COVID-19 News and Information

Please remember that non-essential business can open with an approved Workplace Safety Plan. The following information is directly from the Makah COVID-19 Public Health Protocols, originally approved by Makah Tribal Council on July 8, 2020.

A Workplace Safety Plan must include the following elements:

• Require physical distancing (> 6ft) for employees and patrons whenever possible, and where not possible, implement barriers and design work process flows to avoid Close Contact between coworkers and between employees and business patrons. 
• Ensure access to hand washing facilities for employees and appropriate PPE where needed. Make educational materials readily available and accessible.  
• Require universal face mask/covering when in common spaces. 
• A plan and designated staff to frequently disinfect high-touch surfaces 
• A process identifying and addressing ill employees (daily screening, staying home, tracking exposure contacts, and providing clear guidance on return to work criteria), and follow CDC cleaning guidelines if potentially exposed to COVID-19 (including temporary business closure) 
• Implement other industry-specific guidelines

Workplace Safety Plans/Requests to open local businesses must be submitted to Mary Johnson at [email protected]. Applications will be responded to within 2 weeks. Exceptions to the above requirements may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Please stay connected and stay safe. Continue to practice the Makah Immune Boosters presented by our Hi•dasubač Initiative. You are welcome to call me with questions and comments at any time: 360-645-2224. 

Dr. Libby Cope
STIHC Health Director/Makah Tribal Health Officer 

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IF YOU ARE SICK, STAY AT HOME EXCEPT TO GET MEDICAL CARE
Stay home and stay away from others in your household, in a separate room and using a separate bathroom if possible. If you have to be around others, stay 6 feet away and wear a face mask or use a tissue to cover your cough/sneezes

Absolutely stay away from high risk persons in your life (high risk persons are those who are greater than 60 years old, have underlying heart or lung or other medical conditions, or are pregnant). 

VERY IMPORTANT: If you are at high risk (greater than 60 years old, have underlying heart or lung conditions, diabetes or other immune compromising conditions, or are pregnant), please start monitoring your symptoms very closely. Call immediately if your fever is greater than 100.4 or you are having shortness of breath. 

If you are coughing or sneezing, do it into a tissue and immediately dispose of the tissue (or wash if you have a handkerchief). Do not let other people handle your used tissues or handkerchiefs! If you don't have something to cough or sneeze into, use your elbow, but wash your clothes afterward. ​

If you have mild symptoms, (such as a cough, runny nose or fever less than 102) you can most likely manage your symptoms at home.  There are several supportive therapies you can do at home without seeing a doctor, such as:

• Rest
• Stay hydrated, drinking at least 10 tall glasses of water a day (or 20 short glasses!)
• Use salt-water gargles, and salt-water rinses to clear your nose and throat
• Eat anti-microbial foods like onions, garlic, ginger, and foods with antioxidants like broccoli and blueberries
• Stay away from processed foods and sugar
• Use over-the-counter medications and supplements such as Zinc, Acetaminophin (tylenol), Ibuprofen (advil), Robitussen (cough syrup), and medicated nasal sprays

​If your symptoms worsen during business hours, call the clinic at 360-645-2233 and the medical staff will assist you. For the safety of other patients and our staff, do not come directly to the clinic. Call first. 

If your symptoms worsen during After Hours, please call the Careline at 1-800-607-5501 or, if you suspect you have COVID-19 (fever and a cough), call the Clallam County Hotline at 1-360-417-2430 or the Washington State Department of Health Hotline at 1-800-525-0127 and press #.

If you are having an emergency (i.e. severe shortness of breath) at anytime, call 911.