Protect Indigenous peoples from COVID-19

Abstract

syndrome-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus that causes COVID-19. In addition to their history of susceptibility to epidemics (6), many of these isolated communities lack medical posts, doctors, and basic medications, to say nothing of the ventilators that would be needed to treat a COVID-19 outbreak. Bolsonaro's administration recently dismissed 8000 Cuban doctors who served small communities in the country's interior (9), which has been especially harmful to Indigenous and traditional communities in the Amazon region. Brazil's government must take action in the Amazon to protect these people. Instead of allowing evangelical missionaries to enter into contact with isolated Indigenous groups (10), all means of transport to these areas should be restricted. The first Indigenous case of the disease was confirmed on 1 April (11). In line with international guidelines (11), Brazil's government should ensure isolation and monitoring in Indigenous areas as well as for all those who have contact with them. The government must act quickly to provide doctors, personal protective equipment, and testing capabilities in these areas. On the national scale, Brazil must maintain a nationwide quarantine to mitigate the disease's impact. Measures favored by Brazil's president, such as "vertical isolation" or a partial breach of isolation (1), conflict with World Health Organization recommendations and scientific studies (3, 12), thereby putting Brazil's entire population at risk. The effectiveness of hydroxychloroquine has not been confirmed, although its risks have been (2). Protecting Indigenous and traditional peoples from COVID-19 by acknowledging their increased risk and acting accordingly will protect public health for all Brazilians

Social distancing and movement constraint as the most likely factors for COVID-19 outbreak control in Brazil

“…The advance of illegal mining is a major threat to these peoples. Furthermore, instead of allowing religious missionaries to get in contact with isolated Indigenous groups, all means of transportation to these areas should be restricted (Ferrante and Fearnside, 2020). Therefore, the thoughtlessness by the federal government about COVID-19 potentially leads to a dramatic scenario for indigenous people.…”

COVID-19 in the Indigenous Population of Brazil

“…Despite the social struggles to minimize the devastation of the forest and reduce the proliferation of infectious diseases [12,13], the current Brazilian political scenario did not create a protective environment and deforestation has increased exponentially [14]. As described by Ferrante and Fearnside (2020), the Indigenous community should be considered as a risk group, especially if considering the impact that other pandemics have had on this population, forcing the governmental actions as to highlight the isolation and protectionism position [15]. However, as described by the authors, the Brazilian authorities are trying to minimize the possibly catastrophic effect of COVID-19 pandemic for the Indigenous group.…”

The effect of lockdown on the COVID-19 epidemic in Brazil: evidence from an interrupted time series design

“…https:// covid.saude.gov.br/, acessado em Jul/2020). While SARS-CoV-2 spread over space and time, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro repeatedly advocated that COVID-19 was not more dangerous than a regular flu 1 and that strict quarantine measures were worse than the disease itself due to its adverse economic net effects 2 .…”