COVID-19 pandemic in the Navajo Nation
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On March 17, 2020, the
COVID-19 pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic, also known as the coronavirus pandemic, is an ongoing global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The novel virus was first identif ...
was reported to have reached the
Navajo Nation The Navajo Nation ( nv, Naabeehó Bináhásdzo), also known as Navajoland, is a Native American reservation in the United States. It occupies portions of northeastern Arizona, northwestern New Mexico, and southeastern Utah; at roughly , the ...
. The
virus A virus is a submicroscopic infectious agent that replicates only inside the living cells of an organism. Viruses infect all life forms, from animals and plants to microorganisms, including bacteria and archaea. Since Dmitri Ivanovsky's 1 ...
then spread rapidly through the Navajo Nation to the point that the
Navajo The Navajo (; British English: Navaho; nv, Diné or ') are a Native American people of the Southwestern United States. With more than 399,494 enrolled tribal members , the Navajo Nation is the largest federally recognized tribe in the United ...
, in 2020, had a higher
per capita ''Per capita'' is a Latin phrase literally meaning "by heads" or "for each head", and idiomatically used to mean "per person". The term is used in a wide variety of social sciences and statistical research contexts, including government statistic ...
rate of infection than any state of the United States. The population according to the
2010 United States census The United States census of 2010 was the twenty-third United States national census. National Census Day, the reference day used for the census, was April 1, 2010. The census was taken via mail-in citizen self-reporting, with enumerators servin ...
was 173,667. , the number of confirmed cases was 31,571 with 1,893 deaths.Navajo Nation surpasses 1,000 COVID-19 deaths
AP thru ''The Arizona Republic'', January 28, 2021
A June 2020 report concluded that the high rate of COVID-19 infection on the Navajo Nation is influenced by a multitude of underlying issues prevalent on the reservation, such as lack of access to quality healthcare, poverty, and community behavior.


Timeline


2020


February

On February 27, the Navajo Nation COVID-19 Preparedness Team was established to coordinate efforts to raise awareness and arrange preparations for the virus. The team consisted of officials from Navajo and
federal government A federation (also known as a federal state) is a political entity characterized by a union of partially self-governing provinces, states, or other regions under a central federal government (federalism). In a federation, the self-governin ...
agencies. At this time, Michael D. Weahkee, the Assistant Surgeon General and principal deputy director of the
Indian Health Service The Indian Health Service (IHS) is an operating division (OPDIV) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). IHS is responsible for providing direct medical and public health services to members of federally-recognized Nativ ...
(IHS), said that the risk of contracting COVID-19 was "low".


