In edition No 26 our COVID-19 Alerts
1.Key updates: COVID-19 Information for Indigenous communities.
2 Urgent action needed over Indigenous Woman in jail and COVID-19.
3.NACCHO and the Victorian Government partner in COVID -19 response.
4.Video: NACCHO Deputy CEO Dawn Casey and Dr Jason Agostino talk about NACCHO response to COVID-19.
5.Ripple effect of COVID-19 on Indigenous families and domestic violence.
6.Video: Corona Virus community message from Aboriginal Health Council of South Australia.
7.CAAMA Radio Interview: Congress ACCHO Alice Springs concerned about self- isolation in town camps Dr John Boffa.
8.South Australia Government refuses calls from APY elders to relocate.
9.NLC releases COVID-19 video series in 18 Aboriginal languages
10.Gallery of COVID-19 on social media images to share.
See how NACCHO protects our mob Corona Virus Home Page
Read all 26 NACCHO Aboriginal Health and Coronas Virus Alerts HERE
1.Key updates 1 April : COVID-19 Information for Indigenous communities.
New Restrictions on Public Gatherings are
- The Government has announced new restrictions to public gatherings, to help protect communities from the spread of coronavirus.
- Only two people can be out at public places together. This can be enforced. You could receive a fine if you are in a public place in a group of more than two people.
- These restrictions do not apply to members of the same household. You should limit visitors to your home.
- Everyone should stay at home as much as possible, unless you are shopping for food or essential items, receiving medical care, exercising or travelling to work or education.
- This is especially important for our Elders and people with a chronic illness. All Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged over 50 with a chronic condition should stay at home wherever possible.
- We need to support each other to stay home so make sure you check in with Elders, help pick up and deliver their groceries and medicines.
- We need to work together to inform and encourage everyone we know, and in particularly Elders and people over the age of 50 with a chronic disease, to please stay home. Let’s keep our mob safe.
- Visit Australia.gov.au for the latest advice and links to the rules for each state and territory.
Key messages
- Keep our mob safe, stop the spread.
- Coronavirus is a sickness that can spread from person to person
- It can be dangerous, especially for our Elders or people who are already unwell.
- We can all help stop the spread in our communities.
- Stay at home as much as possible, especially if you are over 50 years old or have a chronic illness.
- Wash your hands for 20 seconds and keep your hands clean.
- Keep your distance from other people to protect our communities.
- If you are feeling unwell you can…
- Call your local medical service, health clinic or someone you trust in the community.
- Call the 24 hour National COVID-19 Helpline on 1800 020 080.
- Find out more information about coronavirus (COVID-19) by visitinghealth.gov.au
2 Urgent action needed over Indigenous Woman in jail and COVID-19.
The number of Indigenous women in custody has been called “one of the most challenging human rights issues facing Australia”.
Key points:
- Research shows a “disturbing overrepresentation” of Indigenous prisoners
- Poverty, family violence, abuse and trauma are often background factors
- A top advocate has called for an approach that tackles social and economic disadvantage
Research out today has shed new light on Indigenous women in the criminal justice system in New South Wales.
It found the number of women in NSW jails between March 2013 and June 2019 had risen by 33 per cent to 946.
Almost a third of women prisoners were Indigenous despite making up less than 3 per cent of the population.
“It causes immense distress and disturbance to family and community life,” Ms Oscar told the ABC.
The research report was commissioned by the Keeping Women Out of Prison Coalition (KWOOP).
It draws on the latest data from the NSW prison census and agencies including Justice Health and the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research.
“There is a disturbing overrepresentation of Indigenous women,” said KWOOP convenor Rosalind Strong.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, June Oscar, said “urgent action” was needed.
3.VACCHO and the Victorian Government partner in COVID -19 response.
Aboriginal peak organisations and leadership is working closely with state, local and Commonwealth Governments to coordinate response plans and ensure we have the necessary resources, equipment, supplies and support for our community.
