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Greetings:
Earlier this week, Governor Kate Brown released a public health framework for restarting public life and business. Oregon is continuing to follow a measured, science-based process as we navigate this unprecedented time. We are all in this together, and our shared commitment so far has made a significant difference in flattening the curve. That is why it is so important that the path Oregon is taking forward will be led by public health to continue to mitigate the spread of coronavirus. Your actions will help to ensure we are in a position to return to life as normal in the safest way possible.
Constituent Alert
This Thursday, April 23rd at 5:00 p.m, I will be hosting a COVID-19 informational town hall with Rep. Alissa Keny Guyer and Sen. Michael Dembrow on Zoom to answer your questions and concerns regarding COVID-19 response efforts. This event is limited to 100 participants and you must register in advance to gain access to the event here. If you have any questions or issues registering, please don’t hesitate to reach out for help.
Oregon Health Authority
The Oregon Health authority reports up-to-date information regarding testing statistics that can be found on their website. You can review the daily update and read the weekly report that details the overall picture of the COVID-19 response across government agencies. As of Monday, OHA has revised guidelines to increase testing for impacted populations and frontline workers who may be at particular risk for contracting COVID-19. This increase in testing specific demographics will help OHA gather information that will aid in managing the pandemic. These groups include:
- Those living or working in congregate care or group living facilities;
- Underserved and marginalized populations, including racial and ethnic minority groups;
- Essential frontline workers, including those providing healthcare services and those serving the public, such as grocery store workers.
Increasing PPE Supply to Long Term Care Facilities
In order to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in long-term care facilities the Oregon National Guard began distributing nearly 400,000 pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE) to all long-term care facilities across Oregon. For more information, read the Governor’s full press release here.
Additional Funding From the Federal Government
On Tuesday the United States Senate approved a $484 billion relief package including additional funding for the Personal Protective Payment loan program. The House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on the package Thursday. In addition, Rep. Earl Blumenauer is working to introduce the Paycheck Guarantee Act which would create a streamlined program providing a three month federal guarantee for 100 percent of workers salaries up to $100,000. Of the $484 billion in funds, Oregon is expected to receive $2.45 billion in federal coronavirus relief from the CARES Act. The breakdown of this disbursement nationwide is:
- $300 billion in additional funding to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP);
- $50 billion in additional funding for the Small Business Administration (SBA) Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Program;
- $75 billion for hospitals;
- $25 billion for additional COVID-19 testing capacity.
Legislative Emergency Board Developments
House Speaker Tina Kotek and Senate President Peter Courtney have been working together to build a relief package for Oregonians through the Legislative Emergency Board. The Emergency Board will convene virtually this Thursday, April 23, to allocate funding for urgent issues like housing, small business relief, domestic violence, and helping workers who don’t qualify for unemployment benefits. More information on how to watch the committee hearing online or review submitted materials can be found here.
COVID-19 Resources for Immigrants
The Protecting Immigrant Families organization has compiled a table that provides a general overview of some of the federal public programs available to support individuals and families during the COVID-19 crisis under existing law, as well as the recently passed Families First Coronavirus Response Act and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
Elegibilidad de Inmigrantes Para Programas Públicos
Esta tabla proporciona una descripción general de algunos de los programas públicos federales disponibles para apoyar a individuos y familias durante la crisis de COVID-19 según la ley vigente, así como la Ley de Respuesta al Coronavirus de Familias Primero y la Ley de Ayuda y Seguridad Económica Coronavirus (CARES), aprobadas recientemente. También hemos incluido aclaraciones sobre si estos programas públicos se tienen en cuenta para fines de carga pública.
New Resources Available in American Sign Language
General COVID-19 Resources
Employment/Business/Consumer Information:
Food Resources:
Health & Safety Information:
Please reach out to my office if you have any additional questions, or if there’s anything you think I could help with.
Sincerely,
Representative Barbara Smith Warner
House District 45
email: Rep.BarbaraSmithWarner@oregonlegislature.gov I phone: 503-986-1445
address: 900 Court St NE, H-295, Salem, OR 97301
website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/smithwarner
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