EPA Endangers Public Health During Global Pandemic by Relaxing Enforcement of Pollution Rules, Groups Say

PHOTO: The Colstrip Generating Station in Montana one of the many that has poisoned Montana air. Photo courtesy Montana Environmental Information Center.

EPA Endangers Public Health During Global Pandemic by Relaxing Enforcement of Pollution Rules, Groups Say

EPA relies on companies to 'act responsibly,' allowing for unchecked pollution, critics argue

By Western Organization of Resource Councils

Censored News

BILLINGS, Montana -- A Western landowners and conservation group bitterly criticized the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) after it announced a policy yesterday that would relax enforcement of pollution rules during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. EPA said it will not seek fines or take other action against regulated companies that fail to monitor and report releases of hazardous air and water pollution while the policy is in effect.

Zapatistas close communities due to coronavirus and call on people not to abandon current struggles

EZLN closes Caracoles Due to Coronavirus and Calls on People Not to Abandon Current Struggles


Indigenous Revolutionary Clandestine Committee—General Command of the Zapatista Army for National Liberation

Mexico

March 16, 2020

Translations

To the people of Mexico:
To the peoples of the world:
To the National Indigenous Congress—Indigenous Governing Council:
To the Sixth in Mexico and abroad:
To the Networks of Resistance and Rebellion:

Sisters, brothers, hermanoas:
Compañeros, compañeras, compañeroas:

We write to inform you that:

Given the serious and scientifically proven risk to human life presented by COVID-19 or “Coronavirus”;

Given the frivolous irresponsibility and lack of seriousness shown by the bad governments and the political class in its entirety who are using this serious humanitarian problem to attack each other instead of taking the necessary measures to confront a life-threatening virus which endangers all regardless of nationality, gender, race, language, religion, political affiliation, social class, or history;

Navajo Nation reports two deaths, 92 cases of coronavirus

Navajo coronavirus cases increase to 92, with two confirmed deaths, as the virus spreads

By Brenda Norrell
Censored News

Update: Saturday night: Navajo coronavirus cases jump to 115, curfew established
https://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2020/03/navajo-nation-coronavirus-cases_29.html


The coronavirus claimed two lives and infected 92 Dine', an increase of 21 people in just 24 hours, Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez said late Friday.

The Navajo Times reports the spread of the coronavirus followed a gathering of the Nazarene Church in Chilchinbeto. Those attending and their families became ill in Cameron, LeChee and nearby chapters.

One family told the Navajo Times how the father was turned away at a local hospital repeatedly after becoming sick with a high fever after the rally.

A second church rally at Pine Hill near Gallup infected more Dine', and the pastor's family was hospitalized, sources said.

Nationwide, at least two other Native Americans have died from the virus in Oklahoma and Washington State.

The Indian Health Service reported 10 cases in both California and Portland IHS agencies. IHS statistics show only about one-half of Native Americans tested had received results of the tests.

The Rosebud Sioux in South Dakota established a curfew, restrictions on visitors and businesses and prohibited unaccompanied minors, in an effort to control the spread of the virus after the first case was reported there.

Already with a stay-at-home order in place, the Navajo Nation cases continued to rise this week.

Navajo President Nez said, “Our condolences and prayers go out to the families of the two individuals who have passed on. We also pray for all of those who are fighting to recover from the virus. We cannot thank our health care workers and first responders enough for everything they are doing to help our people."

“To our Navajo people, let’s help our healthcare workers by staying home and isolating ourselves as much as possible. Our public safety officers are needed in our communities every day, and we don’t want to have to take them away from those duties to force people to stay home – we don’t have to go to that extent if people simply listen to the health care experts."

Navajo area doctors pleaded for face masks at Tuba City Medical Center and elsewhere in Indian country. As the coronavirus spread through Indian country this week, Native American doctors urged people to stay at home and sought out those who could help provide face masks.

Currently, the Navajo cases are in Navajo County, Ariz., 49; Apache County, Ariz., 18; Coconino County, Ariz., 6; McKinley County, N.M., 5; San Juan County, N.M., 11; Cibola County, N. M., 1; San Juan County, Utah, 2.

Navajo Times article on coronavirus and church rally:
https://navajotimes.com/coronavirus-updates/two-deaths-in-western-may-have-been-covid-virus-spread-at-church-rally/

Indian Health Service nationwide today:
(Note: Not all of the cases are shown. Results are not shown for everyone tested.)

