COVID-19 Cooling Shelters Plan 2020

These plans are only activated during the COVID-19 2020 Pandemic Crisis

Definitions:

Shelter- something that covers or affords protection; which a person can go to during power outages to escape the heat.

We have The Mohican Family Center available to the public to use as cooling stations during a power outage and Extreme Heat Emergencies.

Those wishing to use the Cooling Shelter will drive or walk to the east doors under the car port, to complete the Health screening questionnaire and have their temperatures taken before allowing Community Members to enter the shelters (see questions listed below).

Everyone using the shelters will be given a mask to protect themselves and others.

Masks must always be worn by everyone while in the shelters.

The Elders will use the Eunice Stick Gathering place, contact will be made with the Manager Kristy Malone and the Center will be made available. Eunice Stick Gathering Place will accommodate 26 Elderly using the social distancing.

Overview

Extreme heat is a major public health concern in the United States. Exposure to extreme heat can cause a variety of health problems, including heat stroke and death. Cooling centers (a cool site or airconditioned facility designed to provide relief and protection during extreme heat) are used by many communities to protect health during heat events. However, the use of cooling centers can result in congregating of groups of at-risk people, such as older adults or those with respiratory diseases, and potentially provide a route for the transmission of the SARS COV-2 virus and subsequent development of COVID-19 disease among both visitors and staff. Maintain social (physical) distancing within cooling centers, ideally at least six feet between individuals. Consider separation of furniture and creating spaces for individual family units (families who live together do not need to maintain physical distancing in a cooling center).

Sick - Showing signs of being sick or flu-like symptoms, temperatures over 100 * or failure to answer no to the questions listed below. (These individuals will be staged in a room away from the general public).

Infected - Confirmed as having COVID-19 must remain quarantined and not use any of the 2 listed Cooling shelters.

Sick Community Members must be isolated/quarantined from the those who are not sick.

The operation of Centers, especially during emergencies will be coordinated with Public Safety and the Stockbridge-Munsee Tribal Council. 2

Opening- Designated Cooling Facilities will be opened following a power outage. Opening and closing of Cooling Centers will be posted by Public Safety on the Stockbridge-Munsee Website and Facebook page when the temperature and relative humidity reach the Extreme Caution level. (See attached Heat Index)

This will allow Elderly without power for more than 1 hour and Community Members without power for more than 2- hours; to go to the cooling shelters for relief and protection during extreme heat. The shelter will also provide utilities services for those who need them.

Accountability logbook or sign in/sign out sheet of all persons entering/exiting the cooling shelter will be maintained by staff assigned to each cooling shelter.

Family Center staff members will man the Family Center as coordinated by the Family Center Manager.

Shelters:

The capacity is calculated based on the square footage of each room. The minimum spacing is 6 feet per person standing or 8 feet per person sitting.

FAMILY CENTER – The Family Center rooms vary in square footage (see attached Floor Plan). Based on the above calculations, the Family Center can accommodate 297 people at the 6 feet social distancing or 167 using the 8 feet social distancing.

Sick Elders and Community Members other than those positive for COVID-19 will check in at the east doors and be directed by staff to the weight room (closest to the north doors) and maintain the 6 feet isolation rule set by Tribal Council.

Key Holders

Eunice Stick Gathering Place-Elderly Staff, Law Enforcement Staff, and Property and Equipment Staff.

Family Center-Family Center Staff, Law Enforcement Staff, and Property and Equipment Staff.

Property and Equipment will sanitize the building or rooms used by the community.

Health Screening Questions

Temp under 100 ? (Y/N)

Do you have new or worsening cough? (Y/N)

Do you have new or worsening shortness of breath? (Y/N)

Do you have a sore throat? (Y/N)

Do you have myalgia (muscle pain)? (Y/N)

Have you had any loss of taste or smell? (Y/N)

Have you had contact with a person who has COVID-19 or is suspected? (Y/N)