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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Today was a busy day filled with a productive Emergency Board meeting, and answering calls and emails from you all on unemployment claims, COVID-19 responses and more. Today’s Emergency Board meeting allocated $200 millions in federal CARES Act funds, specifically targeting investments to struggling workers, small businesses and Oregonians facing the deepest and most disparate impacts of the pandemic. Among these targeted investments were support for clean water infrastructure for the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, support for struggling arts venues, direct cash payments for Oregonians waiting for Employment benefits, and the historic Oregon Cares Fund for Black Relief and Resiliency. You can read a statement by the Legislative BIPOC Caucus on the passage of this fund here. My friend and colleague Senator James Manning perfectly explained the need for this fund in his statement: “The Oregon Cares Fund is a fundamental piece that was missing from the puzzle in our state's response to comprehensive community care during this pandemic. It was incumbent on the legislature to make this investment in this community given the history of exclusion and given our moral obligation to do better.” I am very proud of the work of the Emergency Board today, and I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues to meet the most pressing needs of Oregonians.
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 Oregon’s face covering requirement will be expanded to apply to outdoor public spaces when six feet of distance cannot be maintained. In addition, indoor social get-togethers of more than 10 people will be prohibited. This gathering limit applies only to indoor social get-togethers. This new rule does not change the operation of businesses or churches at this time.
Governor Brown noted that failure to comply with the new requirements would lead to more outbreaks of COVID-19 and more restrictive closures with greater impact on Oregon’s economies, communities, health care systems, and families. Our children and businesses are relying on us to comply with these orders to make it possible for them to return to school and stay open. If these measures are not successful in reducing spread, then more stringent action may be necessary, including scaling back reopening.
Governor Brown shared the following facts about COVID-19 in Oregon:
- Oregon reported more cases in the past week than in the entire month of May.
- The last time Oregon had less than 100 cases in a single day was more than a month ago.
- Half of all cases in Oregon are from people under the age of 40 and one third of all cases are from people under the age of 30.
- Currently, people in their 20s and 30s are the most likely group to get sick with COVID-19.
- Two Oregonians in their 30s have died from COVID-19.
A recording of the Governor’s press conference from Monday, July 13, is available here.
A full transcript of the Governor’s remarks from Monday, July 13, is available here.
Updated face covering and indoor social get-together guidance will be posted to coronavirus.oregon.gov.
- Confirmed Cases: 3,355,457 (up 58,858 from yesterday)
- Deaths: 135,235 (up 351 from yesterday)
- These national numbers come from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. You can view their national and state by state data here.
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Oregon Status Report: Oregon now has 12,151 total cases (confirmed and presumptive) of COVID-19. Today we have 380 new confirmed and presumptive cases. 244 Oregonians have died from COVID-19, including 7 new deaths as of today. Washington County still has one of the highest case counts at 1,945 confirmed cases, including 53 new cases today. You can review on-going updates from OHA by clicking on the table below.
- The Oregon Health Authority recently provided a Public Health Indicators Dashboard to enable communities across Oregon to monitor COVID-19 in the state.The dashboard, which will be updated weekly on Thursdays, provides a transparent report that presents complex epidemiological data in an interactive, easy-to-understand way on a state and county level.
Table showing Oregon case, testing and demographic data, link to more information
This graph represents the rising number of new daily cases, and the increase in the 7 day average of new cases, click on the image for more information
Mental Health:
COVID-19 has exacerbated many pre-existing mental health challenges, and created new challenges for many Oregonians. If you are struggling with new or worsening mental and behavioral health challenges, you are not alone and help is available. Reach out to friends or loved ones if you need support and to offer support, or contact some of the trusted professionals and trained peer supports below.
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NAMI Oregon (National Alliance for Mental Illness): Information, support, and advocacy for people who experience mental illness. Reach the helpline at 503-230-8009, 800-343-6264, or namioregon@namior.org.
- Mental Health and Addictions Association of Oregon (MHAAO): Peer Support for adults living with mental illness and/or addiction challenges. Online support groups, free 1:1 telephone support. Visit www.mhaoforegon.org or call 503-922-2377.
- Oregon Family Support Network: Support, advocacy, and training for families parenting youth with behavioral health challenges. Visit www.ofsn.org or call 503-363-8068.
- Youth ERA: Virtual drop in, support groups, and 1:1 peer support for young people. Visit www.youthera.org or www.facebook.com/TheYouthERA.
- More Resources available on the OHA’s COVID-19 website, scroll down to Community Resources, then Behavioral Health.
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Today the Emergency Board made significant investments in many of our most struggling communities. Our investments totaled $200 million in federal Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) dollars to provide further economic support for Oregonians and small businesses impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, including:
- $25.6 million in emergency assistance for small businesses facing financial shortfalls due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This supports businesses with no more than 25 employees that have not received support under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) or other provisions of the federal CARES Act.
- $50 million to support music, culture, and community venues and organizations that have been closed, cancelled or postponed due to the pandemic.
