^{*  “I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; And because I cannot do everything I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.”                    —Helen Keller}

Staying Current on COVID-19

On a conference call yesterday morning, Governor Kate Brown asked all of us in the Legislature to share with Oregonians a difficult message. “At this point, it might feel like we’re in the middle of our challenge with the COVID-19 virus; the truth is, we’re at the very beginning.”

With that in the mind I’ll be using this newsletter to make it easier for you to access some of the sources of key information. You’re likely to see the same web links again and again, but in this dynamic environment, the information they provide will be changing.

A number of you have contacted me with concerns and questions about your particular situation. If the links below don’t address your concerns, please don’t hesitate to email me at sen.jeffgolden@oregonlegislature.gov. I’m happy to look into them.

I believe that the seriousness and duration of this crisis depends in part on what all of us do collectively. Please follow the basic public health tips you’re hearing again and again—careful hand-washing and frequent cleaning of much-touched surfaces, maintaining a distance from others of 6 feet or more whenever you possibly can, and reducing any type of optional interpersonal contact. Even if you’re in the low-risk sector of Oregonians, please remember that keeping yourself and those around you healthy conserves medical resources, which will become increasingly precious, for the many people who will need them. Is this our chance to move forward in more united, generous ways than we’ve been doing? Yes.

We’ll update this informational links as we can. Meanwhile…stay positive, take good care of you and yours, be patient and kind with others during your (reduced) contact. Keep an eye on your older neighbors. Clearly it’s the time to do what we can do together.

Senator Jeff Golden
Senate District 3 (Rogue Valley)

Resources for Current Information

• This OHA page is dedicated to information on COVID-19 with links to the latest announcements, guidance etc. You can also subscribe to email or text updates.
• The latest from Jackson County Public Health. You can call Jackson County Health and Human services with questions at 541-774-8200.
• This Employment Department Page has resources including a PDF siting what insurance benefits you may qualify for depending on how COVID-19 has impacted you, available in English and Spanish.
• The Bureau of Labor and Industries has a basic FAQ for Employers and Employees around COVID-19. There is also some specific information on Sick Time here.
• The Oregon Department of Education has a page dedicated to COVID-19 information with resources in a variety of languages.

Other Resources

Utility Supports: As noted in a former email, NW Natural, PGE, and Pacific Power are waving late fees. In addition, Comcast is waving late fees as well.

Meals for Students: Many school districts will continue to provide free meals for students.

For the Medford School District: Free “grab and go” meals for kids 18 and under will be served at six locations throughout the district (on weekdays) from Monday, March 16 through Tuesday, March 31. That includes the week of spring break. Breakfast will be served from 9:00AM - 10:00AM and lunch will be served from 11:30AM - 12:30PM.

Locations are as follows:

• North Medford High School  1900 N Keene Way Dr, Medford, OR 97504
• Howard Elementary School 286 Mace Rd, Medford, OR 97501
• Jefferson Elementary School 333 Holmes Ave, Medford, OR 97501
• Roosevelt Elementary School 1212 Queen Anne Ave, Medford, OR 97504
• Jackson Elementary School 713 Summit Avenue, Medford, OR 97501
• Oak Grove Elementary School  2838 W Main Street, Medford, OR 97501

Visitors are asked to enter through designated doors, pick up a meal from the cafeteria and then take the meal to go. Gathering inside the school will be discouraged. We are grateful to our MSD staff who are volunteering to staff the sites!

For all other school districts offering this valuable service and more information on how our schools are responding to COVID-19, please refer to the links below:

• Ashland
• Central Point
• Eagle Point
• Medford
• Phoenix and Talent
• Prospect

Meals for Adults: Access has put together a lengthy list of local food pantries.

Ashland YMCA: The Ashland YMCA was offering child care services. In response to Gov. Brown’s new guidance a lot of their services has been curtailed. You can find the full list of their current services here.

Southern Oregon Mutual Aid Network: If you want to find more community resources or get involved to help others, you might try getting in touch with the Southern Oregon Mutual Aid Network. You can find more information here.

Business Resources:

• Oregon Community Foundation is opening a COVID-19 Pooled Fund to organize local foundations to provide financial assistance to community organizations in response to COVID-19.
• The U.S. Small Business Association has provided guidance and resources for small business, including a $2 million disaster relief loan for small businesses.
• The Oregon Entrepreneurs Network also published resources.

An activity for little ones: Environment Oregon is hosting a variety of webinars for kids this week. 

Please remember to watch the news and follow the advice from experts at the CDC, OHA, and Jackson County Public Health, and directives from the Governor's office. We'll get through this and we'll do it by working together.