In the midst of a pandemic, people from all over the world has been affected by the potentially deadly Coronavirus. Precautions have been taken everywhere around the world, including school closures, social distancing measures, and shelter-in-place orders. However, one group has been gravely overlooked throughout this; the indigenous groups who live in Brazil's rain forest, also known as the Amazons. This community of people are well known for being completely detached from the rest of human society, which means Coronavirus proves a threat to their kind because of their lack of modern technology and medicine. Currently, a global coalition of artists, celebrities, scientists, and intellectuals are calling for Brazillian leaders to take action against a potential "genocide", as some are calling it. They point out that throughout history, Amazons have been devastated by new diseases brought by other people, and Coronavirus will be no different. If no action is taken to protect these indigenous groups, we may be looking at a genocide capable of wiping out the entire Amazon population.
1. What are some ways Brazilian leaders could protect these tribes from Coronavirus?
2. Why do you think Brazilian leaders have not taken any action about this already?
3. Would you classify this situation as a potential genocide? Why or why not?
Sources:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/may/03/eve-of-genocide-brazil-urged-save-amazon-tribes-covid-19-sebastiao-salgado
https://www.sbs.com.au/news/indigenous-tribe-celebrates-court-decision-to-protect-amazon-rainforest
It is hard to be able to communicate with the people in tribes because there is a language barrier. So a way that Brazilian leaders could protect these tribes is by having no one pass a certain place between them and the tribe area. The corona virus is from outside and is brought in by people so if people stay away from the tribes then there is no possibility for the tribe people to catch the corona virus. Brazilian leaders have not already taken any action because there isn't much they can do about it. The tribe people sometimes think of outsiders as threats and it is hard to communicate with them.
ReplyDeleteSome ways the Brazilian leaders could protect the tribes from Coronavirus is having some kind of social distancing barrier, for example there is no going in or out of tribal territory. They could also give some kind of warning or education about Coronavirus so at least the Amazon's are more aware of what Corona is and can do. I think the leaders haven't taken action is because of the tribe's locations as they are in a large jungle full of wild creatures and maybe the tribes don't take visitor help easily. There could also be larger problems according to the leaders that they have to deal with first.
ReplyDeleteI think a way that the government can help protect the tribe from the virus is to make it so they are completely separated from anything that may have been in contact with it. They can also give more resources to them to help support them if they do become infected or in contact with it. I don't think that the leaders have done anything about the situation because they are so focused on the people living in the big cities and their economy. i do think that they should pay more attention because they are Brazilians and they should also be accounted for even if they don't live in the cities and support the economy.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what everyone above has said. Social distancing suggestions could possibly work and restricting travel into and out of where the tribe lives would help to keep them safe. Around where the Amazons live, maybe the government could also set up medical stations just in case people start to feel sick or want to be tested. The government can try and provide the modern technology that the Amazons might lack. They could also suggest that they make masks for themselves to try and prevent the spread of the virus or the government could try and provide masks to some of them. Also, Brazil still has a low testing rate. So if they increase their testing, they can make laws and suggestions accordingly and they will have a better outlook in general of how bad the pandemic is in their country. This will help everyone in the country including the Amazons.
ReplyDeleteSource: https://brazilian.report/coronavirus-brazil-live-blog/
This is a really interesting perspective of a different danger of the coronavirus pandemic. It is something that thought should be given to, as all of the worry so far has gone to the more populated areas, and how it has affected things like the stock market and sports teams and things like that. You sometimes read about these tribes that have managed to survive and thrive without any contact with the outside world, and it is interesting to think at a time like this what might happen to them. They have survived for so long on their own, I hope that this isn't what brings an end to that, and think that any measures that can be taken to prevent that need to be a priority.
ReplyDeleteBrasilian leaders could try distributing mask to the Amazons and try and educate them in social distancing in any way that they can. I feel that the government isn't putting much attention to this particular group because they are more focused on Brasil as a whole and the rest of the community.
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