New Mexico Town Hall: More than one-third of coronavirus cases are Native Americans

The New Mexico's Tribal Communities Town Hall highlighted the needs of health care, and the economic losses for Pueblos, as the coronavirus spreads through communities.

Broadcasting from the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, host Conroy Chino, Acoma Pueblo, said Native American cases of coronavirus make up 37 percent of the coronavirus cases in New Mexico, even though Native people total only 10 percent of the population. Most of the cases are in the northwest corner of the state.

Navajo President Jonathan Nez said the health care system across the country needs to be improved. Thanking the doctors, nurses and first responders, President Nez said this crisis has highlighted the underfunding of Indian Health Service.

"This is a public health emergency," President Nez said.

Chino said his son is a surgeon working triage at Tuba City Indian Medical Center.

The closure of casinos has resulted in enormous economic losses for Native people and the state of New Mexico.

https://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2020/04/new-mexico-town-hall-more-than-one.html