No place in Aus has been hit harder by Covid than Wilcannia, a small outback town, a 10hr drive away from Sydney. In only two weeks, more than 1/10 of the town of 600 people had been infected with the virus. Soon, the number would approach 150, 90% being Aboriginal people. 1/12
Approx a week after the first cases emerged in Wilcannia, a birthday party while in isolation was held for Nathaniel Bugmy, who was turning 7. He spoke with his mother on FaceTime, as she was in an isolation camp on the outskirts of town. 2/12
A security guard from Wilcannia Hospital delivered food to the occupants of a makeshift quarantine facility at a campground on the outskirts of Wilcannia. Anthony Dutton, left, and his family had to walk the approx 5kms to the facility. 3/12
Unhappy with the frozen hospital meals, Raelene Hunter and Anthony Dutton made a campfire and cooked Kangaroo tails in a bush oven, out the front of their accomodation. They weren’t allowed to use the washing machines, so some did laundry in the river.
Friends Lucas Ferguson and Michael Wilson play on a dirt mound near the quarantine facility where they have been forced to isolate. 5/12
Patricia Wilson makes Bush Medicine gathering eucalyptus leaves and other plants to smoke in a metal tin in an effort to ward off covid-19 at the Warrawong campground in Wilcannia. 6/12
A family of 13 wait to be tested for the coronavirus by a mobile New South Wales Health team. The entire family eventually tests positive. 7/12
Saphire Hall carries recently bought groceries for a family currently in isolation.The mother of four had already copped a $725 fine for giving her cousin a lift during the outbreak. Now she risked a $3,630 penalty if she visited her elderly and disabled in-laws. 8/12
Allan Whyman sits inside a tent, away from 10 other family members who are forced to isolate in a small house. The remote town faces housing problems, and some families live in crowded environments that allow the virus to spread. 9/12
A couple argue with police officers about what to do with their 8-year-old son, after the officers approached the couple and placed them under arrest for breaching covid isolation protocols. After several mins of discussions the couple were let go (Likely due to our presence)
Wilcannia’s town hall is now the waiting room for people receiving their corona vacs. Rates remain disproportionately low amongst First Nations people. A historical mistrust of the gov and the health system for past wrongs, and this has contributed to a slow vaccine uptake. 11/12
For the full story check out this in-depth piece by @MikeMillerDC at the @washingtonpost
12/12
washingtonpost.com/world/interact…
Wilcannia is today’s front page story @washingtonpost
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