FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2020
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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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Emergency order/guidelines in effect on reservation
Effective 3/25/2020 until 5/25/2020 or until changed
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ALL FACILITIES OPERATED BY
THE MENOMINEE TRIBAL GOVERNMENT
ARE CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC
Buildings accessible
BY APPOINTMENT ONLY
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All Tribal Buildings are closed to the public
. If you need assistance from a tribal department please call. The tribal switchboard operator can be reached at (715) 799-5100.
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The Shawano Menominee Counties Health Department has made some updates to the data graphic above. Below are definitions of the new categories:
A SINGLE CASE in the following setting initiates a facility-wide public health investigation:
- Long-term care facilities - include skilled nursing facilities (nursing homes) and assisted living facilities (community-based residential facilities and residential care apartment complexes).
TWO OR MORE CASES in the following settings initiate a facility-wide public health investigation:
- Workplace (non-health care) - settings include manufacturing and production facilities, distribution facilities, offices, and other indoor workplaces.
- Other settings - include adult or child daycare centers, restaurants, event spaces, and religious settings.
- Group housing facilities - include correctional facilities, homeless shelters, dormitories, and group homes.
- Health care facilities - include hospitals, clinics, dialysis centers, hospice, and in-home care.
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Notice regarding testing done at the
Menominee Transit Center in Keshena:
Army National Guard conducted 1061 tests. To date 600 test have been processed and
ALL HAVE BEEN NEGATIVE FOR THE VIRUS
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We will update the public when all of the results have been processed.
Thank you all for your efforts to prevent the spread
of COVID-19 on the reservation.
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MENOMINEE INDIAN TRIBE OF WISCONSIN
EMERGENCY ORDINANCE.20-06
"EMERGENCY CURFEW ORDINANCE"
between the hours of 10:00 p.m. And 6:00 a.m.
This ordinance shall remain in effect
for a period of sixty (60) days.
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Menominee Casino to Re-open May 27th
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Menominee Casino Resort
Harley Lyons, Acting General Manager
Valued Guests,
We are happy to announce as of May 27th at 10am, we will be welcoming you back to Menominee Casino Resort. We appreciate your understanding and patience as we move forth through these unprecedented times. We Care! You are all an extension of our family, that is why we have taken these additional measures to ensure the well-being, health and safety are priority one.
We Care measures:
- Hours of operation for May 27th, opening day, will be 10am – 2am. Regular hours of operation will begin May 28th from 8am – 2am. The casino will be closed from 2am – 8am to conduct additional deep cleaning measures.
- Strongly recommending mask use for all of our guests and required for all of our team members
- Total capacity limited to 50%
- Rearranged slot floor to respect social distancing practices
- Install protective shields at guest interactive areas such as Guest Services and Cashiers stations
- Floor markers to indicate social distancing spacing at areas where lines have a potential to occur: Guest Services, Cashiers station, Restaurant, Gift Shop and ATMs
- Hand sanitizing stations provided throughout the casino, please use prior to and after all transactions at Guest Services, Cashier stations and ATMs
- Increased frequency of slot machine cleaning. In addition, you may request your slot to be cleaned prior to gaming by turning on the ‘Service Light’. Please practice turning the slot machine ‘Service Light’ on once your gaming session is complete to alert our team that a game is in need of cleaning.
- Disinfecting wipes provided throughout the gaming floor for additional cleaning of slot machines, ATMs, chairs, etc.
- Advise and request our guests to refrain from grouping or gaming in pairs
- Employees are required to use hand sanitizer and clean work stations frequently in between shifts and breaks
- Higher frequency cleaning of frequently touched/used areas such as countertops, ATMs, credit card touchpads door handles & restrooms
- All Non-smoking facility, areas have been provided for smoking in our courtyard.
- Procedures, training and additional measures have been created to respond to COVID-19 visitors, exposure, etc.
- Promotions and offers:
- Our promotional events will be suspended until further notice
- Guests’ monthly mail offers and coupons will continue on right where you left off. Please understand this closure time will not be accounted for in our evaluation processes.
- Lounge Entertainment/Events/Concerts
- Live entertainment in our Spirit Island lounge has been suspended until further notice.
- Large events and concerts are temporarily postponed.
- All events will continue to be reviewed to ensure we are following all recommended health and safety guidelines. We will reevaluate and begin events once it is advisably safe to do so.
