Commentary: As the state of New Mexico prepares to “reopen” by removing all COVID-19 restrictions, beginning July 1, Indigenous leaders with the Coalitions to Stop Violence Against Native Women are urging the public to continue the use of facemasks to proactively slow the spread of the virus and any of its new variants.

The following is a statement from Angel Charley, executive director of CSVANW, urging the public to continue wearing masks and practicing social distancing until this pandemic is truly over:

“As Indigenous people of this land, we are always taught that the wellbeing of ourselves and others is a collective effort–not an individual one. And if there is one thing COVID-19 has taught us, it is that we are all connected, and we depend on each other to move forward and beat the pandemic.