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While Autumn is still a far way away, its nice to have some cooler weather (and maybe even some rain) on the forecast for this weekend. I'm grateful for all of the firefighters and first responders that continue to battle blazes across the state. I hope that the cooler weather provides some relief to them and all of the communities struggling with the impacts of smoke and air pollution.
On the public health front, the past few weeks have understandably put a dent in our optimism that the COVID-19 pandemic was fading. We are in the midst of a surge in cases amongst the unvaccinated and complicated new questions about how to go forward with work, school, athletics and just about everything. OPB published a sobering story this morning about the spread of the Delta variant and the devastating impact it is having on unvaccinated patients.
Read on for updates on fine summer food and dining, some back to school information for the weeks ahead, and helpful health insurance and air quality resources.
The Business Recovery Centers for Clackamas County, Lake Oswego Chamber of Commerce and West Linn Chamber of Commerce have teamed up to put together a Dining Passport for local restaurants. You can dine-in or take-out. Our local businesses are the backbones of our community and this is a great opportunity to support them and experience their culinary expertise.
Click the image below for more details.
We also are fortunate to have some superb local farmers' markets across Senate District 19. Learn more about each option and take advantage of supporting local, delicious produce and other goods.
The Oregon Department of Transportation has opened its final survey on I-5 and I-205 projects. You can access the survey, as well as previous surveys and additional resources, at this newsletter link, or by clicking the image below.
Last week, in line with the CDC’s updated guidance, Governor Brown directed the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and the Oregon Department of Education to create a rule to require masks indoors for K-12 schools statewide for the upcoming school year. Taking this step was critical to ensure that Oregon children are able to return to full-time in-person learning for the coming school year and mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in our classrooms. With many children not yet eligible for one of the COVID-19 vaccinations, masks will help keep kids safe as they return to the classroom.
For kids 12 and older, please consider getting vaccinated as soon as possible to reach full immunity as close to the start of the school year as possible. Find out more about COVID-19 vaccination on OHA’s COVID-19 Vaccine webpage and read this newsletter for additional information on youth vaccinations.
August is National Immunization Awareness Month. With difficulties in scheduling, you may have fallen behind on well-child visits and recommended vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic. To help protect your kids, their classmates and friends, immunizing against preventable conditions and diseases is an important part of protecting public health and keeping our community safe.
The Vaccines for Children (VFC) program offers free vaccines to families who cannot afford to pay for their children’s vaccines. Call 211 to find out more about VFC.
If you don’t qualify for the Oregon Health Plan and don’t get health insurance through your job, now through Sunday, August 15, is the last chance that most people can sign up for an individual or family plan to have coverage through 2021.
If you’re not sure if you qualify, I encourage you to check at https://healthcare.oregon.gov/Pages/find-help.aspx.
- More than 78 percent of Oregonians are eligible for financial help through the Marketplace.
- Oregonians are receiving an average of $400 per month in premium tax credits to reduce their monthly premium.
- People who received unemployment insurance benefits in Oregon can get coverage for as low as $1 per month, even if they received benefits for only one week in 2021.
OregonHealthCare.gov is the online home of the Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace. Health insurance sold through the Marketplace includes individual and family coverage offered by private companies, such as Bridgespan, Kaiser Permanente, Moda, PacificSource, Providence and Regence. Not every company is available in every part the state, but at least three insurance companies and at least nine plan choices are available everywhere in Oregon.
An insurance expert can also offer free assistance to apply for the subsidy and enroll in coverage. Their information is listed at OregonHealthCare.gov/GetHelp.
For more information, visit OregonHealthCare.gov or call 855-268-3767.
Earlier this week, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) issued an air quality advisory for Southern, Central and Northeastern Oregon due to smoke from fires in Oregon and Northern California.
Smoke and other pollution levels can change rapidly. You can check current conditions on DEQ’s Air Quality Index, the Oregon Smoke Information Blog,or by downloading the free OregonAIR app on your smartphone.
 Check out the App Store, Google Play, or wherever else you get phone apps to download OregonAir.
After a year and a half, we have all adopted our own strategies for wellness and self-care. Please be kind and considerate to your neighbors as we move forward individually and together as a community. We won't always agree, but I hope we can commit to engaging with grace and compassion.
Let's take care of ourselves and our community and continue moving forward with health and safety in mind.
As always, please let me know if you need any assistance. My office and I will work to connect you with resources and get your questions answered as quickly as possible.
  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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