Outbreak brings Covid reality to Pacific communities

Opinion: Despite misinformation, South Auckland’s Pacific community will match respond and overcome the latest Covid outbreak promptly, writes Collin Tukuitonga.

Looking across part of South Auckland where the latest Covid-19 cluster is affecting Pacific and Māori families (photo for illustrative purposes only and does not indicate locations of the virus). Photo: iStock

The resurgence of Covid-19 in Aotearoa New Zealand was not unexpected, but it is disappointing and our fears of an outbreak affecting the most vulnerable members of our society is now reality.

As has been extensively reported, the Auckland cluster is so far mainly affecting Pacific and Māori families in South Auckland. A number of cases are also reported elsewhere in the city and as far away as Tokoroa with all but one linked to the Auckland cluster. More cases are expected.

At the time of writing, the number in the cluster stands at 69 in total, with 52 in Pacific and nine in Māori communities respectively.

As you would expect, this outbreak is causing considerable anxiety and distress for Pacific and Māori families/whānau because of the potential health impacts in their communities. Crowded and overcrowded housing and social disadvantage among Pacific families could fuel a rapid spread of Covid-19. Furthermore, high prevalence of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and heart disease increases the risk of infection and death from Covid-19.

But Pacific communities have responded quickly. Pacific health care and social support providers, communication agencies and church leaders have organised multiple forums for sharing information and providing support. The Pasifika Medical Association and Pasifika Futures have helped about 500 families directly, delivered 2079 support packs plus have 50,000 masks on order for distribution.

Church leaders have supported the work of government agencies. Pacific leadership and the community spirit is impressive.

Unfortunately, the concentration of cases among Pacific people in South Auckland has also attracted undesirable elements of our society. Damaging racist commentary, misinformation and disinformation compounded by active conspiracy theorists have been damaging and unpleasant. Some members of the Pacific community feel vilified – blamed for events beyond their control. For many in our communities, we cannot comprehend why anyone would deliberately write damaging lies and untruths about people who are in distress.

Reporting of the ethnicity of affected families early in the cluster outbreak has also raised concerns in the Pacific communities about perceived ‘racist’ policies and bias. Many in the community fear that reporting of ethnicity gives racist members of society fuel for their cause and ‘grist to the mill’ without clear benefit to Pacific people. On the other hand, public health professionals need detailed information of affected people in order to target preventive responses and provide precise information for affected families and communities. The situation represents a classic tension between the need to protect individual privacy and the public interest to know.

Overall, the national response has been decisive. The Government is to be commended for returning Auckland to Level 3 status and the rest of the country to Level 2. This was the right decision and once again, we implore all of Aotearoa to adhere to the guidelines with the added expectation of mask wearing when venturing outdoors. People with symptoms suggestive of Covid-19 and contacts of new cases are encouraged to get tested.

This prompt response has been matched by the Pacific community, health and social service support providers and communication agencies. Despite the distractions of the conspiracy elements and misinformation, I am confident that we will overcome the latest outbreak promptly.

Dr Collin Tukuitonga is the inaugural Associate Dean Pacific in the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences.

This article reflects the opinion of the author and not necessarily the views of the University of Auckland.

Used with permission from Newsroom Outbreak brings Covid reality to Pacific 20 August 2020.

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