Voluntary collective isolation as a best response to COVID-19 for indigenous populations? A case study and protocol from the Bolivian Amazon
Autor
Kaplan, Hillard S
Trumble, Benjamin C
Stieglitz, Jonathan
Mendez Mamany, Roberta
Gutierrez Cayuba, Maguin
Maito Moye, Leonardina
Alami, Sarah
Kraft, Thomas
Quispe Gutierrez, Raul
Copajira Adrian, Juan
Thompson, Randall C
Thomas, Gregory S
Michalik, David E
Eid Rodriguez, Daniel
Gurven, Michael D
Institución
Resumen
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. Phase 1 involves education, outreach, and
preparation, and phase 2 focuses on containment, patient management, and quarantine. Features of this plan might
be exported and adapted to local circumstances elsewhere to prevent widespread mortality in indigenous communities.