El COVID-19 en las comunidades indígenas de Chimborazo, Ecuador.

This article studies the impact of COVID-19 on the indigenous communities of Chimborazo, examining the situation of the indigenous population vis-a-vis the health system and paying special attention to the role of the indigenous organizations in handling the pandemic. In addition to fieldwork in several indigenous communities of Guamote, Colta and Riobamba, the research methodology included virtual interviews with leaders of regional and national indigenous organizations. The information was analyzed by reference to the academic literature on indigenous peoples, press reports and ongoing debates about the implications of the pandemic. The study concludes that, from the point of view of the indigenous organizations, the crisis created favorable conditions to rethink community life, revitalize the practices of natural medicine, and articulate collective actions at local, regional and national levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]