches, feet, miles, yard, I won't lie: you'll be in trouble in Brazil. LOL. Just kidding.

Why we don't all use the same system, the same units?? 😁

Parks are reopening in Brasilia

Hello from Poland

Olá!

Following a friend's suggestion, I will post some videos from now on. I know the last news haven't been so good as the pandemic is still on and Brazil is struggling to defeat this battle against coronavirus.

But Brasilia has so much to offer and as many of you won't live in Brasilia for many years, so there is no time to waste.

I do hope I can bring some useful tips and information. If you want to ask something, you can write in the comments or you can send me an email (please write in the subject: Living in Brasilia. So it would be easier for me to know what the message is about) erikaberbert@gmail.com

News from Brasilia 05/30/2020

Coronavirus in Brasilia

8722 confirmed cases, 154 deaths.

Chart from DF Health Secretary. Updated in May 29th 6pm

Although the situation in Brasilia is still way better than the other regions of Brazil, the number of infected is rising daily, and also the number of deaths. You can read official reports (in Portuguese) and see updated charts at the http://www.coronavirus.df.gov.br/

 

Unfortunatley Brazil is in the international news for being one of the countries most affected by the pandemia. The number of deaths are around 1,000 daily. This is really sad and concerning news. Besides that, a serious political crisis is on. Two ministers of Health left. The first one, Mandetta, was fired. The second one, Teish, resigned after only 1 month working at the Minister of Health. Both Ministers didn't agree with the president's point of view of vertical isolation only and massive use of chloroquine.  

Festa Junina. One of the most popular festivities of Brazil.

When we think about a popular event in Brazil, people usually refer Carnaval. Indeed, carnival in Brazil is an unique and enormous celebration. But to be honest, my favorite Brazilian celebration is Festa Junina ("June fest/ Fest of Saint John"). It happens in the month of June (people love so much that it is often extented for the months of July and sometimes even August!). I will tell more about this wonderful celebration later, but now I just wanted to share the initiative of some bakeries and restaurants of Brasilia that are offering delivery of the delicious food (the best part of June fest!) since the festivities will probably not occur this year (usually the fests take place in churches and schools). If you go here, you will see in the pictures some of the typical food and also the number to order them. Canjica, arroz carreteiro...hum, so yummy. Enjoy!

And talking about food and back to the pandemia, unfortunately many restaurants closed in Brasilia. I've heard yesterday in radio CBN that 350 places closed and almost 8,000 jobs were lost. This is really sad. One very traditional and German restaurants will definitely close next week, Fritz. The restaurant is offering deliveries until tomorrow. So you still have time to order with you want.

Have a great and safe weekend!!

News from Brasilia 05/27/2020

Coronavirus in Brasilia

7367 confirmed cases, 127 deaths.

source: Health Secretary DF May 27th

 Mass testing in Brasilia

For people with symptoms of cold/fever. You can schedule the quick test here: https://sistemas.df.gov.br/mteste/. The test is made in a drive thru system in 10 different locations of Federal District. You can schedule to be tested in the testing point close to your house. To read more about the mass testing, click here 

It's cold in Brasilia!

Temperatures around 10 degrees Celsius (or 50 Fahrenheit) as it was today is really cold for us Brazilians. Tomorrow you can expect a sunny day and higher temperatures. And if you are new to Brasilia, let me tell you about the weather: from May on it can be really dry. So don't forget to drink plenty of water along the day.

Malls reopened today

                                     photo: Metropoles. May 27th

Large crowds was seen in the malls in the first day of reopening after 2 months. As there are some restrictions (as obligation to have the temperature checked before entering the mall), there were lines. Malls have reduced opening hours (Mon-Saturday 1pm-9pm. Sunday 2pm-8pm), the food courts are still closed (only to go option available). Some stores have delivery system. 

News from Brasilia 05/24/2020

Coronavirus in Brasilia
6268 confirmed cases, 97 deaths

Source: Health Secretary. Uptaded on May 24th

Coronavirus in Brazil

Source: Ministry of Health. Updated on May 23th. Brazil registered 965 deaths because of coronavirus in only 24h. Over 22,000 people have already died in Brazil because of the disease.  

