Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro led a crowd of motorcycle enthusiasts through the streets of São Paulo on Saturday, and was fined for not wearing a mask. Furthermore, the press office of the São Paulo state government stated that the fine—equivalent to about $110—was imposed for not wearing masks in public places since May 2020 and was applied to the president. Bolsonaro's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. He had also been fined previously for not wearing a mask during a large gathering with his supporters in May in the northeastern state of Maranhão, after contracting the coronavirus last year.
His supporters were also without masks. The president waved to the crowd from his motorcycle and later spoke from a truck equipped with loudspeakers to his supporters, who wore helmets but most did not wear masks. The crowd cheered and shouted when Bolsonaro asserted that masks are not necessary for those who have been vaccinated, which contradicts public health experts. According to Brazil's Ministry of Health, less than 12 percent of Brazil's population has received two doses of the coronavirus vaccine.
