As the global pandemic ravages through multiple countries and cities across the world, preachers in Brazil continue to be utterly deaf to the coronavirus.

According to the head of the Universal Church of God's Power, Valdemiro Santiago, COVID-19 is not a disease but a form of divine punishment.

Another pastor claimed the deadly virus is Satan's work. Pastor Edir Macedo said those who stand brave and unafraid against the virus would be immune to the infection. Macedo is the founder of a powerful church that has a worldwide network of evangelical churches.

Pastor Silas Malafaia, a figure with an immense amount of influence on Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, said economic shutdowns are unnecessary.

Considered as Bolsonaro's spiritual teacher, he believes churches should remain open to serve those who are desperate, fearful, and depressed amid the COVID-19 pandemic. He also said more people would die should the government implement strict lockdowns policies due to social disorder.

Sticking to traditions

Despite bans on large, public gatherings, many places of worship remain open. Most, however, see rows of empty pews. Evangelical preachers turned to provide church services online.

Small congregations, especially those in impoverished areas, are seeing an increase in attendance. According to sociologist Clemir Fernandes, supermarkets are far more crowded than small churches---places, he said, contribute to the peace and safety of the public.

Despite seeing a decrease in attendance, many pastors reportedly continue to downplay the COVID-19 threat and promote prayers and church services as the solution to stopping the virus.

Bolsonaro has publicly echoed many pastors' idea of the virus in more than one occasion. He was also quick to promote 'miracle drugs' and conspiracy theories---one such theory claims the Chinese government released the virus as a "biological weapon" against the West.

Experts warn of the dangers of fundamentalist views. Refusing to observe proper social distancing measures and denying realities such as climate change will post a threat to existing economic structures.

"To make them out as some kind of ideological scarecrow," an expert said, "is both dangerous and silly."

It's just a flu

Jair Bolsonaro is the only leader left in the world to reject all data and evidence on the gravity of the new coronavirus altogether.

The far-right president, who was elected into place in 2018, has repeatedly called COVID-19 as "a little flu". He also received more backlash after he remarked: "We all die someday."

Bolsonaro also mocked his own health ministry's warning by urging Brazilians to ignored isolation policies and go back to work, effectively ignoring the advice of federal health agencies such as the World Health Organization.

Health officials in Brazil reported over 11,490 coronavirus cases and 492 deaths as of Monday. Local authorities imposed strict isolation policies in their states. The system includes closing schools, shops, and all unnecessary businesses. The operations of all intercity buses, bars, and public gatherings are also suspended.

Brazilian Vice President Hamilton Mourao urged the public to observe caution until the pandemic reaches its peak in late April.

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