The current COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in unprecedented upheavals in economic conditions in the U.S. and around the globe. Indian country is uniquely vulnerable, both to the disease itself and to the public health measures required to contain its spread. Tribal populations have higher rates of obesity, heart disease, diabetes and other health conditions that are known to increase the risk for more severe cases of COVID-19 and even death. Most tribes are located in rural areas and served by healthcare systems that are ill equipped to handle massive case surges and more complex treatment requirements. The combination of such risk factors has been shown to intensify the crisis for some tribes, most notably the Navajo Nation. The odds are strong that similar problems will develop across more of Indian country as the disease progresses. In the face of the public health crisis, tribal leaders, like leaders at all levels, have focused their efforts primarily on mitigation of the spread of the virus. Every Indian casino in the country has closed for extended periods. Along with casino closings, closures of other tourist attractions and cancellation or postponement of events have decimated the tribal tourism industry, one of the key economic drivers for tribal economies and sources of funding for tribal governments. Other key funding sources have also been hit, including mining and extraction industries and agriculture. While government funding has remained in place and is being supplemented by specific funding from the CARES act, the magnitude of the deficits being created at federal and state levels causes real concern for future funding levels. In anticipation of the point in time when the health crisis will have passed but with little certainty of when that will occur, tribes are already formulating plans and taking steps to mitigate and recover from the economic devastation caused by the pandemic and steps to fight it. The first Indian casino reopened on May 1 st , with others gradually following suit or preparing to do so in the near future. Tribal leaders are leveraging sources of public and private funding to provide for the needs of their people hit by loss of employment and income, as well as by medical conditions directly or indirectly related to the crisis. As in private industry, tribal industries are revamping their operations and attempting to control their costs to allow for the fastest and most complete recovery possible as public health directives permit. One of the greatest challenges for tribal leaders in dealing with the current crisis and planning for future physical and economic recovery is the lack of clear, consistent and timely information and analysis. There is no statistic, not cases, deaths, tests, death rates, recovery rates, demographic profiles, GDP declines, unemployment rates, or any projections of future levels thereof, that provides the level of clarity and consistency needed. The numbers change daily and are often contradictory, alternately lending support to or undermining otherwise credible, plausible and well-meaning projections and recommendations.
∴ INTRODUCTION
2
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs