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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Thursday this week, marked one month since Governor Brown issued the Stay Home, Save Lives, Executive Order 20-12. Although it may feel that time has stood still, we know that Oregonians have stood strong to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 throughout our communities. According to the state's epidemiologist, "our collective efforts are working". The Oregon Health Authority reports that strict social distancing may have averted more than 70,000 infections, including almost 1,500 hospitalizations, according to a new analysis released by state health officials.
Each of us have sacrificed and we all have our own stories to share about how we have navigated this challenging time. Job loss, isolation, caring for family and loved ones, working from home, educating our children, and the feelings of fear and anxiety that come with the sudden loss of what we once knew as "normal" has changed our lives forever.
Even with social distancing measures in place, my days continue to be very busy. My legislative work has taken on a virtual format of daily telephone calls with the Oregon Health Authority and the Governor's office to receive updates on pandemic related issues. My work also involves virtual meetings with community partners and leadership calls to work on policy proposals to address the current crisis in preparation for a special session. Personally reviewing and responding to constituent emails has also been a top priority.
I am grateful to our front-line workers. To our doctors and nurses, our grocery store clerks, our farmers, ranchers and truckers. Our first responders, and the countless essential workers who have tirelessly soldiered forward, allowing so many of us to stay home and save lives.
THANK YOU for being the light and hope during this difficult time.
This past week, the Joint Legislative Emergency Board met for a historic first-ever virtual meeting to allocate nearly 32.5 million in emergency funding to help Oregonians who have been impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic.
The committee passed an emergency aid package to provide much needed relief for small businesses, front-line home health care workers, renters, rural hospitals, and survivors of domestic violence.
This bipartisan action taken by the Emergency Board is a good example of how we need to move forward to serve all Oregonians in need. However, more work must be done to help small businesses who are the backbone of our economy and should be included in the front-line recovery discussions.
A video recording of the meeting can be viewed from the OLIS Emergency Board page here.
This is a question on everyone's mind. State health officials report Oregon isn't ready to relax social distancing measures until the three conditions noted in the illustration below are met. This process will take time and patience for all of us to prevent a surge of infections. I anticipate reopening and recovery will occur in stages and through a regional approach, starting with the health care sector and then moving into other industries as are deemed safe.
Good news came on Thursday, with the Governor's announcement that she will lift her Executive Order 20-10 delaying non-urgent procedures for health care providers, as long as they can demonstrate they have met new requirements for COVID-19 safety and preparedness. Hospitals, surgical centers, medical offices, and dental offices that meet those requirements will be able to resume non-urgent procedures on May 1. Medical providers will need to demonstrate they have the ability to:
- Minimize the risk of coronavirus transmission to patients and healthcare workers
- Maintain adequate hospital capacity in the event of a surge in COVID-19 cases
- Support the health care workforce in safely resuming activities.
Under the framework, medical providers must also demonstrate that they have an adequate amount of personal protective equipment (PPE) available for health care workers, following CDC guidance for the extended use or reuse of PPE. Hospitals must continue to report PPE supply levels daily to the Oregon Health Authority. Hospitals must also demonstrate adequate COVID-19 testing capacity when needed, including the ability to screen patients before non-urgent procedures, and follow strict infection control protocols.
The Oregon Health Authority released guidelines for how and when elective medical procedures can safety reopen. This guide provides a framework for how clinics and hospitals can again start providing these services.
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 Many small businesses are struggling right now and wondering if they will be able to reopen when this pandemic is over. Resources are available through Business Oregon's Small Business Navigator.
- The Small Business Navigator has been set up by Business Oregon to help direct Oregon businesses to the resources they need.
- The navigator exists as both a website and a hotline with content that is updated daily.
- The hotline is open between 8 am and 5 pm and there is also an email contact.
- Over 150 voice mails and 600 emails have been responded to so far.
- Everyone receives a callback or an email response.
- Staff members are prepared each day to provide the most up to date information.
- Business Oregon is working with the Small Business Development Centers, the Secretary of State, the Department of Consumer and Business Services, the Employment Department, and the Oregon Health Authority to provide the latest information and guidance.
- The Small Business Development Centers have been valuable in providing assistance around accessing the federal programs.
- Business Oregon works to ensure that bilingual staff are available for the hotline and that resources are being translated into Spanish.
Strict social distancing measures to protect public health have led to overwhelming job loss throughout Oregon and an unprecedented amount of unemployment insurance claims. The Oregon Employment Department has struggled to keep up with the high volume of new claims and its outdated system has resulted in various malfunctions that required updates to accommodate federal rule changes. Pre-COVID-19, the department had approximately 100 claim processors and has increased that number to over 500 claim processors and plans to add hundreds more to meet the high demand. Phone lines continue to be jammed and applicants are encouraged to file online. The Oregon Employment Department's COVID-19 webpage provides information and answers to frequently asked questions about how to file a claim, the timelines, as well as videos and other resources. For questions about a specific claim re-start errors or other problems, you can email the department at: OED_COVID19_Info@oregon.gov.
Given the high level of unemployment, I am pleased that the federal government passed the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act. The act includes $75 billion for hospitals, $25 billion to establish a national testing program, $60 billion in disaster aid and $310 billion for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which provides loans to small businesses to help them retain workers and make payroll. More information about the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act can be found here.
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 Within the Office of Emergency Management, the Emergency Coordination Center (ECC) has established a new COVID-19 RESPONSE webpage. Here, you will find information and links to resources by topic, frequently asked questions, personal protective equipment (PPE), an interactive map of COVID-19 cases by county, and a daily statewide COVID-19 report. Information for anyone wanting to donate, sell, or volunteer services and goods to help in the response effort is available, as well as, general information to help guide us on how we can do our part to care for ourselves, our families, and our communities. I urge you to take a look at this helpful tool here.
Thank you for taking the time to read my newsletter. I hope the information provided is helpful. Please don't hesitate to reach out if my office can be of assistance. In the days, weeks, and the months ahead, let's continue to stay united in our commitment to protect one another from this devastating disease with compassion and understanding.
Stay safe and stay healthy,
 Rick Lewis
State Representative
House District 18
Oregon's Christmas Tree District
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1418
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-484, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: Rep.RickLewis@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/lewis
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