COVID-19 Updates 3/17/2020

Oregon State Legislature sent this bulletin at 03/17/2020 07:00 AM PDT
Rep. Sollman

Friends and Neighbors,

In an effort to help keep you best informed, my office is working diligently to pull together as much information as we can and share it with you often in a timely fashion. This information is coming at us very rapidly and is evolving each day and even hour by hour. Please watch for another newsletter with updates on Thursday and check out social media for daily updates and tips. Please know that your state government is working together to keep you informed, aware and protected. This can work, when you are part of the solution too and follow suggested protocol and take precautions.

New Guidelines from Governor Brown – released Monday afternoon

The new orders on social distancing measures, effective March 17 for at least four weeks, include:

  • A statewide cancellation of all events and gatherings larger than 25 people — exempting essential locations like workplaces, grocery stores, pharmacies, and retail stores.
  • It's additionally recommended that Oregonians avoid gatherings of 10 people or more.
  • Restaurants, bars, and other establishments that offer food or beverages for sale are restricted to carry-out and delivery only with no on-site consumption permitted. Food service at health care facilities, workplaces, and other essential facilities will continue.
  • All other businesses are urged to assess their practices, implement strong social distancing measures, and close their doors temporarily if they cannot put the new guidance in place.

Legislature Appoints Special Joint Committee on Coronavirus Response

The Oregon Legislature’s Joint Special Committee on Coronavirus Response (JSCCR) was created specifically to expand the scope of our approach to the Coronavirus (COVID-19).  It is in a unique position to aide in the State’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the coming days, it will work on gathering the latest information that can be helpful in coordinating legislative initiatives with existing efforts that are already underway.  

The Joint Special Committee on Coronavirus Response is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, March 18, 2020 at 10:00 am.  The Committee will follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) to protect the legislators, staff, and public participating in the meeting. Committee members will receive online and remote public testimony. The committee will only hear invited testimony during the meeting. Members of the public can submit ideas, feedback and testimony via email to jscvr.exhibits@oregonlegislature.gov by 5 p.m. Wednesday. Written testimony will be posted on OLIS and the committee meeting will be livestreamed on OLIS.

SOCIAL DISTANCING

COVID-19 is real. The response is not to be taken lightly. What we do now can save a larger response later. Maintaining social distance protects communities and vulnerable populations. This is not the time to visit with friends and neighbors in their homes, businesses and close quarters. It is fine to take a nice, spacious walk in a beautiful park and these sunny days ahead though. Kids being out of school does not mean playdates and sleepovers, this is critical. More time at home and away from work does not mean large family dinners, birthday parties or gathering with friends. Try online playdates or on-line visits with elderly relatives. We are all in this together. What we do now will help prevent the situation from becoming a worst case scenario in Oregon, such as not enough room in our hospitals to care for those who become the most sick. This is only the beginning and we all need to do our part now to flatten the curve for the rate of transmission. That is why it is so imperative to cut down our social interactions and keep the problem from becoming greater. The actions we take today will save lives tomorrow. 

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RENTAL, MORTGAGE OR HOUSING ASSISTANCE

See this statement from Oregon Bankers Association on ways that banks may be able to help the banking community and its customers. They urge that if you are experiencing financial hardship to call your bank and discuss what options may be available to you.

We will be digging deeper into this issue and look to provide more resources in Thursday's emailed newsletter

SCHOOLS

Lunch Programs are still being served at our area schools. See below for more information.

Hillsboro School District: Nutrition Services staff will be operating out of seven main meal preparation “hubs.” The schools listed under each hub site should go to that location to pick up their meals. Locations with an “*” will also have meals distributed to their school site, as a second option.

Meals will be offered to any child at any location, ages 1-18 (must be present to receive). Distribution times at the individual school sites are 10 a.m. for elementary school students, 11 a.m. for middle school students, and 12 p.m. for high school students. Additional HSD Resources: Hillsboro School District Resources

Beaverton School District: Grab and go meals (breakfast and lunch) will be served curbside at 15 designated locations-

  • Aloha Huber Park K-8, Barnes, Beaver Acres, Chehalem, Fir Grove, Hazeldale, Kinnaman, McKinley, Raleigh Hills K-8, William Walker, Vose, Whitford MS, Beaverton High School, Southridge High School, Sunset High School.

Friday food backpacks will be distributed outside the school. The District’s Remote Learning resources webpage can be found at bit.ly/BSDremotelearning. Additional BSD Resources: Beaverton School District Resources.

EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES

Things to Do at Home with Your Kids

  • Scholastic: Even when schools are closed, you can keep the learning going with these special cross-curricular journeys. Every day includes four separate learning experiences, each built around a thrilling, meaningful story or video. Kids can do them on their own, with their families, or with their teachers. Just find your grade level and let the learning begin!
  • Code.Org 
  • Khan Academy: Join Khan Academy to get personalized help with what you’re studying or to learn something completely new. We’ll save all of your progress.
  • Brain Pop: BrainPOP makes rigorous learning experiences accessible and engaging for all.
  • Prodigy: The engaging, curriculum-aligned math platform loved by over 50 million students, teachers and admins. No cost, ever.
  • PDX Jazz is a local music nonprofit. They have free materials for download for music and art.
  • GoNoodle: GoNoodle® engages 14 million kids every month with movement and mindfulness videos created by child development experts. Available for free at school, home, and everywhere kids are!
  • Generation Genius: Next Generation Science Videos For K-5. Try it free.
  • Virtual Museum Tours
  • Monterey Bay Aquarium Live Cams: Be delighted by the antics of our sea otters or mellow out to the hypnotic drifting of our jellies. With ten live cams to choose from, you can experience the wonder of the ocean no matter where you are. 

RESOURCES FOR SMALL BUSINESSES –

  • The Oregon Employment Department has helpful resources and answers to frequently asked questions, available here.
  • Business Oregon has a number of tips and resources available for small business owners on their coronavirus response page, available here.
  • Small Business Administration guidance for businesses and employers in response to Coronavirus/COVID-19.
  • Work Share Program: Small businesses that have had to reduce the amount of hours employees work by 20 to 40 percent may be eligible to participate in the work share program. This program enables employees to receive unemployment benefits while they are still working under reduced hours. This can serve as a lifeline, but employers must sign-up and initiate this process for employees to gain benefits.

SUPPORTING OUR LOCAL STORES & RESTAURANTS

  • Many small businesses are online and may offer ways to purchase their goods online. If not, reach out to your favorites and see if they might offer transactions by phone with ready to go pick up, much like take out from a restaurant. Visit their websites or give them a call.
  • Buy a gift card. If you have an upcoming appointment for services such as haircuts, massage, or pet grooming- Rather than cancel, spend what you would have on a gift certificate to be used at a later date. Consider buying a gift card of thanks for the helpers in our district that have gone above and beyond to assist others; 1st responders, health care workers, educators, childcare workers and store employees. Let’s spread a little love and support around.
  • Leave an online review. Let others in the community know how and why you think a business is special and deserves attention.
  • Promote them on social media. Share their pages and their posts on your own. If you have found ways to patron your favorite shop while staying at home, let people know. Spread the word on how others in your community can support businesses too.
  • Subscribe to your favorite business' E-newsletters and share them with others.

FOOD ASSISTANCE

In Oregon, SNAP benefits can be used for online purchase at Amazon and Walmart. See more information here.

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.

WASHINGTON COUNTY AND CITY LINKS

Find links to COVID-19 responses, information and closures below:

Tips From the Community

bucket

Try making a Quarantine Bucket List with your family and kids, using supplies/tools you already have on hand. Beth Russell, one of our community members, created one with her family and gave us permission to share it here!  Did you know you can download a digital Escape Room for your house? Set up a Laser Tag game of your very own? I can’t wait to convince my husband that a candlelight dinner is a GREAT idea right now! 😉

What has been working for you and your families? Send us your tips and we will share in our upcoming newsletters! 

 

 

Those that may be especially vulnerable to the COVID-19 virus include older adults, those with underlying health conditions and those whose immune systems that are compromised. Find ways to help them not be lonely during times of self-isolation like a face-to-face chat online. I play an online Word Feud game with my mom and sister occasionally. See what you can do to help out. I have a box of food set up at my mom's senior living apartment complex. People have sent in food donations to place in the box and that way the residents don't have to leave their apartment building. Do you have a home bound neighbor? Offer to do their grocery shopping or grab their prescriptions, but only if you are feeling well yourself.

Please take this seriously. I hear of people going to the movies, out to eat and shopping. This is worrisome, it is not extra vacation time. Follow the facts that say to reduce your exposure, stop the spread and just stay close to home! Our health care system, which includes hospitals and health care workers, cannot withstand a surge in patients needing care. If you are worried about businesses and the economy, buy gift cards from them. Coffee cards, manicures, and meal cards can be shared with health care workers, first responders and more. We will get through this. This is temporary. It will not be easy. It will carry a financial burden for most. We can get through this and we must, to avoid a bigger, critical situation. Thank you for being good to each other, being good neighbors and showing the compassion and resilience that make Oregonians who we are. We got this!  

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Onward and Upward,

esig

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