Mohican Nation January 19, 2022 COVID Update

The lightning speed at which the new variant is spreading is leading to long lines at testing sites and shortages of rapid at-home tests. It's also disrupting the return to the classroom for some of the state's largest school districts and business operations.

There has been discussion around closure of operations with so many active cases, the Tribal Council meets frequently with the Executive and Medical Team to discuss and evaluate the current environment and operations.   The Tribe has taken extraordinary measures to ensure workplace safety.  PPE is available to employees at no cost, masking is enforced, capacity in public buildings is reduced, air handling capabilities have been improved whenever possible, vaccine incentives and safe practices incentives have been made available.  Finally, the Tribe instituted a vaccine mandate to ensure all employees take the most effective step possible to protect themselves, their fellow workers and those they serve. 

After taking all of these steps, the variants keep developing and effecting our community.  This is happening in large part because the surrounding communities and the state as a whole has not been as vigilant as the Tribe, its employees and its members in combating this virus.  Unfortunately, this means we are not done combating COVID-19 yet and must remain vigilant.  The price for discontinuing these safety practices at home or in the workplace is exposure and possible infections removing you from the workforce.  If the rates soar too high and a limitation to operations is required due to lack of staffing, furloughs will be necessary and furloughed employees will have to rely on unemployment or personal use of PTO.

Without question, the omicron variant is more transmissible than previous variants, but a big, big component of what's happening right now is our behavior. We are all doing things, contacting other people in ways that we were not doing five or six months ago. Just having a more transmissible variant does not mean that a wave of infection is inevitable. It really depends a lot on how we as a society behave in response to that.

Having had COVID-19 definitely does not protect you from getting COVID-19. We've seen in people that had COVID-19 and then get re-infected with the delta or omicron variant.

According to the SMHWC Director Andrew Miller it's the data and science that are driving public health and policy guidance.

I realize there is concern about the 105 active patient count from late Friday.  This figure is the total new cases over the last 10 days.  Please note a few points to help clarify and reduce concern:

1. The 105 active count measures people who tested positive at the Clinic or at Occupational Health, this number includes people from outside this community.  We had quite a few people from Menominee and other areas come to our clinic for a test because of testing shortages.  The 105 is a measure of all people who tested positive over the last 10 days (as of Friday 1/14/2022).
2. The Clinic and Occupational health have a 7-day average positive rate of 20.5%.  This is below the State’s 27.5% 7-day average positive rate.  Menominee Tribal Clinic’s 7-day average positive rate is 41.2% (more than double ours).  This is a sign that our vaccine mandate and stricter isolation/quarantine plan are helping keep our numbers lower. 
3. Neither contact tracers nor our medical team are aware of a recent COVID-19 hospitalization. Despite numbers being high, hospitalizations are much lower for our community, this is another good indication that vaccines are working.
4. Data available through December for Wisconsin shows that people who are fully vaccinated are 3 times less likely to get COVID-19, 10 times less likely to be hospitalized with COVID-19, and 14 times less likely to die from COVID-19.  While you may test positive or become sick with COVID-19, if you are vaccinated, you are much less likely to be hospitalized or die from COVID-19.  https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/COVID-19/vaccine-status.htm
5. If Omicron spreads through the United States in the same manner as it did for South Africa and the UK, we will see a very big spike in cases followed by a quick reduction.  Proportionately, less people in those countries were hospitalized from the Omicron variant compared to earlier variants such as Delta. 
6. The Clinic and many hospitals in our area now offer antibody treatments including medications (pills) the help prevent hospitalization due to COVID-19.  These antibody medications are typically offered to those with higher risks factors.
7. We are probably going to see another week or two of high COVID-19 numbers, but hopefully the above information will help offer some hope.  I think the biggest information that offers hope, is hospitalizations and deaths are down even despite the increased COVID-19 numbers.

As we continue to combat COVID-19, testing and vaccinations will be a key tool to identify infected individuals and prevent spread to others. Likewise, masking can also help slow and contain the spread of the virus—and the combination of increased vaccinations and masking will have a major impact on COVID-19 transmission. Testing has played and continues to be an extremely important part in the fight against COVID-19.  The sooner people are aware of a positive result the quicker you are able to take appropriate actions to safeguard those you love, your co-workers and self. 

Some Resources Include:

• Free Home COVID-19 test kits every home in the U.S. is eligible to order free at-⁠home COVID-⁠19 tests (4 per household). Orders will usually ship in 7-12 days. To order you free test kits go to: http://www.covidtests.gov/ OR access a link at the Tribes Webpage: www.mohican.com Go to the COVID-19 page. 
• Community Testing: SMC Roads Department: January 21, 2022 8:00 am-4:00 pm www.register.covidconnect.wi.gov
• Vaccinations continue the SMHWC is offering vaccinations and booster doses to anyone age 16 or older.  To be eligible for a booster, you must have completed either a Pfizer or Moderna vaccination series at least 6 months ago; or received a Janssen vaccine at least 2 months ago. Please call the clinic to schedule your booster dose 715-793-5000.

This moment requires we work together now more than ever. For our elders, for our children, for our employees, for the future of Stockbridge-Munsee and all who call it home—each and every one of us has a responsibility to monitor our activity.

The difference between stumbling blocks and stepping stones is how you use them.”-Unknown. As our Community and workplaces transition to a new world, how we get there depends upon outlook and how we approach it. Onward forward.

“Onumunitheekw!” Be well!  ~Stockbridge-Munsee Tribal Council