Brazil enjoys fun in the sun as COVID-19 deaths top 200,000
(World News Brazil)

SAO PAULO (AP) — The night before New Year`s Eve in Rio de Janeiro, thousands of revelers clad in their bathing suits crowded onto the iconic Ipanema beach to have some seaside drinks. It was one of many open-air parties occurring along Brazil`s vast coastline since the summer heat set in, and as the COVID-19 death toll climbed higher. “It was so packed, you couldn`t set foot on the beach,” said a maintenance worker at a luxury apartment building across the street. “And it wasn`t just at night; the beach was packed during the day, too. And no one wears a mask!” he added, insisting on not being quoted by name out of worry the building`s owner would punish him for speaking to a reporter. The...