Navajo Nation Pres. Nez Gets Call From NY Gov. Cuomo, Who Offers Support — Native News Online
Category: News & Politics
Via: kavika • 4 years ago • 15 commentsBy: Native-NewsNet (Native News Online)
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
by Native News Online Staff / Currents / 22 Apr 2020 Tweet 
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo at one of his daily COVID-19 briefings. Courtesy Photo - State of New York
Published April 22, 2020
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez may be under quarantine at home because he came in contact with someone who was COVID-19 positive, but he sure is in touch with outside the Navajo Indian Reservation. On Tuesday, Nez received a telephone call from New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who called to offer support to the Navajo Nation's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The two leaders have something in common. They are overseeing the COVID-19 pandemic in two of the hottest coronavirus spots in the United States.
New York has the most confirmed cases of the deadly virus in the country. Though not a state, the Navajo Nation, which is located on the country's largest Indian reservation, ranks number three behind New York and New Jersey in per capita cases of confirmed coronavirus.
Cuomo, who has gained a lot of national attention during the pandemic because of his daily briefings, has spoken brazenly about how New Yorkers help others in need and that he would assist other states. Late last week, he offered ventilators to other states, such as Michigan. One hundred ventilators arrived from New York in Lansing, Michigan on Monday.
On Tuesday, he offered President Nez assistance to the Navajo Nation. 
Late Tuesday afternoon, Nez sent out message on social media:
"Had a great conversation with @NYGovCuomo who generously offered his support for the Navajo Nation's COVID-19 response efforts. He has great admiration and love for the Navajo people.
@NNVPLizer2019 and I greatly appreciate him reaching out to partner with us. Ahe'hee'"
Cuomo is no stranger to Indian Country. While serving as the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, in July 1999, he joined then President Bill Clinton on a visit to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, the country's second largest reservation. As the result of the visit where they visited a five bedroom house on the reservation that was home to 28 people, Cuomo helped to establish the HUD-Section 184 mortgage loan program.
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NO POLITICS, ANY POLITICAL COMMENT WILL BE REMOVED.
Govenor Cuomo is paying it forward like Oregon did for NY.
I am so proud of our Gov and so happy for the Navajo people. This will help the Navajo people in a way that no one else has offered them, to try and get them out of wild fire that this virus has brought to the people.
I hope other governors will see what compassion looks like and do the same for the Navajo.
Putting people first does not come naturally for political leaders. So many put their political survival ahead everything else.
It's not just the Navajo. In NM the infection rate among native people is a bit over 37% and they make up a bit less then 10% of the population.
The San Felipe Pueblo in NM has an infection rate of over 40%.
another sad repetition of US history brewing, with the same federal response...
This is frightening !
Yes, it is pat, very frightening.
Glad someone on a national level has stepped up to help the Navajo. Maybe this will get the ball rolling.
As NY gets it's footing it is good to help those still off balance to get their footing as well.
Nice to see.
The Chief of the Choctaw Indians here has now tested positive for the virus.
This was part of his statement on it.
“It only takes one person who has been exposed to the virus to go out in public and expose everyone that they could come in contact with," Ben said. "That includes their families, their friends. And that is why we say take precaution, be vigilant.”
Kudos to Gov Cuomo
Dr. Jonathan Gerber of UMass Memorial and UMass Medical School discussing what they are working on currently to battle the virus. (Full discloser, he is my wife's cousin.)
A very impressive man and good to know that there are some new treatments on the horizon. The brains in your family must come from your wife.
Naw, he's the only one on her side. My side has many many smart ones.