By Linda Kor The Holbrook City Council met on Dec. 10 and as part of the discussion, Mayor Merrill Young explained that the Super 8 Motel on Navajo Blvd. in the city is being utilized as a COVID-19 treatment and quarantine facility. “The Navajo Nation has contracted with a company (PAE) through the Navajo Nation, and PAE has contracted with Super 8. They are leasing the entire hotel. From what we were told, 25 rooms will be for staff. They have an onsite medical team; they have onsite security and the big trailer sitting outside is a mobile kitchen.” PAE is a management services company that has been awarded a $50 million contract by the Navajo Nation to serve as the joint logistics and medical integrator for the Navajo Department of Health’s COVID-19 response. They have organized other medical quarantine sites and medical teams in Tuba City, Chinle, and Gallup and Farmington, New Mexico. Young went on to explain the reason for the actions being taken by the Navajo Nation. “They have found that a lot of multi-generational housing families are out on the reservation where you have four or five, even six families living in one dwelling. If one person gets sick it’s nearly impossible for them to isolate them and keep them from infecting the other people.” Young went on to explain that this is a volunteer program and that if a person is tested positive, they have the option to go to the Super 8 and quarantine for the 10 to 14-day quarantine term. “The Navajo Nation (press) release mentioned that these people can leave on their own free will. Me and the city manager had a big concern with that. We talked to the field supervisor with PAE and yes, they by law cannot make them stay there. But this company, they transport the patient into the facility, if they decide they do not want to stay, they have to check out and this company will transport them directly back to their place of origin. They will not be allowed to walk out of the motel onto the streets of Holbrook.” Young reiterated that this was not a contract with the city nor any local government. He also added that although it would appear that rooms are still available to rent at the Super 8 online, that PAE has rented the entire facility. Regarding public concerns of the potential spread of COVID from the facility, Young stated, “I believe that these people are going to be very safe. I believe you have more of a chance, as far as catching the coronavirus, going to the local stores in town.” In other business, the council approved Krista Wilkinson to fill the balance of Magistrate Judge Evelyn Marez’s term as Holbrook City Magistrate for the remainder of her term. Marez has made the decision to retire and received warm appreciation from the council for her many years of service to the community and Navajo County as a whole. Vice Mayor Francie Payne, who was available telephonically, wished everyone a happy holiday. She noted that she is anticipating the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine and to return to “some sense of normalcy.” Adding that in the meantime, “We’ve doubled our numbers in the past month and it’s likely to just get worse going out through the middle of January. I ask that everyone do what you can to protect yourself, your loved ones, your friends, your family and the people you run into on the street.” Councilman Adam Marsh was also available telephonically and noted that there are many opportunities in the community to serve during this holiday season and encouraged residents to do so, adding his appreciation to Jason Danch, the owner of The Winner’s Circle, for giving three freezers to Operation Love. “Let’s try to lift up members in our community any way that we can. There’s a lot of people in town who are hungry, that need things during the holidays, clothes or just a friendly face or a kind act. The Bread of Life, Operation Love, the Family Advocacy Center, just to name a few of those. If you can think in your own life how you can reach out to somebody you may or may not even know and help them out, COVID aside, this is the time to do it.” Councilman Mike Nilsson gave accolades to the Holbrook Chamber of Commerce for their work in bringing Santa Claus to town to visit with the children. He also noted that the Holbrook Emergency Food Bank at the Holbrook Senior Center is providing food and for those in need to reach out to that organization.