COVID-19 Alternative Treatment Program

Globally, more than 6 million people have died from coronavirus, according to the World Health Organization. Few communities have been hit harder than the Native American people in New Mexico. The coronavirus has devastated Native American tribes across New Mexico. American Indians represent only 9% of the population yet are responsible for almost 20% of COVID-19 cases and 30% of COVID-19 deaths statewide. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a disproportionate impact on Native Americans. Contributing factors include poorly funded or understaffed facilities, access to healthcare facilities, and overall unhealthy lifestyles. It is a grim reminder that we must live heathy lives and continue to take precautions.

Since it is a relatively new disease, there are very few options for treating COVID-19, compared to other illness. Medical efforts and government solutions have relied heavily on vaccinations and prevention to minimize hospitalizations and deaths. There are few programs that study alternative or natural treatments despite abundant evidence that they are highly effective. See links below:

COVID-19: Povidone-Iodine Intranasal Prophylaxis in Front-line Healthcare Personnel and Inpatients - Full Text View - ClinicalTrials.gov

Povidone Iodine Mouthwash, Gargle, and Nasal Spray to Reduce Nasopharyngeal Viral Load in Patients With COVID-19: A Randomized Clinical Trial | Pathology and Laboratory Medicine | JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery | JAMA Network

Povidone-iodine solution as SARS-CoV-2 prophylaxis for procedures of the upper aerodigestive tract a theoretical framework | Journal of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery | Full Text (biomedcentral.com)

I will create a program that works specifically with the tribes of New Mexico, including the 19 pueblos. The program will focus on providing over the counter medical supplies and information for a self-oronasal treatment and monitor the results. Patients that are confirmed positive for COVID-19 with PCR test should participate. Early treatment is key for the oronasal treatment to be most effective.

The solution used consist of diluted Povidone-iodine. Povidone-iodine is an antiseptic with activity against bacteria, fungi, and viruses. It has been previously used in both intranasal preparations against Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) as well as oral preparations in in-vitro studies of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV), Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV), influenza H1N1, and rotavirus with good efficacy. 

Since the treatment is self-administered at home using over the counter medicine, we can minimize contact with COVID-19 positive patients and avoid high costs for medical staff and prescriptions. In addition to building a functional team, funds will be used to determine the feasibility and potential efficacy of my program. We will need extensive resources to research the legalities of our endeavor. 

According to the Journal of Otolaryngology, "Topical oronasal treatment with povidone-iodine (PVP-I), better known as Betadine™, may be an effective method to immediately reduce the viral load of the upper aerodigestive tract and thus decrease the risk of inadvertent virus transmission."

The recommended protocol and details such as the frequency and exact dilution ratio, shall be determined with guidance from the proper medical institutions. This treatment is extremely safe and is similar to washing your hands with antibacterial soap. Nonetheless, all precautions will be taken to reduce any risks.

The proposed program is intended to supplement, not replace, any current standard prescribed treatments. 

As a member of Jemez Pueblo myself, my solution would initially be offered to the 19 pueblos of New Mexico:

1. Acoma Pueblo
2. Cochiti Pueblo
3. Isleta Pueblo
4. Jemez Pueblo
5. Laguna Pueblo
6. Nambe Pueblo
7. Picuris Pueblo
8. Pojoaque Pueblo
9. Sandia Pueblo
10. San Felipe Pueblo
11. San Ildefonso Pueblo
12. San Juan Pueblo
13. Santa Ana Pueblo
14. Santa Clara Pueblo
15. Santo Domingo Pueblo
16. Taos Pueblo
17. Tesuque Pueblo
18. Zia Pueblo
19. Zuni Pueblo

In total, New Mexico's 19 Pueblos have more than 60,000 members.

Unfortunately, this virus has targeted the most vulnerable people, which is often our elderly.  In tribal communities, elders are considered our most respected members and we hold them in the highest regard. They play a vital role in the preservation of our culture and teach the younger generations about our traditions. My solution is necessary to help preserve our history as well as our future generations. 

As a member of Jemez Pueblo, I am in an ideal position to help support my community. I feel that these ideas will be welcomed by my tribe and our neighboring tribes since it is a safe and cost-effective method to treat a deadly disease. I have more than 10 years of professional experience working in various roles, including managing teams as a project manager. My professional background along with a formal education have prepared me to lead a team capable of making a real difference.

My goal of applying to this solution is to connect with motivated individuals that share my vision. If selected, I will take full advantage of the resources that are offered. I can make this dream a reality with the right connections and access to experts that can advise my team!

I hope that this project will give me an opportunity to become more involved with my community and contribute to my native people. 

People have been practicing saline nasal irrigation for thousands of years. Although the treatment itself is not entirely innovative, it has not been used for treating COVID-19 on a large scale. It is a potentially simple solution to help drastically reduce hospitalizations and deaths. The oronasal treatment can be administered from the comfort of your home. It costs much less than any other treatments and can be quickly implemented.

I plan to prepare the program and recruit team members within the first year. We will establish partnerships with tribal leaders and implementation may begin as soon as the second year. The following years will be used to refine our procedures, collect data, monitor the results and expand as needed. The pandemic is now considered by many to now be an endemic. Theoretically, the antiseptic should be effective against all strains or any other viruses that enter the body through the oral or nasal cavities. 

There are key objectives that can be verified to measure my program's progress. These include the formation of a non-profit organization and/or LLC. Contracts or partnerships or with tribes are also measurable. 

This program has the power to directly impact people's wellbeing and overall survival rate of this deadly virus. Ideally, it would set an example for other communities to follow.  

My hypothetical organization will utilize a variety of computer programs in order to achieve our goals. These include dedicated software to track and manage data and metadata. We will also conduct meetings remotely using technology to maximize our time and efficiency. Our procedures will be designed to be automated, when possible, to reduce errors or miscalculations. Employees and volunteers will adhere to standards set by the quality control department to ensure regulatory compliance. 

I seek to build an inclusive and optimistic team! I will consider each applicant equally when selecting team members. Individuals will be selected based on credentials and merit among other traits. Team members will participate in weekly meetings to ensure a safe and supportive workplace for all. We will encourage innovation by focusing our energy on people, not profits!

My hypothetical organization can provide potentially lifesaving solutions to my community. Our success is measured in lives, not dollars!

Hundreds of millions of dollars have been granted to Native American tribes all across the United States through state and federally funded initiatives. Many tribes and governments have struggled to find ways to effectively utilize these funds beyond vaccine outreach programs. Often times, the funds are dispersed directly to members as "emergency grants". Although many citizens are happy to get a bonus, it does very little to directly impact coronavirus hospitalizations or death.

If my proposal is selected and I am awarded this grant, I will begin to assemble a team. Part of this team will consist of the financial officer that will be responsible for raising any additional funding required or secure contracts with tribal governments. Ideally, the program will be fully funded and at no cost to the tribes. Nominal fees may be required and shall be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

If the initial pilot program is successful, we can increase our reach and support Indigenous tribes all over the world.