Tribal leaders face great need and don't have enough resources to respond

[turbinetree]

to the coronavirus pandemic

Published 7 mins ago on March 25, 2020
By The Conversation

The coronavirus is hitting American Indians and Alaska Natives hard. Tribal citizens are dying, Indian nations have closed casinos to protect the public, and powwows and traditional gatherings have been canceled.

Among the crucial statistics that indicate how dire conditions are for American Indians and Alaska Natives: Indian Health Service hospitals have only 625 beds nationwide, with six intensive care unit beds and 10 ventilators to serve more than 2.5 million American Indians and Alaska Natives from 574 tribes.

Some tribes provide additional health services in their communities, but these programs only supply another 772 beds. That’s only 1,397 for 2.5 million people.

Governments at all levels have struggled to respond to the coronavirus pandemic as it spreads across the United States.

https://www.rawstory.com/2020/03/tribal-leaders-face-great-need-and-dont-have-enough-resources-to-respond-to-the-coronavirus-pandemic/

[Hugin]

1. This is of critical concern.

Very important.