Native American health center asked for COVID-19 supplies. It got body bags instead.

[babylonsister]

Native American health center asked for COVID-19 supplies. It got body bags instead.
"Are we going to keep getting body bags or are we going to get what we actually need?" a Seattle Indian Health Board official asked.
May 5, 2020, 5:56 PM EDT
By Erik Ortiz


In mid-March, as the Seattle region grappled with a coronavirus outbreak, a community health center caring for the area's Native American population made a pressing request to county, state and federal health agencies: Please send medical supplies.

What it received almost three weeks later left staff members stunned.

"My team turned ghost white," said Esther Lucero, chief executive officer of the Seattle Indian Health Board. "We asked for tests, and they sent us a box of body bags."

The health board's center — serving about 6,000 people a year in Seattle and King County — still has the package, which is filled with zippered white bags and beige tags that read "attach to toe."

Lucero said the body bags were a mistaken — yet nonetheless macabre — delivery from a distributor via King County's Public Health Department.

Abigail Echo-Hawk, the health board's chief research officer, said she believes that the message it sends, even unintentionally, is resonating in Native American communities across the United States during the pandemic: There is a pressing lack of adequate resources and funding as promised.

more...

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/native-american-health-center-asked-covid-19-supplies-they-got-n1200246

[Skittles]

1. I am really hoping that was a mistake

but these days it is just getting harder to give anyone the benefit of the doubt

[Igel]

4. There's always the OP.

Which says,

Lucero said the body bags were a mistaken — yet nonetheless macabre — delivery from a distributor via King County's Public Health Department.

Sometimes having "moderate trust" as the default setting is a good thing. This is King County.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_County,_Washington

King County and Seattle are strongly liberal; the area is a bastion for the Democratic Party. No Republican presidential candidate has garnered the majority of the county's votes since Ronald Reagan's landslide reelection victory in 1984. In the 2008 election, Barack Obama defeated John McCain in the county by 42 percentage points, a larger margin than any previous election. Slightly more than 29% of Washington state's population reside in King County, making it a significant factor for the Democrats in a few recent close statewide elections.

[Skittles]

8. yes I know, I read it

just sayin'

[Solly Mack]

2. Wow.

Just damn.

[TreasonousBastard]

3. I haven't been to either of our local reservations in a while, but i remember my visits to the...

Indian Health Service clinics weren't very encouraging. Do they even exist in seattle/

[GusBob]

6. Hey pal, Ive worked for the IHS now for 5 years

In various areas as a health care specialist . I dont know where you are at but the facilities I have been in are modern, clean, well managed and staffed with hard working dedicated folks.

And after everything we have been thru these past 8 weeks, I take umbrage with your post. Your perception is way off and contributes to stereotypes

Especially seeing as how we are going thru the problem discussed in the OP. A serious assed shortage of PPE.

[Celerity]

17. these look ok

[GusBob]

18. One of them may be my next assignment!

My has been its not the building but the folks therein. This whole COVID thing has reinforced what I have long known: I work with heroes dealing with Nations with very many problems.

Our clinic has really bonded thru this mess

[Celerity]

19. The more I learn about the entire history of the treatment of the native Americans, the more

hateful I become towards the US government. So utterly few actually give a shit either. Out of sight, out of mind, unless they are a fucking mascot for a fucking sports team.

I had best shut myself down here.

[raging moderate]

5. Where should we send the money for these folks?

I can spare a little more money. Maybe if a bunch of us sent some, it would help. But I am 72 and basically a Luddite. I looked through the article, but I don't see a website. Any advice? This evening, I finally found a website to receive money for the Navajo tribe medical needs. At least, I HOPE it was legitimate. I have a little left for these guys.

[GusBob]

7. The Navajo Nation is in dire need in New Mexico

They are the hardest hit and are accepting donations I will see if I can find a link

[GusBob]

9. There are 2 that I found

A go fund me
Navajo and Hopi Families Covid-19 Relief Fund

And a website: Navajo Nation Covid-19 Fund

Speaking from my current experience at a Native Health Care Center, more than money masks, gloves and disinfecting wipes are in short supply

[crickets]

10. What a ghoulish slap in the face. How awful.

On top of it all, Jared the Wonder Jerk has made it almost impossible for any government organization outside of FEMA to get decent supplies without spending millions and resorting to Mission: Impossible tactics to assure delivery. It's just not right. Something has got to give.

eta

Meanwhile, Lucero said, the county did help deliver about 200 COVID-19 test kits through FEMA.

She welcomed those tests because unlike the earlier ones, the health board was permitted to use their own lab to process the tests and communicate the results to patients directly.

I am glad to hear they finally got some tests after all. (Not many.) The relief money is still being held up though. *sigh*

[McKim]

15. Very Evocative of the Small Pox Laden Blankets!

This is very evocative of the small pox laden blankets that were given to Native Americans in the 19th Century!

[Hekate]

11. Just when you think it cannot get worse... nt

[Volaris]

12. As long as trump is president, that IS Covid-19 supplies.

[McKim]

13. Tears of Rage

Tears of rage tonight for this unbelievable insult! Our daughter did her family medicine residency with this wonderful clinic. I can’t say enough about the kindness and feeling of family that our daughter experienced at this fine clinic. It serves Native Americans and many immigrants in the International District in Seattle. I am writing them a letter and giving a donation to take away the sting of this betrayal. I am calling my senators and representatives tomorrow.

[struggle4progress]

14. "It was just a Freudian slip"

[ffr]

16. This is digusting! n/t