|
Today, Governor Kate Brown announced several new restrictions that will affect all of our daily lives for the foreseeable future. Please review this information closely. It is important to not panic, but the steps we take now and in the coming weeks are a matter of life and death.
We are just at the beginning of this emergency, both in terms of impact and duration. There is no vaccine and there is no medicine for the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). All we can do is slow the transmission of the virus. Everyone's actions in this moment count. As Governor Brown said earlier today in her press conference, "isolation from our friends and neighbors is the only way to flatten the curve and get Oregonians through to the other side."
Beginning tomorrow and lasting for at least the next four weeks, all gatherings of 25 or more people are cancelled statewide. The federal government has recommended that gatherings of 10 or more be avoided.
All bars and restaurants are closed for dine-in service; takeout and delivery services may continue. Grocery stores, pharmacies, and other essential retail services are exempted from the requirements at this time.
The Governor has also declared an abnormal market disruption to avoid price gouging on key goods like hand sanitizer and toilet paper for the duration of the public health crisis, and is urging all businesses to take serious social distancing measures.
Finally, the all hazard state incident command structure for disasters has been activated, triggering enhanced cooperation among all emergency response services in the state.
The international, national, and state response to the Coronavirus continues to evolve. I will update you as major changes occur. For example, the Governor has said that she is actively evaluating the two-week closure timeline for K-12 public schools and may be issuing revised guidance in the coming days. I also encourage everyone to sign up for the Oregon Health Authority's email updates at this link: https://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/DISEASESCONDITIONS/DISEASESAZ/Pages/emerging-respiratory-infections.aspx.
If you have questions, please reach out and I will do my best to provide answers as quickly as possible. We are in uncharted territory, so thank you for understanding that it may take several days to gather accurate information in response to specific or novel questions.
PLEASE take this scenario very seriously and follow the public health directions, especially social distancing, closely. This is not a drill and we are all in this together. Let's remember our humanity and support one another, especially our health care workers as they bravely and capably manage care during this pandemic.
The following town halls have been postponed until further notice:
- Sunday, March 22, 2:00 - 4:00 PM
- Sunday, April 5, 2:00 - 4:00 PM
- Sunday, April 19, 2:00 - 4:00 PM
- Sunday, May 3, 2:00 - 4:00 PM
Thank you for your understanding and I look forward to getting town halls back on the calendar once it is safe to gather in public.
If you need food assistance, please reach out to the following agencies:
Also, please consider making donations to community organizations as they will be needing extra assistance to serve impacted communities in the days and weeks ahead. Thank you in advance for your generosity.
While social distancing is absolutely crucial at this time, social cohesion is just as important. There are many vulnerable and isolated members of our communities that were already struggling before the Coronavirus pandemic. We need to step up to support those in need, consistent with public health recommendations.
Together, we will weather this emergency and safeguard all Oregonians. Be kind to one another and reach out if you or a loved one need assistance. Our state and country have come together many times before to confront new and frightening challenges. I trust that we will do the same again. Be well and take care.
Sincerely and in solidarity,
 State Senator Rob Wagner
email: Sen.RobWagner@OregonLegislature.gov I phone: 503-986-1719
address: 900 Court St NE, S-215, Salem, OR, 97301
website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/wagner
| 
