About COVID-19

Keep distance from other people: wear a mask whenever you are indoors in common areas or shared spaces with people outside your household. This COVID-19 virus can travel in the droplets from a sick persons breath, speech, coughs or sneezes, so if you are within 2 metres of another person and they speak or breathe, or happen to cough or sneeze, the droplets containing COVID-19 virus could reach you, and also make you sick. People infected with COVID-19 do not always have noticeable symptoms, and it can take a few days for symptoms to develop once a person does become infected. What this means is that if you are within 2 metres of another person, you can catch COVID-19 from them.

Physical Distancing is the best way to prevent and limit the spread of infection. Wear a mask whenever you are indoors in common areas or shared spaces with people outside your household

• Healthy people can go for a walk, get groceries, pick up your mail, carry on with your usual activities, but always remember to:
  • Wear a mask whenever you are indoors in common areas or shared spaces with people outside your household
  • Avoid shaking hands, kissing and hugging.
  • Cover your cough.
  • Wash your hands when you return home.

But just because we need to stay physically distant from one another doesn’t mean that we need to be socially disconnected! There are plenty of ways to stay in touch with family and friends, and even make new friends at this time: call, text, or video message other people, or call the support line at 403-734-5660 to talk to a Mental Health Therapist. Being alone can add fear to feelings of loneliness, anxiety and depression. Talk to check on and remain connected to your children, family, and friends.

Wash your hands very often, to remove any of those COVID-19 droplets that you may have picked up by touching door handles, cellphones, light switches, etc. If you’ve touched any surfaces that have COVID-19 droplets on them, the virus might be on your hands now, and then if you touch your nose, eyes, or mouth you could become infected with the virus as well. When it comes to washing your hands, just regular soap and water is best (don’t worry about buying the best antibacterial soap or COVID-19 soap). Sing your favourite powwow or country/western song while washing your hands to be sure you’re washing long enough – 20-30 seconds is the length of time it takes to get your hands clean.

• Hand washing frequently – Regular soap and water works the best.
  • Wash for 20-30 seconds at a time.
  • Using hand sanitizer is a good option when hand washing with soap and water is not possible. Regular soap and water works best.

Try hard to not touch your face, just in case you did pick up some of those COVID-19 droplets by touching a table or a light switch or something that had the virus on it. It can be challenging to avoid touching your face, but its also important because the COVID-19 virus can enter a persons body through their nose, eyes or mouth. Do your best to prevent the virus from entering your body to limit your risk to becoming infected.

Cleaning and disinfecting the house can be a pain-in-the-butt, but its important for getting rid of any virus droplets that may have fallen on surfaces like countertops, tables, door handles, light switches and cleaning can be a great workout too! Try turning on the radio to 104.7FM – The Nation’s Station – or putting on some music that makes you smile, and make that cleaning/disinfecting happen! Any cleaning product labelled “Disinfectant” will do the job, and if you cant find any, a solution of 1 part bleach to 9 parts water will work just as well. (don’t forget to wear rubber gloves when disinfecting – especially if you’re using bleach!)

• On hard surfaces, you can use:
  • Cleaning products that have a label with the word “disinfectant”.
  • Bleach solution of 1 part household bleach to 9 parts water.
  • Liquids such a lemon juice and vinegar are not strong enough to kill viruses/ bacteria.
• On upholstered surfaces (couches, arm chairs, etc.): Clean as usual with vacuuming, etc. Don’t use disinfectants.
  • It will damage material and soak into the cushioning.

Gatherings of people increase the risk that COVID-19 could spread, because its not always possible to know who may have it and who may not. If you are in the same room as someone with COVID-19, the risk of you also becoming sick is high. Yes, some people have symptoms like coughing and sneezing, but some sick people do not have symptoms, and they are still very contagious. This is why it is important to limit all gatherings – both informal social gatherings, and formal gatherings.

Gatherings should only be permitted if the space and the organization of the group activity allows physical distancing (2 metres between people), cleaning and disinfecting, adequate hand-washing stations or alcohol-based hand sanitizer available to all participants, and other public health measures. In situations where these measures cannot be maintained, groups will need to be smaller so that these preventive measures can be maintained to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission during the activity.

Sick individuals with any type of symptoms should not attend gatherings.

Siksika Nation Chief & Council passed a motion on July 23 which requires face masks to be worn in all Siksika Nation-owned buildings, beginning Aug. 1, 2020.

It is important to note that wearing a mask or face covering is not a substitute for physical distancing and good hand hygiene.

• The most important steps you can take to prevent the spread of COVID-19 are to WASH YOUR HANDS, STAY HOME (especially when sick), and KEEP 2 METRES AWAY from others when out for essential supplies.

Wearing Masks:

• Masks do cover the mouth and nose and may help protect others, especially if you are sick.
• Masks prevent respiratory droplets from contaminating people and surfaces around you.
• Masks can also reduce spread from those infected with the virus but do not know it.
• Masks may help when in places where you cannot physically distance from others.

Guidance for Mask Use:

• Continue to practice physical distancing and hand washing, even while wearing a mask.
• Wear a mask whenever you are indoors in common areas or shared spaces with people outside your household
• Before and after using a mask, wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer with a minimum of 60% alcohol.
• Ensure your hair is away from your face when wearing a mask. A face mask can be safely worn by someone with facial hair.
• Check the mask for damage before use. If it is damaged, do not use the mask – discard it and replace with a mask that is not damaged.
• Ensure the mask fully covers from above the nose to below the chin.
• Refrain from touching your face while using a mask or face covering.
• It is important to not share face masks with other people.
• When wearing a mask, please note that it can become a source of infection when damp or wet. Disposable masks should be discarded after each use. Assume that any mask is contaminated after you wear it.
• If a mask is single use (disposable), dispose of it in a lined garbage bin after use.
• If a mask is reusable, place it in a clean plastic bag after use, and clean it thoroughly before reusing.
• Wash reusable masks using a hot cycle in the wash machine, and then dry it thoroughly.
• Do not embroider or add beadwork to a mask, as this will poke large holes in the cloth.

Exceptions to Mandatory Masking:

Beginning August 1, 2020, masks are required in all Siksika Nation-owned buildings/facilities. Exceptions include:

• When eating, provided physical distancing, hand hygiene and sanitation of surfaces is maintained.
• When alone in an office or workspace that is NOT shared, and where physical distancing, hand hygiene and sanitization of surfaces is maintained.
• Young children under two years of age.
• People with underlying medical conditions or disabilities inhibiting their ability to wear a face covering.
• People who are unable to place, use, or remove a face covering safely without assistance.
• People engaging in an athletic or fitness activity.
• In circumstances where a mask detrimentally interferes with an activity or service (for example, lip reading or dentist visit).

Gloves when out in public:

• Gloves do not stop the transfer of germs to the face.
• Instead of using gloves remember to:
  • Limit contact with high touch surfaces (door handles, light switches, touchpads, etc).
  • Avoid touching your face.
  • Wash hands with soap and water frequently.