Give your head a shake

There aren't many days where I sit and think WTF!?!?! But today was definitely one of those rare days.

I woke up, got ready like I usually would. Then did my usual routine. Check email. Sign on to facebook and check out what's happening through media websites. That's just me. I'm nosey.

After signing out of hotmail and just before I click the little red X...I see it at the corner of my eye. A baffling headline. Thinking, now why would msn have something such as this. I click it to find this story. Basically what it comes down to is federal health officials at Health Canada delayed shipping hand sanitizers to reserves in northern Manitoba because the products contain alcohol.

Seriously....WTF?!?!?

The excuse was that these communities are battling alcohol addictions and supposedly most would drink the sanitizer rather than use it to help with the H1N1 outbreak.

Yes, there is an alcohol problem, I'm not denying that. But the bigger problem is this infectious disease that seems to be hitting Native people the hardest. The bigger problem is burocrats thinking they know what's right for people living on reserve...meanwhile they have no idea what it's like.

Imagine living with no running water in a home that has years and years build up of mold. Living with 10 people in a house because there aren't enough to go around. It's no wonder the virus is attacking Native people like crazy. Plus there is a lack of health care services up north and the few that are there aren't up to par.

Take for example, the recent passing of a woman, Lorraine Wilson (nee Constant) who got H1N1 up north in my home community of Opaskwayak Cree Nation. RIP Lorraine.

I lived up north. I know how hard it is to see a real doctor. Most are interns who don't have a clue. It was reported that Lorraine went to the hospital in The Pas and was sent home with tylenol. I'm not blaming anyone but I know for a fact this happens. Getting misdiagnosed, it's happened to me.

Isn't there a better solution for this misdiagnose problem that happens far to much? Shouldn't this be the focus rather than battling addictions.

My point being, this addictions thing shouldn't be the biggest issue Health Canada should be worrying about.

I hate pulling the race card. I think it's weak and a cop out. But times like this I'm left to wonder....