Dear USET/USET SPF Family,
USET Tribal Epidemiology Center (TEC), as a public health authority, has been continuously monitoring COVID-19 metrics on every level of geography from overall U.S. trends to Indian Health Service region, and to individual Tribal Nation level throughout the course of the pandemic. USET TEC aims to provide up to date, relevant data so that you can make informed decisions about how to keep your community safe. Monthly COVID-19 reports will continue to be distributed to each Tribal Nation on the first Wednesday of every month for the foreseeable future.
We are entering a transition period from COVID-19 pandemic, which is defined as a higher than normal rate of disease within the population over a large geography, to endemic, which is defined as the expected rate of disease within a population. USET TEC recognizes shifting priorities from a public health standpoint of mandating individual actions to personal accountability, responsibility, and compassion for others. USET TEC has elected to update its COVID-19 protocols for the Nashville office, USET employee travel, and for USET-sponsored meetings or events accordingly. We have linked our updated protocols here for your awareness.
USET/USET SPF is encouraging staff to make decisions that are best for them based on their own individual risk factors and are asked to stay home and work remotely if they are feeling unwell to not spread any illness. Furthermore, USET TEC reinforces Tribal Sovereignty by mandating that all USET staff inquire and follow each individual Tribal Nation’s COVID-19 protocols when traveling.
The USET TEC is available to assist with any questions, concerns, or if you would like individual support in transitioning your Tribal Nation’s COVID-19 protocols. Please do not hesitate to contact us at usetepi@usetinc.org.
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