May 1, 2020 -Vol
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Follow us on Twitter #CATribalTribune CheyenneandArapaho-nsn.gov May 1, 2020 -Vol. 16, Issue 9 Sharing Information Through Telephone Town Hall Seriesour patients.” Rosemary Stephens Editor-in-Chief On the first telephone town hall meeting Dr. Dar- During this time of So- relle Cox, a medical anthro- cial Distancing and Distance pologist at the University of Learning, thousands of in- Oklahoma who has worked dividuals are getting crash with the Cheyenne and Arap- courses on holding meetings aho Tribes for a number of and sharing information via years on health related re- cyber space. From Zoom to search, discussed the effects teleconferencing to Face- COVID-19 has had on the book Live events, the ability state of Oklahoma. to conduct business in a vir- “When reviewing mobili- tual setting has been another ty, there is a strong predictor unprecedented factor of the of the more mobile a com- COVID-19 pandemic. munity is there is an increase Leadership of the Chey- of COVID-19 outbreaks,” enne and Arapaho Tribes and Dr. Cox said. “The Chey- Clinton Service Unit (CSU) enne and Arapaho Tribal came together to host a series area looks to be doing very of Telephone Town Hall live well at sheltering in place, meetings to address the im- staying home, and reducing pact of the coronavirus across travel.” tribal communities, and give Dr. Sarah Hartnett, CSU people the opportunity to clinical director, reviewed ask questions. The CSU and the ongoing services CSU the Cheyenne and Arapaho is providing during this na- Tribes have been working tional emergency. collaboratively to provide on- going patient care and infor- “CSU has increased ed by the Oklahoma State Dept. of this situation is such an unknown we worry about, including influen- mation to tribal citizens. telemedicine visits and the Health and encouraged everyone to for everyone,” Romannose said. za (flu) and now COVID-19. There “This is our first experience such number of departments providing keep social distancing guidelines in Experts were invited to share is a vaccine for influenza and this as this,” Cheyenne and Arapaho their services through telemed- place in spite of Oklahoma opening information about COVID-19 and vaccine helps people avoid going Tribes’ Gov. Reggie Wassana said. icine has increased as well. This some non-essential businesses. how community members may to the intensive care unit. We are “We are working as hard as we can, means we can provide care to Quinton Romannose, member of protect themselves. Dr. Joe P. Bry- working to develop a vaccine for as diligently as we can, and trying those with chronic needs at home. the Tribal Health Board, impressed an, infectious disease specialist and COVID-19,” Dr. Bryan said. “Stay to be as safe as we can. I appreciate This does not replace face-to-face upon listeners the importance of consultant for the Cheyenne and calm as we keep working through the partnership with CSU and the visits, as we are currently encour- sharing and acquiring of informa- Arapaho Tribes, spoke on what this. There are a number of clinical daily interactions through confer- aging our patients to continue to tion, stating the CSU and the Chey- they have learned from the past, trials currently taking place. We ence calls to discuss how we can enne and Arapaho Tribes meet dai- where they are now, and what they will know more in the near future. shelter in place,” Dr. Harnett said. continue to help our tribal mem- ly to communicate and share how can learn for the future. This has been a challenging time, Dr. Harnett emphasized the bers.” they can best serve the tribal com- “Respiratory tract infections are but I am proud of the efforts of the wearing of face coverings while Gov. Wassana said the execu- munity. the number one infectious disease Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes and in public spaces due to the emerg- tive branch is basing most of their “It’s important to know informa- killer of humans worldwide. There the Indian Health Services have ing information of asymptomatic decisions on the numbers provid- tion and where it’s coming from, as are a number of infectious diseases provided in meeting the needs of TOWN HALL / pg. 8 Coronavirus Testing Needs to Triple Before the U.S. Can Safely Reopen, Experts Say (AP) As some gover- researchers say is too high. nors consider easing social “If you have a very high distancing restrictions, new positive rate, it means that estimates by researchers at there are probably a good Harvard University suggest number of people out there that the United States cannot who have the disease who safely reopen unless it con- you haven’t tested,” said ducts more than three times Ashish Jha, the director of the number of coronavirus the Harvard Global Health tests it is currently adminis- Institute. “You want