- Forest Island Restaurant / Autumn Leaf Café
- While Autumn Leaf Café remains temporary closed, a limited menu will be available in our Forest Island Restaurant
- Table Games, Bingo and Hotel
- These areas have all been temporarily suspended until further notice
- We are striving to move forward at the safest rate possible to return all services for your enjoyment
We Care about you. We Care about providing the safest entertainment experience that you will feel confident to enjoy.
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DHS Works with USDA and Retailers to Make Grocery Shopping Flexible and Safe for FoodShare Households
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Wisconsin households that use
FoodShare
are now able to shop online at the two grocery retailers currently set up at the national level to accept online payment (Amazon and Walmart). FoodShare, the state’s program that helps Wisconsinites with limited resources buy the food they need for good health, has seen an increase in applications since the beginning of the
COVID-19 pandemic
. The program provides funds to eligible households to purchase groceries using what looks like a debit card.
To support members in safely using their benefits during the pandemic, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) applied to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to expedite implementation of online purchasing for FoodShare benefits. That application was approved last week.
“Even though online purchasing is currently limited to just the two national retailers, it is one option to help people physical distance while doing their food shopping,” said Jim Jones, Director of the Division of Medicaid Services, which administers the FoodShare program. “DHS will support Wisconsin-based grocery stores interested in accepting FoodShare benefits online as they work with USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service to become authorized.”
More information about this opportunity is available on the FNS website
.
The online purchasing program is not the only distance shopping option for households eligible for FoodShare. Individual retailers are implementing other flexibilities on their own. For example, some grocers have set up processes to allow individuals to place orders online or over the phone and then pay in person, either curbside or in the store. Shoppers should contact their favorite stores to learn more about what options might be available.
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Ethnic Minority Grant Applications Now Being Accepted
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Submitted Article
Wisconsin Indian Business Alliance
To help ethnic minority-owned micro-businesses cope with the economic impact of COVID-19, the Ethnic Minority Emergency Grant Initiative is being launched by
WEDC
with a total of $2 million to be made available to 1,000 Wisconsin micro-businesses.
A business may apply for a one-time grant of $2,000. Applicants will be subject to underwriting, and grant recipients will be required to submit a report indicating how the funds were used.
Online applications will be accepted through May 24, 2020.
The grant is to be used towards business operating expenses which may include payroll/owner draws, rent, inventory, and utilities.
Eligibility includes:
- Business operates in the retail, service or hospitality industries
- For-profit business
- Business is Wisconsin-based
- Business is at least 51% minority owned
- Business started operating prior to January 1, 2020, and was operating as of February 29, 2020
- Business has no more than five (5) full-time equivalent employees, including the owner
- Business HAS NOT received assistance through the WEDC's Small Business 20/20 Program or the SBA Paycheck Protection Program
The Wisconsin Indian Business Alliance (WIBA) is ready to help Native American small business owners!
If you have any questions, call us:
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Submitted Article
Posoh,
I know a lot of people are wondering about the farmers market this year. We are planning to go ahead with the market, but of course, some things will be different.
Right now we're working with Incident Command to finalize social distancing rules. This will probably include vendors wearing masks and gloves and customers being expected to stay 6 feet away from other customers and vendors.
Instead of opening on June 5, the first day of the market has been postponed to June 26. We are planning to hold it at the same location as last year- the Memorial Park in Keshena.
If you would like a vendor application, please message on
facebook
and I will send it to you by email. To stay updated on farmers market news, please like this page.
Waewaenen,
Jessica Robyns, AmeriCorps VISTA
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Annual Contest Powwow Canceled
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Posoh,
The Menominee Tribe and our Pow Wow Committee has been closely following the COVID-19 public health emergency. In the best protection and safety for our community and Pow Wow Community, the Menominee Tribe will be cancelling our 2020 Menominee Nation Annual Pow Wow scheduled for July 31 to August 2, 2020.
We thank everyone for understanding and supporting our Pow Wow over the years. We look forward to next year 2021.
Please stay safe, healthy, and close to home.
Waewaenen
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250,000 drivers eligible for online renewal
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Submitted Article
Wisconsin Department of Transportation
New DMV online license renewal program available for drivers ages 18 to 64
To accommodate thousands of customers needing to renew their driver license during the public health emergency, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) now offers many drivers the option to renew online. The new program, launched May 11, allows eligible drivers to renew their license up to one year before their card expires.
DMV estimates nearly 250,000 drivers are eligible to renew their license online this year.
“Renewing online is an important option for those who prefer to minimize public interaction at this time,” Wisconsin DMV Administrator Kristina Boardman said.