Although the number of infected are rising as well as the number of deaths, the situation of the coronavirus in Brasilia is way better than others parts of Brazil.

In Brasilia there is a reference public hospital to treat patients with coronavirus, HRAN. Also a field hospital was inaugurated in the Mane Garrincha stadium and 20 patients are already being treated there.


Mass testing in Brasilia
Mass testing started on April 21st and over 100,000 people were already tested (the system offers 4,000 tests a day). This quick test offered in a drive thru system is for people with symptoms of cold/fever for at least 7 days. You can schedule a test at https://sistemas.df.gov.br/mteste/. And you can choose the place closer to your home. For example, if you live at South Aisle or North Aisle (Asa Sul or Asa Norte) you can be tested at Parque da Cidade or at the Terraço Shopping mall. 

What is already opened in Brasilia and what are the next steps?

Governor Ibaneis Rocha published another decree authorizing the reopening of the malls from May 27th, Wednesday, with restrictions (cinema, food court, playing area remain closed). Opening hours 1pm-9pm. 
The shops in the streets (quadras comerciais) have already been authorized to reopen. However, fitness centers, hair salons, museums, clubs remain closed until further notice. Schools were not authorized yet to reopen.
source: G1 DF

News from Brasilia 05/23/2020

Coronavirus in Brasilia
6024 confirmed cases, 91 deaths.

Source: Health Secretary- portal Covid-19

Coronavirus in Brasil

Updated on May 22th. Chart of the Health Minister. 21,048 deaths in Brasil. 1,001 deaths in 24 hours.

News from Brasilia 05/21/2020

Coronavirus in Brasilia
5271 confirmed cases, 78 deaths.

Although the number of infected by coronavirus is increasing as well as number the number of deaths (so sad!), the situation in Brasilia is way better compared to other regions of Brazil. While in some States, as Amazonas and Pará, the occupancy rate of the ICUs is over 90%; the occupancy rate in Brasilia is around 40%. The official Health Secretary website informs there are 252 ICUs beds in Federal District exclusively for patients with Covid-19. 97 are occupied and 155 are available. 

Brasilia coronavirus situation as of May 21th, 2020.

source: DF Heath Secretary

Coronavirus in Brazil. Almost 300,000 confirmed cases and 18,859 deaths. Yesterday we had the sad record of more than one thousand deaths in a day because of coronavirus
source: Health Minister of Brazil

Mass testing in Brasilia
Mass testing started on April 21st and almost 90,000 were already tested (the system offers 4,000 tests a day). This quick test offered in a drive thru system is for people with symptoms of cold/fever for at least 7 days. You can schedule a test at https://sistemas.df.gov.br/mteste/. And you can choose the place closer to your home. For example, if you live at South Aisle or North Aisle (Asa Sul or Asa Norte) you can be tested at Parque da Cidade or at the Terraço Shopping mall. 

source: Health Secretary of DF. May 21st, 2020

News from Brasilia 05/18/2020

Coronavirus in Brasilia
4545 confirmed cases, 60 deaths.

If you have been following the numbers, you are probably surprised as me seeing this chart. The increase of the confirmed cases in Brasilia was in several hundreds since Friday.

There are a lot of controversy in Brazil about what the president says, what the Governors do, what health authorities say. Some people defend the vertical isolation, some believe the restrictions should be strict as lockdown so everything could be back to "normal" sooner.
Anyway, it's impossible to deny that the situation in Brazil is alarming! Over 16,000 deaths so far. The updated national chart you can acess here .

Coronavirus in Brazil. source: https://covid.saude.gov.br/ updated in May17th.

