AMERICAN FORK, Utah — The coronavirus pandemic has hit the Navajo Nation hard, with 48 deaths on the reservation.
An American Fork man is organizing an effort to help stop the spread of the virus.
The disease hits close to home for Bud Frazier.
He has lost an aunt and uncle to COVID-19.
They live in a small community in Arizona on the reservation called Tonalea.
Frazier is a nurse who lives in American Fork.
This week, he plans to travel to the Navajo Reservation, which spans parts of Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico.
He will deliver much needed supplies to help curb the rapid spread of the coronavirus.
With people living in close quarters, who lack access to nutritious food and routine healthcare, the deadly disease is taking a toll.
"There's only 30-40% of people that have electricity and running water," Frazier said. "And that's a huge issue with not being able to wash your hands and being able to sanitize things. My heart just kinda sunk and there's a lot of things I can do."
People on the reservation need things everyone else is having a hard time finding like face masks, cleaning supplies, hand soap, sanitizers, toiletries and thermometers.
There's also a need for non-perishable food, bottled water, baby formula and diapers, pet food, hay and feed for livestock, firewood and coal.
Frazier will be loading up a truck on Friday to deliver all the donations.
If you'd like to pitch in, here's how you can help.