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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
I was able to take a break this afternoon, away from all the conference calls and emails, to do some shopping for an elderly neighbor who is wisely self-quarantined to stay healthy during the coronavirus pandemic. I went to four stores looking for toilet paper and came up empty. Four stores and zero rolls of toilet paper.
This is an incredibly stressful situation for us all, across the state and across the world. The coronavirus is forcing us to change our lifestyles – sometimes dramatically – in order to protect as many people as we can.
So although this is scary and we all want to do as much as we can to protect ourselves and our families, please keep others in mind as you shop – especially our most vulnerable Oregonians. If you are overstocking on items, others can’t get what they need.
We are going to get through this, but we have to do it together.
Here are the latest updates in Oregon on the coronavirus/COVID-19 outbreak:
- Governor Kate Brown announced this afternoon that she is extending the statewide closure of all K-12 schools through Tuesday, April 28. Schools are now closed for six weeks, which will be four weeks longer than the initial closure. You can read more about her decision here.
- Governor Brown also announced today that nursing homes and other group facilities will no longer allow visitors, in an effort to slow the spread of coronavirus among people most at risk of serious complications. People will still be allowed to visit loved ones who are near the end of life.
- Senate President Peter Courtney and I announced the Capitol building will be closed to the public starting tomorrow until further notice (Wednesday, March 18). This was a very difficult decision but is necessary to slow down the spread of the coronavirus.
- The Oregon Health Authority announced 18 new diagnosed cases of coronavirus in Oregon, bringing the statewide total to 65 people. This is the largest single-day spike in diagnosed cases so far.
Tomorrow at 10 am, the Special Joint Committee on Coronavirus Response will hold its first public meeting. Members of the public can stream video of the meeting here. They will take invited testimony and review feedback and ideas submitted by the public as they develop an emergency response package to address the statewide impact of coronavirus on families, workers and businesses. Our first priority is to help stabilize people and businesses that need help.
Although the Capitol will close to the public starting tomorrow, I assure you that the Legislature is planning how and when it can convene in the near future in order to pass an initial emergency response package. With each passing day, we learn more and more about the wide-ranging, fast-developing effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
No matter where you live or how old you are, not taking this seriously and not following proper social distancing guidelines puts both yourself and others at risk. Please continue to stay home as much as possible, limit social contact, regularly wash your hands, and check in on those you know who may be particularly vulnerable to the virus.
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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