March

In a meeting on March 2 with the
Navajo Nation Council The Navajo Nation Council ( nv, Béésh bąąh dah siʼání) is the legislative branch of the Navajo Nation government. The council meets four times per year, with additional special sessions, at the Navajo Nation Council Chamber, which is in Wi ...
's Naabi'iyati' Committee, the executive director of the Navajo Nation Department of Health Jill Jim said the Navajo Nation was a low-risk area. The Navajo and
Hopi The Hopi are a Native American ethnic group who primarily live on the Hopi Reservation in northeastern Arizona, United States. As of the 2010 census, there are 19,338 Hopi in the country. The Hopi Tribe is a sovereign nation within the Unite ...
Families COVID-19 Relief Fund was established on March 15 by former Navajo Nation
Attorney General In most common law jurisdictions, the attorney general or attorney-general (sometimes abbreviated AG or Atty.-Gen) is the main legal advisor to the government. The plural is attorneys general. In some jurisdictions, attorneys general also have exec ...
Ethel Branch. The Relief Fund provides aid to elders raising their grandchildren, struggling families, single parents, and those with compromised immune systems. This fund would later receive huge attention from
Irish Irish may refer to: Common meanings * Someone or something of, from, or related to: ** Ireland, an island situated off the north-western coast of continental Europe ***Éire, Irish language name for the isle ** Northern Ireland, a constituent unit ...
citizens who raised over 1.8 million dollars on May in remembrance of indigenous solidarity and charity donation given to them during the Great Famine from the
Choctaw Nation The Choctaw Nation ( Choctaw: ''Chahta Okla'') is a Native American territory covering about , occupying portions of southeastern Oklahoma in the United States. The Choctaw Nation is the third-largest federally recognized tribe in the United ...
in 1847. The Navajo Nation is on portions of the
U.S. state In the United States, a state is a constituent political entity, of which there are 50. Bound together in a political union, each state holds governmental jurisdiction over a separate and defined geographic territory where it shares its sover ...
s of northeastern
Arizona Arizona ( ; nv, Hoozdo Hahoodzo ; ood, Alĭ ṣonak ) is a state in the Southwestern United States. It is the 6th largest and the 14th most populous of the 50 states. Its capital and largest city is Phoenix. Arizona is part of the Fou ...
, southeastern
Utah Utah ( , ) is a state in the Mountain West subregion of the Western United States. Utah is a landlocked U.S. state bordered to its east by Colorado, to its northeast by Wyoming, to its north by Idaho, to its south by Arizona, and to it ...
, and northwestern
New Mexico ) , population_demonym = New Mexican ( es, Neomexicano, Neomejicano, Nuevo Mexicano) , seat = Santa Fe , LargestCity = Albuquerque , LargestMetro = Tiguex , OfficialLang = None , Languages = English, Spanish ( New Mexican), Navajo, Ker ...
. Arizona Governor
Doug Ducey Douglas Anthony Ducey (, né Roscoe Jr.; born April 9, 1964) is an American businessman and politician serving as the 23rd governor of Arizona since 2015. A member of the Republican Party, Ducey was previously the CEO of Cold Stone Creamery, a c ...
ordered all schools in the state to close on March 16. The Navajo Gaming Board of Directors temporarily closed all
casino A casino is a facility for certain types of gambling. Casinos are often built near or combined with hotels, resorts, restaurants, retail shopping, cruise ships, and other tourist attractions. Some casinos are also known for hosting live entertai ...
facilities beginning March 17. The
pandemic A pandemic () is an epidemic of an infectious disease that has spread across a large region, for instance multiple continents or worldwide, affecting a substantial number of individuals. A widespread endemic (epidemiology), endemic disease wi ...
reached the Navajo Nation on March 17 after a 46-year old from
Chilchinbito, Arizona Chilchinbito ( nv, ) is a town located on the Navajo Nation, whose lands spans four state boundary lines in the Four Corners region of the United States. The town of Chilchinbito is a census-designated place (CDP) specifically in Navajo County, ...
(Tsii'chin Bii' Tó) tested positive for COVID-19. In response, the Navajo Health Command Operations center issued a public health emergency order to "shelter-in-place" in Chilchinbito beginning March 19. Many of the early cases were later linked to the Chilchinbeto
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Zone Rally held on March 7. On March 18,
Coconino County, Arizona Coconino County is a County (United States), county in the north-central part of the U.S. state of Arizona. Its population was 145,101 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census. The county seat is Flagstaff, Arizona, Flagstaff. The count ...
declared a
state of emergency A state of emergency is a situation in which a government is empowered to be able to put through policies that it would normally not be permitted to do, for the safety and protection of its citizens. A government can declare such a state du ...
, and
Navajo County, Arizona Navajo County is in the northern part of the U.S. state of Arizona. As of the 2020 census, its population was 106,717. The county seat is Holbrook. Navajo County comprises the Show Low, Arizona Micropolitan Statistical Area. Navajo County co ...
Sheriff David Clouse suspended jail visitation. On March 20, President
Jonathan Nez Jonathan Nez (born May 26, 1975) is the 9th and current President of the Navajo Nation. He was elected in the 2018 election after having served as Vice President from 2015 to 2019. Earlier in his career, Jonathan Nez served as a council delegat ...
issued a
stay-at-home order A stay-at-home order, safer-at-home order, movement control order (more common in Southeast Asia), or lockdown restrictions (in the United Kingdom) – also referred to by loose use of the terms (self-) quarantine, (self-) isolation, or lockdow ...
for the entire Navajo Nation after 14 cases of the coronavirus were confirmed, with an 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.
curfew A curfew is a government order specifying a time during which certain regulations apply. Typically, curfews order all people affected by them to ''not'' be in public places or on roads within a certain time frame, typically in the evening and ...
enforced. Those found in violation of curfew may face up to 30 days in prison and/or a fine of up to $1,000. Effective on March 20, all visitation and in-person volunteer activities were suspended at the Coconino County Detention Facility. Governor Ducey ordered all gyms, theaters, and bars to close and restaurants to operate with take-out and drive-thru only in counties with confirmed COVID-19 cases, affecting Coconino County. He also activated the
Arizona National Guard The Arizona National Guard is the National Guard of the American state of Arizona. It consists of the Arizona Army National Guard and the Arizona Air National Guard. Both components are part of the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military ...
to provide emergency assistance. On March 23,
Diné College Diné College is a public tribal land-grant college in Tsaile, Arizona, serving the Navajo Nation. It offers associate degrees, bachelor's degrees, and academic certificates. Campus The main campus of Diné College is in Tsaile, a census-desi ...
switched to only offering courses online. Governor Ducey imposed a stay-at-home order for all non-essential activity effective March 31 at 5:00pm. Schools were also closed for the remainder of the 2019–2020 school year.


