Navajo Nation faces devastating loss from Covid-19 pandemic - CNN

The community surpassed New York state for the highest Covid-19 infection rate in the United States in May.

The Navajo had 2,304.41 cases of Covid-19 per 100,000 people at its peak in May, compared to the New York state rate of 1,806 cases per 100,000, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.

Since the pandemic began up until November 22, the Navajo Nation has had 15,039 cases out of its population of 173,667 from the 2010 census, which means this hard-hit population has over 8,659 cases per 100,000 people.

School is fully online, and most businesses are closed as the Navajo Nation works to reduce the spread of the virus.

Lack of government support

Piñon High School Principal Timothy Nelson believes there are a number of reasons for the Navajo Nation's high rate of infection, including a lack of federal and state government support.

"We call ourselves the United States of America, and we're helping other countries, but we're not really helping our own."

In the Navajo Nation, 38% of people live below the poverty line, according to numbers from the 2010 US Census.

At Piñon High School, which is run by the state, over 98% of its students are eligible for the free or reduced lunch program, compared to the state average of 55%.

As the infection rate increased, Nelson said he was afraid to ask people how they were doing because he'd find out that somebody in their family passed away.

Saving the older generation

When people are able to watch the news, Navajo Nation residents like Chenoa Begaye, a senior at Chinle High School and Mix's daughter, say it's a challenge convincing their older population to listen.