Coronavirus Update: Zip Codes, School Meals, Energy Assistance, and Pets!

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House Speaker Tina Kotek

Coronavirus Update: Zip Codes, School Meals, Energy Assistance, and Pets!

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Yesterday, I linked to the Oregon Health Authority’s weekly summary coronavirus report (found here) and noted that it included new data to identify COVID-19 cases by zip code throughout the state. It’s always good to have access to more data, but it’s very important to understand and interpret data appropriately.

Conversations continue about how best to reopen Oregon while adhering to a strong public health approach to keeping people safe. The latest projections we have indicate that Oregonians have done an amazing job of following the Stay Home, Save Lives directive to prevent the spread of coronavirus and prevent our health care system from becoming overwhelmed.

But, with that said, this should not give us a false sense of security.

If you live in a zip code with zero confirmed cases, this does not indicate you are at less risk for exposure. While testing capacity has ramped up over the last few weeks, we are still not where we need to be. Zero confirmed cases is not the same as zero cases of infection.

Additionally, we must not make biased assumptions about zip codes with more confirmed cases. Not everyone has the privilege of working safely from home, which can prevent the virus from spreading.

While this data can paint part of a picture, it’s far from the whole thing. As a reminder, the zip code data includes confirmed cases in long-term care facilities, which have been hit particularly hard by this virus. Those cases may make up a disproportionate number of cases in a given zip code.

As we continue to move forward, I will do what I can to ensure that employers are taking care of their employees by providing adequate access to personal protective equipment and taking other public health measures to keep workers safe.


Cash Benefits for School Meals

The Oregon Department of Human Services and the Oregon Department of Education have come together to make sure children who are eligible for free or reduced-price school meals will get cash benefits for the meals they would have received at school even if they have been accessing meals from schools during the closure. Eligible Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) households will have their March, April and May benefits automatically deposited to their existing Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) accounts in late May. Students who get free or reduced-price school meals will automatically receive an Oregon Trail Card in the mail. Read the full details here.

Families who have experienced significant income loss may also now be eligible for free or reduced-price school meals. There is still time to apply. Apply online or contact your local school. To apply for Nutrition Assistance, visit needfood.oregon.gov or call 2-1-1.


The Latest News

  • The Oregon Employment Department is prioritizing older unemployment claims that have not yet been processed due to the high volume of applications in the wake of this pandemic. The Oregonian has more details here.
  • Governor Brown will hold a press briefing tomorrow at 11 am to introduce new guidance for counties and businesses as part of her framework for safely reopening Oregon. A live stream will be available here.
  • Portland Public Schools is moving to a four-day school week through the end of July, due to budget impacts of the coronavirus pandemic. The PPS release on this development is available here, and Oregon Public Broadcasting has more details here.
  • Oregon businesses have received more than $3 billion in the second round of coronavirus rescue loans. The Oregonian has more information here.
  • The Oregon Health Authority announced 70 more diagnosed cases of coronavirus, bringing the statewide total to 2,887. Sadly, two more people have died, meaning there have been 115 confirmed deaths from coronavirus in Oregon. Additionally, the OHA has also identified seven more presumptive cases. I’m still frustrated to see that the percentage of diagnosed cases among the Latinx community has increased to 29%. That is up from 27%, despite the fact that the Latinx community represents approximately 13% of our statewide population. We have to do better to keep ALL communities healthy and safe.

OHA COVID-19 Update 5-6-2020

OHA Hospital Data 5-6-2020

Electric Bill Payment Assistance

If you need help paying your electric bill, the Oregon Energy Fund provides energy assistance to more than 30 partner agencies and nonprofits in Oregon. Visit the website and enter your county or zip code to find out who has energy assistance in your area and how to contact them. (Please note that the website does not provide direct assistance, but connects people in need with available local resources.)


Protect Your Pets!

There are still many unknowns about the coronavirus, including the impact they have on animals. Until we have more specifics, please use the advice below to help you keep pets (like my dog Teddy) as safe as possible.

OHA Pets COVID-19 5-6-2020


Tina and Teddy

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.

We are in this together, we will get through this together: United Oregon

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