COVID-19 Daily News Digest – May 16, 2020
Decisions about Indigenous ceremonies lie with community leaders, says Trudeau
“I think Indigenous community leadership knows that we need to be keeping people safe and we should be able to work with them to develop ways of continuing with important customs and practices for them in a way that abides by health recommendations,” said Trudeau.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatoon/indigenous-ceremonies-covid-19-federal-response-1.5570697
Major discrepancy in the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases
According to Indigenous Services Canada, as of Wednesday, there were 185 confirmed positive COVID-19 cases on First Nations.
But research by the Yellowhead Institute found hundreds of more cases.
Corruption and Exploitation: Brazil’s Position in the Global Food System
This means that Brazil is willing to do whatever it takes to capitalize on China’s growing demand. That includes increasing rates of deforestation in the Amazon to plant more soy and raise more cattle. And the COVID-19 pandemic isn’t slowing down those exports. In fact, they are growing at unprecedented rateshttps://sentientmedia.org/corruption-and-exploitation-brazils-position-in-the-global-food-system/
Six Nations leaders say closing reserve led to no active cases of COVID-19
“I don’t want to speak too early on things but when we declared our community emergency, we did the right thing,” Hill said in a recent interview, noting that the first major step was limiting access to the Iroquois Lodge nursing home in the village of Ohsweken. “What started out as protecting our elders evolved into the bigger picture.”
Friendship centers in Alberta say they’re underfunded to help people during pandemic
“We need the same supports for mental health, family supports, education, medical needs,” says Len Morrissette, president of the ANFCA. “There is a soup kitchen, mat programs. Everything we deal with in the urban centres is what the Friendship Centre Movement does on a regular basis.”
Walpole Island First Nation reports 1st death due to COVID-19
“We are saddened by this and send our deepest condolence to the family,” said Miskokomon. “Our hearts and thoughts are with you during this very difficult time.”
According to a separate Facebook post providing COVID-19 numbers for Friday, May 15, a total of 44 community members have been tested for coronavirus, with 32 people having tested negative. One test result is pending.
Armed with new data, First Nations brace for COVID-19 first wave
Out of 289 positive cases of COVID-19 in the province, 16 are First Nations individuals (14 are recovered and two are active cases).
That’s about 5.5 per cent — about half the proportion of First Nations people in Manitoba.
Perhaps the most interesting fact shared by Anderson was: “Since April 3, it does seem that the proportion of First Nation cases is getting higher” and health measures in First Nations have “delayed the onset of COVID-19 in our communities, not eliminated it.”
No known COVID-19 cases on Manitoba First Nations to date, newly released data shows
Manitoba is taking a lead in this country in terms of starting to put racial identifiers on health data,” said Dr. Barry Lavallee, medical advisor for MKO.
“This is a thing that we want and wanted for 25 years now,” he said. “We want to be able to do comparisons to ensure that we’re getting equitable access to health-care.”
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/manitoba-first-nations-covid19-cases-1.5572069
COVID-19 more severe for First Nations people
“It’s in line with previous experiences where there was a higher rate of more severe illness among First Nations individuals, such as during (2009 swine flu) H1N1,” said Dr. Marcia Anderson, a medical officer of health.
Federal COVID 19 wage subsidy extended to some Indigenous businesses
A federal wage subsidy for employees in businesses hit hard by COVID-19 will last at least through the summer and eligibility is also being expanded to more organizations to include tax-exempt Indigenous-owned corporations or partnerships, amateur athletic associations registered journalism organizations, and private colleges and training schools.
Voluntary collective isolation is best response to COVID-19 for indigenous populations
Dr. Kaplan and his team developed their COVID-19 strategy based on two guidelines. The first is that preventative measures before mass infection can greatly reduce the burden of morbidity and mortality. The second is that any effective plan must be collaborative among all stakeholders and should involve the indigenous populations in the decision process.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-05/cu-vci051520.php