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DATE: MARCH 19, 2020

TO: ALL Saddle Lake Band Membership

RE: COVID-19 INFORMATION PACKAGE NOTE: TO PROTECT YOUR FAMILY AND OUR FIRST NATION PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE INFORMATION PACKAGE – “MAMAWOKAMATOWAK” – WE MUST ALL WORK TOGETHER.

Coronaviruses COVID-19 AWARENESS

What is COVID-19?

• Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses. Some cause respiratory illness in people, ranging from mild common colds to severe illnesses.

• Novel coronaviruses, like COVID-19, are new strains of the virus that have not been previously identified in humans. This means people have no immunity against it, and it has no specific vaccine or treatment. It may take months to have a vaccine, although scientists and medical professionals are working hard at developing one.

• The COVID-19 outbreak was declared a global pandemic by World Health Organization (WHO). Confirmed cases: 119 in Alberta, 591 in Canada as of March 18, 2020.

• Because COVID-19 can cause serious illness, it is critical to keep it from spreading by having people with a symptom stay home, away from others.

• COVID-19 is transmitted through person-to-person spread by larger droplets, like from a cough or sneeze or touching contaminated people, objects or surfaces, then touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

• 80% of people recover from the disease without needing special treatment, however it can cause serious illness. Those who are older and those with other medical problems are more likely to develop serious illness which can include difficulty breathing and pneumonia. There is a risk of death in very severe cases.

• COVID-19 is not airborne and cannot spread through the air over long distances or times, like the measles.

• Studies suggest that the virus generally only survives for a few hours on a surface, though it may be possible for it to survive several days under ideal conditions.

Symptoms to watch for

COVID-19 symptoms are similar to influenza and other respiratory illnesses. Common symptoms include:

dry cough, fever, fatigue/extreme tiredness. Symptoms of serious illness include difficulty breathing and pneumonia.

If you have symptoms: stay home - do not go to an ER (Emergency Room) or any health clinics. Instead call the SL Health Line for an assessment, they will assess you over the phone and give you instructions. We need you to call our Health Centre first to ensure tracking of the virus in our community so that preventative measures can take place. CALL THE SL HEALTH CENTRE @ (780) 726 – 3930.

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If you are concerned and want peace of mind you can take the COVID-19 self-assessment, the assessment will tell you if you are at risk, but you still need to contact the Health Centre. The self assessment is on the AHS website.

If you need immediate emergency attention for anything other than COVID-19, call 911. Ambulance service is available. If you have COVID-19 inform them over the phone so that they can take the necessary precautions.

WHAT SLCN BAND MEMBERS SHOULD KNOW?

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• We do have a “Emergency Management Plan” and with this new virus the plan is being updated as we go with new measures to ensure safety and monitoring of Saddle Lake.

• There is an Emergency Response Taskforce Team consisting of program directors, managers, essential services as well as leadership. They are connected by a group text & group emails for quick contact.

• Should things escalate in regards to COVID-19 coming to Saddle Lake, Leadership will call a “state of emergency.”

• The Task Force is meeting regularly, to date, there has been 12 meetings as of March 19th, 2020. • The emergency management plan will require that all programs, services, leadership, businesses as

well as all of our people to work together. “mamawokamatowak”. This is not just a health issue, this is a community challenge and will require every one of us to follow preventative measures and to watch out for each other.

• Regular, consistent public information is on Face Book, search for and like the Saddle Lake Cree Nation, News, Events and Information page to stay updated with consistent and official information from our Emergency Response Task Force and/or Saddle Lake leadership.

