Edition 13 -- COVID-19 Bulletin for First Nation and Indigenous Peoples, June 19 2020

#BreakTheChain Issue No. 13 June 18th 2020

COVID-19 Information for First Nations KeepingTabs on the Pandemic This is the thirteenth in a weekly series, prepared as a free informational tool by Bimaadzwin Inc. Updated as of June 18th, 2020

COVID-19 and the ongoing outbreak..

Dr. Tam Says..

Ontario’s Ongoing Situation..

Northern Ontario FNs Recognized..

Sick Kids Recommends Tips for Safe Schools..

In this Issue…

Nova Scotia Looking Up..

Powwows Moving Online..

First Nations-run COVID-19 Testing Centre..

Re-OpeningYour Business Safely..

COVID-19 and Moving Season..

US Visitors’ Sneak Peek at Canada..

Outbreak and Lockdown in Eabametoong..

CERB Continued for Eight Weeks..

Ongoing COVID-19 Outbreak

There have been over 8 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 around the world, with over 440,000 deaths. In Canada, there are currently 99,853 confirmed cases– with 8,254 deaths across the country (June 17).

Cases: 17.06.2020

All regions of Canada are enforcing social distancing regulations. People are encouraged to stay home, except for going out for necessities like groceries or medication. While going outside to exercise, do not use parks or playgrounds – stick to trails and footpaths. Stay at least 2m (6ft) away from those who do not live with you while out exercising.

People are encouraged to not visit each other’s houses – and to not allow visitors into their own homes.

Although this distancing is difficult for everyone, it is a necessary step to protect the health and safety of everyone.

This is a challenging time for everyone. If you need to talk to someone – the Hope for Wellness Helpline (1-855-242-3310) is available in English, French, Cree, Ojibway, and Inuktitut.

Kids Help Phone (1-800-668-6868) is also available for those 5-29 years old.

“Even though the epidemic growth has slowed considerably across the country, and we can now see these hopeful signs, this is the part where we gather our strength and resolve to continue our efforts, because it may only take one new case of COVID-19 to spark an outbreak, or renew epidemic growth that could change our trajectory”.

Dr. Tam Says..

Dr. Theresa Tam – Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer reminded Canadians this week that the pandemic is not yet over, that that we all have to continue our efforts to respect the recommendations put out by experts.

Many American states that have opened up to various degrees over the last weeks have seen large spikes these last few days – mostly as a result of people going out when the could have been at home, like to a beach, restaurant, gym, or other public space. Many regions are now entering into a second wave of closures and restrictions – something that Canada is working hard to avoid.

Dr. Tam is encouraging people not to get relaxed – and to keep up with the public health recommendations like maintaining social distancing with people outside of your bubble, washing your hands frequently, wearing a nonmedical mask while out in public, and staying at home if you have any COVID-19 symptoms.

Ontario is showing signs that it is making progress in the fight against COVID-19 – however, certain regions of the province continue to be impacted severely – and the province is not yet ready to relax the emergency measures put in place in March.

Ontario’s Ongoing Situation

Ontario reported 190 cases on Wednesday (June 17th), which was the fourth day in a row that the province has seen under 200 new cases – which is promising information, showing that the province might be on the downward end of the ‘curve’ of COVID-19.

However, as Ontario starts to re-open, it will test the capacity and resolve of the province’s testing capacity and the ability to contact trace any potential spread of the virus within the community. In rural and northern regions of Ontario, it has been easier to trace the potential spread of the virus – and to ensure that any potential COVID19 cases are notified to self isolate for fourteen days.

The majority of the cases are in the Toronto region – which points to a particular challenge to trace the spread of COVID-19 in the city – and is a major reason as to why the province is not able to lift the emergency measures for now. It’s critical that as businesses start to re-open, people only go for things that are essential – and to take precautions to protect yourself and others while in public.

Northern Ontario First Nation’s Recognized

First Nation communities in Northwestern Ontario are being recognized for their rapid and organized response to a potential outbreak in the region – which appears to have slowed or stopped the spread in the region.

A few weeks ago, a positive case in Wabaseemoong – north of Kenora – forced that community into a lockdown, as well as a number of neighbouring communities just as a precaution. Chief Waylon Scott was credited as working closely with the regional health unit to bring aggressive contact tracing to the community – which seems to have brought the situation under control.

The provincial Indigenous Affairs Minister, Greg Rickford, said that Ontario’s First Nations have done an excellent job in controlling the spread of COVID-19 in their communities.

The local public health measures implemented by communities have ensured the least amount of contact possible; and has likely gone a long way in limiting the spread of the virus throughout northwestern Ontario.