- $62 million to the Oregon Cares Fund for Black Relief and Resiliency to provide economic relief to Black individuals and businesses. National and state data show that the Black community is one of the communities experiencing a disproportionate share of negative economic and health effects due to COVID-19.
- $30 million to the COVID-19 Leave Fund for workers who contract or have been exposed to the virus but do not qualify for traditional sick leave.
- $35 million to fund $500 Emergency Relief Checks to Oregonians who are still waiting for unemployment benefits..
- $3.58 million in general funds for emergency water infrastructure to the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs as the tribe faces an ongoing water crisis.
These Emergency Board investments will be followed shortly by Public Hearings in all of the Ways and Means Subcommittees on budget restructuring needed to address the revenue shortfalls and budget impacts of COVID-19. We should have more information on these public hearings later this week.
These Public Hearings will help inform the next Special Session, which will focus on budget needs, and which should take place in early August.
- Hillsboro School District Draft Plan for Return To School: HSD has announced its draft plan for welcoming students back to school this fall and has scheduled a series of live-streamed meetings where patrons can get additional information and ask questions. Live-streamed meetings will take place as follows:
- Today, July 14, 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. for Spanish speakers
- Wednesday, July 15, noon to 1 p.m. for staff
- Thursday, July 16, 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. for a general audience
All recordings will be posted to the HSD Blueprint Planning website (https://bit.ly/HSDBlueprintFall2020) afterward for on-demand viewing. The Blueprint Planning website also features a running FAQ and form for submitting questions and feedback.
 Washington County Public Library
- The Battle of the Books is on! The Oregon Battle of the Books (OBOB) is a statewide reading competition for children in grades 3-12. Students read from the year’s book list for their grade level and discuss the titles in teams. Each team prepares to answer trivia questions about the books. Teams compete against other teams of students in a tournament-style “battle” of knowledge about the books. Students who win battles at their school can advance to regional and state-level competitions. Find out more here.
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Hillsboro Public Library: Check out Hillsboro Library events and resources, including the Beginning Reader Book Club, here!
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Cornelius Public Library is now offering appointments to work with librarians to assist with the issues below! Find an appointment and check out other resources here.
- Library account issues
- E-card upgrades
- Technology help
- Census forms
- Finding books and videos in the library
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Forest Grove Public Library: Join Adult Services Librarian Bob Abbey for a new video series exploring writers whose works have been neglected, overlooked, or lost to the mists of time. New episodes will be available weekly throughout the summer on the Forest Grove Library’s Facebook page and YouTube channel starting Wednesday, July 15th. You can check out other great Forest Grove Events and Programs here.
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All Ability Tri4Youth 2020 Virtual Challenge!
- In previous years, athletes competing in FACT Oregon’s All Ability Tri4Youth have logged 2.53 miles in total distance for our swim, bike, and run event. This year, for our 2020 Virtual Challenge, join us and 2.53 your way!
- The 2020 Virtual Challenge is FREE and will take place between August 8 and August 22, 2020. Simply register, do your healthy activity, and send us pictures and/or video if you want to be included in a compilation video that will be shared via social media. All Challenge Participants will receive a medal and commemorative t-shirts are available for $15!
- You can compte by:
- Run, jog, walk, and/or bike for 2.53 miles or for 2 hours and 53 minutes.
- Organize a 2.53 mile relay race for family and/or friends.
- Do 253 push-ups, jumping jacks, sit-ups, or shoulder presses.
- Take a 2.53 mile hike (physical-distance with friends for extra fun!)
- Swim 25.3 laps in the pool (or splash for 253 minutes)!
- Play cornhole. Whoever gets to 253 points wins (this could take a while!)
- Record 253 passes playing catch, frisbee, hacky sack, or soccer
- Design your own 25-square hopscotch game and play it 10 times (with 3 extra hops)!
- Register Here
- EN ESPAÑOL
 Resources for Portland Community College Students:
PCC has compiled several resources for students and their families who may be struggling at this time. They have a general resource page, with information on food, childcare, housing and more available here. If you are a PCC student and qualify for SNAP, you may also qualify for a PCC program called STEP. Which provides support and resources to cover transportation, books, tools and tuition/fees not covered by financial aid.
Thanks to everyone who joined our Community Conversation on Reimagining Public Safety in Washington County! It was a great conversation with thoughtful questions from all of the participants. The conversation on Saturday centered around two main themes: 21st century policing and public safety, and transparency, accountability and oversight. And questions centered around regaining community trust and engagement, and how we can transition to restorative justice models over criminal-legal and punitive approaches. Some of you have already reached out to my office asking to see a recording of the conversation. Unfortunately, due to technical difficulties, we do not have a recording to share.
A few folks asked some more technical questions about some of our Sheriff’s Office functions. Sheriff Garrett kindly followed up with my office to address some of those technical questions, and his answers are below:
Regarding Military surplus equipment: From surplus, Washington County Sheriff’s Department has one High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle with armored protection, defibrillators and ceremonial rifles. They also have access to a second armor-protected vehicle owned by the FBI, and have used that vehicle on occasion.
