April 3, 2020 - SRMT State of Emergency Operational Briefing
Apr 3, 2020
In response to the COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus) Pandemic, the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe continues to implement protective measures to ensure the ongoing health, safety and well-being of the Akwesasne community at-large. To follow are the latest measures and protocols we are taking in coordination with the SRMT Emergency Operations Center. For any emergency-related matters, please call the EOC at (518) 320-0019 or email eoc@srmt-nsn.gov.
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REPORTED COVID-19 CASES:
- Akwesasne Community: (source: Franklin County Public Health Department)
-1 confirmed case
-2 self-isolation/quarantined - Franklin County: (source: Franklin County Public Health Department)
-9 confirmed cases
-94 self-isolation/quarantined
-139 negative cases - St. Lawrence County: (source: St. Lawrence County Public Health Department)
-42 confirmed cases
-14 confirmed cases in Massena - New York State: (source: NYS Governor Andrew Cuomo)
-102,863 confirmed cases
-8,886 RECOVERED - United States: (source: John Hopkins University Coronavirus Resource Center)
-258,214 confirmed cases
-9,408 RECOVERED - Worldwide: (source: John Hopkins University Coronavirus Resource Center)
-1,066,706 confirmed cases
-223,697 RECOVERED
(NOTE: Recovered cases result from two negative tests within a 24-hour period.)
DO NOT VISIT – PLEASE CALL FIRST
HEALTH CLINIC HOURS
Monday-Friday, 9:00am-5:00pm & Saturday, 8:00am-12:00pm (No Walk-In)
(518) 358-3141
FOR PRESCRIPTION REFILLS:
Step #1: Call pharmacist at (518) 358-3143
(Call from home 5 days before medications run out.)
Step #2: Call for curbside pickup at (518) 358-4877
(Call from parking lot and allow 10 minutes for delivery)
CURBSIDE PICKUP HOURS: Monday-Friday, 10:00am-4:00pm & Saturday, 9:00am-12:00pm
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TODAY’S ANNOUNCEMENTS:
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE — The Three Sisters Program and StrongHearts Native understands that domestic and dating violence victims/survivors may feel more isolated than ever and trapped with their abusers. The Three Sisters Program wants you to know that they are still here to provide crisis response and support services. They offer a 24/7 secure shelter facility to help you during your time of need. Please call them at (518) 358-4406, toll free 855-3SISTER (855-374-7837) or Tribal Police at (518) 358-9200 for emergencies. The StrongHearts Native Helpline (1-844-7NATIVE) is also available daily from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. (Central Daylight Time). Advocates are standing by and ready to help.
ELECTION BOARD — After deliberating and seeking recommendations from the Emergency Office, the Election Board has decided to postpone the Annual Caucus and Election until the State of Emergency is lifted. Based on what we now know about COVID-19, the Election Board believes it is best to avoid large gatherings and the need to leave home to caucus or vote. Therefore, the Caucus originally scheduled for May 2, 2020 and the Election originally scheduled for June 6, 2020, are postponed until the State of Emergency is lifted.
POLICE COMMISSION — Please be advised that all SRMT Police Commission Community Meetings, that are scheduled every 2nd Wednesday are canceled until further notice. If you have any questions or would like to reach the Police Commission, please email police.commission@srmt-nsn.gov.
SAHTSóHARE – WASH YOUR HANDS
Tewahkwísron, tetewatén:ron – let’s try hard, together
---Courtesy of SRMT Mohawk Language Lab (via Facebook)
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PREVIOUS ANNOUNCEMENTS:
**REMINDER – HEALTH CLINIC - Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe Health Services kindly reminds community members that everyone MUST CALL AHEAD prior to seeking services. There are absolutely NO WALK-IN hours at this time and all medications are being carried out to patients curbside. Prior to arrival, please call the clinic at (518) 358-3143, or to refill a prescription at the Pharmacy call (518) 358-3143. Nia:wen for your patience.**
TRIBAL CLERK UPDATE—Effective March 30, 2020, the Tribal Clerks Office is CLOSED until April 20, 2020, due to the extremely contagious nature of the COVID-19 virus which is now in Akwesasne. Please read the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe website or listen to CKON for updates. You can e-mail inquiries to summer.bero@srmt-nsn.gov, derrick.king@srmt-nsn.gov, or larrileeskidders@srmt-nsn.gov. Please be patient with us as we are unable to work remotely from home due to the type of information we need access to. We apologize for any inconveniences caused and wish you good health during this difficult time.
