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Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin
Response to COVID-19
UPDATES FOR MENOMINEE TRIBAL MEMBERS AND RESIDENTS OF THE MENOMINEE RESERVATION/COUNTY
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The Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin is taking preventative measures in regards to the potential spread of the COVID-19 virus.
An Incident Command Center has been created to include Ben Warrington-Incident Commander, Dr. Amy Slagle-Public Health Officer, Vaughn Bowles-Public Information Officer. Members of the Menominee Tribal Legislature are involved as well and additional personnel are being added as necessary. Menominee Nation News will be used to write and disseminate information. Information will be released as available and necessary as it relates to the Menominee reservation and county.
On Thursday, March 12, 2020 the Menominee Indian Tribe declared a
State of Emergency, and approved immediate precautionary measures to be taken by the community and tribal employees.
The Incident Command team is meeting daily and will issue updates to the response as necessary.
Please understand the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin is taking this very seriously and the health and safety of the community is of the upmost concern. The situation the nation is faced with is unprecedented and as more is learned about the virus, any and all restrictions/closures are for the health and safety of our community.
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Message from Menominee Tribal Chairperson Joan Delabreau 3/20/20
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Update on the various programs of Tribal Government as of Friday 3/20/2020
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This information is provided for public consumers of services from tribal departments.
Although many departments of government are maintaining regular hours of operation, some are operating with significantly reduced staffing levels.
If you need service from a specific department please call. The Tribal Switchboard can be reached at (715) 799-5100.
ESSENTIAL FACILITIES: TRIBAL GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS WITH
LIMITED PUBLIC ACCESS
This means the public can access the buildings for matters that are urgent. Many departments are working with reduced staff levels.
Before coming to these facilities the public must:
- call ahead,
- transact business by phone or email,
- have a required appearance or appointment
- or have an immediately urgent matter.
- Tribal Headquarters Office Building
- FIC (Human Resources and Insurance matter access only)
- Law Enforcement Center
- Tribal Courts
- Housing
- Tribal Clinic
- Food Distribution
- Maehnowesekiyah Headquarters Building
NON ESSENTIAL FACILITIES:
NO PUBLIC ACCESS
– Essential Staff Access Only
- All other facilities operated by Tribal Government not listed above
Essential staff may see clients or customers on an emergency or appointment only basis for urgent matters.
VENDORS AND CONTRACTORS: Delivery personnel should not enter any tribal facility. Employees should pick up deliveries outside of the building. Contractors should sign in and wherever possible postpone work.
We appreciate your understanding and patience during this state of emergency.
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What is the difference between isolation and quarantine?
Isolation and quarantine are public health practices used to stop or limit the spread of disease.
Isolation is used to separate ill persons who have a communicable disease from those who are healthy. Isolation restricts the movement of ill persons to help stop the spread of certain diseases. For example, hospitals use isolation for patients with infectious tuberculosis.
Quarantine is used to separate and restrict the movement of well persons who may have been exposed to a communicable disease to see if they become ill. These people may have been exposed to a disease and do not know it, or they may have the disease but do not show symptoms. Quarantine can also help limit the spread of communicable disease.
Isolation and quarantine are used to protect the public by preventing exposure to infected persons or to persons who may be infected.
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Although younger people are not at as high of a risk as others, they can still be carriers of the virus. As such it is highly recommended younger people also practice preventive measures so as not to spread the virus.
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Cleaning and Sanitizing: What’s the difference and how are they done?
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Sometimes the terms “cleaning”, “sanitizing”, and “disinfecting” are used interchangeably. Are they all the same? T
- Cleaning involves scrubbing, washing and rinsing to remove visible soil and debris. The cleaning solution used is made up of detergent and water.
- Sanitizing is covering the cleaned area with a sanitizing solution such as bleach and water. The best practice recommendation is to leave the sanitizing solution on the surface for a minimum of 2 minutes before wiping it dry. It can also be left to air dry. This will kill and clean away enough germs so that it would be unlikely that someone could become ill from contacting that surface.
- Disinfecting is covering an already cleaned area with a disinfecting agent that is non-toxic for children, such as a stronger bleach and water solution. This kills all of the germs on a surface. Best practice recommends leaving the disinfecting solution on the surface for a minimum of 2 minutes or left to air dry. This practice is used for body fluid spills to eliminate the spread of bloodborne illnesses such as Hepatitis B and HIV.
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Tribal Podcast on COVID-19
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In this episode Vaughn Bowles, Public Information Officer for the Menominee Tribe
answered more community questions that were sent in regarding COVID-19, and Vaughn also shared some protocol updates.
Podcasts can be found on the Tribe’s
website
at under the “Community” tab
The Tribal Podcasts are also available on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher for mobile devices.
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Menominee Tribal Transportation
Services Update
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With the recent cases of COVID-19 here is an update on Tribal Transportation services provided:
All non-medical services have been discontinued for the following areas:
Green Bay
Fox Cities
Milwaukee
All services (regular fixed routes, demand response and medical) are currently operating on the Reservation as well as fixed routes and medical routes to the City of Shawano.
Also, please be aware per Public Health Officer, Dr. Amy Slagle's instruction, a rider who is coughing or showing other signs of illness must use a mask while riding public transportation.
Drivers will have masks on hand to provide to individuals at their discretion. If a rider will not wear a mask when asked, the driver has the right to refuse transportation and this individual will need to find other means of transportation.
This requirement applies to riders of all ages and will remain in effect until masks are no longer available.
Updates can be found on the Menominee Regional Public Transportation
Facebook page.
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Our Menominee way is to help others
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During this time of uncertainty, it is important to remember to check in on others, especially our Elders, and offer to help where you can.
Think of ways we all can help each other get through this. We're all in this together.
Health care providers are currently encouraging everyone to stay home and avoid crowds-phone calls are best. If phone calls are not possible, practice social distancing of at least 6 feet and good hygiene.
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People should follow simple steps to avoid getting sick, including:
- Frequent and thorough hand washing with soap and water.
- Coughs and sneeze into your elbow/sleeve, not your hands
- Avoiding touching your face.
- Staying home, especially if sick
- Social distancing-keep at least 6 feet of space between you and others
- Avoid crowds
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe, including your phone
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As this is an evolving issue, individuals are encouraged to monitor the following websites for the latest information on COVID-19:
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MITW will release more information on the following platforms:
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Tribal Emergency Hotline: (715) 799-7000 press #5 for COVID-19 information
Menominee Public Access Channel 979 on Charter/Spectrum
Please share the information with others who may not have access to these options.
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Here are links to the previous updates that were sent out:
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Menominee Nation News office hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
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Devan Erdmann
Director/Editor
Joshua Sederstrom
Administrative/Design Assistant
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Patrick Delabrue
Reporter
Christopher Anderson
Reporter
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Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin | Menominee Nation News
Ph: (715) 799-5167 | Fax: (715) 799-5250
© 2020
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