In Brasilia use of mask in public spaces is compulsory. Fiscalization is in place and fee for those who disobey is R$2,000. 

photo: Metropoles May 18th 

Clubs are giving discounts in the memberships

Discounts from 20% to 40% are being given since the clubs remain closed. Some members complained that during 2 months no discount was given, but now the montly payment of Iate, for example, has a discount and the amount to pay decreased in R$200,00. 

source: Metropoles May 18th

News from Brasilia 05/16/2020

Coronavirus in Brasilia

3907 confirmed cases, 55 deaths

chart: Health Secretary. updated in May 15th, 2020.

http://www.coronavirus.df.gov.br/ This is the coronavirus portal of Brasilia. There is official reports, latest information, link to schedule an exam...

HRAN - reference hospital for treating patients with Covid-19

photo: Metropoles May 15th

Yesterday part of the staff of the hospital were submitted to test to detect the new coronavirus. All of them, including the health professionals who work in the Intensive Unit Care got as a result NEGATIVE . The hospital follow strict international guidelines and it is the reference hospital for treating patients of Covid-19 in the public system. The public health system of Brazil is called SUS. It is free and universal, so even if you don't a health insurance you will get free health care.

Mass testing in Brasilia  

The mass testing is being coordinated by the Health Secretary. It is a drive thru system, so you don't leave the car when you go to the testings points. To schedule the exam, go to https://sistemas.df.gov.br/mteste/.

photo: Agencia Brasilia. 

The mass testing first began on April 21th and over 70,000 people were already tested. Usually the system schedules around 4,000 tests a day. On Thursday, 49 people were tested positive. 

source: Agência Brasilia May 15th

News from Brazil 05/15/2020

Some weeks ago, I gave a break of the local news to explain why Moro's resignation from the Ministry of Justice had so much impact in Brazil. Today this post is not about Brasilia, but about Brazil.
I've just heard that the Minister of Health (the second one in one month) resigned. In the middle of the health crisis due to the pandemia of coronavirus.
So, I guess I should do a brief explanation about the political situation in Brazil. It is not a good situation, unfortunately. I am so proud to be Brazilian, I love to talk about my country, but I can't deny that what it's happening now makes me sad and worried.

Who is who?
Bolsonaro - president of Brazil
Mandetta- former Minister of Health
Teich- actual Minister of Health. He resigned today
Doria- Governor of Sao Paulo, the richest State of Brazil

Photo: Miguel Schincariol/ AFP The Guardian
Protests against president Bolsonaro

President Bolsonaro has made polemic declarations since the first cases of coronavirus in Brazil. Even after some deaths, he said it was nothing serious and that if he caught the virus, he would be OK.

Bolsonaro is against horizontal isolation, he defends the vertical isolation. It was a big point of conflict with Mandetta. The former Minister of Health gained a lot of respect of governors and the population while conducting the efforts to fight the pandemia. But Bolsonaro repeatedly acted against the recommendations, interacting with his supporters and insisting in the use of chloroquine, just to give some examples. When Mandetta gave an interview in a very popular attraction of TV Globo called Fantastico, it was clear that he and the president were having serious disagreements. Few days later, Mandetta resigned. And there were protests from the population (from their windows, people bang pots and pans). Teich recently said that lockdown may be an option in cities where the coronavirus situation is out of control. And just as his predecessor, Mandetta, Teich also was careful about the use of chloroquine. 

Bolsonaro has been criticized by many politicians and Governors. Doria, just after Teich's resignation was announced, once again made harsh declarations against Bolsonaro. 

Well, political situation in Brazil is impossible to put in only few words. I hope I didn't overwhelm you.  And I do hope I can share good news in the future.
About the coronavirus in Brasilia, as I've written before, the situation in DF is not at all as bad as in other States of Brazil. Anyway the cases are increasing, we had more deaths today. Please take care of yourself and remember the use of mask is compulsory now.
Have a great weekend!

News from Brasilia 05/14/2020

Coronavirus in Brasilia
3192 cases, 48 deaths.
Source: Health Secretary of Federal District 

Mass testing in Brasilia
To schedule a free and quick test, go to https://sistemas.df.gov.br/mteste/

If you want to know more about the mass testing, you can read (in Portuguese, from the Health Secretary website) here .  I also wrote a post some days explaining more about this topic. It's here.