Sick Kids Recommends How to ReOpen Schools

The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto has released recommendations for kids to head back to school this coming fall. It says that it is critical to "balance the risk of direct infection and transmission" for children with "the harms of school closure on their physical and mental health.”

While closures were a reasonable part of the early response to the pandemic; there is growing evidence that supports the idea that kids can return to school in a manner that maximises health and minimizes risk – according to the hospital’s report.

Sick Kids is not recommending that kids wear masks, but that large gatherings and assemblies are cancelled – and that break periods like lunch and recess are staggered – as well as some considerations for bringing classes outside. The report also includes information on arranging classrooms to keep space between students – and recommendations on the number of students in each class.

The provincial government in Ontario says that it will not rush into re-opening schools, and is working closely with school boards and teachers unions to discuss strategies to keep both students and staff safe this coming school year.

The last few months have been incredibly difficult for the province of Nova Scotia – and so, the Premier is excited to see that people are starting to return to their day-to-day lives. For the eight day in a row, Nova Scotia announced no new cases of COVID-19.

Nova Scotia Looking Up

There are only two known active cases remaining in the province, both of whom are admitted to hospital – which has moved the province to start allowing visitors to return to hospitals as early as next week; however, patients will be allowed only one visitor at a time, and this visitor can rotate after each new week.

However, like all public health officials have said – the Premier of Nova Scotia is reminding people that while they get outside to experience the beauty of the Atlantic region in the summer – that people continue to take care, be safe, and follow the advice and rules of public health officials.

The summer months are usually alive with the sounds of jingle dresses and drums along the powwow trail that criss-crosses central Ontario – except, this year, these celebrations might sound a little different.

Powwows Moving Online in 2020

Many First Nations have taken the proactive step of cancelling their powwow this summer due to the risk of spreading COVID-19 to residents and visitors of the community. Alderville First Nation has cancelled their 26th annual powwow, and the Mississauagas of Scugog Island were also forced to cancel theirs scheduled for this July.

Although dancers, drummers, vendors, and visitors are all waiting patiently and excited for the celebrations next year – some communities are giving 2020 a shot, and trying to bring the powwow together in a different way.

Dnaadawenmag Binnoojiiyag Child and Family Services in Hiawatha First Nation is hosting a Virtual Powwow for this coming Friday – June 19th – from 1-5pm to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day. Over 10 videos will be shown – and although it wont be an actual live feed – participants will submit their videos; which will be included with discussions with Elders and others.

Although something along these lines has not yet been tried – a spokesperson for the community said that “We are doing the best we can and we are excited to try.”

First NationsOperated COVID-19 Testing Centre

The Chippewa of the Thames First Nation has opened its own COVID-19 testing and assessment centre to ensure that people in the community, and in neighbouring communities, can easily access tests for the virus. The site opened this week, and is also open to Oneida and MunseeDelaware members; and is located next to the nation’s health centre.

The assessment centre was designed to help address some of the barriers of travelling to London to get swabbed – a number of members don’t have access to transportation, so getting to London for testing was a significant challenge to tracking COVID-19 in the community.

The Chippewa of the Thames – and other nations in the region, such as Six Nations, closed their borders and set up checkpoints when the pandemic began. There have not been any confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the community – and there is hope that the new testing centre will only confirm this – and calm some of the fear and worries of community members.

Small business owners across the country are excited to hear that the provinces are slowly opening back up – and that they can start getting back to work themselves. However, many are wondering how they can and should prepare their businesses for re-opening.

Re-Opening Your Business During COVID-19?

First – the most important thing to do is to follow the regulatinos put out by your local health authorities – some have certain signs that need to be posted, or other various recommendations that should be implemented in your region. This list is just some potential ideas: Safe Space – make sure that your business is spaced out in such a way that will give everyone enough space to get around safely. This might include putting markers on the floor to show where to stand in line, or which direction to go around the store – or placing tables and chairs so that individual groups are at least two metres away from each other.

Number of Customers – Consider limiting the number of customers allowed inside your store at any time, and mark some space outside for people to wait while maintaining social distance. You could have a ‘one-in-one-out’ policy, to ensure that the number of people in the store remains safe.

Work from Home – A new report shows that a majority of Canadians hope to have the ability to continue working from home to some degree after the pandemic is over; and if your employees are able to do some of their work remotely – consider keeping a system where they can do some of that work away from the office.

