Of our native communities. As part of our hearing, microphones will be set on mute. Members and witnesses, you will need to unmute your microphone each time you wish to speak. Documents can be sent to rebecca at the email address weve provided. And all documents will be entered into the record at the conclusion of the hearing. I recognize myself for five minutes for an opening statement. Let me find that, now that ive said that. I believe that todays hearing is long overdue. Day after day, our nations tribal communities are suffering inequality, unequal access to Drinking Water, energy grid, broadband, and other problems that have created unnecessary hardship and turmoil. And covid19 is exacerbating the existing problems now. And the Navajo Nation has seen rates higher than wuhan, china, during the height of the pandemic. And weve heard repeatedly about the struggles of the native communities to protect against covid19. As the pandemic rages on, access to ppe and testing and proper san
Provided and into the record to the conclusion of the hearing. I recognize myself for 5 minutes for Opening Statements. Let me find my Opening Statement here. I believe this hearing is long overdue. Suffering terrible inequalities. Unreliable access to the energy grid, little or no broadband connectivity, and reliable funds for the federal government and other systematic problems that created unnecessary hardship and turmoil and covid19 is exacerbating these long existing problems. One third of tribal members are at high risk of serious covid19 complications due to Underlying Health factors and Navajo Nation has seen higher infection rates than those in china at the peak of the pandemic. Despite this stark reality the impact of covid19 on tribal communities, weve seen the struggles of tribal communities and access to personal protective equipment and testing to protect against covid19. Is this pandemic redesign and covid19 cases continue to rise in many areas of the Country Access to p