My best friend's cousin died from COVID 5 days ago. His wife is now sick, so is his son, daughter,

[catbyte]

and daughter-in-law. They live in a semi-rural community in southwest lower Michigan. They're Odawa/Pottawatomie so after someone dies there is a continuous bonfire for 4 days following the death. The community usually pays their respects at any time of the day or night with the family holding vigil, then a funeral ceremony is held. My friend couldn't even go because COVID is so rampant in that area of Michigan and she has a couple of minor pre-existing conditions that could complicate things. Plus, even though she is sick, his wife was there for all 4 days, holding vigil. Tradition is strong among us Anishinaabe. I was on the phone with her for over two hours tonight and I'm heartbroken for her.

Goddamn it. Goddamn every goddamn Republican who is enabling this holocaust because that's what it is. The American Holocaust.

[sakabatou]

1. Hugs

[roamer65]

2. Native Americans know genocide when they see it.

They have had to endure it since 1492.

You are correct to call it genocide. You know it when you see it.

Hugs to you, my fellow Michigander.

[Rollo]

3. My condolences. Hope your friends recover.

Covid is awful.

[Tanuki]

4. I am so sorry. Peace and blessings to your friend's family,

and may each of them be healed in body and spirit after this terrible loss.

[Bayard]

5. I'm so sorry, Catbyte

My heart goes out to you and your family.

I firmly believe that trump and McConnell should be tried for negligent homicide.

[JudyM]

27. Depraved indifference.

[MustLoveBeagles]

6. I'm sorry to hear that

I hope the remaining members of the family recover with no lingering side affects.

[smirkymonkey]

7. I am so sorry to hear this catbyte.

It just seems like all these cases and deaths keep hitting us closer and closer to home. By the time this is over, I don't think one of us will have been unscathed. My heart goes out to you and your friends and their families. My sincere condolences.

[sheshe2]

8. I am so sorry, cat.

Huge hug to you and yours. Tears.

[Karadeniz]

9. Sending healing thoughts to that whole family... a tragedy.

[Nevilledog]

10. ...

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

11. I guess I must say that I am so sorry the tradition put

them at risk. That sounds heartless, but the reality is that what's going on is hardly breaking news. Attending a 4 day vigil is simply irresponsible. She has probably spread the virus to who knows how many others. And that's HER doing, not the Republicans.

[denbot]

14. .

[Hekate]

16. Sometimes silence is better

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

19. Yeah, right. Silence at the grave sites.

That's so much better than keeping others from getting the virus.

NO! Silence is NOT better. It's not as though this pandemic arrived last week or last month. It's been with us for almost a year, and ANYONE who does things like attend some kind of vigil for several days is irresponsible, and a potential murderer.

Let's stop giving people passes for nonsense like "tradition".

Look up funerary practices of people in Africa to understand the spread of Ebola, and tell me that such "tradition" should be excused.

[pazzyanne]

23. Knowing what to speak and when to speak it is a gift not all have.

So sorry that you are being hit by this landslide virus, catbyte! Stay strong, take care of yourself, and may the prayers for healing and recovery help you through this terrible time. Prayers in the wind and vitual (((((hugs))))) are on their way to you and yours.

[denbot]

12. Ah Ho

Mitakuye Oyasin.

My sympathies, and a prayer

[catbyte]

30. Chi Miigwetch, my friend.

[lunatica]

13. This nightmare just goes on and on

Hugs to you dear catbyte. I hope they all survive.

[Hekate]

15. Catbyte, I'm so terribly for your loss and pain. Peace, healing, and restored health to all....

[SunSeeker]

17. Heartbreaking.

[electric_blue68]

18. How horrific...

I hope they make it through, and without lingering, or later pop up side effects.

Strength to you for being a shoulder for her.





🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬 drumph and co.
Criminally neligent homicide
(been thinking that for months ! )

[safeinOhio]

20. My heart goes out to you.

[jmbar2]

21. I'm so sorry for the trauma your family is experiencing

You are always such a ray of sunshine on this board. It hurts to know that you and your family are hurting. Sending prayers for their recovery.

[Warpy]

22. I'm so sorry. Grief is being made 10X harder because so many people don't get to say goodbye

and a lot of European funerals are not being held, at all, no wake, no viewing, no church or graveside ceremonies, no goodbyes.

Right now, it's all shock and horror and grief. Later it will be anger.

[littlemissmartypants]

24. So sorry catbyte. I found out not too long ago that I have a Pottawatomie connection.

By my third great grandmother on my biological father's side. She surfaced when I was working on the genealogy of my "unknown" family as a child of adoption. She was from Michigan, too.

Condolences for your friend.

A hug for you.



❤ lmsp

[LiberalLoner]

25. I'm so sorry. 😭

[keithbvadu2]

26. "Almost Nothing" acc to the Trumps. No big deal to them.

[bluestarone]

28. We all feel so helpless and cannot help

So very sorry to hear this!!

[JudyM]

29. So very sorry, catbyte.

Covid is like an invading army that the GOP is all but welcoming. I hope no more harm comes to your loved ones.