• You can also find information on the saddlelakecreenation.ca website. • Avoid confusion and misinformation by using only reliable sources for more information we are

recommending; WHO (World Health Organization), AHS (Alberta Health Services). • Buildings have been identified and are being prepared for people who get really sick and who require

quarantine and medical treatment. • Water Delivery and other essential services will continue as normal, please do not overwhelm them. Be

patient, we all have to work together. • Our doctors are discussing with off-reserve Health providers to explore how we will work together. • All SLCN events are postponed until further notice. • All band members are encouraged to cancel any and all social gatherings which includes visits, family

gatherings or dinners and visitors until further notice. • All programs, services and businesses have developed and implemented internal safety measures. • Non-essential travel for all band employees is postponed. • Non-essential travel is encouraged for all band members until further notice. The only essential travel

is for something like getting groceries or filling prescriptions. • Plans continue to be made as we progress. • There is the potential to monitor our reserve borders with security, should we go into a “State of

Emergency”. • Rest assured that SL is taking every precaution for the safety of our membership.

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SLCN HEALTH CENTRE

• The Health Centre is playing an important role in the community be respectful at all times. • Anyone and everyone needing to go to the Health Centre for any purpose will be screened before

entry to the building. • The Health Centre has taken all the necessary safety precautions to protect both staff and community

members. • The Saddle Lake Pharmacy is providing up to 3 months of prescriptions for our people who have long

term medical conditions. • If Tylenol and vitamins are needed, get a prescription and it will be issued with no charge. • Medical Transportation cabs will only transport one person per vehicle. • Do not go the Health Clinic or any Emergency Rooms if you have cold/flu like symptoms. Contact the

Health Centre immediately @ (780) 726 - 3930, for an assessment over the phone. You will be assessed and given instructions.

• If you require quarantine, Saddle Lake has been preparing buildings as makeshift hospitals for quarantine. The Health Centre will handle and identify who requires to be quarantined.

• The Health Centre has ordered PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) such as gloves, masks and hazmat suits. They cannot supply to community members as the health care providers will need them to treat people.

• COVID-19 Tests have been ordered.

SL BUSINESS/OFFICES

• The stores and businesses are still open. But you will be required to follow all safety protocol before entering any facility.

• Staff are still working hard and doing their best to respond to this pandemic. • You will not gain entry to any office or store if you appear to have any cold/flu like symptoms. You are

to stay home and contact the Health Centre. • SL Gas and Convenience stores will only be open from 7am to 7pm until further notice.

GROCERY STORES AND PHARMACIES ARE OPEN

• The St. Paul Co op and Sobeys has a seniors hour for shopping, 8am to 9am. Extra Foods senior’s hour is at 7am. to 8am.

• Although there has been some over shopping & hoarding, groceries continue to be delivered weekly to all grocery outlets.

SADDLE LAKE PREVENTION MEASURES The SL pandemic plan is underway and the TASK FORCE The team has been meeting regularly.

• All schools, post-secondary schools and daycares in Alberta including our own schools in Saddle Lake have been closed until further notice.

• All travel is considered non-essential travel, the only essential travel is travel that is necessary and required such as grocery shopping and getting prescriptions.

• All SLCN events, workshops and activities have been postponed until further notice.

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• All SL programs have created and implemented their safety plans. Please be aware of all signage in the community and abide by the instructions on them.

• Stay informed with reliable sources. We are recommending using AHS the Alberta Health Services and WHO the World Health Organization. AHS can be found online at www.alberta.ca/COVID19

• In preparation of a “state of emergency” hunters and fishermen are preparing. • If a “state of emergency” is called, food and cleaning packages will be given to people in isolation and

quarantine (high risk person/families) and to low risk person/families. • Right now, all band employees & social assistance clients monies continue to flow as usual. It will be

the responsibility for all of us to manage our income wisely.

What can all of us do

• STAY HOME! • Stock up on grocery items for a minimum period of 2 weeks. Most of us in Saddle Lake stock up

regularly but we are encouraging everyone to stock up for a minimum period of 2 weeks, if you can afford more, do so. DON’T FORGET grocery stores are open and are restocked weekly.

• WASH YOUR HANDS OFTEN and thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. You can use a hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available and if your hands are not visibly dirty.

