1/4 Of Gulkana Village's Residents Are Elders – So Gulkana Blocked Outside Traffic To Protect Them

Hearkening Back To 1918 Flu Pandemic, Gulkana Village Tries To Protect Its Older People From Death By Covid 

Twenty of Gulkana Village's 80 residents are elderly. 

That's one out of every four village residents.  Older people are the most endangered by the coronavirus. Older people are also the most revered in Native American culture. To protect their elders, Gulkana has asked non-residents not to enter the village.

Sign At Gulkana Village Entrance, March 26th (Photo, Copper River Country Journal)

Gulkana Asks Non Residents Not To Enter Village 

Angela Vermillion at Gulkana Village told the Country Journal on March 25th that a sign saying "Residents only. No Outside Traffic Due To Covid-19" was erected on Tuesday, March 24th. 

There are some exceptions, she said. "We still need fuel and garbage services, and CRNA delivers elder lunches." 

Gulkana has around 80 residents, and there are over 20 elders, 1/4 of the total population. Not all elders receive CRNA lunches.

Like Mentasta Village, Gulkana had a village council meeting about putting up a sign. "We had a council meeting on Monday night and that's where we talked about it," said Angela. "Then we put the sign up." 

On Wednesday, March 25th, the village was working on a letter to deliver to residents about the virus and that they're asking for no more outside visitors. The letter, said Angela, will ask Gulkana people "to hunker down, and only one household member at a time if you need groceries or gas."