Kwethluk is struggling to control a major outbreak of the coronavirus in the village. Jordan Fisher, the village COVID-19 Incident Commander, estimates that of the 800 or so people who live in Kwethluk, 150 have been diagnosed with the virus.
Kwethluk has been in lockdown since October 2020, and Fisher said that it will likely remain in lockdown through the end of the year, or until there are fewer new cases.
"It’s a moving target, the date when lockdown is going to end here in the village, because of the number of cases that are being identified on a daily basis," said Fisher. "I don’t know how long it’s going to last, because people will get tired of staying in. It’s tough, especially with this virus, because the human species is very sociable. It will only work if individuals do their part."
If someone doesn’t comply with the rules in Kwethluk, there are ramifications that exist there that do not exist in other communities. Kwethluk’s council has passed ordinances imposing fines for breaking COVID-19 mandates.
“Oh, they are for a substantial amount. The first violation is a fine of $150 until the COVID-19 pandemic is over. The fine shall be increased by $3 for every violation. There are fines for local businesses and rules, fine of $1,000 for not requiring face masks, and in addition, $100 per employee for not wearing face masks. Fines will also be increased by $500 per day and about $50 per employee for not being in compliance with this ordinance,” Fisher said.
Kwethluk also is impounding snowmachines and other vehicles used by people to come into the village without authorization. The impound fee starts at $100 and goes up. Despite enforcement and fines, Fisher said that it took a while for village residents to take the pandemic seriously.
“Now they are, because we’ve had a couple of deaths and we’ve had multiple medevacs for patients that have been diagnosed with COVID-19," said Fisher. Needless to say, this virus is highly contagious to the point that it only possibly took just one person or multiple to infect a whole community like this. You know, it’s just best to stay home during these times.”
Fisher said that the local airlines have been good at calling to check that passengers have authorization before flying them to Kwethluk. But with winter here, when anyone can jump onto a snowmachine or into a truck to travel, he said that it’s going to be harder to keep visitors out.