AKWESASNE DEMENTIA CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP — A Tele-Support Group was created to help those who are helping others during this time. The Tele-Support Group meets on the third Thursday of each month from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The next sessions are on April 16th and May 21st. To register or for more information, please call Kristen Fleming at (518) 564-2049.
NORTH COUNTRY COMMUNITY COLLEGE-- North Country Community College employees will continue to work remotely through the end of the semester, and classes will resume online March 30th as planned. In an email message to faculty, staff and students today, college President Joe Keegan outlined the college’s plans for classes, academic supports and other college operations amid the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. For more information, visit the college’s COVID-19 Response page at www.nccc.edu/coronavirus-response.
STAY AT HOME & SELF-QUARANTINE — The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne and the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe is urging all travelers returning to Akwesasne from beyond a 50-mile radius to self-quarantine at home. This includes those who traveled for non-essential and essential purposes; including for work, vacation, school, release from incarceration or other reasons. With the number of reported cases increasing in Franklin County, St. Lawrence County, and within the Eastern Ontario Health Unit (EOHU) catchment, it is now a critical time to practice social distancing and limit your local travel. Stay home and only travel for essential items, such as groceries, refill prescriptions, or for other necessary reasons. If you must travel, please consider sending only one person and maintain at least a 6-foot distance from other people in public.
MENTAL HEALTH — We are asking anyone in need of mental health services to contact us. We are able to provide Services by phone or video chat. Please feel free to call the office at (518) 358-3145 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. from Monday thru Friday. For after-hours crisis, please call (518) 651-9981. New Yorkers can also call the COVID-19 Emotional Support Hotline at 1-844-863-9314.Take care of yourselves and know that it is a sign of strength to ask for help.
WALKING TRAIL — Please keep a safe distance between others—at least 6 feet—when using the Tewathahitha Walking Trail or walking elsewhere in the community, such as cycling, hiking or other outdoor activities. This is to prevent any possible transmission of COVID-19 between people. Individuals may appear healthy and not exhibit symptoms, but can still carry any diseases home to their families and into the community at-large. Reminder that all activities at Generations Park end at 9:00 p.m.
2020 CENSUS -- You may have noticed a new sign along Route 37. Yes, the 2020 U.S. Census is still being conducted by mail, online, or by phone, and the information you provide is more important than ever before. An invitation to respond by these preferred methods has been mailed to households. We ask that you please complete the ten simple questions and send it back. The number of community members and households will determine resources needed to keep our community healthy and safe for the next ten years. #akwesasnecounts
WIC UPDATE — All WIC appointments will now be done remotely over the phone. No in-person appointments. For questions and concerns, please call (518) 358-3141. There are now changes to your family’s “Benefits Valid Through” date. To check your WIC benefit balance, see: WIC2Go, the mobile app – Your last store receipt – Your store’s customer service desk – Or, call customer service at 1-844-540-3031.
SOCIAL SERVICES — To ensure the safety, health and welfare of our community during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe Social Services Division Offices will be operating remotely. In the event that you need immediate assistance, please contact the Social Services Division Administration office at (518) 358-2728, weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. If you need assistance outside of this “in-office” timeframe, please leave a detailed message at the following: Administration: (518) 358-2728, Adult/Child Protective Services: (518) 358-9659, Akwesasne Group Home: (518) 358-9184, ICWA/Traditional Support: (518) 358-2360, Intensive Preventive Program: (518) 358-3416, and Preventive/Foster Care Services: (518) 358-4516.
