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Friends and Neighbors,
80th Community Conversation
Join me for a virtual Community Conversation on Thursday, Sept. 16th, from 6:00-7:00pm. This is a great opportunity to ask your questions, share your concerns and listen to the conversation. Register to attend here. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
COVID-19 Updates
Monoclonal Antibody (mAb) Treatments
From the Oregon Health Authority
Getting diagnosed with COVID-19 can be scary. However, in addition to the safe and effective vaccines we have in the US, we now have more treatments available that can reduce the severity of COVID-19 in those who have become infected.
Monoclonal antibody (mAb) treatments have the potential to save lives, keep COVID-19 patients out of the hospital and relieve the current burden on Oregon’s health care system. The treatment is now available in both subcutaneous (an injection) and intravenous (IV) form.
One monoclonal antibody treatment is currently available in Oregon through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for free and has proven to be effective against the Delta variant.
People ages 12 and older, who weigh at least 88 lbs. and meet the following requirements may be eligible for mAb treatment:
- Have tested positive for COVID-19.
- Are experiencing mild or moderate symptoms of COVID-19.
- Had first symptoms within the last 10 days.
- Are considered high risk for going into the hospital because of age, weight, pregnancy, immunosuppressive disease or treatment for some other chronic disease. (See the full list: http://ow.ly/svnS50G4cgk)
To learn more about mAb treatment, read the full story on Oregon Vaccine News: ow.ly/3rAp50G4cfI
Find a COVID-19 Vaccine in Washington County
From Washington County Health & Human Services
Washington County's Mobile Vaccine Team: Our mobile team is traveling the county to make it easier for people to get the vaccine close to where they live, shop or hang out. We add new locations regularly, so there's a good chance we'll be in your neighborhood soon. Find the schedule here. Get a $50 gift card or shopping voucher when you get your shot.
Local pharmacies: Pharmacies are required to offer second/boost doses to people who received their first dose somewhere else.
Beaverton Resource Center: Most Fridays from July 16 through September 24. See the flier for exact dates and times. Pfizer for ages 12 and older. Located at 13565 SW Walker Road.
Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Centers: All vaccination events are open to the community, do not require an appointment, and do not require you to be a Virginia Garcia patient. You do not have to have insurance in order to receive a vaccine. If you have insurance, please bring your card with you. Remember, vaccines are free!
Still have questions or need language assistance? Call our HelpLine at 1-833-907-3520.
Redistricting Reminders
Preliminary proposed maps for the U.S. Congressional Districts and Oregon Senate and House Districts were released in the joint meeting of the Oregon House and Senate Redistricting Committees last Friday. Visit here for links to the preliminary maps. To watch Friday's committee hearing on playback, visit here.
This week begins the virtual public hearing meetings where anyone can submit testimony, either by signing up to speak during a committee hearing, or by submitting written testimony.
To sign up to provide oral testimony during the meetings, follow the links below. Only sign up for one of the hearings for the congressional district you live in. Alternatively, you may sign up for the either the 1:00 PM or 5:30 PM hearings on September 13th, which are open to residents from across the state. Please note that registration for a meeting closes once that meeting begins.
To provide written testimony, please email your comments to Oregon.Redistricting@Oregonlegislature.gov. Be sure to include which congressional district you live in in the subject line of the email. The deadline to submit written testimony for these public hearings is September 14th at 5:30 PM.
If you are unsure of which congressional district you live in, use this link to find out.
| Public Hearings for Residents of Congressional District 1:
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Public Hearings for Residents of Congressional District 2:
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| Public Hearings for Residents of Congressional District 3:
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Public Hearings for Residents of Congressional District 4:
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| Public Hearings for Residents of Congressional District 5:
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Public Hearings for Residents of Any Congressional District
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House District 30 and other areas of Washington County will see some changes due to the significant growth we have experienced. Please follow along and add your voice to the decision-making table. Share the story of what makes your neighborhood special, unique and diverse. What does community mean to you? Talk about your school district, your city and your transportation needs in your community. Your input can make a difference of how the district is shaped to best meet the needs of the community around you.
For more information on the redistricting process, visit here.
Education Updates
As kids head back to school this week in our local communities, some important reminders from the Oregon Health Authority and Oregon Department of Education to reduce spread of COVID-19 and keep schools open and thriving.