April

April 4, effective at 5:00pm, Governor Ducey ordered all barber shops, salons, tattoo shops, and massage parlors to close.
Coconino National Forest The Coconino National Forest is a 1.856-million acre (751,000 ha) United States National Forest located in northern Arizona in the vicinity of Flagstaff. Originally established in 1898 as the "San Francisco Mountains National Forest Reserve", th ...
started enforcing closed high-traffic hiking trails and recreational sites by issuing citations.
Navajo Nation Police The Navajo Nation Police (formerly known as the Navajo Tribal Police) is the law enforcement agency on the Navajo Nation in the Southwestern United States. It is under the Navajo Division of Public Safety. It is headed by a Chief of Police, si ...
also began issuing fines and citations to those violating the imposed curfew. On April 7, a man in
Page, Arizona Page is a city in Coconino County, Arizona, United States, near the Glen Canyon Dam and Lake Powell. As of the 2010 census, the population of the city was 7,247. History Unlike other cities in the area, Page was founded in 1957 as a housing com ...
was arrested on a
felony A felony is traditionally considered a crime of high seriousness, whereas a misdemeanor is regarded as less serious. The term "felony" originated from English common law (from the French medieval word "félonie") to describe an offense that resu ...
charge on suspicion of attempting to incite an act of terrorism for claiming on a
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post that Navajo peoples were all infected with COVID-19 and called for the use of "lethal force" against Navajo to stop the virus from spreading. Beginning April 10, a 57-hour weekend
curfew A curfew is a government order specifying a time during which certain regulations apply. Typically, curfews order all people affected by them to ''not'' be in public places or on roads within a certain time frame, typically in the evening and ...
was declared. The Health Command Center was tasked to declare subsequent weekend curfews. At that point, there were 698 confirmed cases of coronavirus, including 24 deaths, among members of the Navajo Nation living in New Mexico, Arizona and Utah. On April 15, the Navajo Police Department announced that nine of their police officers were confirmed positive for COVID-19. By April 18, there were 1,197 cases. On April 19, the Navajo Department of Health issued an emergency public health order mandating the use of protective masks outside the home, in addition to existing orders for sheltering in place and nightly and weekend curfews. By April 20, the Navajo Nation had the third-highest infection rate in the United States, after
New York New York most commonly refers to: * New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York * New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States New York may also refer to: Film and television * '' ...
and
New Jersey New Jersey is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York; on the east, southeast, and south by the Atlantic Ocean; on the west by the Delaware ...
. On April 25, the Nation announced that it was joining 10 other tribes in a lawsuit against the
U.S. Secretary of the Treasury The United States secretary of the treasury is the head of the United States Department of the Treasury, and is the chief financial officer of the federal government of the United States. The secretary of the treasury serves as the principal a ...
, over what the plaintiffs said was an unfair allocation of money to the tribes under the
Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, also known as the CARES Act, is a $2.2trillion Stimulus (economics), economic stimulus bill passed by the 116th U.S. Congress and signed into law by President Donald Trump on March 27, 2 ...
(CARES Act). On May 5, $600 million of aid money was delivered to the Navajo Nation, a month after the legislation was signed into law.


