Greetings:

I hope that you’re all doing well and staying safe during these ever-changing times, from the aggressive display of our climate crisis through extreme temperatures becoming common across the state, to unvaccinated people extending the coronavirus pandemic through ignorance. As we look forward to better days ahead we must continue to look out for one another and follow public health guidance to keep our community safe. Below you can find a comprehensive list of resources to help you stay cool, COVID-19 updates, redistricting information and local resources.

Staying Cool & Supporting Our Neighbors

The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory through Saturday, July 31, due to the likelihood of temperatures reaching 95º to 100º. Fortunately, there are cooling centers, libraries, splash pads and community centers throughout Multnomah County that you and your family and friends can go to. Visit Help for When It’s Hot at multco.us or Call 211 if you or someone you know needs assistance getting to a cooling center.  

Cooling and Misting Centers

The venues below will be open from noon to 9 p.m. July 29-31. You can also bring your dog to all of these locations, except the pool at Matt Dishman Community Center. 

• Sunrise Center, 18901 E Burnside St, Portland 97233

• Multnomah County Portland Building, 1120 SW 5th St., Portland, OR97204

• Matt Dishman Community Center, 77 NE Knott St., Portland, OR 97212

• Charles Jordan Community Center, 9009 N Foss Ave, Portland, OR 97217

• Glenhaven Park 7900 NE Siskiyou St., Portland, OR 97213

• Mt Scott Park SE 72nd Ave &, SE Harold St., Portland, OR 97206

• Knott Park, NE 117th Avenue and, NE Knott St., Portland, OR 97220

During this heat wave it's critical that we check on our elders, friends, and neighbors who may be especially vulnerable to extreme temperatures.The Oregon Health Authority published a webpage with resources in multiple languages to help Oregonians navigate heat hazards. You can view that webpage here.

Volunteer Opportunities

If you are looking to volunteer this weekend there are many ways to get involved and help your fellow neighbors who need a cool and safe place to ride out the heatwave. Here’s a few opportunities below:

• Ask the Multnomah County Health Department to add your community organization or business to an interactive map of cool spaces, by contacting Brendon Haggerty at brendon.haggerty@multco.us or (503)-988-9402.
  
  
• The Portland Bureau of Emergency Management is seeking volunteers to staff cooling centers and misting stations during the day and evening. You can find available shifts here.

New Mask Guidance & Updates from OHA

The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) reports up-to-date information regarding testing and vaccine 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 Oregon. Here’s a look at some recent news:

• This week’s COVID-19 Weekly Report shows an increase in daily cases and hospitalizations and a decline in COVID-19 related deaths. OHA reported 3,098 new daily cases of COVID-19 during the week of Monday, July 19, through Sunday, July 25. That represents a 53% rise over the previous week.
  
  
• There were 54,566 tests for COVID-19 for the week of July 18 through July 24. Reported cases increased despite a 12% decrease in testing, while test positivity rose from 4.2% to 5.0%. As of July 27, 2,477,608 Oregonians — 58.1% of the state’s total population — had received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
  
  
• Case rates have generally been higher in counties with lower COVID-19 vaccination rates. During the week of July 18–25, the 10 counties with case rates in excess of 100 per 100,000 had population vaccination rates below 50%.The highly contagious Delta variant has increased tenfold in the past two weeks in Oregon, and it is now estimated to be associated with 80% of the new cases in Oregon.

Universal Mask Use Indoors In response to a large jump in cases, hospitalizations and new guidance from the CDC, OHA recommends universal mask use in public indoor settings. The use of face masks provides significant protection for individuals who are unvaccinated. Please continue to wash your hands frequently and avoid contact with others if you feel sick. You can also visit the Find a COVID-19 Vaccine in Oregon webpage to schedule your vaccine appointment.

It’s Redistricting Time!

After the 2020 census data arrives in late August, Oregon's State Legislature will redraw the electoral maps with census data and public testimony with input from people all across the state. This process impacts how much federal funding communities receive, which voices are reflected in our governments, the diversity of the candidates running for office, and what policies are passed for the next 10-years. Please save the dates below to testify and tell lawmakers about your community and how lines should be drawn for fair representation. 

Community Support Fund Application

The East Portland Action Plan (EPAP) has set aside funds to support the efforts of our partners to address the needs of East Portland community members. This Community Support Fund’s purpose is to help provide basic community needs, support essential services, and foster healthy community connections. For more information about how to apply visit the link below:  http://eastportlandactionplan.org/sites/default/files/EPAP%20Community%20Support%20Fund%20Application-%202022.pdf

Upcoming Event: National Night Out in Maywood Park

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, 295, Salem, OR 97301
website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/smithwarner