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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Veterans Day is a time to take pause as a nation to truly celebrate and thank veterans for their service and sacrifice to our nation, both far from home and within our communities. Join me in honoring these courageous individuals and their commitment to protect our freedoms.
On Veterans Day, I take time to remember my grandfathers. Robert “Pinky” Howells - a PT boat captain in the South Pacific, and Fredrick Wagner - a tailgunner on a B-17 who flew 30 missions over France and Germany and received the distinguished flying cross.
The Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs (ODVA) will present their annual statewide Veterans Day Celebration virtually this year. The Statewide Veterans Day Celebration begins at 11:00 AM on November 11 and will be viewable on ODVA’s Facebook page. I look forward to honoring our nation's veterans for their service to this country, our great state and communities.
Following celebrations, ODVA is partnering with AARP for a virtual town hall from 2:00 to 3:00 PM on November 12. ODVA representatives will be on-hand to discuss and answer questions about benefits and programs available to help veterans. To register for the event or for more information, contact Carmel Snyder at 541-525-8123 or email csnyder@aarp.org.
Coronavirus cases are surging in Oregon right now, as they are across the country. In the Metro area, new hospitalizations mean that intensive care units are at a sobering 90% of full capacity. To curb these trends, the Governor has announced a set of measures that will go into effect this week. Nine counties–Baker, Clackamas, Malheur, Jackson, Umatilla, Union, Washington, Marion and Multnomah–will enter a two week pause on Wednesday, November 11.
Between November 11 and 25, businesses are directed to encourage employees to work from home to the greatest extent possible, capacity of restaurants and other indoor activities will be reduced, and there will be a pause on visits to long-term care facilities among other measures.
With informal gatherings driving the spread of the virus, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) recommends Oregonians limit social interaction to their own household as much as possible. Furthermore, OHA asks that we keep Thanksgiving gatherings virtual so that we can protect ourselves, our families, and our communities.
Oregon has stopped similar surges in COVID-19 infection rates twice now – in March with Stay Home, Save Lives, and later in the spring when face covering requirements were announced. We can and we must do it again.
Contact tracing stops the spread of infections by finding those who may have been exposed and asking them to stay home and watch for signs of infection. After someone tests positive for COVID-19, a public health worker calls to ask where the person has been, who they have been in contact with, and offers information and support.
Please answer the call. If a contact tracer calls, you will learn about symptoms to watch for, how to get tested if you get sick, how to avoid spreading the coronavirus, how to care for yourself and where to find resources.
Your information will be kept confidential. Contact tracers never ask for your social security number, your immigration status, credit card or banking information. If someone asks for that information, hang up.
Between now and November 13 at 5:00 PM, MESO and Business Oregon are accepting applications for another round of grants funded through the CARES Act.
Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington county businesses that have received less than $100,000 in small business assistance through the CARES Act (such as PPP, EIDL, EIDLA, City of Portland Small Business Relief Program, the Oregon Cares Fund for Black Relief + Resiliency and other programs) are now eligible to apply.
Further eligibility information can be found on the Business Oregon website. If you have questions about the program, please contact MESO at (503) 841-3351, (503) 489-7410, or metrogrants@mesopdx.org.
The COVID-19 Temporary Paid Leave Program is available to people who need to quarantine or isolate because of COVID-19 exposure or are experiencing symptoms and need to get a medical diagnosis. Qualified workers will receive a $120 per-day payment for up to 10 working days ($1,200 total), for the time they need to quarantine or isolate.
Because the available funds are limited, the program is available only to quarantine periods that were in place on or after September 16. For more information or to apply, visit this link or call 833-685-0850 (toll-free) or 503-947-0130 between 7:30 AM and 5:00 PM Monday through Friday.
Highlighting progress in our community is always important, but I find it to be more special and meaningful than ever in these challenging times. This week, let’s celebrate that the U.S. Department of the Interior has officially designated a 38.5 mile stretch of the Tualatin River as a National Recreational Water Trail.
I am thankful for the advocacy of Tualatin Riverkeepers and other members of the community, who have worked hard to earn recognition for the river and funding to protect and enhance all it provides for many communities. Our outdoor recreational spaces have been a vital source of refuge throughout this year, and the new designation provides more resources for protecting and sharing another natural space for Oregonians to explore and cherish.
To learn more about this story, read the Pamplin Media article here. You can also visit the Tualatin Riverkeepers website to learn more about their organization and advocacy.
Kayaks on the Tualatin River - via Pamplin Media
As always, please let me know if you need any assistance. My office and I will work to connect you with resources and get answers as quickly as possible.
Sincerely,
 Senate Majority Leader Rob Wagner
Senate District 19
email: Sen.RobWagner@OregonLegislature.gov I phone: 503-986-1719
address: 900 Court St NE, S-223, Salem, OR, 97301
website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/wagner
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