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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2020
Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin
Response to COVID-19
UPDATES FOR MENOMINEE TRIBAL MEMBERS AND RESIDENTS OF THE MENOMINEE RESERVATION/COUNTY
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, and 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.
 
Update on the operations of various programs of Tribal Government as of Wednesday 3/18/2020
This information is provided for public consumers of services from these departments.   We are requesting that traffic to all tribal facilities during this state of emergency be limited to matters of an immediate nature.  We also encourage you to transact as much business as possible by phone or email. Although many departments of government are maintaining regular hours of operation, some are operating with significantly reduced staffing levels.
 
 
DEPARTMENTS OPERATING ON REDUCED OR SPECIAL HOURS
 
Lending and Tribal Taxes
Open Monday 8-4:30 Thursday 8-4:30
Loan Fund Applications will be due on Monday by 12:00
Checks can be picked up on Thursday at 1:00
VITA Tax Preparation will be done by drop method-only available for basic tax returns-Drop off on Monday and Thursday-we will call you when taxes are complete.
 
Enrollment, License and Permits
Closed to walk up customers
License plate renewals should be sent via US Mail
Staff have access to emails and phones:
Enrollment (715) 799-5121 or Licensing and Permit (715) 799-5142 to leave a message, please include your name and telephone number.
 
Office of the Public Defender
Closed to walk up customers
Existing clients will continue to receive representation
Individuals needing should contact 715.994.1457
 
Child Support
Limited Office Hours with reduced staff in the office:
Wednesdays and Fridays from 8am-11am.
 
Departments with Normal Hours of Operation (staffing levels are reduced):
 
Aging & Long Term Care (Meal Sites carry out only)
Menominee Tribal Clinic (see guidance below)
Crime Victims
Menominee Detention Facility
Domestic Violence Shelter
Food Distribution
Information Technology
Maehnowesekiyah Wellness Center
Department of Transit Services
Tribal Administration
Menominee Tribal Law Enforcement
Tribal Facilities
Menominee Tribal Utilities
Community Development
Community Resource Center (CRC)
Environmental Services
Family Service,
Finance
Housing
Human Resources
Insurance
Menominee Nation News
Youth Services Department (Recreation Center and Fitness Center Closed)
 
CLINIC RELATED VISITS:  If you have concerns, call the nurse of your doctor or provider to evaluate your risks. Do not come to the clinic without calling. 
If calls become overwhelming, we will need to take steps to create special phone numbers. Patients with concerning symptoms leave Registration and enter isolated rooms through the west entrance. Some patients may be directed to the west parking lot by nurses. Parking space will be available by these entrances.
 
We appreciate your understanding and patience during this state of emergency.
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.

The Tribe will be recording another podcast soon in regards to COVID-19 and will be answering more community questions. If you have a questions, please send them to podcast@mitw.org
Food being provided for youth
Food for kids can be picked up at the following locations on Thursday, March 19 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and other times that will be announced in the future:

•Keshena Primary School. The Food for Kids program is also in constant need of cardboard boxes to help with delivery food and if people have any excess boxes they are encouraged to drop them off at this location.
•Middle Village Fire Department
•South Branch Community Center
•Menominee Tribal School
•Zoar Community Center (note: this is a different place, across the street from the Zoar Ceremonial Building).

This program is for youths only (those 18 and under), many of whom have difficulty accessing nutritional foods on their own, so it should not be used as an alternative food supply source by anyone else.

Meals will be especially provided to all Tribal School children, Head Start/Early Head Start children and Daycare children. Kids who attend Keshena Primary School, Menominee Indian Middle School, and Menominee Indian High School can use the service too.

Plans are to distribute two days’ worth at a time at all five of the centers Tuesday and Thursday of this week as pick-up only.

On a related note, if people use the St. Michael’s Food Pantry as a source of food it currently plans to operate at regular dates and hours, but is only offering drive-up for the time being.
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Those distributing food to youth during the COVID-19/ Coronvirus school closure period are in increasing need of boxes to be used for packaging the meal deliveries.

They asked if anyone has any spare boxes like copy paper boxes or other similar boxes to please have them delivered directly to the Keshena Primary School right away.

