By now you should have received your 2020 census with instruction on completing it. The government determines how to distribute more than $900 billion of federal dollars to programs, grants and Native American tribes through the data collected by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Household members, intimate partners, and caregivers in a nonhealthcare setting may have close contact with a person with symptomatic, laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 or a person under investigation. Close contacts should monitor their health; they should call their healthcare provider right away if they develop symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 (e.g., fever, cough, shortness of breath).

While you may not physically enter the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Community and Government Center, the important work of the Tribal Government is able to continue. More importantly, essential services including Indian Health Services, the Food Pantry and Elder Lunch services have been able to continue with no interruption.

Some 400 years ago our Tribal Nation had just turned the corner on a terrible pandemic that ripped through this land. Today, we find ourselves once again facing a rapidly spreading virus that has severely impacted the United States, the Commonwealth and our Tribal Nation.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus.

Most people infected with the COVID-19 virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment. Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer are more likely to develop serious illness.

On March 19 the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe activated the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) at the Tribe’s Community and Government Center. Emergency Management, FEMA, the Tribal Chairman and essential personnel are able to coordinate health and safety measures from the central location.

On March, 18 the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Chairman Cedric Cromwell declared a State of Emergency for the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Nation in response to the Covid-19 Pandemic that is spreading across the Country. A request was also formally sent to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for federal assistance as a direct recipient under the National Emergency Management Declaration.

On March 23 Governor Charlie Baker issued an emergency order requiring all businesses and organizations that do not provide Coronavirus essential services to close their physical workplaces to workers, customers and the public. This step has been taken to slow the spread of the novel Coronavirus. At the time of publication, the closure will continue until at least May 4 at noon (this may be adjusted depending the spread of the virus).

Stay aware of the latest information on the COVID-19 outbreak, available on the World Health Organization (WHO) website and through the Tribe’s Emergency Management Department and the Centers for Disease Control. Most people who become infected experience mild illness and recover, but it can be more severe for others. Take care of your health and protect others by doing the following:

All public events and activities, including the Elisha Clayash Ballers for Scholars tournament will be postponed. Councilwoman Winnie Johnson-Graham announced the change last month due to the ongoing Coronavirus Pandemic. Other events, including the annual Herring Day have also been postponed or canceled. New dates will be set when health guidelines suggest group activities are safe.