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Friends and Neighbors,
The updates on COVID-19/Coronavirus are changing hour by hour and I wanted to share with you the latest information and updates from the Governor and Oregon Health Authority.
Governor's Executive Order
- Large gatherings: All large gatherings over 250 people will be canceled statewide effective immediately for four weeks. A gathering is defined as any event in a space in which appropriate social distancing of a minimum of three feet cannot be maintained.
- Workplace: Recommended implementation of distancing measures including an increased physical space between employees in offices and work sites, limited in-person meetings, limited travel, and staggered work schedules where possible.
- Long-Term Care and Assisted Living: Strict limitations announced this week by the Oregon Health Authority and Department of Human Services remain in place.
School Closures
Last night, Governor Brown announced statewide school closures beginning Monday, March 16 through Tuesday, March 31st. While children are home, when at all possible, they should not be in the care of older adults or those with underlying health issues that are most at-risk from COVID-19. See up to date information from local school districts below.
The CDC, OHA and the Oregon Department of Education are working tirelessly to balance the needs of the whole community with the unique challenges of cancelling school. As we receive updated information we will continue to share it with you.
Prevention
Steps you can take to prevent spread of flu and the common cold will also help prevent Coronavirus:
- Wash hands often with soap and water. If not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick
- Stay home while you are sick and avoid close contact with others
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw it away
- If you don’t have a tissue, cough into your elbow
- Clean and disinfect objects and surfaces that you frequently touch.
What to do if you are sick
- If you are sick, stay home.
- Not everyone who is sick needs to be tested and your doctor or local health department can help determine that.
- Limit movement and contact with others
Work Share
COVID-19 has employers worried about their staff and employees worried about a paycheck. Here is a program I heard about from Governor Brown's office that is a solid option for support. Watch the quick video on how it works and watch for more info to follow.
Sign up for Work Share Program, a program that enables you to help your employees receive unemployment benefits to make up for reduced hours while they are still on the job.
Testing
The new CDC guidance allows for clinicians in the community to order COVID-19 testing at their discretion through commercial labs, including LabCorp and Quest Diagnostics. Medical providers will make the determination to order the COVID-19 test. At this time the Oregon Health Authority is not recommending that everyone who presents with COVID-19 symptoms be tested. The focus remains on keeping the vulnerable populations healthy. If you are experiencing symptoms please call your health care provider or contact your local health department before going to the emergency room, to limit exposure to as many people as possible.
Food Assistance
If you need food assistance, please reach out to the following agencies.
Also please consider making donations to the above groups as they will be needing extra assistance to serve impacted communities.
For all other information and to see in multiple languages, please visit the Oregon Health Authority COVID-19 page.
I want to reiterate the importance of staying home if you are sick and preventing spreading the virus to others. If you or your children become ill, it may appear to you as a common cold, you may feel mild symptoms and may think you do not necessarily have the Coronavirus. But this can pose a danger to many of our most vulnerable populations- the elderly, those with underlying health conditions, those who are immuno-suppressed or compromised. Please consider others in the community that may be hit very hard if they become sick. This is an opportunity for all of us to look out for each other. Check in with your neighbors. If you are running to the grocery store, ask if you can get something for them. This will be a temporary change to our lifestyle. It will be hard, but we will get through this.
Please don't hesitate to reach out to my office with any questions or concerns.
Onward and Upward,
 Capitol Phone: 503-986-1430
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-487, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: Rep.JaneenSollman@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/sollman
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