Navajo (Diné) Nation COVID-19 Legacy Program

Thundermaker Cultural Recovery is actively fundraising to provide essential supplies in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly for the Navajo reservation, which had the third highest number of COVID-19 cases in the United States in 2020. The organization initiated its first phase of gathering supplies and donations at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and has continued this effort, recognizing that the need persists even as many believe the pandemic is over.

COVID-19 continues to spread, with new variants emerging. Such as, the XEC variant, a highly transmissible subvariant of Omicron, has become the dominant strain in the U.S. and other parts of the world. This means that the virus is still actively circulating and can infect people especially in Native communities where there is a lack of health care, infrastructure, resources, and supplies.

COVID-19 can cause severe illness, especially in vulnerable populations such as Native communities, and remains a continous threat to the health and wellbeing of elders, children, immunocompromised individuals, and those with underlying health conditions. Even for healthy individuals, the risk of long-term complications, known as "long COVID," remains a concern for many tribal members. Here are some facts that need to be taken into consideration to further combat the COVID-19 virus and make the world a safer and healthier place for everyone:

1. Ongoing Transmission: COVID-19 continues to spread, with new variants emerging. For example, the XEC variant, a highly transmissible subvariant of Omicron, has become the dominant strain in the U.S. and other parts of the world. This means that the virus is still actively circulating and can infect people.

2. Health Risks: COVID-19 can cause severe illness, especially in vulnerable populations such as Native Nations, the elderly, immunocompromised individuals, and those with underlying health conditions. Even for healthy individuals, the risk of long-term complications, known as "long COVID," remains a concern.

3. Silent Surges: Experts warn of "silent" COVID surges, where the virus spreads without being immediately detected due to mild or asymptomatic cases. This can lead to sudden increases in cases and strain on healthcare systems.

4. Quad-demic: The simultaneous circulation of COVID-19, flu, RSV, and norovirus has been referred to as a "quad-demic". This combination of viruses can overwhelm healthcare facilities and increase the risk of co-infections, making it more challenging to manage and treat patients.

5. Vaccination and Prevention: Staying vigilant about COVID-19 helps ensure that people continue to get vaccinated and follow preventive measures. Vaccination remains a crucial tool in reducing the severity of illness and preventing hospitalizations.

6. Silent Surges: Experts warn of "silent" COVID surges, where the virus spreads without being immediately detected due to mild or asymptomatic cases. This can lead to sudden increases in cases and strain on healthcare systems.

This is an ongoing program, and an ongoing effort. For further information visit: