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Tribal Council met in special session today and determined that the Shelter In Place Declaration will stay. All Tribal entities will remain closed until Monday, April 20th. The council will review this as more information and details come into place as to the extent of the spread of the corona virus both on the settlement and in the state. Staff will continue to be paid.

TO STOP THE VIRUS, IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT WE ALL STAY HOME AND FOLLOW SOCIAL DISTANCING PROTOCOLS.

From Health Director Rudy Papakee:

As of March 31, there are 11 positive cases within Tama County. This number will continue to increase as more testing becomes available. The good news is that all of the Natives who tested positive to date, are recovering. While Iowa has not peaked with cases across the state, the effects of closures and social distancing has still yet to be felt. However, with symptoms of COVID-19 taking 2 – 14 days to manifest, from a public health standpoint we are hoping to start seeing the results of prevention efforts paying off over the next couple of weeks.

These prevention efforts are still needed from all of you reading this. Continue social distancing, do not visit others in their home, don’t allow people into your home, practice good cough and sneeze etiquette, and by all means, stay home if you are sick. I know this may sound like a broken record but with no vaccine or a cure for the disease, these steps are necessary to ensure we minimize those infected. With no timeline projected, your efforts will be rewarded when life can return to normal.

DAN NIERLING / Courier Photo Editor Gamblers continued to test their luck today at the Meskwaki Bingo-Casino-Hotel despite a closure order issued by the National Indian Gaming Commission. Duane won $1,987 playing Lightning Link; Carma won $15,814 playing Triple Double Diamond; Doug won $9,137 playing Fu Dai; Matt won $8,865 playing Eagle Bucks. Our Fitness Center, Pool, and Shuttle Service will be closed indefinitely. Looking for a way to get around? Navigate the casino with ease on a mobility scooter. Rent from the hotel front desk for $15 for up to four hours or $30 for up to 24 hours. Meskwaki Bingo Casino Hotel 1504 305th Street Tama, Iowa 52339 800-728-4263 Find Us.

Information changes daily on the virus and while there is no cure, I am sure some of you have read or even heard from the President that hydroxycholorquine (HCQ) and azithromycin are a potential cure. The FDA recently announced the emergency use of the drugs even though this is an unproven treatment. Patrick Bolte, Meskwaki Chief Pharmacist, in an email stated, “ Limited data showing either drug works and both are on national shortage. Grinnell was told not to use azithromycin because it was not showing efficacy (it shouldn’t because COVID is a virus and azithromycin doesn’t treat viruses). HCQ is restricted to admitted patients that 1) have a +CT scan, +fever and require oxygen or 2) +COVID test, +fever and require oxygen.” Dr. Frost, Meskwaki Medical Director, in a follow up email stated, “ I have not received any supporting memos from CDC or WHO regarding these treatments in the outpatient setting.” With this information the Meskwaki Clinic will not be prescribing either medication for anyone who tests positive within our facility. If additional information comes forward that supports the use, the Clinic will reevaluate their protocols.

Finally, I want to thank all of you who continue to abide by the shelter in place initiative and those following the social distancing protocols. I know this isn’t easy as we are a social group already. But we as a community have the ability to stop the virus from infecting others but we must remain diligent in our daily activities.

Real time updates are provided through Facebook on both the SETT and KSETT pages and on our website at www.meskwaki.org. Please watch for updates as they become available.

Meskwaki Casino Closed Sign

Q: What is Meskwaki Bingo Casino doing to ensure my safety?

Meskwaki is putting the health and safety of its guests and team members first! When you return, you’ll see we’ve implemented many safety measures and taken all necessary precautions to ensure a clean and safe environment.

• Physical distancing. You’ll see floor decals throughout the property to encourage keeping six feet between yourself and others. Additionally, restaurant tables and chairs, slot machines, table games, and other physical layouts have been modified to promote physical distancing.
• Increased cleaning. We’ve increased the cleaning and sanitizing practices throughout the property.
• Plexiglass barriers will be placed at service counters throughout the casino and at the hotel, restaurants, and back-of-house areas.
• Signage to promote safe health practices (physical distancing, frequent handwashing, etc.) will be placed throughout the property.
• Meskwaki will reopen as a smoke-free facility. Designated smoking areas will be provided 50 feet away from entrances.
• Meskwaki team members will wear PPE. All Meskwaki team members will be required to wear a face mask, and those required to have any contact with guests (food and beverage workers, cash handlers, housekeeping, security officers) will be required to wear gloves.
• Mandatory non-invasive temperature scans. Upon arrival, ALL guests AND team members will be required to have a non-invasive temperature scan. Any guest or team member with a temperature of 100.4°F or above will not be allowed on property and will be directed to contact their health care provider.