EARLY LEARNING CENTER — To ensure the safety of employees, students and their families; the ELC program is no longer able to provide food delivery. Meals can still be picked up at the ELC Monday thru Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. To ensure that ELC is able to sustain this service, as of March 30, 2020; the meals are exclusively provided for the children enrolled in the program.
FOOD DISTRIBUTION — The Food Distribution Program has opportunities for participants to receive foods supplied by the USDA. Qualified applicants will be able to receive products such as cheese, canned vegetables, canned meats, powered milk and eggs, rice, peanut butter, canned juices, cereal, butter, frozen chicken and beef. If you are interested in applying, please call (518) 358-2272 ext. 2212 to setup an appointment. Document requirements include verification of income, self-employment, residence, identity, and student financial assistance.
TRANSFER STATION — Beginning on Monday, March 23rd the Transfer Station will operate on reduced days. They will be open to the public on Monday/Tuesday & Friday/Saturday from 7:30 a.m. - 2:45 p.m.
TRIBAL MEETINGS — The Monthly Tribal Meeting scheduled for Saturday, April 4, 2020 has been canceled, as well as Tribal Council’s Wednesday’s Work Sessions until further notice.
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CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) RESOURCES:
CORONAVIRUS SELF-CHECKER — An online assessment is available to help you make decisions about seeking appropriate medical care. This system is not intended for the diagnosis or treatment of disease or other conditions, including COVID-19. This system is intended only for people who are currently located in the United States. To use the Coronavirus Self-Cheker please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html?fbclid=IwAR1PDom5GwSuMshNMDZzF_dKlo9jl-VEcaiW-Jfg9gR9jq2mHZ7G4p8T700
HYPER-REACH — Please register to receive Franklin County Emergency Notifications to your cell phone by voice and text. This program will notify you in the event of an emergency in your area. There is already an existing program that notifies landline phones, so there is no need to register for that program. Please take a moment to fill out the form and Hyper-Reach will notify you in the event of local emergencies or community alerts. To register, please see https://secure.hyper-reach.com/comsignup.jsp?id=15681
RUMOR CONTROL — Rumors can easily circulate within communities during a crisis. Do your part to stop the spread of disinformation by doing these easy things; read beyond the headline, check the source’s credibility, don’t pass it along if not verified by another credible source, and go to trusted sources to get the facts and info. FEMA created a page to help distinguish between rumors and facts about the Coronavirus Pandemic at www.fema.gov/coronavirus
CORONAVIRUS QUESTIONS? — New York State Department of Health has a 24/7 Coronavirus Hotline to any question you may have at 1-888-364-3065 (toll free). Real questions deserve real answers, so please share this number with anyone who wants to know more about the disease.
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EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION:
MEDICAL CENTERS
--SRMT Medical Outreach Services: (518) 358-3141 Ext. 7130
--MCA Community Health Program: (613) 575-2341 Ext. 3220
EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTERS:
--SRMT EOC: (518) 320-0019
--MCA EOC: (613) 575-5005 or (613) 575-2331
CORONAVIRUS INORMATION HOTLINES:
--Franklin County Emergency Services COVID-19 Hotline: (518) 481-1111
--(medical questions) Alice Hyde Medical Center: (518) 481-2700
--NYS Department of Health COVID-19 24/7 Hotline: 1-888-364-3065
--Eastern Ontario Health Unit: 1-800-267-7120
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
--U.S. Center for Disease Control: www.cdc.gov
--NYS Department of Health: www.health.ny.gov
--United South and Eastern Tribes, Inc.: www.usetinc.org
--Indian Health Service: www.ihs.gov
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For a listing of previous closures, changes and other measures being taken to safeguard the health of our community members, please visit the Tribe’s Facebook page or check our website at www.srmt-nsn.gov.
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The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Council is the duly elected and federally recognized government of the Saint Regis Mohawk People.