Covid-19 Daily News Digest – April 14, 2020
‘It’s devastating’: B.C. operators say Indigenous tourism being ignored by federal government
Indigenous tourism related business generated more than $700 million in direct gross output in B.C. with the approximately 401 companies creating more than 7,400 full-time jobs in 2017, according to Indigenous Tourism B.C.
But tourism associations say little to nothing has been done to help their sector during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Health Canada approves Spartan Bioscience’s portable COVID-19 test
Rapid COVID-19 testing devices are on the way to remote and Indigenous communities where access and timely results have been hindered by distance and limited resources, officials said Monday after a new test kit was approved over the weekend.
Northern miners concerned federal COVID wage subsidy leaves them in the cold
More than 1,200 northerners have been sent home to their remote communities, many still on the payroll. Meanwhile, companies are using chartered planes to pick up their remaining workers from the south, as well as incurring the extra cost of enhancing public health measures at the mine sites.
FSIN want more measures for healthcare professionals after COVID-19 case in Northern Sask.
“We are demanding that more PPE (personal protective equipment) immediately be shipped to our communities to protect our people. This infection was caused by provincial health care staff that were not tested before coming into our nations, they must ensure that our people are protected at all costs, as they will be held liable if this infection is not contained and continues to spread,” Mercredi said.
‘There is no timetable’: Courts refuse to let these three moms see children during pandemic
The court criticized the parents and the grandparents for requesting extensive in-person access, stating that by making the request, they were demonstrating they don’t understand the COVID-19 risk. There has been no such criticism in cases involving separated families. Only in a child protection court would a parent be criticized for having the audacity to ask to see their children,” said Miller, who is also the treasurer of the Ontario Association of Child Protection Lawyers.
JOHN HARKER: What role could Atlantic Canada play in moving beyond COVID-19?
The professor came across an upset student looking intently at an angel, from a collection of French sculptor Auguste Rodin, on display in Halifax for the first time. The student was asked if something was wrong, and he replied, “This angel can never fly, it’s got two left wings!”
Nurse brought COVID-19 to facility in Saskatchewan’s far north, says FSIN
For a second time, a health-care worker has infected a First Nation community in Saskatchewan’s far north, says the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations.
Ontario Protecting the Most Vulnerable During COVID-19 Crisis
“We are providing $148 million to local service managers and Indigenous program administrators all across Ontario to give them flexibility to expand the key services they already offer to meet their local needs,” said Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MPP Bill Walker. “This investment will allow communities to expand their services, based on local needs, so they can better respond to this emergency situation.”
Brazil moves to protect indigenous tribes from COVID-19
“The government has suspended the entrance of people into indigenous lands,” Alves said, agreeing to a primary demand from tribal leaders in order to prevent contagion. Some tribes in northern Brazil have set up barriers to stop outsiders.
In all three cases of indigenous deaths, contagion came from outside the tribal villages, Moro said, adding that the Federal Police under his command are acting to stop illegal miners and other invaders entering indigenous reservations.
One new COVID-19 case Monday as testing ramps up province wide
People in remote, isolated and rural indigenous communities will also be proactively tested. Other “congregate living centres” such as prisons, homeless shelters, and group homes have been targeted for increased testing as have vulnerable populations including cross-border workers, pregnant persons, newborns and people undergoing chemotherapy.
Charities, groups adapt Easter programs for those in need amid COVID-19
The federal government has committed $100 million for organizations that help get food to Canadians who can’t afford groceries or who have uncertain access to food and other basic necessities, including Indigenous Peoples and remote northern populations
FORD SAYS ONTARIO NEEDS TO BEGIN TESTING ‘EVERYONE POSSIBLE’ FOR COVID-19
Health officials in the province have until now advised that testing be primarily conducted on priority groups, including health care workers, first-responders, jail inmates, residents of Indigenous reserves and long-term care staff and residents.
Regina health lab releases COVID-19 information specific to Indigenous communities
USask health research leader, Dr. Carrie Bourassa explains that gearing communications in a more positive way is a more effective approach, which lessens the anxiety in the message.
Coronavirus Represents An Existential Threat To Brazilian Indigenous Communities
Between government-backed profiteering and illegal activity, indigenous lands are under siege. Territory protected in the 1988 constitution is now open to national and transnational corporate exploitation – alongside the usual threats from drug traffickers, illegal loggers, poachers and wildcat miners. On top of environmental devastation and violence, these invaders bring the virus into the heart of vulnerability. Amazônia Real reported that Yanomami leaders suspect miners are responsible for transmitting the virus to its 26,000 strong population.
https://theowp.org/coronavirus-represents-an-existential-threat-to-brazilian-indigenous-communities/
Manitoba poverty woes deepen amid dark days
There’s more: the report points out Manitoba’s reduction rate of child poverty is the third-slowest in the country, behind only Ontario and Nova Scotia. At that rate, child poverty in Manitoba will be eradicated by the year 2717. The Manitoba government has made the problem even worse, according to the new report.
Since October 2017, the province has cut nearly $100 million from the child-welfare systems, imposed “block” funding on child and family agencies that has hampered programs, and “clawed back” money earmarked for Indigenous children in care. This has resulted, according to the report, in children in care turning 18 and being “immediately propelled into homelessness.”