Coronavirus Update: Answering Your Questions

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House Speaker Tina Kotek

Coronavirus Update: Answering Your Questions

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

As I wrap up the week, I’m so very grateful for the questions and comments people have been sending after they read my newsletter. Thank you!

Here are answers to two questions that a few folks have raised:

Question: If I get a monthly payment from Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), will I automatically receive the recovery rebate from the CARES Act? Or do I need to file a simple tax form?

Answer: Your recovery rebate will be automatic if you filed taxes this year or last year. According to the Congressional Research Service, all Social Security beneficiaries – retired workers, disabled workers, eligible family members, and survivors – are eligible for the recovery rebate unless they are claimed as a dependent on a taxpayer’s return or do not meet the other eligibility requirements. (The term Social Security beneficiaries includes Social Security Disability Insurance [SSDI] beneficiaries.)  For eligible Social Security beneficiaries who filed a federal income tax return for 2018 or 2019, the rebate will automatically come to them using the information from their last return. Social Security beneficiaries who did not file a tax return for 2018 or 2019 and who do not qualify for the 2019 Form SSA-1099 option (e.g., they did not receive Social Security benefits in 2019) will need to file a tax return to receive the rebate.

Question: Is Oregon building field hospitals to help with overflow or maintain capacity at hospitals?

Answer: Yes. Two weeks ago, Governor Brown ordered the creation of a 250-bed emergency hospital at the state fairgrounds in Salem. The Oregon Army National Guard has set up this temporary facility as part of an effort to add 1,000 beds to the state hospital supply. The Oregonian produced a very informative video about the creation of the emergency hospital, which I’ve posted below.

Oregonian Salem Fairgrounds Video

The Latest News

  • As of today, small businesses can now apply for the Paycheck Protection Program that is part of the federal $2 trillion CARES Act. More details from the Small Business Administration are available here.
  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is now recommending that people wear cloth or fabric face coverings when they go outside in order to prevent the spread of coronavirus (giving it to someone else). This is not mandatory, although new research on how the virus can spread has caused the CDC to change its recommendations. Remember, it is still important to continue to practice social distancing even if you’re wearing a mask!
  • The Oregon Health Authority announced 73 new diagnosed cases of coronavirus today, bringing the statewide total to 899. Sadly, one more person has died of coronavirus in Oregon. There have been 22 deaths statewide.

Hate Is Not OK

Today, I joined other elected and community leaders in signing a letter put together by Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum taking a stand against hate crimes and discrimination committed against the Asian community in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

I’m angry that there has been an increase in racist harassment and attacks on the Asian community since the outbreak of coronavirus. This is appalling, and there is no excuse for anyone to take out their fear or anger against others, especially because of another person’s perceived race or ethnicity.

If you or someone you know has witnessed this kind of racial bigotry, you can report incidents to the Oregon Department of Justice’s online reporting for a bias or hate crime here, or call 1-844-924-2427. You can read the full letter below.


“In Oregon, every person has the right to equal protection under the law — and to live free from violence and discrimination.

“To target and stigmatize China for the outbreak and world-wide spread of the COVID-19 pandemic creates an inexcusable risk of harm to all Asians, as well as to those perceived as Asian.

“COVID-19 has increasingly been inappropriately referred to as an Asian disease, along with other blatantly incorrect descriptions. Oregon’s Asian, Asian-American, and Pacific Islander communities, and those perceived as Asian, have, as a direct result of such misinformation, increasingly experienced stigma, xenophobia and discrimination. Asian communities around the country have reported hundreds of acts of aggression and violence, such as being spit on, coughed at, physically attacked, and assaulted.

“We, the undersigned, resolutely denounce all COVID-19 misnaming, blaming and harassment. We find reprehensible any language or course of action that casts blame, promotes racism or discrimination, or harms the Asian immigrant, Asian-American, and Pacific Islander community.

“And we, the undersigned, stand together, calling upon all Oregonians to call attention to these harms, and to support the inalienable rights of our Asian, Asian-American and Pacific Islander communities across the state, who must always be treated with respect and must remain safe during this unprecedented pandemic that affects us all.”


Public Transit: TriMet Update

So many Oregonians have stepped up in a major way by following Governor Brown’s Stay Home, Save Lives directive. As I’ve written previously, data is showing that social distancing is slowing the spread of coronavirus as intended.

Public transit is a transportation necessity for many folks, so it’s important to keep buses running. Essential workers who can’t work from home have to get to work. If you don’t have a car and can’t walk to a grocery store, you’re taking transit.

It’s also important to keep people safe – both riders and drivers. In the Portland metro area, TriMet is making some changes to their service during the coronavirus pandemic. Some of those changes are listed below. You can also go here for more details.

  • Limiting Ridership: TriMet is now limiting the number of riders on buses. This is a temporary adjustment to help people who must ride during this time maintain physical distance from each other and the driver. If there appears to be more than 10 individuals on board (or up to 15 if people are riding together, such as couples or parents with children), the driver will ask riders at a stop to wait for the next bus.
  • Can’t Use Cash: TriMet is not accepting cash to pay your fare. This is a temporary measure to help with social distancing at the front of the bus and to minimize the time riders spend near drivers. Instead, you’ll need to pay with Hop: a plastic Hop card, your phone using a mobile wallet or virtual card, or a Hop ticket purchased at a ticket machine at a MAX or WES station. If you don’t already have a Hop card, you can get a free one by visiting the TriMet Ticket Office in Pioneer Courthouse Square. TriMet will also mail you a card if you call 503-238-RIDE (7433) or email them at hoptto@trimet.org. Please include your name, address (including city, state and zip code) and what type of Hop card you need (Adult, Youth, or Honored Citizen).
  • Service Reductions: TriMet is also reducing service beginning this Sunday. To learn more about how and where service is being reduced, you can go here.

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.

Thank you for reading! We will get through this together.

Best,

Tina

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