CENSUS & COVID-19
The Census data has been crucial in informing policymakers on the COVID-19 impact on employment, education, childcare, health, food and housing security. Completing the 2020 Censue will help Urban Indian Health Organizations, Tribes, and advocacy organizations ability to understand needs after the pandemic.
Furthermore the 2020 Census will impact our health care systems. Taking the Census helps to ensure that resources are allocated correctly to maintain healthy communities for the next 10 years. It also improves our government’s ability to respond effectively to your community’s needs in the event of a crisis like COVID-19.
WHAT IS COVID-19?
A novel coronavirus is a new coronavirus that has not been previously identified. The virus causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), is not the same as the coronaviruses that commonly circulate among humans and cause mild illness, like the common cold.
PROTECTING AGAINST
COVID-19
The virus causing COVID-19 can be spread from person-to-person through Close contact with someone who has the virus, which includes:
Washing your hands often and
thoroughly with soap and water
(For 20 seconds at least!)
&
Covering your mouth with your elbow or a tissue if you cough or sneeze – throw the tissue away and wash your hands immediately.
OTHER
PRECAUTIONS
Staying home if you are unwell.
Avoiding close contact with people who have a fever or cough.
Avoiding touching your face.
Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces.
Minimizing physical contact with other people, including sexual contact with casual partners.
Keeping a distance of 6 feet between you and other people whenever possible.
Avoiding large public gatherings.
If you have a fever, cough or other symptoms, seek medical advice early. If you think you could have contracted COVID-19, you should call ahead before visiting a doctor. If you have serious symptoms such as difficulty breathing, call 911 for urgent medical help.
SYMPTOMS OF
COVID-19
Some people can go on to develop serious effects such as pneumonia. People with COVID-19 most commonly experience:
Fever.
Shortness of breath.
Flu-like symptoms, including
coughing, sore throat and fatigue.
WHAT YOU
SHOULD KNOW
The virus will affect individuals differently. Most people who come in contact with the virus will experience a mild illness but can still spread the virus to others.
What is the risk of COVID-19 to American
Indian and AlaskaNative Communities?
The Coronavirus Disease 2019, referred to as COVID-19 has a higher fatality rate among people who live with diabetes, heart disease and lung disease. American Indians and Alaska Natives have a greater chance of having diabetes than any other US racial group. This means that American Indians and Alaska Native may be at greater risk for experiencing severe symptoms of COVID-19.
GROUPS AT HIGHER RISK OF BEING SEVERELY AFFECTED BY COVID-19
People with weakened immune systems (e.g. people on immune suppressing medications or receiving cancer treatments)
Older people – the risk being much greater for people aged over 65 years (55+ as a person of color)
Anyone with chronic medical conditions
(e.g. heart disease, diabetes, and asthma)
LOWER RISK
INDIVIDUALS & ‘CARRIERS’
Just because you do not show signs of infection does not mean that you are not carrying COVID-19. Being young or having a healthy immune system does not mean you cannot contract COVID-19 or spread it.
You can still contract and transmit the virus to others who are more at risk, such as elders, the sick, or the very young.
MASKS AND COVID-19
The use of surgical masks is only recommended if you already have the virus to reduce spreading it to others, or if you are caring for someone who has COVID-19. If you are well, you do not need to wear a surgical mask. Reducing physical contact is more important.
WILL MY MASK KEEP ME SAFE?
HOMEMADE CLOTH MASKS
Can help prevent you from infecting others, and slow the spread of COVID-19.
May not be a reliable way to prevent someone from getting coronavirus.
N95 FACE MASKS
N95 Masks are effective against 95% of known viruses. N95 masks are in short supply for our healthcare workers on the front lines. Please be aware of the needs of our first responders and to limit your need for N95 masks by staying home.
I live with my children and grandchildren. What can I do to reduce the risk of getting sick when caring for my grandchildren?
In a situation where there is no choice — such as if the grandparent lives with the grandchildren — then the family should do everything they can to try to limit the risk of COVID-19.
The grandchildren should be isolated as much as possible, as should the parents, so that the overall family risk is as low as possible. Everyone should wash their hands very frequently throughout the day, and surfaces should be wiped clean frequently. Physical contact should be limited to the absolutely necessary; as wonderful as it can be to snuggle with Grandma or Grandpa, now is not the time.
SCHOOL CLOSURES AND MEAL ASSISTANCE FOR YOUR CHILDREN
COVID-19 shelter-in-place orders have resulted in the closure of schools across California. For many students, school is where they are able to reliably receive one or even two regular meals a day, and home schooling is increasing the amount of money families may have to spend per week on groceries. Fortunately, many schools are still offering 1-2 meals daily with curb side distribution, in keeping with social distancing guidelines.
What are the risks of COVID-19 for people living with HIV/AIDS?
