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Greetings:
I hope you all are staying healthy and doing the best you can to retain a sense of normalcy in your lives. The COVID-19 pandemic is impacting the lives of everyone and challenging our communities in ways no one could have imagined. Despite this, neighbors, organizations and local groups have supported one another and continue to uplift those most in need. Please take a look at the information below to register for my upcoming town hall, review volunteering opportunities and read some recent developments concerning Oregon’s COVID-19 response efforts.
Constituent Alert - Town Hall Zoom Call this Thursday 5/21/20 This Thursday, May 21 at 5 PM, I will be hosting a Zoom town hall with Rep. Alissa Keny-Guyer and Sen. Michael Dembrow that will focus on the most recent developments concerning Oregon’s revenue forecast and coronavirus response efforts. We will be addressing questions and concerns from the public and providing information about supportive resources for community members in this time of crisis. This event is limited to 100 participants and you must register in advance to gain access to the event here. As always, please contact my office with any questions you might have, or if you need assistance registering. I hope you are able to join me in this informative public health discussion.
Oregon Health Authority Update 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. Here is a recent development from OHA:
- Oregon received its first shipment of Remdesivir, which will be used in clinical trials of the drug at Providence St. Vincent and Providence medical centers in Portland. More than 30 patients at those hospitals received remdesivir. Trials of the drug studied by the National Institutes of Health showed a 30% decrease in recovery time for patients that suffered severe coronavirus related lung disease. Although Remedesivir has not been approved by the FDA, it is being distributed as part of a federal emergency authorization.
Oregon Supreme Court Validates Governor’s Emergency Orders A Baker County judge sided with the complainants in a legal challenge to Governor Kate Brown’s emergency authority to issue executive orders enforcing physical distancing measures and closures of a majority of Oregon businesses. Subsequently, the Oregon Supreme Court granted an emergency stay order which will allow the Governor’s executive orders to remain in effect, agreeing with the state’s position that abruptly ending the emergency orders amid a pandemic could have serious health impacts, and should not be taken without a more thorough consideration of the law. You can find more information about the ongoing lawsuit here.
Support The Oregon Food Bank I spent a few hours recently volunteering at the Mainspring Food Pantry alongside some hard working individuals that are doing everything they can to ensure people have access to food. Pantries like Mainspring have had a significant increase in individuals that rely on them for food and essential items. This surge in demand has created a need for volunteers to contribute in a number of ways. You can visit the Oregon Food Bank website to learn how to get involved and support food banks in your community.
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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