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Friends and Neighbors,
COVID-19 Updates
Governor Kate Brown Announces Statewide Outdoor Mask Requirements
With COVID-19 rapidly spreading, masks help stop spread of the Delta variant
Yesterday, Governor Kate Brown announced new statewide outdoor mask requirements to help stop the spread of the highly contagious Delta variant. Effective Friday, August 27, masks will be required in most public outdoor settings, including large outdoor events, where physical distancing is not possible, and regardless of vaccination status. The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) also strongly recommends masking for outdoor gatherings at private residences when individuals from different households do not consistently maintain physical distance.
“The Delta variant is spreading fast and wide, throwing our state into a level of crisis we have not yet seen in the pandemic. Cases and hospitalizations are at a record high,” said Governor Brown. “Masks are a quick and simple tool we can immediately deploy to protect ourselves and our families, and quickly help stop further spread of COVID-19.
“The Delta variant is much more contagious than previous variants we’ve seen, and it has dramatically increased the amount of virus in our communities. Masks have proven to be effective at bringing case counts down, and are a necessary measure right now, even in some outdoor settings, to help fight COVID and protect one another.”
Under the Governor’s direction, the OHA rule will require masks for all individuals — regardless of vaccination status — in outdoor settings in which individuals from different households are unable to consistently maintain physical distance. The rule does not apply to fleeting encounters, such as two individuals walking by one another on a trail or in a park. While the rule does not apply to outdoor gatherings at private residences, masks are strongly recommended in those settings when individuals from different households do not consistently maintain physical distance.
“It is much easier for people with the Delta variant, compared to people who were sick last year, to infect others around them,” said State Health Officer Dr. Dean Sidelinger. “This is because they have one thousand times more virus in their nose – which means that those around them are much more likely to get sick because this variant behaves so differently. We are starting to see instances where cases are clustering around events, like outdoor music festivals, that happen outdoors. Wearing masks in crowded settings – even outdoors – will help slow the spread of COVID-19.”
The rule aligns with the exceptions outlined in the recent statewide indoor mask requirements, and does not apply to:
- Children under 5 years old;
- Individuals who are actively eating, drinking, or sleeping — as well as individuals living outdoors, such as persons experiencing houselessness;
- Persons playing or practicing competitive sports, or engaged in an activity in which it is not feasible to wear a mask — such as swimming;
- Individuals delivering a speech or performing — such as with outdoor music or theater;
- Mask requirements for day-to-day operations at K-12 schools are not governed by this rule, and will instead continue to fall under the school mask rule. Outside public events, spectator events, and gatherings of the general public on K-12 school grounds will be subject to the rule. Child care and youth programs will continue to follow existing OHA mask guidance; and
- In addition, entities subject to the ADA must continue to comply with that law.
The OHA rule will go into effect this Friday, August 27, however Oregonians are strongly encouraged to immediately start wearing masks outdoors, as outlined above.
Governor Brown continued, “The combination of vaccines and masks is the most powerful way we can fight this latest surge of COVID-19 and save lives. Vaccination continues to be the best way you can protect yourself and your family from the Delta variant, and the most effective way we can help our exhausted nurses and doctors, who are working around the clock to treat Oregonians sick with COVID in our ICUs — the majority of which are unvaccinated individuals. With the full FDA approval of the Pfizer vaccine this week, we have additional reassurance that the vaccines are safe and effective.”
Additional Materials:
A video message from Governor Brown is available here.
Please Avoid Going to an Emergency Department for COVID-19 Testing
From the Oregon Health Authority
Please do not visit an emergency department for testing, unless you require emergency care for your symptoms. Emergency departments in Oregon are under significant strain responding to the current surge in COVID-19. You can find a test here.
If you have a medical condition that doesn’t require emergency care, an urgent care center will help you get the care you need and will save emergency departments from added strain.
What to Do if You Test Positive for COVID-19
From the Oregon Health Authority
Testing positive for COVID-19 can make anyone feel nervous. Knowing what to do when you get a positive test result is important for your health and the health of people around you. The first thing to know is that you should do the same things whether you are fully vaccinated, partially vaccinated, or unvaccinated.
Since Oregon is currently experiencing a large number of COVID-19 cases, it is straining case investigation and contact tracing resources. This means you may not receive a phone call from your health department after you test positive.
If you don’t have symptoms you can be around others after:
- 10 days have passed since your test, and you have no symptoms.
- Tell your close contacts right away so they can isolate and stop the spread.
Tell your close contacts right away. The sooner you let anyone you came in close contact with before your diagnosis know, the sooner they can take action to stop the spread, including quarantining if not fully vaccinated.
- If you had or have symptoms: Contact the people you were in close contact with beginning 2 days before your symptoms began.
