The Senate of Brazil held its first 100% virtual session on Friday in 196 years of history to approve the entry of the country into a state of public calamity, in order to release funds to fight against the coronavirus. Using computers or mobile phones, 75 of the 81 senators were connected remotely to avoid contamination in the congress premises in Brasilia. Three senators are already infected, including the president of the upper house, Davi Alcolumbre.
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"The Senate is holding its first virtual session, an unprecedented measure in the world, to maintain legislative activity during this period," rejoiced on Twitter Davi Alcolumbre, confined to home since his positive test at Covid-19. First Vice-President Antonio Anastasia chaired the session from a Senate chamber where a giant screen had been installed, showing the image of each parliamentarian when he cast his vote orally, after a short speech. A senator infected with coronavirus was able to vote online from his home and another from his car.
With the approval of the state of public calamity, the government will be able to exceptionally exceed the limit of public expenditure normally imposed by law. This will strengthen a precarious public health system, but also help businesses and households to cope with the economic impact of the coronavirus, in a country that has nearly 12 million unemployed. Brazil, which has more than 210 million inhabitants, has 904 cases of Covid-19 and 11 deaths according to the latest report from the Ministry of Health.