Please look in your areas and see if you have any that you can spare and send to KPS.
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.
Save-A-Lot designates shopping hours for elders
Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, Save-a-Lot has designated a shopping time for our elders from the hours of 7:30am until 9:30am effective March 18, 2020. During this time frame ONLY our elders will be allowed in the store to fulfill their shopping needs.

Hours of regular operation for ALL customers will be from 9:30am-9pm.

Management also asks that any customers that are in need of supplies/groceries from our Save-a-Lot store, to please refrain from coming in large groups. This will help in preventing the possible spread of the COVID-19 virus.

The 1-day meat sale that was scheduled for April 3, 2020 has been postponed to a later date to be determined.
Gov. Evers Orders Scaling Down of all Child Care Settings
MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today directed Department of Health Services (DHS) Secretary-designee Andrea Palm to restrict the size of all child care settings. Centers may not operate with more than 10 staff present at a time and may not operate with more than 50 children present at a time. This order can be found here.

The restriction in size goes into effect at 8 a.m. on Thurs, March 19, 2020 to give child care providers and families time to make plans for care moving forward. The closure will remain in effect for the duration of the public health emergency declared by Executive Order #72. 

“Child care is an essential service for many of the folks working on the front lines to provide healthcare and vital services to our communities during the COVID-19 outbreak,” said Gov. Evers. “This is another step forward to ensure that service continues, while protecting our child care providers who are going above and beyond their regular duties to support our families, communities, and state.”

Providers are being asked to prioritize families of healthcare and essential service providers, using good faith to determine who those families are. Those using care who can keep their children at home are being asked to do so. The Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF) and DHS have updated guidance for providers to implement this emergency order, available here. 

“I know many Wisconsinites are looking for ways to help during this crisis,” Gov. Evers continued. “If you are able, keeping your kids at home is one of the actions you can take to have the most impact. I also want to recognize the child care providers around the state who are stepping up to support our communities-- we appreciate your service during this challenging time.”

Additionally, the Administration is working with healthcare providers, child care providers, and the National Guard to explore options to serve healthcare workers through on-site care. It is important that these facilities are able to provide the same level of care and health precautions for staff and children. More information on this effort will be available in the coming days. 

People should follow simple steps to prevent illness and avoid exposure to this virus including:
  • Avoid social gatherings with people of all ages (including playdates and sleepovers, parties, large family dinners, visitors in your home, non-essential workers in your house);
  • Frequent and thorough hand washing with soap and water;
  • Covering coughs and sneezes;
  • Avoiding touching your face; and
  • Staying home when sick.

This is a rapidly evolving situation and we encourage you and the public to frequently monitor the DHS website for updates, and to follow @DHSWI on Facebook and Twitter, or dhs.wi on Instagram. Additional information can be found on the CDC website.
Our Menominee way is to help others
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.
Here are a few things kids/families can do while home:
• The Library is closed to the public, but you can still join them for online activities. Go to the CMN Library Facebook page for facebook live events.
 
Also, check out their daily posting with a link that will take you to the Story of the Day. These read-alouds are one way your family can stay connected to books and reading.
Looking for something to read/listen/watch during this stretch? Check out Overdrive with your Library card. Sign in using Infosoup-Menominee Tribal Library. Use your Library card number for the username and password.
• Sign up for a free trial of the many streaming services
• Bead
• Puzzles, crosswords, or color in a coloring book, board games, build something out of legos, play barbies/super heroes with your children
• Read a book
• Try making a new meal or perfect that frybread recipe
• Start a journal
• Watch those really long movies you've been wanting to watch but didn't have time
• Exercise
• Knit/Crochet
• Pamper yourself-do your nails, at home facials, take a bath
• Finish up those dreaded tasks around your home you've been meaning to do
• Try this coping activity for kids
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
As this is an evolving issue, individuals are encouraged to monitor the following websites for the latest information on COVID-19:
MITW will release more information on the following platforms:
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.
In case you missed it...
Here are links to the previous updates that were sent out:

Menominee Nation News office hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Devan Erdmann
Director/Editor

Joshua Sederstrom
Administrative/Design Assistant
Patrick Delabrue
Reporter

Christopher Anderson
Reporter
Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin | Menominee Nation News
Ph: (715) 799-5167 | Fax: (715) 799-5250
© 2020