to drive tering over the next month. the positive rate down, be- Otoe-Missouria Tribal Chairman John Shotton (left) and Comanche Nation Chairman William Nelson Sr. gave state- An average of 146,000 cause the fundamental ele- ments during Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt’s press conference announcing the signing of their new Tribal-State compacts. people per day have been ment of keeping our econ- tested for the coronavirus omy open is making sure nationally so far this month, you’re identifying as many Oklahoma Governor Makes Surprise according to the COVID infected people as possible Tracking Project, which on and isolating them.” Friday, April 24, reported The researchers said that Public Announcement on Tribal Gaming 3.6 million total tests across expanded testing could re- the country. To reopen the duce the rate to 10 percent, Compacts during Health Pandemic United States by mid-May, which is the maximum rate Rosemary Stephens, Editor-in-Chief the number of daily tests recommended by the World (OKLAHOMA CITY) While most state governors fo- automatically renewed for another 15 years. The case is cur- performed between now Health Organization. In Ger- cus on the coronavirus COVID-19 affecting their individual rently scheduled to be heard in federal court after three of the and then should be 500,000 many, that number is seven states and citizens, Oklahoma’s governor, Kevin Stitt’s atten- largest tribes in Oklahoma brought suit against Stitt in De- to 700,000, according to the percent, and in South Korea, tion seems to be more about tribal gaming compacts. cember 2019. The case was set to be mediated in March, until Harvard estimates. it is closer to three percent. During the unprecedented health pandemic, Gov. Stitt the COVID-19 pandemic hit the United States. The presiding That level of testing is There is variation in the went public, on a live broadcast hours after signing Gaming federal judge, Chief U.S. District Judge Timothy DeGuisti necessary to identify the rate of testing and positive Compacts with Comanche Nation and the Otoe-Missouria postponed the hearing over the status of tribal gaming com- majority of people who are results among states, but Tribe. Which came as news to the other 37 tribes in Okla- pacts and placed a gag order on all parties involved. infected and isolate them most need to administer homa. Stitt is seeking higher exclusivity fee rates from the tribes from people who are healthy, more tests to get to the lev- The state and the tribes have been locked in a dispute for to continue operating Class III gaming in Oklahoma. The according to the researchers. el the researchers suggest a months over whether the existing gaming compact expired tribes pay the state between 4% and 10% in exclusivity fees About 20 percent of those minimum of about 152 tests on Jan. 1, 2020, with Gov. Stitt insisting the current compact currently. In 2018 tribes paid the state of Oklahoma over tested so far were positive per 100,000 people each day. for the virus, a rate that the expired, while the tribes maintain their belief the compact GAMING COMPACT / pg. 7 TESTING / pg. 7 PAGE 2 Cheyenne & Arapaho Tribal Tribune Tsistsistas & Hinonoei AboutWhat is COVID-19? testing COVID-19 site. COVID-19 is the new How do I get tested? respiratory disease spread- Your doctor or state or ing around the world and local health department it is caused by a coronavi- will decide if you should rus. COVID-19 is short for be tested. “coronavirus disease 2019.” State and local health The virus is thought to departments have received spread mainly between peo- tests from the CDC. Indi- ple who are in close contact vidual doctors are coor- with one another (about 6 dinating testing through feet) and through respirato- public health labs. They ry droplets produced when are also getting tests de- stant chest pain or pressure; Lather your hands by an infected person coughs or veloped by commercial man- extreme difficulty breathing; rubbing them together. Get sneezes. ufacturers. severe, constant lightheaded- the backs of your hands, be- People are most conta- Different providers, ness; or serious disorienta- tween your fingers, and un- gious when they are the sick- states, and local health de- tion or unresponsiveness. der your nails. est, however studies have partments may have different Have your medical pro- Scrub your hands for 20 shown two to three days pri- testing recommendations. vider’s contact information seconds. Sing “Happy Birth- or to symptoms being pres- Testing is limited-avail- on hand. day” twice while washing to ent a person can still pass the ability across the country If your symptoms wors- gauge your timing. virus on to others. and is currently being priori- en, call your doctor and tell Rinse your hands under There is currently no vac- tized for healthcare workers, them your symptoms.