Home to over 300,000 people the total number of positive tests for COVID-19 has reached 558 for the Navajo Nation as of Thursday
by Meteor Staff from Navajo Nation press releases and firsthand accounts
Friday, April 10, 11:00 AM MST
Northern Arizona The Nation’s latest Public Health Order implements a 57-hour curfew taking effect tonight (Friday April 10) at 8:00 p.m. until Monday at 5:00 a.m. Except for essential employees who are required to have documentation from their employer everyone must stay at home. Navajo Police will strictly enforce the curfew order by issuing citations that may include a fine up to $1,000 and/or 30 days in jail.
Flagstaff residents and activists across the region have been mobilizing support networks to provide supplies and services to relatives on the vast reservations across Northern Arizona.
The 558 confirmed positive cases include the following counties:
· Navajo County, AZ: 222
· Apache County, AZ: 59
· Coconino County, AZ: 124
· McKinley County, NM: 53
· San Juan County, NM: 79
· Cibola County, NM: 9
· San Juan County, UT: 10
· Socorro County, NM: 2
The Indigenous Environmental Network (IEN) reports:
To volunteer with KMA or to request support, please use this form: www.tiny.cc/FlagMutualAid Phone: 928-666-0250
Navajo & Hopi Families COVID-19 Relief: https://www.facebook.com/groups/214813476301051/
Kinlani/Flagstaff Mutual Aid is for members of the Flagstaff community to volunteer (including outlying neighborhoods — from Timberline and Doney to Kachina and Mountainaire) to offer skills, resources, supplies, space and time to community members who are most vulnerable among us.
The KMA facebook page is also for members of the Kinlani/Flagstaff community to ask for the help they need. The page says, “The community need to show up for each other. Especially for those who are at great risk (the elderly, the immunocompromised, those with chronic illnesses, the poor, unsheltered folks, undocumented immigrants, those with little or no access to health care).” Facebook Group: www.tiny.cc/FlagMutualAidFBgroup
During a live online town hall update on Thursday, Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez announced that he and Vice President Myron Lizer are currently self-quarantined due to being in close proximity on Tuesday, to a first responder who later learned they tested positive for COVID-19. In every visit to communities during the pandemic, they each took precautionary measures by wearing gloves and masks. They are feeling healthy and doing fine.
“No one is immune from COVID-19. You may be young and in good health, but this virus can infect anyone. This is not to be taken lightly. The good news is that the majority of people are testing negative for COVID-19, but the gap is getting smaller every day and that will continue until everyone adheres to the stay at home order and the Nation-wide curfew. Let’s not lose hope, but let’s face the reality that this virus is going to be around for several more months and we have to deal with it by making smart decisions and with prayer,” said Nez.
“Thank you to all of those that are fighting COVID-19 on the front lines, and to their families for understanding their tireless work. Everyone must remember that when non-essential employees stay home, they are relieving those that are caring for our relatives with COVID-19. Together, we have the collective power to stop the spread of the disease. Please stay home if you are not an essential employee and please remember to pray. The upcoming weeks are going to be even more challenging and we need everyone to support one another,” said Vice President Lizer.
Indigenous Environmental Network organizing grants
IEN has launched a COVID-19 Emergency Mutual Aid Fund to quickly mobilize resources to our frontline communities and groups that have a demonstrated need experiencing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Community-based Indigenous peoples and organizations from the U.S. and Canada (Central and South America on a case-by-case basis), are eligible to apply.
Small grants up to $2,000 are being offered to assist with either of the following three situations:
1. Purchase of essential provisions: food, water, medication, diapers, cleaning supplies, pet food, etc.
2. Support with transportation for essential needs and provisions, such as medical appointments and clinic/hospital visits, medication, groceries etc. This includes deliveries, gas money, local transport and getting a ride from your relatives, so long as everyone is practicing precautionary measures to avoid transmission of the virus. In some situations, this can also support getting/leaving home from long distances to care for family members as long as all legal guidelines around travel restrictions are recognized and “Stay in Place” mandates, curfews, etc. are observed.
3. Home business slowdowns in sales and other cash flow difficulties (maybe your supplier is shut down, or a big order for an event is canceled). For this support “home business” is referring to things like quilting, regalia making, bead and quillwork, moccasin making, basket making, pottery, silversmithing, etc.The Nation’s latest Public Health Order implementing a 57-hour curfew will take effect on Friday at 8:00 p.m. until Monday at 5:00 a.m., except for essential employees who are required to have documentation from their employer. Navajo Police will strictly enforce the curfew order by issuing citations that may include a fine up to $1,000 and/or 30 days in jail.
This is a link to the application…
For more information including reports, helpful prevention tips, and more resources, please visit the Navajo Department of Health’s COVID-19 website at http://www.ndoh.navajo-nsn.gov/COVID-19. To contact the main Navajo Health Command Operations Center, please call (928) 871-7014.
Established in 1990, The Indigenous Environmental Network is an international environmental justice nonprofit that works with tribal grassroots organizations to build the capacity of Indigenous communities. IEN’s activities include empowering Indigenous communities and tribal governments to develop mechanisms to protect our sacred sites, land, water, air, natural resources, the health of both our people and all living things, and to build economically sustainable communities.
Learn more here: ienearth.org
