Brazil, which has only fully vaccinated around 10% of its population, recorded more than 95,000 new Covid-19 infections on Wednesday, the second-highest figure since the pandemic began.
As the country faces a third wave, protests and impeachment calls are mounting against President Jair Bolsonaro over his handling of the pandemic. Yesterday, pot-banging protests accompanied his address to the nation, where chants of “Bolsonaro genocide” could be heard in various cities as he made his speech.
YOU ASKED. WE ANSWERED.
Q: Will I be able to get free beers for getting vaccinated?
The push includes a partnership with Anheuser-Busch that could mean free alcohol for every American 21 and older. The brewer, which produces Budweiser, announced Wednesday it will give away beer if the nation reaches Biden’s goal.
The company said that if the US reaches that goal, “Anheuser-Busch will buy America’s next round of beer, seltzer, non-alcoholic beverage or other A-B product.” It instructs those 21 and up to upload a picture of themselves at their favorite bar or restaurant and enter to win.
WHAT’S IMPORTANT TODAY
Biden’s ‘National Month of Action’ is more than a gimmick
Tokyo Olympic volunteers are quitting ahead of the Games
Much of the country is still under an extended state of emergency as hospitals have been overwhelmed by the country’s fourth wave. Japan has also been hampered by a slow vaccine rollout, and the vast majority of people are still unvaccinated. The head of Japan’s medical Covid-19 prevention taskforce said Thursday that holding the Olympics this summer “is not normal under this pandemic situation,” adding that it would have “some sort of impact” on infections in Japan.
“The risk to the athletes will be low. However, managing journalists, sponsors, government officials and staff will not be so easy,” Shigeru Omi told lawmakers.
G7 health ministers meet today in Oxford
OUR NEWSLETTER IS CHANGING
After more than 15 months bringing readers the latest pandemic news every day, CNN’s coronavirus newsletter is moving to a weekly edition. The final daily newsletter will be Friday, June 4, with the first weekly roundup landing in inboxes on Wednesday, June 9. As the pandemic evolves, our coverage is changing with it, and our dedication to delivering essential updates and stories will carry on. Thank you for subscribing.
ON OUR RADAR
- American health officials are turning to Black-owned barber shops and hair salons as possible Covid-19 vaccination sites in a bid to expand access to the shot.
- Stay-at-home policies put into effect to help control the spread of Covid-19 were linked with a 37% average reduction in crime in 27 cities across 23 countries, according to international researchers.
- Just as the tech industry led the way in transitioning to remote work, its top companies are providing early templates for bringing workers back to the office (or not).
- Nepal’s health minister denied media reports that a variant detected in the country had spread to Europe. The official, along with the local WHO branch, said they had no knowledge of such a variant.
- Two men’s doubles players from the same team at this year’s French Open have tested positive for Covid-19 and are now in quarantine, organizers confirmed.
TOP TIPS
For those still working from home, it’s time to get moving for the sake of tackling high cholesterol and high blood pressure.
Adding some movement to your day could lower your blood pressure and cholesterol, according to new guidelines from the American Heart Association (AHA). People don’t need to have an intense session at the gym to achieve the activity level necessary to reap the benefits, said Bethany Barone Gibbs, lead author of the AHA’s scientific statement.