May

On May 14, there were 3,632 confirmed cases and 127 COVID-19 related deaths across the Navajo nation. As of May 18, the Navajo Nation surpassed
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as the most affected U.S. region
per capita ''Per capita'' is a Latin phrase literally meaning "by heads" or "for each head", and idiomatically used to mean "per person". The term is used in a wide variety of social sciences and statistical research contexts, including government statistic ...
, with 4,071 positive
COVID-19 Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by a virus, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The first known case was COVID-19 pandemic in Hubei, identified in Wuhan, China, in December ...
tests and 142 fatalities recorded. By the end of
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weekend, Navajo police had issued nearly 1,000 curfew citations. During the pandemic Zachary Fuentes, the former Assistant to the President and Deputy Chief of Staff in the administration of
U.S. President The president of the United States (POTUS) is the head of state and head of government of the United States of America. The president directs the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States ...
Donald Trump Donald John Trump (born June 14, 1946) is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021. Trump graduated from the Wharton School of the University of Pe ...
, created the company Zach Fuentes LLC and received a $3 million contract from the
Indian Health Service The Indian Health Service (IHS) is an operating division (OPDIV) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). IHS is responsible for providing direct medical and public health services to members of federally-recognized Nativ ...
to provide protective face masks to hospitals on the Navajo Nation, 11 days after creating the company. Over 25% of the masks were reported to be unsuitable for medical use, and another 15% were of a type that was not requested.
US House of Representatives The United States House of Representatives, often referred to as the House of Representatives, the U.S. House, or simply the House, is the lower chamber of the United States Congress, with the Senate being the upper chamber. Together they c ...
members
Gerry Connolly Gerald Edward Connolly (born March 30, 1950) is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for Virginia's 11th congressional district, first elected in 2008. The district is anchored in Fairfax County, an affluent suburban coun ...
and
Ruben Gallego Rubén Marinelarena Gallego (; born November 20, 1979) is an American politician and U.S. Marine combat veteran, having served and deployed as a USMCR Corporal during Operation Iraqi Freedom, who is the U.S. Representative for Arizona's 7th con ...
called for an investigation of the contract, and principal deputy inspector general Christi Grimm of the Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said that the office would contact Connolly for more information on the matter.


June

On June 1, the Navajo Nation reported a total of 5,479 cases and 248 deaths related to COVID-19. By June 11, the Navajo Nation had the largest per capita infection rate in the United States, surpassing any individual state in the union. On June 18, the Navajo County jail in
Holbrook, Arizona Holbrook ( nv, Tʼiisyaakin) is a city in Navajo County, Arizona, United States. According to the 2010 census, the population of the city was 5,053. The city is the county seat of Navajo County. Holbrook was founded in 1881 or 1882, when the r ...
reported 3 infected inmates with the disease.


July

On July 19, 8,593 COVID-19 positive cases and 422 deaths related to COVID-19 were recorded. Approximately 6,360 individuals have recovered from COVID-19. On July 22, the sixth executive order to extend the "declaration of a state emergency due to the COVID-19 virus on the Navajo Nation" was issued, extending the dates from July 27, 2020, to August 16, 2020. For the duration of the extended date, government offices and related entities remained closed on the Navajo Nation.


August

On August 13, the Navajo Department of Health established a Navajo Nation reopening plan, in efforts to guide businesses towards reopening, and transition back to greater and gradual business activity. At the time of this order (August 13, 2020), the Navajo Nation was declared "Orange Status" - with the order noting "25% of maximum occupancy allowed for most businesses" and other restrictions/compliances for various businesses. On August 14, 9,394 positive COVID-19 cases and 478 deaths were recorded, with nearly 7,000 recoveries.


September

On September 22, the Navajo Department of health re-issued a Stay at Home order, extending the March 20 Stay at home order issued by President Jonathan Nez. In addition, a 57-hour weekend lockdown was issued from September 25, 2020, to September 28, 2020. Intent of this order is stated to "restrict the movement of individuals on the Nation".


October

As of October 13, 10,728 positive COVID-19 cases and 571 deaths related to COVID-19 were recorded, with 7,343 recoveries. 112,648 tests have also been administered to the population of the Navajo Nation, which is over 50% of the total population.


November

On November 13, the Navajo Department of Health re-issued a public health order to Stay at Home (Shelter in Place) for three consecutive weeks, from November 16, 2020, to December 6, 2020. This is in part due to an increase of positive COVID-19 cases, and uncontrolled spread in 34 communities across the Navajo Nation. For the duration of this public health order, the Navajo Nation's roads are declared to be closed from Visitors and Tourists. As of November 20, 14,441 positive COVID-19 cases, 623 deaths related to COVID-19, and 8,045 recoveries have been recorded.


= December

= As of December 7, 17,915 positive COVID-19 cases, 667 deaths related to COVID-19 have been recorded. On Dec 7, the Navajo Nation's lockdown was also extended another 3-weeks in response to ICUs nearing capacity. As of December 12, 19,420 positive COVID-19 cases, 719 deaths related to COVID-19, and 10,359 COVID-19 related recoveries had been made. On December 14, the Navajo Nation received their first doses of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine.