What are we doing to build trust with immigrant communities?
- “We are working with Latino community leaders to establish a Sheriff’s Office / Latino Community Based Task Force to begin regular, continuing communication between the WCSO and Latino community of Washington County with the goal of establishing a long-term commission to help guide systemic change in police policies, practices, and procedures. We have a shared vision for task force composition, purpose and duties. Our collective plan is to work together to establish the group with our first meeting in August.
- Continue to deepen our engagement with other immigrant communities through our ongoing relationship with the Bilal Mosque, the Muslim Educational Trust, and build new relationships with our Asian, Black and African American communities, with the assistance of the county’s Office of Equity.
- To directly address concerns around use of force, we are identifying a nationally recognized expert to review systems and protocols including policy, training, and the way force incidents are reviewed internally. We will ensure the independent review includes opportunities for community involvement.
- We discontinued allowing ICE agents inside the Jail to take custody of someone being released. Additionally, we stopped notifying ICE of new adults in custody who self-reported being foreign born after learning doing so is not legally required.
- We reviewed the 8 Can’t Wait principles designed to reduce police use of force. While we found our training and policy align with most principles, we implemented several policy changes to increase alignment.
- To increase a diverse workforce, we are reviewing our recruitment program to ensure outreach in the many diverse communities of Washington County. We look forward to closer community partnerships to help us inform potential applicants about serving their community in ways that are important, compassionate, and noble and, in turn, recruit applicants of color at a higher rate.
- If I am served an additional ICE administrative subpoena, I plan to contest. This change in course is based on my experience in February where four other Oregon agencies were similarly served and indicated their plans to appeal. In response, ICE withdrew all their subpoenas before the appeals got underway. In over 30 years in public safety I have never experienced subpoenas being recalled in such a manner. I am left without confidence they were made in good faith. If a judge orders the information be provided, I will comply.
- The excellent point was made Saturday that steps such as these are best informed by the community. Through listening and engagement, I am confident we will be able to add to this list.”
One 90 minute conversation barely scratched the surface of all of the important issues relating to Public Safety, so I’d like to make these conversations a regular event as we continue to do the work of showing up for racial justice, and envisioning public safety in our communities. Stay tuned for more information on the next installment of these conversations in August.
Employers and Employees
- Unemployment options http://www.oregon.gov/employ, including the Work Share program at oregonworkshare.com
- See FAQs, and subscribe to updates at https://govstatus.egov.com/ORUnemployment_COVID19
- File a Claim online at https://secure.emp.state.or.us/ocs4/index.cfm?u=F20200324A152211B60880938.0174&lang=E
- Independent Contractor, Gig Worker, & Self Employed Workers can use the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Application at https://govstatus.egov.com/ui-benefits/CARES
- Email the department with questions: OED_COVID19_Info@oregon.gov, you should hear back within about a week, please do not email multiple times with the same question, and please include as much information as possible in your first email. Sending multiple emails asking about the status of your claim will only cause further backlog, and make it harder for OED staff to respond to you and others.
- If you have received a claim denial, or need to appeal an Employment Department decision, use this email: OED_UI_HEARINGSREQ@oregon.gov
- With the extreme increase in people seeking unemployment, the phone lines are busy and it has been difficult to get through. Please preserve phone line capacity by using the email and online tools whenever possible, many of our neighbors do not have internet access but have not been able to get through on the phone due to bottlenecks. You will not lose your place in line by filing online or using email instead of the phone.
- The Oregon Labor and Industries Technical Assistance for Employers page at https://www.oregon.gov/BOLI/TA/pages/index.aspx has information about employer obligations and responsibilities.
- Business Oregon has a robust list of financial resources including non-bank lenders at https://www.oregon4biz.com/Coronavirus-Information/
- The US Small Business Administration offers disaster assistance in the form of SBA loans to designated states. Information about these loans is available at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/Information/Index
- The latest COVID-19/Coronavirus information on resources for workers and business owners is available at https://www.oregon.gov/gov/Pages/coronavirus2020.aspx
- Oregon Secretary of State’s business resources can be found at www.oregon.gov/smallbusiness or you can email questions to business.sos@oregon.gov.
Education Links
Local Government
Utilities Assistance
Food and Housing Assistance
View Past Updates, Share and Subscribe:
If there was COVID-related information in a past newsletter that you want to go back to, but find you’ve deleted it, you can always go to my legislative website (http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/mclain), click on “News and Information,” and you’ll find them all there. You can also share this site with your friends and loved ones, so they can view past newsletters, and subscribe to future updates.
Remember we need to do our part to protect Oregon, by wearing a mask whenever we are around others. Indoors and Outdoors, and even when just among friends. It may feel odd to chat with your friends and extended family while wearing a mask, but remember that it will help to keep them and the rest of our community safe!
Yours truly,
 Representative Susan McLain
House District 29
email: Rep.SusanMcLain@oregonlegislature.gov I phone: 503-986-1429
address: 900 Court St NE, H-376, Salem, OR 97301
website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/mclain
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