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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
This is an uncertain time for our state, our country and the world. Thank you for doing your part to reduce the spread of the coronavirus by staying home, reducing interpersonal contact and staying calm.
Since my most recent newsletter last Friday, here are the most important Oregon updates I can provide on the coronavirus outbreak:
- The CDC issued new federal guidelines over the weekend to postpone all events nationwide with more than 50 people for eight weeks. Governor Kate Brown took an additional step today to ban all gatherings of 25 people or more for the next four weeks. This is critical for reducing the spread of the virus.
- The Governor also announced today that restaurants and bars will be restricted to only take-out or delivery for the next four weeks. Again, this is critical for reducing the spread of the virus.
- Today, legislative leaders announced the Legislature intends to return for a special session in the coming weeks as soon as an emergency response package is ready to address the statewide impact of coronavirus on families, workers and businesses.
- The Joint Special Committee on Coronavirus Response, which Senate President Peter Courtney and I formed last week, will have its first meeting Wednesday at 10 a.m. The committee will only hear invited testimony during the meeting, which will be livestreamed on OLIS. Members of the public can submit ideas, feedback and testimony via email to jscvr.exhibits@oregonlegislature.gov by 5 p.m. Wednesday.
- There have been 39 diagnosed cases of coronavirus in the state and Oregon saw its first death from COVID-19 on Saturday. Here is where you can find updated county-by-county information on diagnosed coronavirus cases in Oregon.
I know it can be a challenge to keep up as news about coronavirus develops. I will continue to provide updates as they come.
For now, my request for us all is to stay home as much as possible. Anyone who can work from home should do so immediately. It is essential that everyone does their part to stop the spread of coronavirus and act with compassion so that we protect our most vulnerable populations.
For now, all public K-12 schools are closed through Tuesday, March 31. Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon has a comprehensive list of resources for school districts throughout Oregon, which can be found here. They have also included helpful information here for those who rely on SNAP and Meals on Wheels for food.
Portland Public Schools has a list of locations and times where children and teenagers can receive meals from Tuesday, March 17 through Friday, March 20, and Monday, March 30 and Tuesday, March 31. Meals will be available for pickup outside the school from 11 am-1 pm at the following locations:
Boise-Eliot/Humboldt Elementary - 620 N Fremont Ave
César Chávez Elementary - 5103 N Willis Blvd
George Middle School - 10000 N Burr Ave
Grout Elementary - 3119 SE Holgate Blvd
Harrison Park School - 2225 SE 87th Ave
Lent School - 5105 SE 97th Ave
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary - 4906 NE 6th Ave
Rigler Elementary - 5401 NE Prescott St
Rosa Parks Elementary - 8960 N Woolsey Ave
Scott Elementary - 6700 NE Prescott St
Sitton Elementary - 9930 N Smith St
Woodmere Elementary - 7900 SE Duke St
Markham Elementary - 10531 SW Capitol Hwy
Madison at Marshall - 3905 SE 91st Ave
Franklin High School - 5405 SE Woodward St
For up to date information, please check this link to the Oregon Health Authority where regular updates are posted: https://www.oregon.gov/oha/ERD/Pages/News-Releases.aspx
Please email me at Rep.TinaKotek@oregonlegislature.gov if you have specific concerns that have not been addressed by the OHA. Our office will do all we can to help and protect all Oregonians.
Best,
Tina Kotek
State Representative
House District 44
Speaker of the House
email: Rep.TinaKotek@oregonlegislature.gov I phone: 503-986-1200
address: 900 Court St NE, H-269, Salem, OR 97301
website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/kotek
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