 School Routes are Everywhere: Drive Like It
From the Oregon Health Authority
As schools throughout Oregon reopen their doors to students, children, parents and communities are adjusting to life after remote learning. An overlooked, yet critical adjustment is driving.
Drivers can expect to see more kids and parents walking and biking to school, crossing at intersections and of course, the yellow buses are back on the streets. We are used to slowing down in school zones and areas where kids may be exiting public transit or school buses, but drivers need to be aware that school routes are everywhere.
The Oregon Department of Transportation has a reminder that shouldn’t be missed. You may have already seen the bright pink lawn signs with the message, “School Routes are Everywhere – Drive Like it!” in your neighborhood, around a local school, on social media or a public bus.
The ask is simple – be cautious and watch out for everyone’s children. Kids might not always pay close enough attention when walking near traffic, understand how fast a car is driving, or how close they are to it.
As always, please obey traffic rules – especially at school drop off and pick up times – take care when backing up, yield to walkers at intersections and watch for school buses.
Check out this video for more information on back to school safety: youtu.be/u-VDL2yAuuQ
 Community Outreach
Support for our Health Care Heroes
This past Monday, I joined Cindy Costenzo from Age Celebration for "Love on the Fence" to thank our Health Care Heroes. There was a great group there to cheer on and uplift those who continue to sacrifice so much to take care of our friends and neighbors. You can join Love on the Fence celebrations and support our Health Care Heroes on Mondays through October. See information below.
From Cindy:
I’ll be standing outside Tuality/OHSU Hillsboro Medical Center on Mondays in Sept-Oct between 11:30am-12:15pm holding up a LOVE sign from the LOVE on the FENCE project for our hospital health care workers. If anyone wants to join me I’ve got a LOVE sign for you, 11:30am Mondays, Tuality, 335 SE 8th Ave., Hillsboro.  
 
Stand with Workers
 Last week I visited the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union (BTGCM) Local 364 workers on strike against Mondelez International. For the entire pandemic, these workers have clocked in to produce the goods American families expect to see on their grocery store shelves. They have seen their jobs sent to other countries, and are still being threatened with further offshoring. They have worked long hours, including mandatory overtime in the blistering heat. One worker I heard about has worked for 53 years on the line, starting with Nabisco. When I asked why she didn't retire right away when Mondelez International bought Nabisco, so that she could try to secure at least part of her earned pension, I was told she was not able to because her husband was ill and they needed health benefits for costly treatment. Tragically, he has since passed away and she is now left with no pension for a company she has given 53 years of her life to. Companies need to realize without the sacrifices their workers give, their successes they have experienced today would not be possible. Many BTGCM workers have been at their jobs for 20+ years. Their stories are real. They deserve a fair contract and fair wages. Their years of service should have value. Unions have fought and continue to fight for the rights of all workers. Whether you directly belong to a union or not, you have benefitted from their advocacy. I stand with these workers and will continue to support them in their efforts for fair contracts and fair wages.
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Refugee Family Restart Kits
From Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education)
As you may have heard, refugee families from Afghanistan will soon be settling in Portland. A Portland organization called Refugee Care Collective is coordinating Restart Kits for these new arrivals and OJMCHE and the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland eagerly invite our community to participate.
To learn how to to create a Restart Kit to help these refugee families visit Refugee Care Collective’s website (please note the kits are composed of all new items):
- Types of kits and what to purchase click here
- Refugee Care Collective FAQ page click here
- Refugee Care Collection Restart Kit collection days click here
Note, the above link will provide information on three upcoming Saturday dates to drop your kit off at a warehouse in Tigard. But as another option, OJMCHE is collecting kits and will drop them off at the warehouse on the designated dates. If you choose this option, please drop kits off at OJMCHE during museum hours, Wednesday-Saturday, 11am-4pm, up until November 19. If you have questions on the OJMCHE drop off call 503-336-3600 or email media@ojmche.org.
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Edwards Center Virtual Gala
Additional Resources
House District 30 Links
Federal Delegation Links
Education Links
Food and Housing Assistance
 I was thrilled to be able to spend a part of my weekend with House District 30 high school interns at one of the final Hillsboro Hops games of the season. It was a beautiful night and even though it ended early due to stadium light issues, the fans were having a great time. We ran the bases, danced on the field and topped it off with an amazing fireworks show at the end. The positive attitudes, smiles and fun really did prove that when you build a great program for the fans, they have your back when things go wrong. It is about community and it was awesome to experience. #GoHops
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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