Maintain Touchless Services – A number of businesses have started to offer contactless curbside pickup or home delivery – and it’s not just your local pizza parlour anymore, it’s everything down to the hardware stores! Customers have become receptive to these services over the last few months, and many business advisors believe that these are here to stay.

Sanitization Products – It’s good to start a regular supply of sanitizing products at the door entrances, and constant cleaning of handles, light switches, credit card machines, and other regularly touched surfaces. Not only will your staff feel more comfortable having these to clean with, customers will feel more comfortable seeing them being used openly!

The early summer is often a time that people move – in Québec, July 1st is infamous for being a moving day at apartment buildings across the province.

While those who are moving in the coming days and weeks – although much of your preparation has already been done – some people are wondering what is the ‘new normal’ for moving during COVID-19.

One company recommends that customers who are moving should ask their moving companies these questions during COVID-19:

COVID-19 and Moving Season

Are your moving teams constantly switching up or is it the same teams that work together?

Do you disinfect and sanitize the truck and the equipment after every move?

Do you provide your teams with masks and gloves for every move?

Are you charging any additional surcharges for the changes you have had to implement that are directly related to COVID-19?

While you might be asking movers to take extra precautions, they warn that the movers might also ask you to take some precautions as well. Here are some things to think about before your moving date comes around: If you are moving out of or into an apartment building / condo / residence are there any reported cases of COVID on-site?

Have you or anyone in your household shown signs of COVID or been exposed to someone with the virus?

Have you made preparations so that only 1 person will be on-site on the day of the move?

Are you equipped with masks and gloves for the move?

Have you made sure that no technicians or deliveries are scheduled and that no visitors or family members will show up at the time of your move?

US Visitors Taking a Sneak Peek at Canada

The United States-Canada border has been closed to tourism and other non-essential travel for almost four months – a historic and unprecedented change. For many of us, this has changed longplanned family vacations, cut us off from family members, and stopped us from visiting some of our favourite little shopping spots across the border.

However, it appears that some American travelers have found a loop-hole in the US-Canada travel regulations that has allowed them to sneak a little vacation to road-trip hotspots like Banff and Jasper in Alberta. American travellers that are bringing their vehicles from the continental US to Alaska are still able to drive through Canada – however, they’re not supposed to be making any stops while in Canada, and are encouraged to stay inside their RVs if possible until they reach the US. Except, it seems that a small handful of families have skirted the ruled by declaring that they were going to Alaska – before taking a little detour into the Rockies. Authorities were notified of RVs parked in campgrounds with US plates – something that shouldn’t happen. The RCMP is currently investigating – and could press charges, or escort the families to a quarantine facility for fourteen days.

The outbreak of COVID-19 in Eabametoong appears to have not slowed down – after two more cases were confirmed, one of which was an 80-year-old elder who rarely left the house; and who could have gotten the virus during a large family gathering last week.

Outbreak and Lockdown in Eabametoong

The community first had two cases in early April – after a member came back from Thunder Bay, and another case was identified through community spread. Members were asked to isolate in their homes for two weeks, and to not visit people outside of their immediate homes. However, with the two new cases, it appears that the virus is continuing to spread. Council is now considering a ‘very strict’ lockdown for the next two weeks.

Eabametoong does not have an isolation centre, and the nursing station is under partial lockdown for emergencies only, to help deal with COVID-19 cases. The nation also is still under a longterm boil water advisory; and still faces widespread overcrowding in homes – making it significantly more challenging to self-isolate. The leadership is continuing to work with healthcare workers on the ground and in the region – and is currently stocked with PPE and 500 testing trips.

CERB Continued for Eight More Weeks

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced an eightweek extension of the Canada Emergency Response Benefit. During his daily briefing yesterday, he said he wasn't going to 'sugar-coat it,' and Canadians will need help paying their bills for a while longer, as the pandemic persist.

"Some sectors will bounce back more quickly, many workers will be able to find work, but others won't," he said. The CERB for workers displaced by COVID-19 and the wage subsidy program for businesses experiencing a loss in revenue are part of an $87 billion dollar program facing a confidence vote in the House of Commons on Wednesday.

At its largest, the CERB paid out $17-billion a month, when 8 million people were on it. Numbers have dropped as 1.2-million recipients returned to work -- or went back on payrolls -- with help of the federal wage subsidy program.

Miigwetch This information has been brought to you as a free public service by:

The content of this presentation is for informational purposes only.

Those who may have come into contact with COVID-19, or who have symptoms must self-isolate and call their health authority.

This presentation was developed to assist First Nation citizens and governments in understanding and responding to the growing crisis.

Information contained in this presentation is accurate as of June 18th, 2020.