Below: New York Times map of coronavirus cases updated throughout the day.
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/us/coronavirus-us-cases.html

Coronavirus cases reach 71 for Navajo Nation, as virus spreads through Indian country

First Responders on Navajo Nation distribute health information. Photo Navajo President's Office

Coronavirus cases reach 71 on the Navajo Nation, as the virus spreads through Indian country

Article by Brenda Norrell

Censored News

The coronavirus spread nationwide through Indian country this week and devastated families. At least two Native Americans have died from the virus, in Oklahoma and Washington State. On Thursday, the Navajo Nation reported that cases increased to 71 among Navajos. IHS reports ten cases in both California and Portland IHS agencies.

The initial spread in Chilchinbeto near Kayenta, Arizona, on the Navajo Nation followed a gathering of the Nazarene Church, the Navajo Times reported.

Another church gathering in Pine Hill, N.M., near Gallup, further spread coronavirus to Dine'. The pastor's family was hospitalized.

The Rosebud Sioux Tribe in South Dakota reported its first case of the virus. The Lakota is recovering at home. On Wind River in Wyoming, one case of a Northern Araphoe testing positivee was linked to a cluster of virus cases in a Lander nursing home.

The United States reported the highest number of coronavirus cases in the world with more than 1,200 deaths, and the virus spread across Indian country.

In the northwest, where the coronavirus spread was initially the fastest, the family of Geraldine Williams of Tulalip Bay in Washington said they were heartbroken following the death of Geraldine. 

Washington State Gov. Jay Inslee earlier restricted gatherings to 250 people.The Seattle Times reports,  "But some tribal governments, such as the Port Gamble S’Klallam on the Kitsap Peninsula, had already gone further, banning gatherings of more than 10 for at least 90 days."

"Such extreme measures are necessary, tribal leaders say. The Makah Tribe and Lummi Nation enacted shelter in place ordinances for their citizens, and the Yakama Nation followed suit Monday night," the Seattle Times reports.

In Oklahoma, the first person to pass to the Spirit World from coronavirus complications was Merle Dry, 55, of the Cherokee Nation. Coronavirus has also spread to Native communities in Wyoming and Minnesota.

Vox reports,  "A Northern Arapaho tribal member on the Wind River Indian Reservation in Wyoming tested positive on Saturday and the tribe has declared a state of emergency for the reservation that spans over 2.2 million acres."

"Last weekend, Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan, of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe, lost her brother to Covid-19 after he was already battling a cancer diagnosis," Vox reports.

South of Phoenix, the Gila River Indian Community has two coronavirus cases. One is an Akimel O'otham member and the second is a member of another Native American Nation. Both are recovering at home.

One person living on the Fort McDowell Indian Nation near Phoenix died. However, the person, 49, with underlying health conditions, was not a Yavapai tribal member.

The Indian Health Service reports coronavirus cases in most of its agencies, with the greatest number in the Navajo, with ten cases in both Portland and California agencies. There are two cases in the Great Plains.

IHS statistics show that only about one-half of Native Americans tested have obtained results of the tests. (See more below.)

The epicenter of coronavirus is in New York, where more than 100 people died on Wednesday night, and patients lined up outside hospitals. There was rapid spread in New Jersey.

The spread in the Southeast U.S. is alarming, with rapid spread in New Orleans and north through Mississippi, continuing through the Smokey Mountains into the Carolinas. 

Atlanta, Denver, Chicago and other major cities with international airports show large numbers of cases. Cities with cruise ship ports such as Seattle and Los Angeles have been hard hit by the virus.

In Canada, Mohawks in Kahnawake report five cases. Last week, a doctor who had been at the hospital tested positive for coronavirus.

Below are two statements from the Navajo President and statistics from IHS.

New cases of COVID-19 reaches 71 for Navajo Nation

By Navajo President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — On Thursday, Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer were informed by the Navajo Department of Health and Navajo Area Indian Health Service, in coordination with the Navajo Epidemiology Center, that the number of positive tests for COVID-19 has reached a total of 71 for the Navajo Nation. The cases include the following counties:
Navajo County, AZ: 42 *changed from yesterday, due to clarification of one individual’s residency
Apache County, AZ: 9
Coconino County, AZ: 7

McKinley County, NM: 5

San Juan County, NM: 7
Cibola County, NM: 1