Brazil’s Carnival season begins despite Zika health scare
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Brazilian Carnival could be called a hungry mosquito’s dream — five days of non-stop street parties that bring together millions of revelers in an inviting mass of bare ankles, uncovered legs and denuded torsos. So the mosquito-borne Zika virus might be expected to dampen this year’s debauchery.
But despite warnings to cover up and slather on repellent, the show went on as it always has, in just a sprinkling of sequins and a few puffs of feather. Pants, long-sleeve shirts and bug spray, they say, are antithetical to the hedonistic, out-of-control spirit of Carnival.
“We need joy,” said Angela Pessanha, a self-described “Carnival nut” and owner of a home furnishings store. “And Carnival is the easiest way of doling out a stiff dose of joy to everyone.”
- Revelers of Unidos da Tijuca samba school perform during the first night of the carnival parade at Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on February 8, 2016. (AFP Photo/Yasuyoshi )
- Revelers of Estacio de Sa samba school perform during the first night of the carnival parade at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, on february 07, 2016, Brazil. (AFP Photo/Christophe )
- Revelers of Estacio de Sa samba school perform during the first night of the carnival parade at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, on february 07, 2016, Brazil. (AFP Photo/Christophe )
- Revelers of Uniao da Ilha samba school perform during the first night of the carnival parade at Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on February 7, 2016. (AFP Photo/Yasuyoshi )
- Revelers of Uniao da Ilha samba school perform during the first night of the carnival parade at Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on February 7, 2016. (AFP Photo/Yasuyoshi )
- Revelers of Beija Flor samba school perform during the first night of the carnival parade at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on february 08, 2016. (AFP Photo/Christophe )
- Revelers of Grande Rio samba school perform during the first night of the carnival parade at Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on February 8, 2015. (AFP Photo/Yasuyoshi Chiba)
- Revelers of Grande Rio samba school perform during the first night of the carnival parade at Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on February 8, 2015. (AFP Photo/Yasuyoshi )
- Revelers of Mocidade de Padre Miguel samba school perform during the first night of the carnival parade at Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on February 8, 2016. (AFP Photo/Afp / )
- Revelers of Grande Rio samba school perform during the first night of the carnival parade at Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on February 8, 2015. (AFP Photo/Yasuyoshi Chiba)
- Revelers of Grande Rio samba school perform during the first night of the carnival parade at Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on February 8, 2015. (AFP Photo/Yasuyoshi )
- Revelers of Unidos da Tijuca samba school perform during the first night of the carnival parade at Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on February 8, 2016. (AFP Photo/Yasuyoshi )
- Revelers of Unidos da Tijuca samba school perform during the first night of the carnival parade at Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on February 8, 2016. (AFP Photo/Yasuyoshi )
- Performers from the Unidos da Tijuca samba school parade on a float during carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Monday, Feb. 8, 2016. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
- Performers from the Mocidade samba school parade during carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Monday, Feb. 8, 2016. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)