The Lancet: Voluntary collective isolation as a best response to COVID-19 for indigenous populations? A case study and protocol from the Bolivian Amazon by Kaplan et. al. (5-15-20)

The Lancet: Voluntary collective isolation as a best response to COVID-19 for indigenous populations? A case study and protocol from the Bolivian Amazon by Kaplan et. al. 

Hillard S Kaplan et al., The Lancet

5-15-2020

Indigenous communities worldwide share common features that make them especially vulnerable to the complications of and mortality from COVID-19. They also possess resilient attributes that can be leveraged to promote prevention efforts. How can indigenous communities best mitigate potential devastating effects of COVID-19? In Bolivia, where nearly half of all citizens claim indigenous origins, no specific guidelines have been outlined for indigenous communities inhabiting native communal territories. In this Public Health article, we describe collaborative efforts, as anthropologists, physicians, tribal leaders, and local officials, to develop and implement a multiphase COVID-19 prevention and containment plan focused on voluntary collective isolation and contact-tracing among Tsimane forager-horticulturalists in the Bolivian Amazon.

Authors: Hillard S Kaplan, Benjamin C Trumble, Jonathan Stieglitz, Roberta Mendez Mamany, Maguin Gutierrez Cayuba, Leonardina Maito Moye, Sarah Alami, Thomas Kraft, Raul Quispe Gutierrez, Juan Copajira Adrian, Randall C Thompson, Gregory S Thomas, David E Michalik, Daniel Eid Rodriguez, Michael D Gurven

See the full text: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)31104-1/fulltext?fbclid=IwAR3s-yCDDqSDWz2Dtt_EcKD30VvTQCCNANDMv9JzELUTaST4kwn8UYdSLoo