- If you did not or do not have symptoms: Contact the people you were in close contact with beginning 2 days before you took your COVID-19 test.
If you need help you can :
- Call your local public health department if you need support to isolate.
- Call 211 for information on vaccinations, testing, and other resources
- Call your health care provider if you're concerned that your symptoms are not improving.
- Call 911 if you have these severe symptoms:
- Difficulty breathing
- Pain or pressure in the chest or belly
- Unable to drink or keep liquids down
- New confusion or inability to wake up
- Bluish lips or face
Read more about how to isolate or quarantine here. If you would like support or resources in multiple languages you can visit OHA's Safe + Strong website, or call the Safe + Strong Helpline at 1-800-923-HELP (4357).
Redistricting Updates
Virtual Format for Redistricting Public Hearings Announced Amid Delta Surge
In response to growing hospitalization rates across the state due to the Delta variant of COVID-19, Senate President Peter Courtney and House Speaker Tina Kotek today announced that the upcoming public hearings of the House and Senate Redistricting Committees will be moved to a virtual format.
“While the committees had hoped to visit communities across Oregon in person, the recent surge in COVID-19 cases has made this increasingly risky to public health. More Oregonians are now in our hospitals, intensive care units, or on ventilators than ever before in this pandemic. Our hospitals, healthcare workers, and frontline staff are overwhelmed. The Delta variant has changed everything.
“After consulting with infectious disease doctors, public health experts, and the bipartisan chairs and vice-chair of the House and Senate Redistricting committees, we have decided to move September’s redistricting public hearings to a virtual format. This will ensure a safe, transparent process where Oregonians from every community can make their voice heard and provide input on Oregon’s next set of legislative and congressional maps.”
The new schedule for the September Redistricting Public Hearings can be found below. Meetings will be held virtually and organized to hear from residents of each current congressional district. Oregonians can participate by signing up for video or phone testimony, uploading written testimony, or by submitting a map for consideration by September 7.
Find your congressional district here (enter your address in the top-right corner and click the “Congress” tab): https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/FindYourLegislator/leg-districts.html.
For more information on redistricting or how to participate, visit www.oregonlegislature.gov/redistricting.
Find an appointment to get the COVID-19 vaccine: https://govstatus.egov.com/find-covid-19-vaccine.
 About Redistricting
Based on the Census data, every 10-years states will redraw electoral lines to better reflect population shifts and growth, as well as changes in demographics to ensure fair and equal representation in government and allocation of resources. In Oregon the state legislature will redraw the electoral lines using the Census data and with input from public testimony.
Redistricting is important because it is about building the infrastructure for us to have a representative democracy. How a district is drawn will impact how communities' voices are reflected and represented in our governments, as well as the diversity of candidates who run for office, in addition to funding and policies passed.
Redistricting can change your life. Testify and make your voice heard.
House District 30 has seen tremendous growth over the last 10 years and will likely be altered from what it looks like today. It is so important to sign up to testify and have your voice heard. Share with the committee what makes your neighborhood or area special and why it should remain together as a whole.
From schools to healthcare, transportation lines, funding for housing and emergency support for issues like wildfires, redistricting determines how resources are allocated and to which communities based on representation. This is why it’s important that we receive as much public input and testimony as possible. We need to hear from you to make sure we’re keeping communities of interest together and ensure every person has fair representation.
We are dedicated to a transparent and public process that ensures the lines drawn reflect the diversity of communities of interest in our state.
Lifting the voices of Oregonians can only happen through a commitment to a fair and transparent process that ensures lines are accurately drawn. The legislature will be drawing from the Census data and public testimony from people like you.
Redistricted maps must reflect all of Oregon and be based in a public process that includes the voices of those who have historically been excluded, including low-income, rural, and Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) communities. We need to focus on representation, the sacred principle of one person one vote, upholding the voting rights act and other legal requirements to ensure that Oregon’s new congressional and legislative lines reflect the diversity of communities of interest in our state.
Get involved! Testify! Your voice matters! We need all communities and voices at the table. The lines drawn will impact policy for the next 10-years.
Oregonians can participate by signing up for video or phone testimony, uploading written testimony, or by submitting a map for consideration by September 7.
For more information on redistricting or how to participate, visit www.oregonlegislature.gov/redistricting.
Education Updates
Back To School
Back to school is right around the corner. This has been a year and a half like no other. Our youth especially have had to deal with so much uncertainty and change in their normal school routines. This is a good time to check in with your children and their mental health and well-being. Visit OnOurSleeves.org and try this Child Mental Health Checklist to see if they could use a little additional support before heading back to school. Find additional back to school resources to support your child's mental health needs on their website as well.
