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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
The Joint Special Committee on Coronavirus Response met today for the fourth time, concluding a series of meetings where they discussed policy proposals to be part of an initial emergency relief package for Oregonians to address the early impacts of the coronavirus pandemic.
The committee has been focused on the most urgent priorities, primarily housing, food, health care and small businesses. The Legislature will convene for a special session, maybe as early as next week, to tackle some of these pressing issues. The committee’s work has been bipartisan and very productive.
Among the proposals being considered for an initial emergency relief package are rental and mortgage assistance, additional food support, and support for small businesses impacted by the pandemic. I’ll provide final details on the policies and the timing of a special session as soon as they are available.
Unfortunately, it’s been disturbing to hear some people saying that getting people back to work is more important than keeping people safe and healthy. The virus is a risk to all of us, and downplaying that risk puts our most vulnerable populations and our frontline health care workers at further risk. Health systems across the country and the world are overwhelmed, and we know Oregon is going to see more and more coronavirus cases in the near future. Please, listen to public health experts as we work through this difficult time.
In order to protect the health and safety of Oregon families, we must work together and support each other. Governor Brown’s Stay Home, Save Lives executive order directs everyone in Oregon to stay home as much as possible. It will save lives and protect our health care workers.
- The Oregon Health Authority announced 18 more coronavirus cases today, bringing the statewide total of positive tests to 209. As I wrote yesterday, these numbers will initially continue to rise even as the Stay Home, Save Lives directive takes place. OHA is testing more and people who may have contracted the virus weeks ago may only be getting their positive test now. Sadly, eight people have died from the virus in Oregon.
- Governor Brown announced today that more personal protective equipment (PPE) from the federal government has arrived. This includes approximately 87,000 procedural masks, 14,000 gloves and 9,000 gowns, which are essential for our health care workers. However, the federal government has only provided 25% of the PPE Oregon requested. The need is still critical.
You can help! If you have any of the below items, you can donate them. Click here to see how and where you can donate:
- latex-free gloves
- procedural masks
- surgical masks
- N95 respirators and N95 filters
- other respirators (P100’s, PAPR’s, and PAPR supplies / parts)
- face shields
- splash shields
- gowns
- hand sanitizer
- disinfecting wipes
Many folks might be able to order their groceries ahead of time and have them delivered to their home or pick them up outside the store. Right now, stores are scheduling these types of services many days out, so that might not be a good option. Plus, it costs extra for these services and that isn’t an option for many people, too.
So, what to do? Be careful and only shop when you need to. Here are some tips:
- Use special hours if they are available and you qualify – for example, you're older or you have an underlying health issue. Conversely, don’t go to the store during hours reserved for vulnerable people if that’s not you!
- Social distancing is critical in grocery stores. Grocery shopping is an essential activity, but it's important to limit your contact with others as much as possible. Allow 6 feet of distance between you, your fellow customers, and grocery store employees as much as possible.
- Wipe off or sanitize self-checkout stations before use, whenever available.
- Bag your own groceries. If a check out person bags your groceries, make sure you wash your grocery bags or throw them away as soon as you get home.
- Wash your hands and change your outer clothing as soon as you get home. Put your clothes in a dirty-clothes container until you can wash them.
Most importantly, think about others. Please, do not take more than you need for a week or two! Delivery systems and stores are working in overdrive to keep stores stocked and open. Although restocking takes time, supply chains remain open. If we refrain from hoarding things, everyone will be able to get what they need, when they need it.
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.
We will get through this together.
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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