Q: What will your hours of operation be upon reopening?

Meskwaki Casino Twitter

Meskwaki is operating at a reduced capacity. Hours of operation will be:

Monday – Thursday, 8 am – 12 am
24 hours on weekends, opening at 8 am Friday and closing Sunday night at midnight.

Q: Where can I enter the casino?

At this time, only themain entry, parking ramp, and hotel entrances will be open for guest use. The south Bingo entrance and top floor of the parking ramp will remain closed at this time.

Q: What is required of me while visiting Meskwaki to ensure the safety of myself and others?

• Upon arrival, you will be required to have a non-invasive temperature scan. If you have a temperature of 100.4°F or above, you will not be allowed on property.
• Face masks are required to be worn by everyone — all guests and team members — while on property.
• Wash your hands frequently.
• Please stay home and seek the guidance of a health care professional if you do not feel well.
• You must be 21 to enter the property, 18-20 year olds may enter to play Bingo only.

Q: Which amenities will be open?

During Phase I of reopening, the following amenities will be open:

• The casino floor will be open with increased cleaning on all high-touchpoint surfaces, hand-sanitizing stations located throughout, and physical distancing measures enforced.
• Slot machine seating will be reduced by half with every other chair removed in order to encourage physical distancing.
• Table games will be open at a limited capacity. Seating will be limited to every other chair and a maximum of three players at each table, every other table will be closed, dealers will wear face shields in addition to masks, increased cleaning of surfaces will happen periodically, cards will be dealt face-up whenever possible, and chips will be disinfected at the end of each day.
• Bingo will be open at a limited capacity with 6 feet between all guests and a limited schedule.
• Food and beverage will be open at a limited capacity. See next Q&A for further details.
• The Hotel will be open and operating at 50% reduced capacity, guests must be 21 or over to stay — The newly renovated South Tower will be open, and the North Tower will remain closed at this time.

Meskwaki Casino Closed School

Q: Which amenities will remain closed?

During Phase I of reopening, the following amenities will remain closed:

• Poker
• Events Center
• Specific Hotel amenities: Bus Program, Tour and Travel, Valet
• Pool and fitness center
• Shuttle
• The Spa will remain closed permanently
• RV park will remain closed permanently

Q: How are you ensuring my safety at the food and beverage outlets?

All food and beverage team members have been trained and hold Serve Safe Certificates, which teaches proper sanitization practices, how to avoid cross-contamination, and other ways to promote public health.

The following food and beverage venues are open: Luckys Grill & Taproom (with select menu options from Prime Cut), the Food Arcade, The Lounge, The Buffet (with limited hours and food options), and Bingo Concessions.

Prime Cut Grill and the Service Bar will remain closed at this time.

The following safety measures will be taken at all food and beverage locations:

• Self-serve food and drink stations will not be operational at this time.
• Limited seating will promote physical distancing in all dining areas. Tables and chairs will be placed six feet apart and will be sanitized after each use.
• Menus will be single-use and disposed of after use.
• All countertops, workstations, cooler door handles, and draft beer taps will be sanitized at least once an hour.
• Tongs will be used to garnish all food dishes and drinks.
• Plexiglass shields will be placed at all POS stations.

Q: What additional cleaning protocols have you enforced?

Meskwaki Casino Closed Casinos

The frequency of cleaning and sanitizing has been increased in all public spaces with an emphasis on frequent high-contact surfaces, including but not limited to: front-desk check-in counters, bell desks, elevators and elevator buttons, door handles, public bathrooms, room keys and locks, ATMs, kiosks, escalator and stair handrails, casino cage counters, gaming machines, gaming tables, dining surfaces, and seating areas.

Meskwaki Casino Reopening

Meskwaki has partnered with Springer Professional Services for precautionary disinfection services. Certified specialists will spray ultra-low volume (ULV) disinfectant throughout the property on a regular schedule. The formula is environmentally friendly, hypoallergenic, and non-harmful. Additionally, Meskwaki uses cleaning products and protocols that meet EPA guidelines and are approved for and effective against viruses, bacteria, and airborne and bloodborne pathogens.