• AVOID TOUCHING your eyes, nose, and mouth with your hands. • PROTECT YOURSELF while out in public, wash your hands frequently and thoroughly using soap, or use

hand sanitizer and maintain a distance of 2m or 6 feet from others, this is called social distancing. • COVID-19 can infect anyone, although older persons and persons with preexisting medical conditions

such as high blood pressure, heart disease, lung disease, cancer or diabetes appear to develop serious illness more often than others. Regularly call to check on your Elders and loved ones with these medical conditions.

• TO PREVENT the spread of respiratory viruses, including COVID-19, among seniors and other vulnerable groups: Only essential visits to any continuing care or long-term care facility in Alberta are recommended, note that this may change to closures. Families and friends of those in these facilities are asked to think of other ways besides visiting that they can support and encourage their loved ones through this difficult time, such as calling regularly or skyping (using the internet to talk and see each other).

• If you have any regular colds and flu stay home and self-isolate when sick, prevent the spread of any other viral infections.

Monitor your symptoms if you or anyone in your household have any cold or flu like symptoms; cough, fever, fatigue or difficulty breathing: stay home – DO NOT go to the ER (Hospital Emergency) or to the Health clinics or Health Centre;

• Contact (780) 726 – 3930 first for an over the phone assessment and to be tracked by our system to avoid any further contamination.

• You can also go online to the AHS – Alberta Health Services website at alberta.ca/COVID19 and do the online assessment for coronavirus but you will still need to inform the Health Centre, tracking and monitoring will be extremely important to prevent further contamination within Saddle Lake.

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Wearing medical masks

• Masks can be very important in certain situations. If you are healthy, medical masks are not recommended as they do not provide full protection and can create a false sense of security.

• If you are sick, wearing a mask helps prevent spreading the illness to other people. Therefore people who have a cough or respiratory symptoms must wear masks and wash their hands when visiting an emergency department or clinic.

• The SL Health Centre cannot provide masks and/or gloves as they will need all the PPP also known as personal protective equipment and gear to treat people.

• Masks are only one time use and must be discarded immediately after.

How to prepare

• CREATE A HOUSEHOLD PLAN by having a family meeting. Include safety measures such as disinfecting surfaces daily, how to turn away visitors, talk about how to conserve water, plan your meals, brainstorm activities to keep everyone busy.

• PLAN WAYS TO CARE FOR THOSE AT GREATER RISK of serious complications, such as ensuring you have sufficient medication, and determining what supplies are needed such as: cold/flu medications and stocking up on prescriptions; our SL Pharmacy is temporarily giving out up to 3 months of medication to our people with current long term medical conditions.

• PLAN FOR SELF-ISOLATION. See page 5. • Make sure you, and the people around you, FOLLOW GOOD RESPIRATORY HYGIENE. This means

covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately.

• CONSERVE WATER and get additional jugs of water for emergencies. Our water is good to drink, the BWA (boil water advisory) was lifted months ago and was only due to a break in the water line and has since been fixed. Our essential services will continue to operate but we all need to help by helping ourselves. It will not do any good to overwhelm them or put unnecessary pressure on them by stockpiling your water delivery. If it gets worse, you can collect snow or rain water and boil for use.

• CHECK ON YOUR ELDERS by calling, do not expose them to direct contact. • WHEN GREETING someone, wave, a nod or touch elbows, no kissing, no hugging, no shaking hands as

we would regularly do when meeting an Elder, friend or family member. • LYSOL are safe to use for cell phones, laptops and tablets, just avoid the crevices. • Store some emergency cash. • AVOID ALL TRAVEL except for essential items like; prescriptions and groceries. • DO NOT SHARE drinks, food or tobacco, snuff and vape products. • PRACTICE GOOD HEALTH HABITS and everyday preventive actions. • Choose a room in your home you can use to separate sick household members from healthy ones. • Choose a separate bathroom for sick individuals to use, if possible. • Plan to clean these rooms as needed when someone is sick. • Have food and supplies at home to last for a minimum of 2 weeks, more if possible. Purchase pasta’,

rice, canned meats, things that do not spoil and can last for a long time, avoid any non-food items or junk food, get the stuff that counts. Stock up on cold and flu meds.

