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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
For the past week, you have been hearing about the need to social distance, and many—but not enough—Oregonians are following that advice and staying home.
Our public health officials have been raising the alarm for weeks that it is not a matter of if, but rather a matter of when we will run out of personal protective equipment. We have started to reach that point. The reality is that our health care system is already stretched thin, and we are starting to see cases surge. Our frontline doctors, nurses, emergency responders, and care support staff are witnessing the COVID-19 crisis in their care facilities, in homes, in shelters, and on the streets right now.
So, today, Governor Kate Brown took additional steps to ensure Oregonians stay home and slow the spread of COVID-19. Effective immediately, the new executive order directs Oregonians to stay at home to the greatest extent possible and expands the list of businesses that will be temporarily closed. The Governor’s new guidelines protect public health while allowing certain businesses to continue operations if they can meet social distancing requirements. To understand how this rule will affect you, your business, or your family, I have included the graphic below. You can also read the full list of impacted businesses here.
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Our essential, frontline workers – janitors, health care workers, first responders, public works employees, child care providers, grocery store workers, and more – are risking their lives every single day to keep us safe and healthy. We owe it to them to ensure their incredible sacrifice is not in vain by taking the necessary actions to bring them relief and end this outbreak sooner rather than later.
That means staying home except for essential trips. That means not going to visit friends or gather in a group of any size. That means not taking any unnecessary chances. If you have to ask yourself whether something is safe to do in this moment, it probably is not. Please err on the side of being overly cautious.
I know that these calls to action are difficult and go against our social nature. But, I want to remind you that social distancing does not mean that we cannot connect with one other. Skype your friends over dinner. Take a walk in your neighborhood while calling your family. Write an email or letter thanking a frontline worker. Connection is more important than ever, and it is still possible to connect in a safe way.
So, please heed the call to stay home and to stay healthy, and please spread the word. Together, we will save lives.
As always, please let me know if you have any questions or need any assistance accessing resources during this time. Be safe and be well.
In solidarity,
 Andrea Salinas, State Representative
Moratorium on Residential Evictions
Yesterday, Governor Kate Brown issued Executive Order 20-11, placing a temporary moratorium on residential evictions for nonpayment in light of the public health emergency caused by the spread of coronavirus in Oregon. I agree with the Governor’s statement that, “This is both a moral and a public health imperative. Keeping people in their homes is the right thing for Oregon families, and for preventing the further spread of COVID-19.”
I have heard from many of you that while this is an important step, we also need to consider placing a moratorium on commercial evictions. That is a measure the Legislature is evaluating in the Joint Committee on Coronavirus Response.
Joint Committee on Coronavirus Response
The Joint Committee on Coronavirus Response met Friday and today, and will also be meeting tomorrow at 9am. You can livestream the committee on the Oregon Legislative Information System (OLIS), and here is a link to the policy changes being considered. This is the first action the legislature is taking, and I do not expect it to be the last. I know this isn’t a silver bullet, but I hope it gives you at least an idea for what the legislature is considering.
Childcare
For our essential workers, I wanted to share information about where you can find childcare. The Early Learning Division’s COVID-19 website has resources for providers and families, and information about emergency childcare available to you under the Governor’s Executive Order. You can also dial 211 for more information.
For the providers who are also serving our communities on the frontlines, the Early Learning Division has created a survey for providers to share updates on their supply needs during this crisis, so that the agency can effectively request and distribute resources.
Oregon Health Plan
If your work situation has changed, you may qualify for health insurance through the Oregon Health Plan (OHP). Eligibility for OHP is based on monthly income and other requirements. That means you may qualify for OHP now, even if you've been denied in the past. The best way to see if you qualify is to apply. Visit OHP.Oregon.gov for more information.
 Personal Protective Equipment
If you or your business would like to donate personal protective equipment, volunteer, or enter into a contract with the state to help with the response, click here. Thank you to everyone who has donated and helped protect our frontline health care workers.
Small Business Association
The US Small Business Administration offers disaster assistance in the form of SBA loans to designated states. Oregon became a designated state on Friday. Information about these loans is available here.
Nuevas Órdenes Ejecutivas de la Gobernadora Brown
La gobernadora Kate Brown emitió hoy la Orden Ejecutiva 20-12, ordenando a todos en Oregon que se queden en casa el mayor tiempo posible (la orden ejecutiva aquí (en inglés). La orden es efectiva de inmediato y permanece vigente hasta que el gobernador diga lo contrario. Está diseñada para “aplanar la curva,” preservando el escaso espacio y equipo hospitalario. Todas las reuniones sociales y recreativas no esenciales de individuos están prohibidas inmediatamente, independientemente de su tamaño, si no se puede mantener una distancia de al menos seis pies entre individuos. Se permiten reuniones de miembros del mismo hogar residencial. Las empresas minoristas cerradas por la Orden Ejecutiva 20-12 incluyen:
- Compras: Centros comerciales al aire libre e interiores y complejos comerciales, aunque los tipos individuales de negocios no sujetos a las medidas pueden permanecer abiertos.
- Gimnasio: Gimnasios, centros deportivos y de acondicionamiento físico, clubes de salud y estudios de ejercicios
- Grooming: Peluquerías, salones de belleza y uñas, y spas de bienestar no medicos
- Entretenimiento: teatros, parques de atracciones, arcadas, boleras y salas de billar
Otras empresas minoristas no podrán continuar operando a menos que puedan implementar estrictas medidas de distanciamiento social y designar a un empleado o funcionario encargado de garantizar el cumplimiento. Las empresas minoristas capaces de adaptarse a las experiencias de compra de estilo para llevar también pueden permanecer abiertas. Si las empresas pueden tener empleados trabajan desde casa, entonces deben hacerlo.
El Domingo, Gobernadora Brown ordenó una moratoria de 90 días en los desalojos residenciales si los inquilinos no pueden pagar el alquiler. La orden ejecutiva aquí (en inglés).
email: Rep.AndreaSalinas@oregonlegislature.gov I phone: 503-986-1438
address: 900 Court St NE, H-485, Salem, OR, 97301
website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/salinas
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