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Hello Friends and Neighbors,
We are now in our third week of social distancing, and navigating the strict requirements of Governor Brown’s “Stay Home, Save Lives” Executive Order. As we maintain our physical distance between each other, we must increase our social support and solidarity. This can mean different things to different people. It may mean donating to the Oregon Food Bank or to another local charity; it may mean dropping groceries or prescriptions off for your elderly neighbor, or calling friends and family who you haven’t spoken to in a while. Whatever you do to support our community, it is important to remember that the more seriously we commit to the physical distance requirements, the quicker they will end. And most importantly: we will get through this together.
- Due to immediate and overwhelming demand, the City of Hillsboro has closed the application for small business assistance. They received requests totalling twice the amount of funds available, and grant applications received will be processed and businesses will be notified about their status starting later this week. The City will make an effort to assist as many businesses as possible. Learn about other small business resources from the city of Hillsboro here.
- The Stay Home, Save Lives Order has effectively closed licensed child care centers that are not serving as child care for essential workers. This does not close unlicensed small providers, though these providers should be taking steps to limit spread of the disease by limiting contact, regular hand washing and cleaning of surfaces, and by caring for the same group of children each day. Information on Child Care resources and referrals are available by calling 211 or visiting 211.org. Please keep your children at home if you are able, and only use childcare services if you must.
- For Providers: if you are able and willing to act as child care providers for emergency and essential workers need to decide by Friday March 27th. Applications are available on the ELD website, and questions can be directed to 1-800-556-6616 and to your resource and referral network.
- The City of Hillsboro approved a moratorium on both residential and commercial evictions for 90 days. You must demonstrate loss of income and notify your landlord before the day that rent is due, and renters are still liable for unpaid rent, but will have 6 months to repay after the Emergency Declaration ends to do so. Landlords that don’t comply may be fined $500 per day that a tenant is unable to access their unit. You may be eligible for rental assistance, learn more here.
- Six DMV offices are open by appointment only for commercial driver knowledge tests and commercial driver license (CDL) issuance of original and replacement licenses. No other services are available in-person. All other DMV offices are closed. Visit the DMV COVID-19 page for the latest information. In light of closures like this in Oregon and other states President Trump has delayed requirements for REAL ID, he has not yet specified a new date.
- The Department of Consumer and Business Services has issued an emergency order today, effective immediately, and will be in force until at least April 23rd. All insurance companies are to extend grace periods for premium payments, postpone policy cancellations and nonrenewals, and extend deadlines for reporting claims. Read the full order here.
- The Oregon Medical Board has adopted a temporary rule to increase the state’s health care provider workforce, effective immediately. It lifts administrative restrictions on Emeritus and Locum Tenens physicians and physician assistants, creates an expedited license reactivation process for administrative medicine, inactive, lapsed, and retired physicians and PAs, and allows out-of-state physicians and PAs to apply to practice in Oregon. For more information, and to fill out an Emergency Authorization Application, go to the OMB’s website.
 Total Confirmed Cases in Washington County: 96
Total Confirmed Cases in Oregon: 266
*best available evidence shows that there are likely 4 times more infections than confirmed cases*
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Set Boundaries: when working from home, it is hard to set a work-life balance. During this scary and uncertain time, it’s even more essential that we set boundaries. As much as possible, set regular working hours.
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Separate Work from Play: as best you can, set up a dedicated space for working that is separate from where you relax or sleep.
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Set a Routine: set an alarm, shower, and change into “work clothes” every morning.
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Take Breaks: set a timer to remind yourself to take regular breaks.
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Get Moving: take a mid-day walk.
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Keep Your Space Clean: we might not always notice, but clutter around our work space makes it harder to focus and harder to cope with stress from work.
- Work with your employer and co-workers to be sure you are following appropriate social distancing guidelines. If you feel your workplace is not being safe, talk to your co-workers and employers first and remind them: the more seriously we take social distancing, the sooner these measures can be lifted, and the more lives can be saved.
- Do not call 911. While social distancing is essential to the well being of all Oregonians, violating the Executive Order is not an emergency. If you would like to report a violation, call your local police agency’s non-emergency number.
- People in large gatherings, violating an Order can be arrested or cited with a class C misdemeanor (lowest level criminal designation). However, Oregon law enforcement are united around educating the public and avoiding police action. A citation would be a last resort.
- You don’t need a hall pass in Oregon, and you will not be asked to prove why you are out and about, though officers may ask you why you are out if they stop you for another purpose.
- You don’t need documentation from your employer to prove that you are an essential employee. The Governor’s Executive Order closed businesses which could not feasibly implement a social distancing plan. If your business is not closed, your employer must establish a point person who will create and implement a plan for your workplace to strictly adhere to social distancing guidelines.
- The Executive Order limits gatherings, but does not limit the movement of Oregonians. Feel free to take a drive, a walk, or a bike ride, but avoid crowded trails and parks, and do not travel to remote areas with limited hospital and emergency capacity.
- If your workplace has been ordered closed, but there is work still to be done onsite (like painting your barbershop's walls a new color), you are allowed to do work there, so long as no prohibited business is being conducted onsite.
 With my friend, Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici, before social distancing. Now we only call, email, and follow each other.
Yours truly,
 Representative Susan McLain
House District 29
email: Rep.SusanMcLain@oregonlegislature.gov I phone: 503-986-1429
address: 900 Court St NE, H-376, Salem, OR 97301
website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/mclain
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