2021


January

The second wave of COVID-19 brought roughly twice as many daily new cases as the first wave. From mid-November until mid-January, the seven-day average of new cases was greater than the peak of the first wave in May. On January 25, the Navajo Department of Health identified 53 communities with having an "uncontrolled spread of COVID-19 from Jan 8, 2021 - Jan 21, 2021". Several provisions took into effect as a result, such as extending Stay-At-Home orders, daily curfews, essential business operational hours, and restrictions against gatherings with individuals from outside one's household. On January 28, the total number of COVID-19 deaths passed 1,000.


= February

= As of February 22, 29,551 positive COVID-19 cases, 1,145 deaths related to COVID-19, and nearly 16,000 recoveries have been recorded. Over 242,000 COVID-19 tests had been administered. Article also reports that the Navajo Department of Health identified 21 communities with uncontrolled spread of COVID-19 from Feb. 5–18.


= March

= On March 11, the Navajo Nation stated that they are easing COVID-19 restrictions, as numbers drop – lowering from "red status" to "orange status". These health orders go into effect on March 15, 2021. On March 12, the American Rescue Plan was signed into law, giving Native American Tribes $31 billion for total spending. The Navajo Nation proposed a distribution formula for spending the money, dividing 40-percent based on population, 20-percent based on land base, 20-percent based on number of employees, and 20-percent based on COVID-19 impacts. As of March 22, roughly 191,000 COVID-19 vaccines have been administered, fully vaccinating 76,571 people. No new COVID-19 positive cases and no recent deaths have been reported for the first time in over six months; however, the 7-day average remained at 9 cases a day. During this time, precautions were still in place – wearing masks and physical distancing.


= April

= By April 1, the Navajo Nation had fully vaccinated over half the population (88,891 of about 174,000). New cases and deaths were still occurring and the lockdown and curfew were still in place. Vaccines were available for all residents over age 16. On April 18, one week had passed with no new deaths.


=August

= By August 4, the Navajo Department of Health had administered 252,276 doses of vaccine, with 121,045 people fully vaccinated. The seven day average of cases had risen tenfold, from a low of 4.2 cases per day on June 29 to 43 cases per day on August 5. The daily curfew was lifted on August 6, but masks were still mandated and safely sheltering at home was still recommended. As of August 25, there was a confirmed total of 32,372 cases and 1,399 deaths. Approximately 30,608 Navajo peoples were reported to have recovered from COVID-19.


= September

= As of September 30, there was a confirmed total of 33,995 cases and 1,447 deaths. Approximately 32,155 Navajo peoples were reported to have recovered from COVID-19.


= October

= As of October 31, there was a confirmed total of 36,817 cases and 1,487 deaths. Approximately 34,588 Navajo peoples were reported to have recovered from COVID-19.


= November

= As of November 30, there was a confirmed total of 39,477 cases and 1,542 deaths. Approximately 37,465 Navajo peoples were reported to have recovered from COVID-19.


= December

= As of December 30, there was a confirmed total of 41,399 cases and 1,588 deaths. Approximately 39,349 Navajo peoples were reported to have recovered from COVID-19.


2022


January

As of January 31, there was a confirmed total of 49,766 cases and 1,616 deaths. Approximately 46,290 Navajo peoples were reported to have recovered from COVID-19.


February

As of February 28, there was a confirmed total of 52,431 cases and 1,648 deaths. Approximately 50,502 Navajo peoples were reported to have recovered from COVID-19.


March

As of March 31, there was a confirmed total of 53,046 cases and 1,732 deaths. Approximately 51,226 Navajo peoples were reported to have recovered from COVID-19.


April

As of April 29, there was a confirmed total of 53,427 cases and 1,763 deaths. Approximately 51,540 Navajo peoples were reported to have recovered from COVID-19.


May

As of May 31, there was a confirmed total of 54,226 cases and 1,788 deaths. Approximately 52,171 Navajo peoples were reported to have recovered from COVID-19.


June

As of June 30, there was a confirmed total of 57,248 cases and 1,811 deaths.


July

As of July 29, there was a confirmed total of 60,858 cases and 1,860 deaths.


August

As of August 30, there was a confirmed total of 71,746 cases and 1,884 deaths.


September

As of September 30, there was a confirmed total of 74,438 cases and 1,911 deaths.


October

As of October 27, there was a confirmed total of 75,873 cases and 1,932 deaths.


November

As of November 17, there was a confirmed total of 77,912 cases and 1,952 deaths.


