Covid-19 Daily News Digest – March 20, 2020
- “We (need to) work together with the local leaders to find out: what help do they need?” said David Morley, president and CEO of UNICEF Canada. “And we need to continue with the public health messages.” The COVID-19 crisis “will show the weaknesses in the system,” Morley said of the health, water and housing problems facing First Nations communities. And he hopes that Canadians will respond by pushing for clean water for those communities “and figure out a way to work together to fix it.” https://www.thewhig.com/opinion/columnists/covid-19-could-devastate-fragile-countries?refcon
- COVID-19 is known to be more harmful to the elderly and people that are immunocompromised and have chronic illnesses, which is more prevalent on-reserve. “It’s a race against the clock,” said NDP MP Charlie Angus of protecting vulnerable First Nations, particularly in his riding of Timmins-James Bay that includes Attawapiskat. “If COVID-19 hits it’s going to hit hard and we’re scrambling to put basic supports in place.” https://aptnnews.ca/2020/03/19/race-against-the-clock-to-protect-vulnerable-first-nations-from-covid-19/
- Physicians working on the islands have made clear to residents that everyone needs to work together to prevent the spread of the virus by social distancing, self isolation, washing hands and limiting how many people they visit at one time. The physicians said in a press release: “If we let the virus spread the way it has in other places, we would expect well over 400 people here to be sick enough to need to be in hospital.” https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/haida-nation-tourists-covid-19-1.5503810
- Young people always feel bulletproof to a certain degree but, in this instance, they may have been lulled into greater-than-usual smugness by the mistaken belief that coronavirus is only a worry for the elderly. It is true that COVID-19 deaths are highest among people over the age of 80. But mortality isn’t the only measure that matters. We have to pay particular attention to protecting the vulnerable, including Indigenous peoples, people with disabilities and the frail elderly. To the living, not just the dead. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-young-people-dont-get-a-pass-with-covid-19/
- The first known case of COVID-19 has been diagnosed in an Indigenous community in Canada. The result was announced Thursday in Kahnawake Mohawk territory, just south of Montreal. The patient is a doctor at Kateri Memorial Hospital, who cancelled seeing patients and self-isolated after returning from a trip to New York City. https://aptnnews.ca/2020/03/19/doctor-tests-positive-for-covid-19-in-kahnawake-mohawk-territory/
- Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the money will be used as the communities themselves see fit. “We recognize that Indigenous Canadians are faced with greater health vulnerabilities and greater economic challenges than most Canadians at the best of times,” Trudeau said today outside his Ottawa home at Rideau Cottage, where he is in self-isolation after his wife Sophie tested positive for the virus. https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/stefanovich-federal-indigenous-covid19-support-1.5503079
- Indigenous Services Canada says it’s already sent supplies to 68 First Nations for COVID-19 preparations. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the money will be used as the communities themselves see fit. “We recognize that Indigenous Canadians are faced with greater health vulnerabilities and greater economic challenges than most Canadians at the best of times,” Trudeau said today outside his Ottawa home at Rideau Cottage, where he is in self-isolation after his wife Sophie tested positive for the virus. https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/stefanovich-federal-indigenous-covid19-support-1.5503079
- Tension, fear rising inside Dorm 3 of Ottawa jail over COVID-19. “We need help in here. Nobody is helping us, just looking down on us like garbage,” said inmate Frank Benedict, 36, who began feeling flu-like symptoms two weeks ago but can’t get tested for the coronavirus.
Benedict, who is from Akwesasne, a Mohawk community that straddles the Canada-U.S border about 120 kilometres west of Montreal, has had a cough, fever, joint pain, sore throat and even two bouts of vomiting. He is still suffering from a cough and night sweats and just wants to get peace of mind on whether he has COVID-19. https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/jail-covid-stress-1.5503513 - Rachel Blaney working on several fronts during COVID-19 pandemic. Blaney said her party is also asking that supplies and supports are delivered to indigenous communities. “We have some remote communities across Canada and we want to make sure the supports and supplies they require are delivered and given in a timely manner,” she said. Blaney said her offices will not be accepting any walk-ins. Staff will be available to answer phones and emails. As the situation moves forward, her office will be providing regular updates to let people know what is happening, and if there are any significant changes in Ottawa. https://www.prpeak.com/news/rachel-blaney-working-on-several-fronts-during-covid-19-pandemic-1.24102034
- Some Sask. First Nations going ahead with elections despite COVID-19. Dozens of Red Pheasant members are calling for a postponement in comments in one social media group. One recommended padlocking the doors of the election hall. “Do not allow anybody in there until this coronavirus has lifted. Our lives, our elders and our children are at stake here and we are not going to allow this election to take place.” https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatoon/some-first-nations-going-ahead-with-elections-1.5503694
- Evening Update: Canada-U.S. border restrictions to take effect Friday night; Italy overtakes China in coronavirus fatalities. Meanwhile, indigenous communities, already facing poor health care options, are closing their own lands’ borders to limit coronavirus exposure as Ottawa dispatches funds and tents to house and isolate sick patients in the north. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-evening-update-canada-us-border-restrictions-to-take-effect-friday/
- PM says closures, social distancing measures could be in place for weeks or months. During a news conference in Ottawa Thursday, Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer Theresa Tam warned that Indigenous people are also in the high-risk group. “We must recognize that First Nations, Inuit and Metis are at higher risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19 given health inequities, higher rates of underlying medical conditions and unique health challenges such as those faced by remote and fly-in, fly-out communities,” she said. https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/morneau-coronavirus-funding-1.5502562
- Resolve to defeat COVID-19 must be ‘unbendable,’ Canadians told while diplomatic staff recalled. Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller said his department was working to ensure the $305 million the government announced for Indigenous communities would get to those communities quickly to help them prepare. He said communities who are struggling to get the funds or resources they need should call his office directly. https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/border-closure-and-talking-to-kids-about-covid-19-in-the-news-for-march-19
- Saskatchewan First Nations see COVID-19 cases. Saskatchewan First Nation has one – and possibly two cases – of COVID-19 after test results returned from the federal virology laboratory in Winnipeg, Man. Both of the cases are in First Nation communities. https://aptnnews.ca/2020/03/19/saskatchewan-first-nations-see-covid-19-cases/
- To prevent COVID-19, Agnico Eagle will let Nunavut workers go home. Agnico Eagle said early today in a statement that “all Nunavummiut workers currently on site will be returned home and those that are currently off-site will not return.” These employees will continue to receive their regular pay during this period, said the company. https://nunatsiaq.com/stories/article/to-prevent-covid-19-agnico-eagle-will-let-nunavut-workers-go-home/
- Inuit gov. in Atlantic Canada calls for people to stop travel to and from their region. Nunatsiavut’s population of 2560 is spread out between five communities along the Atlantic coast: Nain, Hopedale, Makkovik, Postville and Rigolet. The Nunatsiavut Government stressed they were calling for a stop to travel between Labrador communities, whether by airplane or by snowmobile, unless it was “absolutely necessary.” https://www.rcinet.ca/eye-on-the-arctic/2020/03/19/inuit-gov-in-atlantic-canada-calls-for-people-to-stop-travel-to-and-from-their-region/