Coronavirus Update: Framework for Reopening the Economy

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House Speaker Tina Kotek

Coronavirus Update: Framework for Reopening the Economy

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Governor Brown held a press conference today to announce a framework for restarting Oregon’s economy as we continue to stop the spread of the coronavirus outbreak.

There are still a lot of unknowns at this point. A few things are clear, however.

One, we are still weeks away from the Stay Home, Save Lives order being lifted. This speaks to the scale and threat of the coronavirus, even as Oregonians have been doing all they can to follow social distancing, protect themselves and others, and stop the spread of the virus.

Two, returning to life as it was before the pandemic will need to happen gradually, not all at once.

Third, the decision to lift restrictions and restart the state’s economy will be firmly based in our capacity to keep people healthy and safe. Below are the five factors Governor Brown will use to make her decision. I will provide more specifics as they become available.

Economy Framework

In addition to a reduced number of new cases, we need to make sure we have enough personal protective equipment (PPE) for our frontline workers (health care professionals, grocery store workers, etc.), as well as sufficient hospital capacity in all regions of the state to handle another surge. Additional testing capacity (about 15,000 tests per week) will also be essential so we can identify new cases and contain the outbreak better. Finally, vulnerable Oregonians will continue to be vulnerable, and we will need stronger strategies to keep them safe on an ongoing basis.

The West Coast pact announced yesterday does not mean Oregon is waiting for cities in California or Washington to be ready to reopen. The goal is to ensure coordination between states, as regional work needs to be done to keep new infections down as travel opens back up.

In yesterday’s newsletter, I referenced the data from the Institute for Disease Modeling to highlight the amazing work you are all doing to stay home and save lives. Below is a graph from IDM to help put a visual to the data.


COVID-19 Model 041320

Once again, I know it’s frustrating to still have lots of unknowns at this point. But, I trust the data above, and I hope you will, too. Thank you for doing the work now to get us through this as quickly as possible.


The Latest News

  • Following up on a statement she made last Friday, Governor Brown said today that she will not be releasing prisoners because of coronavirus risks in the state’s prisons. Oregon Public Broadcasting has more information here.
  • Oregon airports will receive over $140 million from the federal CARES Act, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. This is part of the $10 billion dedicated nationwide to that industry in the federal legislation designed to keep airports open and workers employed. The Oregonian has more information here.
  • The Oregon National Guard delivered PPE to all 36 Oregon counties, the nine Oregon tribes, and two tribal health agencies.
  • The Oregon Health Authority announced 50 more diagnosed cases of coronavirus, bringing the statewide total to 1,633. Sadly, there were two more deaths, meaning 55 people have died of coronavirus in Oregon. More demographic details and hospitalization information is listed below.
OHA COVID-19 Update 4-14-2020

OHA Hospital Capacity 4-14-2020

Unemployment Benefits

The federal CARES Act allows payment of Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC), which is an additional benefit to help compensate for the economic disruption of the pandemic. The Oregon Employment Department has started issuing these payments to eligible individuals.

Oregonians who are already eligible for regular unemployment benefits and eligible for FPUC will receive two weekly payments: one for regular unemployment, and an additional $600 payment on top of that. Individuals will be receiving FPUC benefits using the same payment method as their regular benefits for the week. FPUC payments will be paid for each week someone is eligible from March 29, 2020 through the week ending July 25, 2020. The $600 payments will be retroactive for those eligible for payments.

Many of you have contacted us because you are independent contractors who are newly eligible for unemployment benefits under Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) in the CARES Act. Frustratingly, it still remains unclear when the Oregon Employment Department will be able to start taking those applications. All states are waiting for more guidance from the U.S. Department of Labor. We do know, however, that PUA benefits will be retroactive to February 2, 2020.


Update on Paycheck Protection Program Lenders

I provided some information for small business owners from Senator Jeff Merkley’s office about lenders that are accepting Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) applications. This week, the Northwest Credit Union Association stepped up to compile this list of Oregon credit unions offering those loans, as of last Friday. They also have helpful information here on fraud schemes to be aware of related to the coronavirus.

  • Cascade Community FCU
  • Central Willamette CU
  • Clackamas FCU
  • First Community CU
  • First Tech FCU
  • Heritage Grove FCU
  • InRoads CU
  • Ironworkers USA FCU
  • Malheur FCU
  • Maps CU
  • Mid Oregon CU
  • Northwest Community CU
  • Old West FCU
  • OnPoint Community CU
  • Oregon State CU
  • Oregonians CU
  • Pacific Crest FCU
  • Point West CU
  • Providence FCU
  • Rivermark Community CU
  • Rogue CU
  • SELCO Community CU
  • Sunset Science Park FC
  • Unitus CU

TriMet Supporting Meals on Wheels

Yesterday, I mentioned the good news about an additional $8 million in state and federal funding for the Oregon Food Bank network. This funding is coming at a critical time, as the need for food banks is increasing while people are finding it hard to make ends meet.

Meals on Wheels has similarly seen an increase in need as their volunteer base has been limited by the pandemic. That’s why I was glad to see that TriMet is pitching in with additional volunteers. The Oregonian has more details here (in addition to a video below) and more information is available on how to volunteer for Meals on Wheels here.

TriMet Meals on Wheels

To read past newsletters, you can go to this link. 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