Drivers, ages 18 to 64, with no new medical restrictions or negative changes to their vision since their last renewal can renew their license online (wisconsindmv.gov/renewDL).
Approximately 80,000 driver licenses expired since March 12, 2020. To eliminate the need to visit a service center, those licenses received extensions for renewal. The renewal extensions expire July 25, 2020.
To protect the health of drivers 60 and older, DMV is extending their renewal date to September 24, 2020.
Renewing online is fast and convenient. Drivers who renew online receive a confirmation email that they can immediately print and use until their new card arrives by mail within 10 days. The $34 renewal fee remains the same.
Additional information about the online renewal program can be found here:
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Resilient Wisconsin Expands Reach
Initiative adds supports to website for Wisconsinites most significantly affected by COVID-19
Submitted Article
Wisconsin Department of Health Services
Today the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) announced an expansion of the Resilient Wisconsin initiative. The initiative, which was launched last month, provides strategies for Wisconsinites to reduce stress and build resiliency. The new supports specifically cater to populations most significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“DHS is committed to providing meaningful public health information to the people of Wisconsin, and that includes information about mental and emotional health and well-being,” said Secretary-designee Andrea Palm. “That means working with Wisconsinites to build resilience.”
The
Resilient Wisconsin website
already provides information and educational materials to help individuals and families stay mentally and emotionally healthy during this unprecedented crisis. These strategies are meant for use by all Wisconsinites; however, mental health specialists at DHS recognize that more specific supports may be needed by communities especially impacted by COVID-19.
“COVID-19 is a statewide challenge, but that doesn’t mean it affects everyone in the same way. If you are someone who was already experiencing mental health challenges or someone who is facing violence in the home, you may need more specific resources,” said Trauma and Resilience Program Manager Robin Matthies. “That is why we are expanding Resilient Wisconsin – because we see you and want you to know it is okay to ask for help.”
Pages providing information and educational materials for frontline workers, people facing elevated risk during the pandemic like older adults and communities of color, and disrupted workers are now available on the DHS website.
“We hope these new resources reach the people who need them the most,” said Scott Webb, the Trauma-Informed Care Coordinator at DHS. “In fact, we are hopeful more people will access the website thanks to the outreach we’re able to do in partnership with billboard companies across the state.”
Lamar Outdoor, Clear Channel Outdoor, and Adams Outdoor have generously donated space on a total of 137 billboards across the state to advertise the Resilient Wisconsin initiative.
“Resilience is integral to getting through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, and these donations show how committed our business community is to the mental health and well-being of our state,” said Secretary-designee Andrea Palm. “I encourage all Wisconsinites to check out the resources on the Resilient Wisconsin website.”
To access the information and educational materials provided by Resilient Wisconsin, go to
resilient.wisconsin.gov
. We encourage you to follow @DHSWI on
Facebook
and
Twitter
, or dhs.wi on
Instagram
for more information on Resilient Wisconsin.
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Unemployment benefits Information
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Menominee Job Center can assist with filing for unemployment benefits
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The Menominee Job Center staff are available to help individuals who need assistance filing for unemployment insurance.
For more information please call 715-799-6226 ext. 3300. If you prefer to email, you can contact jobcenter@menominee.edu or message us through
Facebook.
FYI: Do not report your stimulus payment from the Federal Government as wages or income when filing unemployment claims.
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Key messages — May 20, 2020
Do you have symptoms of COVID-19? Have you been exposed? Get tested.
Wisconsin continues to make progress.
- Wisconsin is working to be one of the top states in testing per capita, in addition to already being one of the top states in COVID-19 testing capacity. We will continue to:
- Respond to every employer, corrections, and congregate care outbreak.
- Test every nursing home resident and staff member.
- Establish community testing programs for symptomatic individuals in target communities.
- Ensure everyone who is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms gets a test.
- We are also scaling up our contact tracing program to match our expanding COVID-19 testing.
- Contact tracing allows public health to track the spread of COVID-19 and break the chain of disease spread. It’s done by contacting those who have tested positive, learning who they’ve had recent contact with, and then contacting those individuals to provide guidance on testing and isolation.
- The goal is to interview positive cases within 24 hours of diagnosis, and contacts within another 24 hours. Staying home when one tests positive or is exposed to someone who is infected with COVID-19 will be critical to stopping the spread of the disease as we continue to turn the dial and further reopen the state.
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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
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe, including your phone
- Use of a face mask when going out in public
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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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Please share the information with others
who may not have access to these options.
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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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Share with your family and friends
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