#StayHome - Social Distancing Saves Lives

Oregon State Legislature sent this bulletin at 03/19/2020 05:05 PM PDT

Following guidance from health officials, please stay home. The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is spreading quickly in Oregon and individual choices in the days and weeks ahead are critical. We are at the beginning of this emergency, in terms of impact and duration, and there is no current vaccine.

Limiting your exposure to others during the pandemic WILL SAVE LIVES. It is important to not panic, but PLEASE do your part.

Even if coronavirus may not be in your area right now, social distancing is important for all Oregonians to follow. We have to slow the transmission of COVID-19 to preserve hospital capacity.

Even if you are low-risk and do not have symptoms, you could be a carrier.. CDC data is showing that younger adults make up a large percentage of the hospitalizations nationwide.

This week, Governor Brown has taken major executive actions to stem the spread of the virus:

Declaring an abnormal market disruption to avoid price gouging on key products like hand sanitizer and toilet paper.
Activating the all hazard state incident command structure for disasters, triggering enhanced cooperation among all emergency response services in the state.
Closing all bars and restaurants for dine-in service (takeout and delivery services may continue).
Extending a statewide school closure through April 28 — a total of 6 weeks. School districts will support our communities by providing learning supports, meal services, and child care for essential healthcare professionals and first responders.
Directing all Oregon hospitals, out-patient clinics, veterinarians, and dentists to cease non-emergency procedures, in order to preserve personal protective equipment (PPE) — such as surgical masks, gowns and gloves for health care workers treating COVID-19 patients.
Directing Oregon’s higher education institutions to move their curriculum to online learning. Critical on-campus operations like dining services and dormitories will remain open to ensure students have a safe place to live and eat. All of these places are directed to employ social distancing.

Questions my office is receiving about the Coronavirus Response

Is there one source of information that I can monitor for ongoing updates on the situation in Oregon?

Yes. Governor Kate Brown has a comprehensive website devoted to the coronavirus pandemic.

I have surplus personal protective equipment (PPE) that I’d like to donate to the State - where do I send it?

Please send to:
ATTN: PPE Coordinator
Dept. of Corrections
3601 State Street
Salem, OR, 97301

I’m food insecure - where can I get food in my community?

Oregon Food Bank has a “food finder” search that you can use to find food in your community.
You can call 211 to receive information and referrals to food resources across Oregon, as well as information on other resources.
School districts will continue to provide lunch and breakfast Grab & Go meals for students, regardless of age and attendance. Please locate your school to see what times these are available each day.

Where can I find the most up-to-date health information?

The Oregon Health Authority has an excellent website that allows you to sign up for alerts, read answers to frequently asked questions, and review information sheets in a variety of languages.
The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also has many resources.
Johns Hopkins University has an interactive map that allows you to track the global situation, as well as other resources.

I’m unemployed or my workplace has been disrupted - where can I find resources?

The Oregon Employment Department and Business Oregon have information available on their websites.

How long will schools be closed and what resources will be offered to parents and students during that time?

At this time, schools will be closed until April 28. The Oregon Department of Education is providing updated information and has a helpful list of frequently asked questions.
As listed above, school districts are continuing to provide meals for students. Please search your districts for specific times these can be picked up from your local schools.

What is the Oregon legislature doing to address the pandemic?

Legislative leadership has established a joint committee to discuss coronavirus response strategies, emergency funding, and urgent legal changes to empower the state response. You can subscribe to committee updates at this link.

What is the federal government doing to provide resources?

Congress has passed a bill that will make COVID-19 testing free, and expands paid sick leave to 10 paid sick days for eligible workers, as well as expanding emergency food assistance programs.
Congress is negotiating additional legislation that could provide up to $1 trillion in assistance for individuals, businesses, and key national industries.

What is being done to keep people housed?

Local, county, and state authorities are exploring all available options to support renters and property owners in the months ahead. Multnomah County and Clackamas County have announced moratoriums on evictions for non-payment of rent, and other counties are considering this as well.

I couldn’t pay my utilities on time this month - what can I do?

The following utilities have announced that they will not disconnect services for non-payment due to coronavirus factors: NW Natural, PGE, Comcast, CenturyLink, AT&T.

I am a Senior and/or vulnerable to this virus - how can I go shopping?

Some stores are observing a “Senior Shopping Hour” in order to minimize exposure to this more vulnerable group.
Online delivery networks in Oregon may be experiencing a large volume right now, but still check to see, by using apps or by calling stores, if you could get your groceries delivered. Many services, especially restaurant delivery services, are offering “no contact services” to minimize person-to-person contact, so all items are left outside your door.
For more resources for Seniors, please visit the COVID-19 info page for notices from the Seniors & People with Disabilities Division of the Oregon Department of Human Services.

All of this newfound time at home can be a difficult adjustment. There are lots of suggestions for fun and healthy things to do though! Be well, take care, and together we will get through to the other side.

Sincerely,

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

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