Covid-19 Daily News Digest – October 2, 2020
New northern COVID-19 case reported, 13 active cases now within Northern Health Region
Another COVID-19 case has been found in northern Manitoba – this time, in the Island Lake district near the Ontario border.
It is the first such case to be reported in the region, which includes communities such as Wasagamack and St. Theresa Point. No further information about the case has been provided by provincial or regional health officials.
‘Hidden epidemic’ in Indigenous communities: federal minister
“One of the things we need to look at is isolation away from your own home and what impact that has,” said Kandola. “I’ve heard enough stories from people who are experiencing anxiety and mental health concerns and not being in their own home.”
Democrats Introduce Bill Addressing Cultural Genocide Against Native Americans
The bill, called The Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policy in the United States Act, would create a formal inquiry to document how the government’s Indian boarding school policy amounted to cultural genocide as children were prevented from learning Indigenous traditions. Instead, the government forced them to assimilate into mainstream American culture.
According to HuffPost, the first-of-its-kind commission would be asked to find ways to improve the public’s awareness and incorporate that into public education. That way, future generations of Americans would have a better understanding of the government’s former policy and how its consequences continue to affect Native Americans.
https://www.ecowatch.com/democrats-native-american-bill-2647878673.html?rebelltitem=1#rebelltitem1
First Nations grapple with COVID-19 cases after having significantly lower rates initially
“People have been going out…visiting family outside of the communities. And so they become more exposed to other people, we’re looking at COVID from outside the community, that’s what we’re afraid of,” she says.
McDonald explains that one particularly challenging thing is navigating how to respond to situations such as a community member dying. “People are tired but the system is tired of six months of social isolation, of not being able to respond to losses and families and communities, with the cultural imperative around carrying someone through their last days on earth.”
Sledding through COVID-19 in Churchill
A couple living in northern Manitoba is working to keep their business and dogs alive as the pandemic continues to impact life in Canada. Hunting and harvesting food from the wild, growing your own vegetables and building shelter are just part of surviving the pandemic in Churchill.
Rapid COVID-19 testing helps remote First Nations cope with shortage of isolation space
A new machine about the size of a microwave that tests for COVID-19 and provides results within an hour is already making a difference in Sandy Lake First Nation, a remote community about 600 kilometres north of Thunder Bay, Ont.
Rapid results are critical in First Nations because more than 40 per cent of the homes in those communities are overcrowded and there are few places to self-isolate for people awaiting tests results, Guilfoyle said.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thunder-bay/covid-rapid-testing-first-nations-1.5746645
Mamakwa continues to call for more COVID-19 support
“Communities across Kiiwetinoong have been in a crisis since before COVID-19. The pandemic has only deepened these crises. In Neskantaga First Nation, there’s been 26 years of boil water advisories. That’s 9,373 days without access to clean drinking water,” said Mamakwa, during Question Period at Queen’s Park earlier this week.
Since COVID-19 is not known to spread through water, members can use water under a boil water advisory to wash your hands and for personal hygiene. But water under a do not use advisory is not suitable for any use, and hand sanitizer must be used instead.
https://www.drydennow.com/local/mamakwa-continues-to-call-for-more-covid-19-supports
COVID-19 cluster highlights vulnerabilities of remote First Nation communities
A COVID-19 outbreak in a remote Manitoba First Nation highlights the vulnerability of those communities. First Nations were mostly spared during the first wave, but if an outbreak happens, resources can fall short.
https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/1798741571978
5 new cases of COVID-19 a ‘wake-up call’ for community, say Six Nations health officials
Public health officials are calling an overnight spike of five new COVID-19 cases on Six Nations Territory a wake-up call for community members.
Ohsweken Public Health has reported three confirmed cases and two probable cases of the virus within 24 hours, according to a media release shared Wednesday evening.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/six-nations-covid-new-cases-overnight-1.5745702