A State of Emergency has been declared in Victoria due to the serious risk to public health posed by coronavirus (COVID-19).
Facing challenges such as coronavirus (COVID-19) is not new to Aboriginal communities, as we have responded to many different emergencies for many years. However, this will take all of us working together to keep us strong, safe and well.
4.Video: NACCHO Deputy CEO Dawn Casey and Dr Jason Agostino talk about NACCHO response to COVID-19.
Deputy CEO, Dawn Casey and Dr Jason Agostino from NACCHO talk to us about the national response they are leading for First Nations people amidst the coronavirus epidemic.
5.Ripple effect of COVID-19 on Indigenous families and domestic violence.
With Indigenous communities more vulnerable to COVID-19, due to issues like higher levels of chronic illness and overcrowded housing, the government and community sector need to consider its impact on the most vulnerable people within this already at-risk group, says Dr Kyllie Cripps from the Faculty of Law at UNSW.
“We’ve got people in our communities who are already vulnerable in domestic or family violence situations, who are likely to become more so as the social and physical distancing mechanisms are enforced,” says the Pallawa woman and UNSW Scientia Fellow, who researches domestic and family violence in Indigenous communities.
“Our homes should be a safe place, especially in these times, but we know that increased isolation, stress, and lack of community accountability – because everyone is self-isolating – is a dangerous environment for people in domestic and family violence situations. We have to be conscious and alert to that.”
6.Video: Corona Virus community message from Aboriginal Health Council of South Australia.
7.CAAMA Radio Interview: Congress ACCHO Alice Springs concerned about self- isolation in town camps Dr John Boffa.
The peak Central Australian Aboriginal community controlled health agency Congress is keen to hear from Aboriginal people who have recently returned from interstate or overseas and may have gone into self isolation at home.
Congress Chief Medical Officer John Boffa says self isolation is just not possible in a town camp.
8.South Australia Government refuses calls from APY elders to relocate.
“I believe in Aboriginal self-determination and I believe it should be supported,” she told The Drum.
“While I appreciate the risks, I still think community’s wishes should outweigh those concerns and everything should be done to facilitate the evacuation.”
National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation chief executive Pat Turner said while evacuating the elders involved risk, leaving them in the APY Lands would be riskier as “they will be the first to be impacted when the virus arrives, which it will”.
9.NLC releases COVID-19 video series in 18 Aboriginal languages
This is a short film in Pitjanjatjara language from the Northern Territory.
We made this film in language so that people who speak Pitjanjatjara can get some important information about the COVID-19/Coronavirus pandemic. Please share this video with your family and friends
The Northern Land Council has released the first four of 18 videos in Northern Territory Aboriginal languages. The videos provide important information about the Coronavirus pandemic for Aboriginal Territorians.
The videos are in the following Top End and central Australian languages: Anindilyakwa; Alyawarr; Anmatyerr; Western Arrarnta; Westside Kriol; Kunwinjku; Maung; Pintupi; Gurindji; Central Arrernte; Warumungu; Modern Tiwi; Pitjantjatjara; Burarra; Eastside Kriol; Murrinh-Patha; Warlpiri; and Yolngu Matha.
NLC CEO Marion Scrymgour praised the efforts of the Aboriginal Interpreter Service (AIS); “The AIS has provided a fantastic service in helping us to get this information out to our mob.
Their team of highly qualified interpreters has been invaluable in producing these videos”.
Download full press release
NLC media release – video series on Coronavirus
10.Gallery of COVID-19 on social media images to share.
AH&MRC has created an AMS triage door sign to notify community members of the new triage process because of COVID-19.
10.Gallery of COVID-19 on social media images to share.
10.Gallery of COVID-19 on social media images to share.
10.Gallery of COVID-19 on social media images to share.
10.Gallery of COVID-19 on social media images to share.
10.Gallery of COVID-19 on social media images to share.