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• STAY HOME. Protect your family from exposure. Stay home if you have any cold/flu like symptoms even if they are mild, we must all work together to stop all viral infections including the flu within Saddle Lake. Please self-isolate family members who have any symptoms.

• Stock up on soap and household cleaners. Wipe surfaces with cleaning agents daily. Vinegar, lemon and water or bleach and water is good too, the mixing ratio is below.

HOME MADE CLEANING SOLUTIONS Vinegar, lemon, water disinfectant mix

Mix one-part lemon juice, one-part white vinegar and two parts water in a spray bottle. Replace the nozzle and give it a shake. Spray the solution on smooth surfaces you want to disinfect, such as in the kitchen or

bathroom. This mixture can typically eliminate 99% of bacteria from surfaces, making it ideal for sanitization.

Bleach and water disinfectant mix

Mix one cup of bleach and 5 gallons of water. Do not add anything other than bleach and water, adding other cleaners can be hazardous. Remember that bleach can irritate the skin, use gloves and do not inhale bleach as

it is a toxic fume.

Education

All schools, post-secondary institutions, daycares, and headstart programs are closed to the student population. Teachers and staff are still going to work and making alternative arrangements for students, expect to see online classes if this continues.

Funerals

Funerals can only be attended by immediate family – private service only

In light of the Chief Medical Officer’s restrictions on public gatherings, Grace Gardens Funeral Chapel requests that you refrain from attending if:

• you are experiencing flu-like symptoms (fever or cough, even if the symptoms appear to be mild or resemble a cold)

• you are 60 years of age or older or have other chronic medical conditions • have returned from countries outside of Canada in the past 14 days

Other:

• refrain from expressing physical gestures of condolences such as handshakes, kissing or hugging. • Please bring your own hand sanitizer. • Pay your respects briefly, do not stay to visit. • Practice social distancing which means staying at least 2 m or 6 feet from each other. • You may have to wait outside for your turn as only small groups will be allowed in the building.

SICKNESS

• If anyone in your family has any cold/flu like symptoms, they must stay home and self-isolate to protect the rest of the family. Do not risk exposure to anyone else.

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• Do not go the Health Clinic or any Emergency Rooms. Contact the Health Centre immediately @ (780) 726 - 3930, for an assessment over the phone. You will be assessed and given instructions.

• If you require quarantine, Saddle Lake has been preparing buildings for quarantine. The Health Centre will handle and identify who requires to be quarantined.

• If families who are in self-isolation, or if an entire household needs to be quarantined, when needed the Emergency Management team will deliver food and if required cleaning supplies by dropping off supplies outside on the doorstep. Delivery people will take a cell phone photo for proof of delivery.

• Everyone will receive a red paper and a yellow paper. If quarantined, place the red paper in the front window. If in self-isolation place the yellow paper in the front window.

SELF-ISOLATION – What does that mean? Self-isolation can help prevent the spread of infections - STAY HOME! Contact the Health Centre and let them know you are self-isolating @ (780) 726 3930

• If you have seniors or family members with chronic medical conditions in your home avoid contact • Monitor symptoms with everyone in the household • When you are exposed to an illness, there is a time between the exposure and

when you start to feel sick. This is known as the incubation period (usually 2 to 10 days for 2019-nCoV, and up to a maximum of 14 days). There is a very small chance that you can spread the germs during this time (the few days before a feeling of sickness starts).

• More importantly, staying home means that if you do start to feel sick, you won’t run the risk of this happening while you are in a public place and infecting others. Self-isolation is a cautious action used to lower the chance that the virus could spread to others.

• It is important to remember that not everyone who is exposed will get sick, and anyone who feels well for the full 14 days after an exposure of concern is not considered to be infectious.

