|
Friends and Neighbors,
I hope you had a safe and pleasant Easter weekend. I know that it is normally a time for family, friends, and gatherings, and physical distancing has presented some challenges to the normal way of life. I had posted a social media live message on Friday, making sure that the message was clear that just because the weather was nice, Easter was happening, we were feeling cooped up and we were seeing the low numbers of those affected in Oregon, we needed to make sure we were still following the Governor’s #StayHomeSaveLives order that is still very much in place. Returning to life as usual too soon can have its own set of issues and can extend our response to this emergency for a much longer time period.
California, Oregon and Washington Announce Western States Pact
Yesterday, California Governor Gavin Newsom, Oregon Governor Kate Brown and Washington Governor Jay Inslee announced an agreement on a shared vision for reopening their economies and controlling COVID-19 into the future.
While each state is building a state-specific plan, our states have agreed to the following principles as we build out a West Coast framework:
-
Our residents’ health comes first. As home to one in six Americans and gateway to the rest of the world, the West Coast has an outsized stake in controlling and ultimately defeating COVID-19.
-
Health outcomes and science – not politics – will guide these decisions. Modifications to our states’ stay at home orders must be made based off our understanding of the total health impacts of COVID-19, including: the direct impact of the disease on our communities; the health impact of measures introduced to control the spread in communities—particularly felt by those already experiencing social disadvantage prior to COVID-19; and our health care systems’ ability to ensure care for those who may become sick with COVID-19 and other conditions. This effort will be guided by data. We need to see a decline in the rate of spread of the virus before large-scale reopening, and we will be working in coordination to identify the best metrics to guide this.
-
Our states will only be effective by working together. Each state will work with it’s local leaders and communities within its borders to understand what’s happening on the ground and adhere to our agreed upon approach.
In the coming days the governors, their staff and health officials will continue conversations about this regional pact to recovery. Read the full press release here.
Mental Health and Well-Being
Staying home can take its toll on our mental health. Follow this article from Psychology Today, "A Self Care Alphabet for Week 4 of Quarantine" for tips on keeping your mental health well and balanced. "Together, we will get through this time of physical distancing and will return to our thriving selves. To do so, we must tend to our own mental health. We must be gentle with our selves, because we cannot serve anyone out of an empty cup."
|
The Oregon Health Forum is offering a free upcoming webinar to help with strategies for maintaining mental wellness and safely supporting vulnerable neighbors of all ages.
Senior Outreach
Senior isolation, depression and anxiety is very real and heightened in times of crisis. As a long-time volunteer with Meals on Wheels, I am making calls to seniors to do well-checks. I let them know when their next meal delivery is coming. I check in to make sure they are well. I ask if they have people checking in on them and helping them with groceries and prescriptions. It is wonderful that most of them have outside support. There are some that need extra support during this time. Some tell me about missing their grandkids. Some tell me about not sleeping well. Some tell me the worry they feel by watching too much of the news. If you have an older family member or an older neighbor, please check in on them. Drop them a note in the mail. Did you know that April is National Card & Letter Writing Month? There are resources out there to help Washington County seniors. We are all in this together and we will get through this.
Oregon Senior Peer Outreach Line: 1-833-736-4676
Weekly phone-based support and connection with Community Support Solutions. This free service is available to Washington County older adults (55+) experiencing loneliness and isolation. Participants are matched with a trained Peer Support Specialist and receive scheduled weekly phone calls. Se habla espanol.
Oregon Senior Loneliness Line: 503-200-1633
Volunteer warm line available 24/7 with Lines for Life. Trained volunteers offer support and connection at any time for older adults experiencing loneliness and isolation. Available in multiple languages.
Suicide risk increases with age. Older adults with depression visit the doctor and emergency room more often, incur higher outpatient charges and stay longer in the hospital. Depression is treatable.
Are you lonely? Take this quiz to find out if you or someone you know may be feeling lonely or isolated, Connect2Affect Quiz.
Activities To Try at Home
- Bake and decorate cookies
- Read a story to a young relative or friend on social media
- Use shadows to trace shapes and make a work of art
- Create a daily schedule or a check-off list to help keep balance in your day and feel more productive
- Use a muffin tin to help sharpen your money handling skills and do some simple math
- Follow along with your school's virtual spirit week or create your own spirit week at home
- Make pine cone bird feeders
- Paint rocks and leave them around your neighborhood to brighten someone’s day. My son’s girlfriend left one for me to find in my front yard. What a fun surprise it was! ❤
BottleDrop Centers Are Open
My office has received several inquiries about bottle redemption sites. While many stores have temporarily stopped accepting bottle and can returns during this time, all BottleDrop locations (in Spanish) are currently open, including drop door locations for Green Bags and Blue Bags. Until further notice, BottleDrop Redemption Centers will open daily from 9am – 5pm. Use this recently updated map to find your closest BottleDrop. Use the locations finder to find all other BottleDrop services.
Read more about the steps they are taking to ensure safety when redeeming your bottles during coronavirus.
|
SAIF Coronavirus Worker Safety Fund Gets $15 million Boost
The coronavirus worker safety fund, established by SAIF, has reopened for applications with an additional $15 million. In keeping with SAIF’s mission, the fund is designed to support employee safety, reduce injuries, and decrease exposures by helping businesses impacted by the coronavirus.