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Going back to school can bring a range of emotions for students and parents alike. A friend shared this post on social media and I asked her if I could share it with you. I think this is a story that a lot of parents can relate to and a gentle reminder that we should celebrate and respect our differences and that kindness, patience and understanding go a long way. Goal – be a good human. ❤
By Erin Crowley
I dropped my little man off this morning for his middle school orientation, and then sat in my car and cried big ugly tears. Z-man is amazing. He is funny and creative and kind. But he is also awkward, has a hard time understanding social cues, and makes up his own rules about the world without telling anyone. He has been teased all through school. He says he hates school, even though he loves to learn. He fought getting out of bed this morning, I saw the tension build in him as we approached the building, and the tears well up in his eyes as we got closer to drop off.
All the normal reminders… be kind to others, ask teachers if you need help, have fun, talk to your friends, make new friends, I love you, you’ll do great. And then he was off, clutching the toy hidden in his pocket he brought for comfort even though I asked him to leave it at home.
Please… as you send your babies to school this fall, remind them that all kids are different, and all kids deserve respect and kindness, even if their differences seem weird, and that school is hard for many kids. Encourage your kiddos to stand up for anyone they see being made fun of or bullied. Help them be able to tell their friends to stop. Help them find the courage to talk to and sit with the kids others make fun of. These small reminders could make all the difference for kids like Zander. Each of our babies has amazing qualities worthy of friendship. Some are just more hidden than others.
 School Supply Lists
Below is the list for Hillsboro School District back to school supplies for K-6 grades. Additional lists are linked below for Hillsboro School District.
Tips for Preparing Children to Mask up at School
From the Oregon Health Authority
A lot of us have been wearing masks for a while. If you have kids over age two, chances are they're great at it too.
As parents, we're asked to do a lot to keep our kids safe. It's been especially true through this pandemic. It is normal to feel anxious, unsure and tired. With school starting so soon, it's okay to feel uncertain about how to talk to kids about masking. OHA’s statewide rule for 2021-22 school year requires face coverings in all indoor school settings, both public and private, for all people two years and older, including all students, staff, contractors, volunteers and visitors.
Here are some tips to support your kids to feel confident in choosing to mask up at school:
- Kids pick up on our moods even before we’re aware of them. Having a talk with your kids about their feelings and worries is a great first step. Acknowledging those emotions and working together helps everyone feel supported.
- By now, your kids know why wearing a mask is important. (Thank you so much!) Kids love helping. For younger kids, try and find the positive reasons why wearing a mask is important.
- Model masking yourself and through others by talking about other heroes who wear masks. Heroes like doctors and nurses and health care professionals wear masks! Your kids may respond best to superheroes or cartoon characters.
- Practice effective masking at home. Practice putting on and taking off masks in front of a mirror. Have fun adjusting the straps and nose pieces. Younger kids love playing teacher, you could do an art project together while wearing your masks.
- Encourage them and notice good masking behavior. No matter the age, let them know that you’re proud of them and that they should be proud of themselves! Thank them for being amazing helpers and friends.
- Prepare them for mask free times such as lunch or recess. Let your children know it’s okay to take off their masks when they’re eating and drinking with others. You’re already doing an amazing job teaching them to be comfortable with their bodies. A mask is just another side of it.
- Practice talking about masking: When at school, your kids will meet friends who have different ideas about masking. Be open and honest about your family culture and your feelings. Role-playing is a great way to problem solve and practice together. There are so many great and kind ways to build confidence in masking as a safe practice with statements like, “I like my mask. I feel safe with it on, and I hope you to feel safe with me too.” No matter what, let them know there are safe adults who will support them in school.
- Prepare yourself for the after-school check in. It’s okay to want to ask if they felt safe and if they had problems with their mask that you could solve together. Let it be a part of the conversation.
- Talk to your teacher about masking encouragement, enforcement and support. Honest conversations do so much and may help navigate all those emotions we’re feeling.
You can read more about wearing a mask at school here.
 Community Outreach
OMIC R&D Additive Innovation Center
I was happy to attend the Groundbreaking Event for Oregon Manufacturing and Innovation Center (OMIC) Additive Research and Development building in Scappoose last week. It was great to see the work that is being done and hear what the future holds for workforce development in Oregon.
Kaiser Permanente's 7th Annual Farm Fresh Dinner
A wonderful evening celebrating local goodness at the 7th Annual Farm Fresh Dinner with the Hillsboro Chamber and friends at the Helvetia Farm Market at Marion Acres. #ProudToBeHD30
 Additional Resources
House District 30 Links
Federal Delegation Links
Education Links
Food and Housing Assistance
Be good to yourself and each other. ❤
Onward & Upward,
 Capitol Phone: 503-986-1430
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-487, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: Rep.JaneenSollman@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/sollman
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