YouTube has removed videos from President Jair Bolsonaro of Brazil for spreading misinformation about Covid-19.
Bolsonaro has constantly come under fire for downplaying the pandemic. Like former president Donald Trump, he has frequently touted hydroxychloroquine as a miracle cure for the virus, despite objects from medical experts.
An FDA review of safety issues with the use of hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine to treat hospitalized patients with COVID-19 has been published online.
The report found a list of severe side effects linked to the use of hydroxychloroquine as a cure for the coronavirus including, serious heart rhythm problems, blood and lymph system disorders, kidney injuries, and liver problems and failure.
“Our policies don’t allow content that claims hydroxychloroquine and/or Ivermectin are effective to treat or prevent Covid-19, claims that there is a guaranteed cure for Covid-19, and claims that masks don’t work to prevent the spread of the virus,” YouTube said in a statement. “This is in line with the guidance of local and global health authorities, and we update our policies as guidance changes.”
In March, Bolsonaro publicly berated citizens for their coronavirus-related trepidation.
“Stop whining. How long are you going to keep crying about it?” Bolsonaro said at an event per BBC. “How much longer will you stay at home and close everything? No one can stand it anymore. We regret the deaths, again, but we need a solution.”
More than 545,000 people have died from the virus. The country has reported more than 19 million cases since the beginning of the pandemic.
