Confinement cultures: a look at the crisis, based on the reality of indigenous peoples

Abstract

This article aimed to develop a brief reflection on how different Brazilian indigenous groups deal with the pandemic caused by the new coronavirus, and how they have been affected by it. Furthermore, it intended to discuss the human rights’ neglect by the Brazilian State against those very vulnerable populations. In terms of methodology, the approach taken was based on evaluation of research data about the advancement of the new coronavirus among Brazilian indigenous ethnicities, in addition to secondary testimonial data from NGOs’ and subject matter specialized institutes’ websites. This research shows evidence of how the pandemic clearly revealed the inequalities within Brazilian society, in various levels and different contexts, and how deficiently handled health issues are among vulnerable populations, like the indigenous groups. In addition, it indicates that not only each community has its own way of dealing with the pandemic, but also that there are no adequate and effective health policies aimed at vulnerable groups, which are the ones that suffer the most from this health and humanitarian crisis.