According to a statement from its president, the Navajo Nation will continue its mask mandate, even as surrounding states begin to lift restrictions.
The large reservation, which is located in three different states, has witnessed a decline in cases in recent weeks.
“The State of New Mexico lifted its indoor mask requirement, but this does not apply to the Navajo Nation. Keep wearing your masks in public and get fully vaccinated for COVID-19,” President Jonathan Nez said in a statement posted to Twitter. “Our frontline warriors are fighting this invisible monster every day in our healthcare facilities.”
“We must do everything we can to fight for them by taking precautions that reduce the spread of COVID-19. Please take extra precautions in public and keep pushing back together on this virus.”
83 new cases, 49,686 recoveries, and two deaths related to COVID-19, Navajo Nation’s mask mandate remains in effect pic.twitter.com/kG46HEBgBL
— Jonathan Nez (@NezForAZ) February 18, 2022
Most recently, leaders announced 11 new cases and two deaths related to the coronavirus vaccine. Throughout the pandemic, 1,636 members of the community have lost their lives, and there have been 49,818 cases total.
In Arizona, the leaders never imposed a statewide mask mandate, though many local governments imposed the restriction. Like the Navajo Nation, cases have been steadily dropping. According to the Mayo Clinic, the average positivity rate has dropped roughly 18 points in the last month.
Even Democratic leaders in states like New Mexico have ended their masking guidelines in response to the low cases total.
“We are getting through this pandemic one day at a time through the strength and prayers of our elders and many others. We are very grateful for our frontline workers who are fighting hard for all of us each and every day. Please help them by taking precautions to protect yourselves and others. Be safe and keep praying for our people,” added Vice President Myron Lizer in a separate statement..
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Cooper Moran is a reporter for the Arizona Sun Times and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Navajo Nation Council” by Navajo Nation Council.