Currently, there is no information about the risk of COVID-19 in those with HIV. How quickly the Coronavirus progresses, varies with age, overall health, and how quickly you are diagnosed. Evidence suggests that those with an underlying medical condition (ie. HIV), including those who are immuno-compromised, may be at higher risk for severe illness. For individuals with HIV, this means individuals who have a low CD4 cell count and those with HIV who are not receiving treatment (antiretroviral therapy or ART).
What are the risks of COVID-19 for people living with Hepatitis-C (HCV)?
At this stage there is no evidence to suggest people living with Hepatitis C, to be at greater risk of infection with COVID-19. However, current information suggests some people living Hepatitis C who also have other conditions such as hypertension, HIV (coinfection), cardiovascular disease and diabetes will likely have an increased risk of serious illness if they get COVID-19.
People who have developed advanced liver diseases (including cirrhosis) and deteriorating health as a result of Hepatitis C should be careful in protecting themselves from contracting COVID-19 as they are at risk of more serious illness. This includes people who have ongoing health conditions as a result of a previous Hepatitis C infection which has been cured.
How can we take care of ourselves and our families while we quarantine?
EXPERIENCING STRESS, ANXIETY, OR FEAR OVER COVID-19 IS VALID.
The outbreak of COVID-19 has been very stressful, destabilizing, and even overwhelming for a lot of our community members and for ourselves. Symptoms of stress and anxiety can manifest in a variety of ways in children, teens, and adults.
SIGNS OF STRESS
IN ADULTS
Fear and worry about your own health and the health of your loved ones.
Changes in sleep or eating patterns.
Difficulty sleeping or concentrating on work, school or your home life.
Spending most of your day looking at and listening to the news and social media.
Panic attacks: sweating, feeling shaky, heart beating fast, a sudden overwhelming feeling of fright.
Worsening of chronic health problems such as higher blood sugar, etc.
Excessive worry that starts interrupting your daily routine.
Increased use of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs.
SIGNS OF STRESS IN
CHILDREN & TEENS
Excessive crying or irritation in younger children
Returning to behaviors they have outgrown (for example, toilet accidents or bedwetting)
Excessive worry or sadness
Unhealthy eating or sleeping habits
Irritability and “acting out” behaviors in teens
Poor school performance or avoiding doing school work
Difficulty with attention and concentration
Avoidance of activities that they usually enjoy
Unexplained headaches or body pain such as sore stomachs
Use of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs
MANAGING YOUR WELLNESS
PHYSICALLY
Go outside! It is very important that we go outside for walks, hikes, sit on your balcony, play in our yards and letting our children play.
Rest! Take the time to unwind and give your body that rest that it needs.
Take care of your body. Practice deep breathing, exercise, dance or learn a dance style that you’ve always wanted to try, stretch, yoga and explore other physical activities.
MANAGING YOUR WELLNESS
MENTALLY
Avoid misinformation. Seek out credible information put out by official government agencies such as the CDC, state and your local cities/towns.
Take breaks from the news and social media. It is easy to unknowingly overwhelm ourselves with a constant stream of negative information.
Setting structure and routine for yourself and for your children is essential, but try not to be too rigid or perfectionist.
Reach out to your wellness/behavioral health supports such as counselors, therapists and traditional knowledge healers & keepers.
MANAGING YOUR WELLNESS
SPIRITUALLY
Use our medicines daily: boil cedar, burning sage and sweetgrass, etc.
Use our medicines daily: boil cedar, burning sage and sweetgrass, etc.
Prayers to the creator and our ancestors
Using this time to bead, make regalia, make jewelry, sew ribbon skirts, sing, make traditional instruments, grow food/medicines and get out onto the land (with social distancing in mind!)
If these are things that you don’t know how to do then this is a great opportunity to learn! Ask relatives or look online, there are a lot of people offering free lessons on sites such as YouTube and Facebook.
MANAGING YOUR WELLNESS
EMOTIONALLY
Check in on our elders and relatives who are more at risk for COVID-19. Now is a great time to catch up with relatives. Call those aunties, uncles, cousins, grandmas and grandpas!
Give your children the space to talk about their concerns about COVID-19 and share facts that they will understand. Let them know that it is okay to feel upset and be a role model for how you take care of yourself when you are feeling worried and upset.
Read daily positive affirmations and practice daily gratitude. Create a gratitude journal that you list daily 5 things that you are grateful for.
WATCH:
COVID-19: IDENTIFYING THE SIGNS
OF STRESS & ANXIETY
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
CalFresh Food Benefits during COVID-19
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON COVID-19, VISIT THESE TRUSTED RESOURCES
CDC
CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL
WHO
WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION
IHS
INDIAN HEALTH SERVICES
Information on this page last updated:
April 22nd, 2020