December

As of December 9, there have been a confirmed total of 79,516 cases, and a total of 1,968 deaths. There was a 355 case and 8 death increase from the week prior. Up to 70.5% of the population has completed the primary series of vaccination and only 17.4% are up to date.Navajo Nation COVID Dashboard
Navajo Department of Health, accessed Aug 7, 2021


Impact


Vaccination Efforts

The Navajo Nation Community Health Representatives program has worked toward mitigating COVID-19 effects through educating the Navajo people about the virus. They have further supported vaccination efforts by providing trusted care services, which are culturally catered to the Navajo people. Through the collaboration of the Navajo Nation Department of Health, Navajo Area Indian Health Service (IHS), and state public departments, the number of fully vaccinated Navajo people increased significantly. In 2022, the IHS reported that vaccination roll out for Navajo children ages 5 to 11 led to the vaccination of more than half of Navajo children in this age group.


Government Action

In March of 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act was passed by Congress. The CARES Act allocated $714 million to the Navajo Nation. There were delays in the distribution of the funds to the Navajo Nation and restrictions were imposed on how the money could be used. A time limitation was set on the funds, where the Navajo people had to spend the funds by December 30, 2020. As of October 20, 2020, Navajo Nation advocates expressed that the funds had yet to reach the communities that would most benefit from it.


Business

On March 29, 2020, the Navajo Health Command Operations Center established business guidelines upholding safe and preventative COVID-19 measures. The Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise stated that its properties will remain closed through June 7, 2020. The closure of casinos was later extended through July 5, 2020. On April 26, 2021, The Navajo Health Command Operations Center shared reopening guidelines for tour businesses. From the CARES Act fund, the Navajo Nation Council distributed $60,000,000 to its Division of Economic Develop (DED). Two grant programs, the Navajo Business Economic Relief Grant and the Navajo Artisans Economic Relief Grant, were created to financially relieve struggling Navajo small business and artisans. The DED distributed about $17,500,000 through 3,144 artisan grants and $11,000,000 through 1,192 business grants.


Voting

San Juan County, New Mexico San Juan County is located in the U.S. state of New Mexico. As of the 2020 census, the population was 121,661 making it the fifth-most populous county in New Mexico. Its county seat is Aztec. The county was created in 1887. San Juan County ...
, reduced the number of voting convenience centers from 32 to 9, and translators will only be available at four locations. While absentee voter turnout on the June 4, 2020, primary increased compared to 2016, not all Navajo voters had access to home mail delivery and
absentee ballot An absentee ballot is a vote cast by someone who is unable or unwilling to attend the official polling station to which the voter is normally allocated. Methods include voting at a different location, postal voting, proxy voting and online votin ...
instructions were not offered in Navajo translations. In 2022, the Navajo Nation Department of Health advised voters to wear masks, wash hands, maintain 6 feet of physical distance, have up-to-date vaccinations, and to stay home if they were experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. Accommodations, such as curbside voting, early vote by mail, and ballot drop off options were made for voters with disabilities or voters experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.


Funeral Services

The Navajo Division of Social Services COVID-19 Burial Assistance aided Navajo families whose loved ones passed from COVID-19. The Navajo Department of Health put safety guidelines in place for funeral services. A limit of 5 people were allowed to be present during a funeral service and face masks were required.


See also

*
COVID-19 pandemic in Arizona The COVID-19 pandemic was confirmed to have reached the U.S. state of Arizona in January 2020. As of June 3, 2021 Arizona public health authorities reported 322 new cases of COVID-19 and five deaths, bringing the cumulative totals since the st ...
*
COVID-19 pandemic in New Mexico The COVID-19 pandemic was confirmed to have reached the U.S. state of New Mexico on March 11, 2020. On December 23, 2020, the New Mexico Department of Health reported 1,174 new COVID-19 cases and 40 deaths, bringing the cumulative statewide to ...
*
COVID-19 pandemic in Utah The COVID-19 pandemic began in the U.S. state of Utah in early March 2020 with travel-related cases. Residents stockpiled goods, large conferences were made remote-only, postponed, or cancelled; a state of emergency was declared, and some public ...
*
Navajo Nation The Navajo Nation ( nv, Naabeehó Bináhásdzo), also known as Navajoland, is a Native American reservation in the United States. It occupies portions of northeastern Arizona, northwestern New Mexico, and southeastern Utah; at roughly , the ...


References


Further reading

* {{Portal bar, COVID-19, Medicine, United States, Viruses
Navajo Nation The Navajo Nation ( nv, Naabeehó Bináhásdzo), also known as Navajoland, is a Native American reservation in the United States. It occupies portions of northeastern Arizona, northwestern New Mexico, and southeastern Utah; at roughly , the ...
Navajo Nation Navajo history Native American health