The fund initially closed five business days after its launch on March 31, after more than 1,300 businesses applied and used the $10 million available. We received applications from small and large businesses from a wide range of industries, public agencies, and nonprofit organizations across the state.
Some of the most common requests that SAIF is supporting include personal protective equipment (PPE) and cleaning supplies. In addition, resources to redesign or modify workspaces to encourage social distancing; mental health and wellness initiatives; and coronavirus and job reassignment safety training are eligible. Ineligible expenses include telecommuting and regular staffing expenses, including labor costs for employees reassigned to new positions. We are pleased to provide funding for a large majority of the requests we received.
More than 53,000 SAIF policyholders across the state are eligible for funds. SAIF recommends employers submit applications as soon as possible, given how quickly the initial funding was exhausted. We don’t anticipate additional funding. Policyholders who previously applied do not need to apply again; applications are still being processed from the first round of funding.
More information, including the application, can be found at saif.com/safetyfund.
Updates on Federal Stimulus Checks
Supporting Small Businesses
One of my High School Interns, Ryan Smith has been looking into ways that we can support our local small businesses. I thank him for sharing his findings and writing the following article for today's newsletter.
The COVID-19 crisis sweeping the nation has had a devastating impact on businesses of all shapes and sizes. But small businesses are being hit especially hard by this economic shock, with 89% of small business owners reporting in a recent survey that they are struggling due to the pandemic. And although small businesses can access some support from various levels of government, they will also depend on community members to help them weather this crisis. So what can we, as residents, do to help?
One way we can support our small businesses is by making a point to buy their food or services. As long as we take simple precautions such as following social distancing guidelines and washing our hands after disposing of food packaging, many experts have indicated that it is safe to eat takeout food. The City of Hillsboro has created a map of small businesses where you can find their locations, links to their websites, and information about what they’re offering during the pandemic. If you feel comfortable doing so, picking up food from locally-owned restaurants would be a powerful way to show your support.
Supporting small businesses, however, does not have to mean venturing outside: there are a number of online actions we can take to support local businesses from the safety of our own homes. We can buy online gift cards for ourselves or our friends, giving small businesses immediate infusions of much-needed funds while allowing customers to wait out the crisis and enjoy their food or services when the situation improves. We (and our local governments) can use whatever platforms we have available to promote these gift card programs to community members. And we can support local businesses in other small but profound ways; we can leave positive reviews on their Yelp and Google pages, for example, and give them shoutouts on our own social media accounts. These actions, in addition to helping small businesses gain customers, would also remind them how much we value their contributions to our community.
Small businesses are a cornerstone of our economy and culture. Supporting them now will ensure, once the COVID-19 pandemic finally reaches an end, that we can wake up to a House District 30 that will retain its vibrant, bustling collection of local businesses for years to come.
|
SBEC Small Business Solutions Series
The Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce Small Business & Entrepreneurs Council (SBEC) has put together a series of classes with an expert for each topic to present and guide small business owners as they navigate business today. These programs are free of charge as a service to our members, and the community at large, during these difficult times. Here's what the SBEC has planned for this week:
U.S. Chamber Updates
- Tuesday, April 14. 10:00 A.M.
- Chris Eyler, Executive Director for Congressional & Public Affairs for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
- RSVP Here.
Maintaining Customer Loyalty when the Doors are Closed
- Wednesday, April 15. 10:00 A.M.
- Your business has changed quickly and drastically in the last several weeks. Elizabeth Case owner of Yellow Dog Consulting will discuss three FREE ways you can continue to build customer loyalty and retention in these uncertain times.
- RSVP Here.
With Tragedy Brewing, What Should Your Small Business Do? Research From Academia That Can Keep Your Business Alive This Summer
- Wednesday, April 15. 2:00 P.M.
- If you are in the restaurant or craft beverage industry you do not want to miss this workshop presented by Sam Holloway, Professor of Management & Entrepreneurship at the University of Portland.
- RSVP Here.
Expert Advice from a CFO
- Thursday, April 16. 10:00 A.M.
- Scott A. Bello, President of Impact CFO Services will provide expert CFO advice for Chamber members.
- RSVP Here.
Check out previous Small Business Solutions Series programs Here.
|
Addtional Resources for Small Businesses
Additional Resources
Education Links:
District Links
Federal Delegation Links
Utilities Assistance
Food and Housing Assistance
- Governor Brown’s Executive Order 20-11: places a temporary moratorium on residential evictions for nonpayment in light of the public health emergency caused by the spread of coronavirus in Oregon. The order is effective for 90 days.
- Governor Brown's Executive Order 20-13 strengthens Governor Brown's previous ban on residential evictions, and prohibits landlords from charging tenants late fees for nonpayment of rent during the moratorium.
- Community Action.org
- Oregon Food Bank
- Meals on Wheels
Remember, we are not out of the woods yet. Our success at practicing physical distancing is helping to flatten the curve and we need to keep it going. Enjoy the beautiful weather close to home, or in your own yard, and continue to maintain that distance from those that do not live with you.
Please enjoy this heartwarming message from Patterson Panthers thanking their staff for their support. I hope this will put a smile on your face for today.
Please don't hesitate to reach out to my office with any questions or concerns.
Onward and Upward,
 Capitol Phone: 503-986-1430
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-487, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: Rep.JaneenSollman@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/sollman
| 
