Navajo Nation Has 3rd Highest Rate of COVID-19 Infection & How to Help
“We once again have been forgotten by our own government.”
As of May 11, 2020, Navajo Nation has the highest rate of COVID-19 infection, higher than any state in the U.S. with a total of 3,122 cases.
As of 2015, Navajo Nation is the second largest tribe of over 300,000 members, with the largest reservation in the United States. Navajo Nation is a region spanning over the corners of New Mexico, Arizona, Utah and Colorado.
Coronavirus cases per 100,000 people:
Navajo Nation: 3,122
New York: 1,751
New Jersey: 1,560
Why is the COVID-19 rate in Navajo Nation so high?
Hand-washing is difficult for those in Navajo Nation, many homes don’t have clean, running water and some don’t have reliable electricity or internet access. The tribe cannot get regular health announcements from public officials or from social media.
The Indian Health Service (IHS), is an agency responsible for providing federal health services to American Indians and Alaska Natives. According to recent data, the amount spent per person on health care by the federal government in 2016:
Indian Health Service: $2,834
Veterans health: $9,404
Medicare: $12,744
March 27, 2020 the CARES Act passed. Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security relief package of $2 trillion is to protect Americans from the impacts of COVID-19 was signed into law. This includes $8 billion that was to be set aside for Indian tribes.
April 24, 2020 Nearly 600 tribes had expected to receive the full $8 billion. Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin intended to fund ANC instead of helping Indian tribes, Alaska Native Corporations, which consists of for-profit corporations owned by shareholders, including non-Indians.
On April 21, 2020 Lawsuit with Indian tribes against Secretary of Treasury. Navajo Nation joined other Indian tribes in a lawsuit against the U.S. Secretary of Treasury Steven Mnuchin.
On April 28, 2020 Trump announced Navajo Nation will receive 6.25% of $8 billion. President Donald Trump was in Phoenix, Arizona and announced Navajo Nation will soon receive at least $600 million, just 6.25% of the $8 billion allotted for the tribes in the CARES Act.
“He utilized his pulpit to announce that he’s giving monies to the tribe, when in essence the federal government lost the litigation … so they had to give the money to the tribes. The courts actually forced him in a way to get this money out. We had to take the federal government to court to make sure we get our just share of resources to the Navajo Nation. It’s shameful that the first citizens of this country are having to fight over and over for what is rightfully ours.”
Indian tribes are the last to be paid out of the $150 billion from the CARES Act. The rest of the $142 was paid within the 30-day deadline. “The partisan disagreements will lead to further delays for tribal nations, which were the last to be paid out of the $150 billion provided by the CARES Act more than a month ago. Though the law directed Treasury to distribute the money "not later than 30" days after it became law on March 27, Treasury only met the deadline for the $142 billion set aside for states and local governments. It wasn't until Trump was on his way to a roundtable with tribal leaders on May 5 did Treasury announce plans to distribute the $8 billion promised to Indian nations. And only $4.8 billion is going out at this time.”
The Treasury is only releasing 60 percent of the funds and it could take up to 2 more months for the rest to be released.
May 11, 2020 Official reviews are being conducted of the Trump administration’s handling of COVID-19 relief including potential conflict of interest funding for Tribes
“We’re holding the Trump administration accountable for the blatant mismanaging of funding included for tribes. It was clear they attempted to put corporations ahead of sovereign governments, and that delayed the funding.”
““…the administration must stop deploying COVID-19 resources in a way that systemically excludes tribes and Native communities.”— ”
On May 12, 2020, the HEROS Act was introduced, a measure that will bring $20 billion (This was the original goal amount for the CARES Act, which got reduced to $8 billion).
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DONATE FUNDS
Make a Donation to: Navajo & Hopi Families COVID-19 Relief Fund
SEW MASKS
There are many options to get involved and help make masks for Navajo Nation:
Sew masks of medical grade fabric Halyard H600. Get more information here on tips and resources to sew masks for hospital workers on the frontline.
Sew masks for hospital workers, the Auntie Sewing Squad on FaceBook is a group based out of L.A. pooling together resources. Everyone in the FaceBook group is very helpful and responsive. There is also a donation page, funds go to buying material in bulk and for shipping large batches of masks to frontline workers and vulnerable communities.
“We are a group of self-sufficient volunteers giving our time, talent, materials and labor to sew, ship and deliver fabric masks to people who need them most. We help each other by sharing materials, patterns, sewing advice and moral support. We focus our efforts on frontline essential workers with an emphasis on MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS and those with budget constraints that make it difficult to purchase masks.”
DONATE GOODS
For a list of Navajo Nation needs medical and non-medical