• Self-isolation means avoiding situations where you could infect other people. This means all situations where you may come in contact with others, no visiting, or visitors, no public or family gatherings of any sort.

• You should, (where possible) not use public transportation including buses, taxis, or ride sharing or picking up hikers.

• A SL delivery service for necessities such as groceries will be available for people in self-isolation or quarantine if service is required or needed. If the “state of emergency” is called a calling center phone number will be provided and posted on social media, posters (store, businesses, and programs).

• Continue to use preventative measures such as washing hands regularly, coughing into elbow etc.. • Avoid sharing household items. You should not share dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils,

towels, pillows, or other items with other people in your home. After using these items, you should wash them thoroughly with soap and water, place in the dishwasher for cleaning, or wash in the washing machine. Regularly clean and disinfect frequently touched and shared surfaces such as doorknobs, counters.

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COVID-19 & Your Mental Health Mental health is just as important as physical health when it comes to responding to COVID-19. Caring for our mental health as individuals and as a community translates into a more effective pandemic response and fewer costs to humans and society as a whole. Common Reactions during this time: Humans generally love certainty and control. When things feel out of our control it can increase feelings of fear (this is normal and helpful because it can help us respond). What matters is how we respond to our reactions. Here are some common reactions you or people you know may be experiencing: Worry, anxiety, fear of unknown in general, Financial concerns and fears, Fears around your health or the health of your loved ones, Feeling of being “on edge”- irritable, cranky, short with people, Feelings of being low- hopeless, sad, apathetic (just don’t care), Feelings of being detached or things feel surreal, Wrestling with conflicting values- do I visit my grandma , Existential stress- thoughts and feelings related to “what is the point of my life” etc. Ways to maintain your own mental health and promote the mental health of those around you:

• Recognize that fear and uncertainty are normal and these feelings make sense (sometimes people can be anxious about being anxious - you can imagine this doesn’t decrease anxiety)

• Continue to remember that ‘panic sells and calm saves’- consuming media that has been designed to be addictive and attention grabbing is not always helpful in times like these. Continuing to (try to) practice a calm, helpful attitude during a difficult time helps you and the people around you.

• Limit your information gathering to reputable sources such as the WHO, World Health Organization and AHS, Alberta Health Services. AHS provides daily reports and has information for all Albertans.

• Educate your loved ones and make sure they learn and practice the prevention measures. • Take the time to smudge. Enjoy family time. Focus on home life, organize, clean, stay busy.

Alberta wide toll free, 24/7 telephone service which offers help for mental health concerns for

Albertans. KIDS MENTAL HEALTH LINE - 1 (800) 668 - 6868

ADULT MENTAL HEALTH LINE - 1 (877) 303 – 2642 MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS LINE 1 (888) 225 - 3353

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SADDLE LAKE CREE NATION - IMPORTANT NUMBERS _____________________________________________________________________________

EMERGENCY DIRECTOR LEON MOOSEWAH PHONE. 780.646.3001

PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER JODYANN HALFE PHONE. 780.837.6105

EMERGENCY 911

WATER DELIVERY (780) 726.2400

GARBAGE PICK UP (780) 726 - 4020

TROUBLE SHOOTERS – DARRYL (780) 726 – 2069, DWAYNE (587) 252 – 2084,

AND EARL (780) 227 – 0281

ZAYAK ELECTRICAL (780) 646 – 2678

SEWER BACK UPS/SEPTIC TANKS CLEANING (780) 726 - 4020

AMBULANCE (780) 726 – 3931

FIRE DEPARTMENT (780) – 726 – 2400

RCMP SADDLE LAKE (780) 726 – 3201

RCMP ST. PAUL (780) 645 – 8888

ST. PAUL HOSPITAL (780) 645 – 3331

TWO HILLS HOSPITAL (780) 657 – 3344

POISON CONTROL 1 (800) 332 – 1414

DIRECT ENERGY GAS 1 (866) – 420 – 3174

DIRECT ENERGY POWER 1 (888) 420 – 3181

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