COVID-19 Daily News Digest – April 26, 2020
Amazon leaders demand illegal miners stay away to protect tribal lives
Illegal mining has “intensified” as gold miners are emboldened by weaker controls and a lack of state presence during the coronavirus lockdown in forests where indigenous people live, according to Tuntiak Katan, COICA’s deputy head.
“Illegal miners are taking advantage of the quarantines to carry out their activities, and they are threatening our communities,” Katan told a webinar with members of the media.
Sucker Creek First Nation fighting battles on two fronts as floods and COVID-19 hit the community
“We’ve asked if we can maybe look at a short-term strategy of possibly getting some trailers to house us so we won’t have to leave the community,” said Badger. “We’re submitting that today to the federal government for further assessment and possibly assistance to make it happen.”
Indigenous Communities Are at High Risk of Getting COVID-19
The aforesaid guidelines aids in containing the virus. However, undertaking a sudden behavioural change would be a difficult task. Significant focus should also be laid on bringing together traditional and scientific knowledge to device indigenous-friendly hygiene practices.The aforesaid guidelines aids in containing the virus. However, undertaking a sudden behavioural change would be a difficult task. Significant focus should also be laid on bringing together traditional and scientific knowledge to device indigenous-friendly hygiene practices.
Who is eligible for Ontario’s temporary ‘pandemic payments’?
Eligible workplaces include homes supporting people with developmental disabilities, intervenor residential sites, Indigenous healing and wellness facilities or shelters, shelters for survivors of gender-based violence and human trafficking
https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/who-is-eligible-for-ontario-s-temporary-pandemic-payments-1.4911859
What happens when natural disaster strikes during a pandemic?
In Canada, Kruczkiewicz notes that weighing the risk of introducing the virus to high-risk communities, especially Indigenous communities with poor health care support, could delay disaster response efforts by several days.
Advocates for Toronto homeless sue the city over lack of COVID-19 protections in shelters
“We are deeply concerned that the City continues to operate and oversee shelters that do not adhere to physical distancing standards,” the Black Legal Action Centre said in a statement.
“The City’s conduct has endangered not only homeless people, but also shelter staff, healthcare workers, their families, and the broader community.”
MMIP advocates turn to social media to keep movement alive during COVID-19 pandemic
“We’re trying to send each other encouraging messages and keep telling each other: we’re all in the same boat, so don’t feel discouraged,” Horn said. “…people are trying really hard on Facebook to keep up awareness.”
As Facebook pages stay active, organizers are biding time until the pandemic ends and events may be held again, Horn said.
No Place to Sell Sheep: How COVID-19 is Challenging Morocco’s Nomads
For nomads in Morocco, the combination of drought and COVID-19 has created multiple challenges. With little rain this year, they have struggled to take care of themselves and their animals.
COVID-19 Poses Grave Health Threat to Indigenous Communities
Yet, Indigenous peoples are seeking their own solutions to this pandemic. They are taking action, and using traditional knowledge and practices such as voluntary isolation, and sealing off their territories, as well as preventive measures – in their own languages.
First Nations communities see increase in COVID-19 cases, minister says
According to Marc Miller, since April 24, there have been 95 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in First Nations communities on reserve and 14 infections in Nunavik Inuit communities.
English River First Nation wants ‘laser-focused’ response to COVID-19 in the north
“As Saskatchewan descends their curve, we are just starting our ascent,” ERFN Pandemic Planning Committee emergency coordinator Bernie Eaglechild said in the release.
“As we have witnessed around the world, the shape of each curve was determined by the population’s resources and how quickly they were executed, so we are welcoming any and all of the support we can get to determine the extent of the spread in our communities.”
COVID-19: Sask. announces four new cases
The far north now has 35 of Saskatchewan’s 61 active cases.
Woman from Alert Bay is first COVID-19 death in a B.C. First Nations community
“There’s no shame in this,” Cutfeet said. “This is a virus that anyone can catch if exposed.”
B.C. records COVID-19 related death at a First Nations community
“Keeping a safe physical distance from others and staying home when ill are the best things we can do with COVID-19, but we recognize this can be extremely difficult for those with precarious housing.”