Calendar for Wed. Mar. 25, 2020

The new edition of the Spilyay Tymoo is out today.  If you don’t want to go check your mail – you can read the online version of the Spilyay Tymoo at W S News Dot ORG.  This is issue has a lot of information about COVID-19.

Warm Springs Tribal Council has asked the community to stay home and only travel off the reservation to get essential supplies, such as groceries, medications and health needs, or to work.  Tribal offices are planning a 2 week shut down from March 30th until April 10th for all but essential services.

  • As of yesterday morning there are 209 cases of COVID-19 in Oregon.
  • Jefferson & Wasco counties have 0 positive cases to date.
  • 5 individuals in Warm Springs have been tested with 2 of those tests returning as negative and 3 tests pending results.

The I.H.S. pharmacy is offering medication delivery if:

  • You are an elder with no family or friend able to pick up your medicine
  • You are ill and have no family or friend able to pick up your medicine.

To Set up a medication deliver you will need to

  1. Call the Medication Delivery line at 541-553-2352
  2. Speak to the Community Health Representative or leave a message for them
  3. You will need to provide
    1. Name
    2. Date of Birth
    3. Phone Number
    4. Delivery Address
    5. Medication you are requesting
  4. Delivery Requests must be called in by 1pm to be delivered that same day.

Community Health and I.H.S. staff will be delivering to each of the Warm Springs Community Areas on a daily basis each afternoon.

Warm Springs Housing Authority is taking precautions due to the Coronavirus pandemic.  For the next 3-4 weeks, WSHA staff will NOT be entering any homes to do routine maintenance or inspections.  Emergency work orders for electrical and water issues will be addressed on a case by case basis during this time.  All other repairs will be on hold until the pandemic warnings have passed.  Please call in your work orders, they will be logged and completed in the order they are received.  The Housing office will be on reduced hours with the office open to the public on Monday and Friday only. Call 541-553-3250 if you have any questions.

The Warm Springs WIC clinic is closed to in-person services to the public for the immediate future. They ask that you do NOT come in person to WIC. WIC services are being offered over the phone, via email and through ZOOM video. New clients are being accepted. Call or Email WIC if you need assistance. 541-553-2460 or warm springs wic at wstribes dot org

The Warm Springs Summer Youth Work Readiness classes and workshops scheduled for students who are first-time workers have been cancelled until further notice. The After-School Work Readiness trainings are on hold also, until further notice that is safe to gather together. An online application process is being worked on at this time and the public will be informed when it available and where to access it once it has been completed. Also, look forward to some online Work Readiness training.

Keep in mind that a person not showing symptoms of COVID-19 could still be a carrier of the virus. Being mindful of the things you touch and the people you’re around can really help stop the spread of the virus.  If you have a cough, fever and shortness of breath, call the Warm Springs I.H.S. Clinic “COVID-19 Nurse Triage Hotline” at 541-553-5512 and you can speak to a nurse who will assess your symptoms and make a recommendation for the best treatment.  If you have those symptoms please DO NOT go to the clinic but rather call the “COVID-19 Nurse Triage Hotline” at 541-553-5512.

For medical advice outside of Warm Springs I.H.S. regular hours – you can call the Registered Nurse Health Advice Hotline – 24 hours a day at 1-866-470-2015.

The things you can do to protect from spreading the COVID-19 virus is to:

  • wash your hands frequently
  • cover your sneeze or cough with a tissue
  • avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth;
  • clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
  • practice social distancing by staying at least six feet away from other people
  • stay home to avoid others
  • if you feel sick – stay in a room separate from others in your home

The Madras United Methodist Church is operating their food pantry this week as a drive up only.  They are open Wednesday and Thursday 10am – 12:45pm.  The Madras United Methodist Church is right next to St Charles Madras.

The Warm Springs Emergency Homeless Shelter is open 7pm to 7am daily until April 10th.  The shelter is located in the old Elementary gym building.

With exercise classes cancelled for the time being, Warm Springs Community Health has begun posting short workouts on their Facebook Page.  You can find them with a Facebook Search for “CTWS Community Health Services” (https://www.facebook.com/ctwscommunityhealth/)

The 2020 Census questionnaire is available online for households to complete when you have time.  It takes about 10 minutes to complete.  You can visit My 2020 Census dot gov to get your census done.  The Warm Springs Complete Count Committee encourages everyone to be counted.

The Warm Springs OSU Extension office is looking for an artist for a traditional foods project. Interested artists should submit a sample of your drawn or painted work to the OSU Warm Springs extension office by April 1st. Selected artists will be offered a commission for the work. For more information, contact the OSU Extension office at 541-553-3238.

The Branch of Natural Resources IRMP Community Survey is soliciting input from tribal members and residents of the Warm Springs Indian Reservation to document the community’s priorities, preferences, and concerns regarding the management of the Tribes’ natural resources for the IRMP Revision.  You can do the survey online.  For the link – see today’s community calendar posted at KWSO dot ORG.

The Warm Springs Head Start Program is seeking input from the community and especially families with young children.  Your participation is critical as part of Head Start’s Community Assessment.  Please take time to do their online survey.  You can find the link on today’s community calendar at kwso.org.  The deadline is March 31, 2020.  If you need assistance please contact Warm Springs Head Start at 541-553-3241.

 If you are in a situation where you are experiencing abuse or domestic violence – the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Victims of Crime Services is available to help.  For 24-hour emergency response to victims in crisis – call 541-553-2293 or stop by their office during business hours – at 1108 Wasco Street.

All Prevention Community Events are cancelled at this time and Native Aspiration activities are suspended.  The Easter Egg Hunt is cancelled however the Easter Bunny is working on a way to distribute treats to families in April.  Stay Tuned…