Manataba Messenger

To: From: Colorado River Indian Tribes Manataba Messenger 26600 Mohave Road, Parker, AZ 85344 www.manatabamessenger@gmail.com M anataba Vol. 9 Issue 9 The Official Publication of the Colorado River Indian Tribes CRIT Nation, Parker, Arizona 85344 ,, ,, ,, AhaMakhav Newewe Sinom ` Dine M essenger FREE OF CHARGE Website: www.crit-nsn.gov Facebook: CRIT Manataba Messenger La Paz County downgraded to 'medium' risk zone for COVID-19 C OVID-19 cases have begun to increase again across Arizona, but local health officials say the healthcare system has not become overwhelmed. ARIZONA/85344 — La Paz County and most of Arizona have been downgraded back down to the "medium" risk level for COVID-19 and residents are no longer advised to wear masks indoors, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The most recent calculations as of 07/08/2022 done by the federal agency have reassigned six Arizona counties from the "high" to the "medium" category on the CDC COVID-19 scale. Those coun- ties now in the medium range include Maricopa, Pinal, Gila, Yavapai, La Paz, and Coconino. Residents in these counties are recommended to consult a doctor on whether they should keep wearing masks, according to the CDC guidance. Mohave, Navajo, and Apache counties remain in the "high" category, meaning residents in those areas are encour- aged to continue wearing masks inside public places. The CDC community levels are calculated by analyzing a county's infection rate and hospitalizations. Omicron remains the most prevalent strain of COVID-19 contracted by Arizonans. Though most of Arizona's counties are now in the "medium" or "low" zones of the CDC scale, health officials stipulated that some local cases are likely not getting reported due to at-home test- ing kits. As of June, Arizona was reporting somewhere between 13,000 and 16,500 cases of COVID-19 per week. During the peak of the winter surge, Arizona had up to 150,000 cases each week. The Arizona Department of Health Services says vaccinations remain the best defense for avoiding a severe illness caused by COVID-19. According to the agency, unvaccinated individuals have an eight-times greater risk of becoming hospitalized due to COVID-19. About 49 % of La Paz County's population is fully vaccinated, CDC data show. Mojave, Navajo and Apache Counties remain on high. Go to www.cdc.gov www.12news.com/cdc.gov/check by county. As of 07/14/2022 8:27AM See Page 6 & 17 1. If you are at high risk for severe ill- ness, talk to your healthcare provider about whether you need to wear a mask and take other precautions 2. Stay up to date with COVID-19 vac- cines 3. Get tested if you have symptoms Colorado River Indian Tribes Issue Statement on Black Bear Incursion (COLORADO RIVER INDIAN RESERVATION)— - On July 7, 2022, at around 4:30 am, local law enforcement agencies were notified about a black bear sighting in the area of 19th and Kofa Avenue in Parker, AZ. The La Paz County Sheriff's Office was first to respond to the incident, followed by the CRIT Fish and Game Department, CRIT Police, and Parker Police. It was determined that the animal was a wild black bear that, for unknown reasons, had migrated away from the natural habitat into areas within the Town of Parker. The bear was initially located in a resi- dential neighborhood, going in and out of numerous backyards, and appeared to be agitated, which posed a threat to pub- lic safety. All law enforcement agencies worked together in an attempt to contain the animal but were unsuccessful. The bear moved onto the grounds of Parker High School. The Arizona Department of Game and Fish was contacted and advised the responding agencies to euth- anize the animal before it could re-enter any residential neighborhoods and the agencies complied. CRIT Fish & Game has been working with Arizona Game and Fish, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and various veterinarians at the first wild bear sighting on the Colorado River Indian Reservation. CRIT has jurisdiction over the game within the reservation's boundaries and continues to assess other options to aid and address significant game response. CRIT is requesting the government to government consultation within our local agencies, with Arizona Game and Fish and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, to address cooperative processes and protocols that respect trib- al sovereignty and cultural values. CRIT Fish and Game are also educating the public about bears, preventing further wild bear incursions, and determining other steps that align with CRIT wildlife values. CRIT firmly believes euthanizing an animal should only be done as a last resort and when the lives and safety of the community are at risk. Application Deadline Extended to August 31 for Tribal Members Impacted By Pandemic (COLORADO RIVER INDIAN RESERVATION)— -The Tribal Council for the Colorado River Indian Tribes passed a resolution on June 28 extending a deadline for the CRIT Tribal Member Direct Cash Assistance Program, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act. The deadline to receive the second phase of $1,000 payments has been extended from June 1 to August 31. Those checks will be issued on September 14 for qual- ifying applicants who meet the deadline. All eligible Tribal members age 18 and up who have experienced a negative economic impact due to the COVID-19 pandemic are eligible to receive a cash assistance payment if the requirements and deadlines are met. "The program's first phase has assisted hundreds of Tribal members who have experienced economic hardships. Extending the deadline will ensure even more members will be helped. Whether providing direct assistance, food, essential services, testing, or vaccinations, the Tribal Council is committed to ensuring we emerge from this current crisis." —Chairwoman Amelia Flores The application & copy of resolution is at www.crit- nsn.gov; the resolution was publicly released on 7/9/22 .