Argentina curtails leisure, public transport use after hitting new COVID-19 record

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3. You're welcome, Judi. It's a worrisome situation, no doubt about it.

Argentina and Uruguay not only have the problem of the Manaus (Brazil) strain going around - hence the 3-fold jump cases in two weeks.

But in Argentina's case, you also have a vicious right wing that's actively doing everything they can to encourage the spread of Covid.

How? By calling protests over the smallest controversy, and by loudly encouraging viewers to defy social distancing measures ("Resist!" Patricia Bullrich recently cackled - presumably after tying one on).

The rationale being that if they can head into the mid-term elections with the worst possible numbers, they can use those against the incumbent administration (not unlike what the GOP was hoping would happen here - as you know).

RW media meanwhile second-guesses any and every prevention measure - with one anchor (Nelson Castro) even going as far as suggesting that "case numbers are being exaggerated in order to postpone elections."

(sounds familiar, yes?)

This crisis is hard enough as it is - especially for a bankrupt country like Argentina - without these people going full 'fifth column' on their own country.

But as you know, that's how it goes.

Thanks as always for your replies and helpful graphics, Judi, and have a restful weekend.