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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
This morning, Governor Kate Brown announced guidelines to help protect vulnerable and high-risk Oregonians and to protect our state’s health care system capacity. The Governor is working closely with the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and following updated guidelines from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO). COVID-19, also referred to as the coronavirus, is now widespread, and the number of cases will rise. For many people, the symptoms of COVID-19 will be mild and will have no serious or lasting effects. As a result, OHA is focusing its strategy on minimizing the risk to vulnerable populations to ensure that our hospitals remain at capacity for those who need serious medical attention.
Like many you of, I have a child in the CDC’s high-risk category and an elderly mother. I am concerned for their health and for the well-being of others throughout the State of Oregon. I want everyone to know that my staff and I are here to assist you. If you are having trouble getting the care you need or have questions about COVID-19, please contact my office with the information in my signature line. My staff will be able to help direct you to resources that can help.
Here are some resources to consider:
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OHA’s COVID-19 webpage at healthoregon.org/coronavirus.There you can find information about policies and guidelines for disease prevention, what to do if you feel sick, workplace recommendations, and more. You can also sign up for email updates from OHA and follow OHA on Facebook and Twitter.
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Call 2-1-1. State employees will be able to answer you questions and direct you to the help you need.
New Guidelines
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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.
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Schools: Schools are remaining open, because they play a critical role in the well-being of students. However, all non-essential school-associated gatherings and group activities should be canceled — such as assemblies, parent meetings, field trips, and competitions.
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Workplace: Recommended implementation of distancing measures including an increased physical space between employees in offices and worksites, limited in-person meetings, limited travel, and staggered work schedules where possible.
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Long-Term Care and Assisted Living: Strict limitations announced this week by the Oregon Health Authority and Department of Human Services remain in place.
What Should I Do?
According to the OHA, you can take the following steps to help prevent the spread of COVID-19:
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Stay home if you are sick. The best thing to do to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in your community is to avoid going out and interacting with other people as much as possible if you have any concerns you might have the disease.
- Avoid contact with sick people.
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Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. The easiest way to contract COVID-19 and spread it to others is via your hands. Washing your hands prevents contamination. Hand sanitizer can be used if soap and water is not available if the hand sanitizer contains at least 60% alcohol.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
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Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or sleeve when coughing or sneezing. The COVID-19 virus spreads like the flu, when someone who is sick coughs or sneezes close to another person (close means about 6 feet).
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Never visit a hospital or long-term-care facility if you have a fever or cough illness. The OHA’s strategy is to limit the spread of the disease among the most vulnerable populations. In order to contain the spread of the illness, it is vital those who are ill do not go to places where vulnerable people are. OHA has implementing strict guidelines limiting visitation to long-term-care facilities.
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Call your provider before seeking health care.Your health care provider will know the best way to provide you care while limiting the spread of COVID-19. Please check with your provider so they can guide you through their health care procedures.
What Are the Symptoms?
After someone contracts COVID-19, illness usually develops within 14 days. Symptoms mirror those of the flu, including:
- Fever
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Headache
- Sore throat and
- General feelings of illness
Most people who test positive for the coronavirus do not experience severe symptoms. However, if you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, please stay home and call your health care provider.
Should I Be Tested?
If you are experiencing symptoms, please call your health care provider or your county health authority (see links above) about whether you should be tested. If you are not experiencing an emergency, please do not go to the emergency department, but call ahead and go to your primary care provider.
The testing guidelines are no longer restricted to people who recently traveled. A health care provider may order a coronavirus test if they find it appropriate. However, because prevention is focused on high-risk populations, testing is favored for people who are at high-risk or who have exposure to high-risk populations.
Are You at Increased-Risk?
Older adults (age 60 or older) and individuals with long-term health problems are at a higher risk of developing severe symptoms of COVID-19.
The CDC has defined the following underlying medical conditions as increasing the risk:
- Blood disorders (e.g., sickle cell disease or on blood thinners)
- Chronic kidney disease as defined by your doctor.
- Chronic liver disease as defined by your doctor. (e.g., cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis)
- Compromised immune system (immunosuppression)
- Current or recent pregnancy in the last two weeks
- Endocrine disorders (e.g., diabetes mellitus)
- Metabolic disorders (such as inherited metabolic disorders and mitochondrial disorders)
- Heart disease (such as congenital heart disease, congestive heart failure and coronary artery disease)
- Lung disease including asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (chronic bronchitis or emphysema) or other chronic conditions associated with impaired lung function or that require home oxygen
- Neurological and neurologic and neurodevelopment conditions [including disorders of the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerve, and muscle such as cerebral palsy, epilepsy (seizure disorders), stroke, intellectual disability, moderate to severe developmental delay, muscular dystrophy, or spinal cord injury].
If you fall into one or more of these categories, you should be staying at home and avoiding as much contact with others as possible. Consider having your groceries or prescriptions delivered.
I hope that this information has been helpful. The coronavirus is a serious issue that will dramatically affect our lives for the foreseeable future. If there is anything I can do, please let me know by using the contact information in my signature line.
Sincerely,
 Senator Mark Hass
Senate District 14
email: Sen.MarkHass@oregonlegislature.gov I phone: 503-986-1714
address: 900 Court St NE, S-207, Salem, OR, 97301
website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/hass
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