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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Happy Fall! I am very lucky to be fulfilling a dream that I've had for over 30 years, and am visiting Maine with a dear friend at the most beautiful time - the changing of the seasons is truly magical in New England! It has been a bit of a working holiday as well, and I am pleased to still be able to put out this newsletter and to keep up with colleagues by email and phone. I am looking forward to returning to a busy schedule next week and am particularly excited about my upcoming Town Hall on Education issues. I encourage school board members, administrators, teachers, parents, and students to join me in a discussion about this most challenging of school years and the Legislature's role in funding Education and supporting teachers and students. The event will be online and you can RSVP to my office via Carolyn Lee at: leec@oregonlegislature.gov
Enjoying some New England Clam Chowder in the Boothbay area!
Boothbay area of Maine
UPCOMING TOWN HALL ON EDUCATION
IT'S BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
Breast cancer is the second most common cancer affecting American women. But better treatments and earlier detection through screening and increased awareness are believed to have contributed to declining death rates over time.
Screening tests, such as mammograms, can be used to look for and help diagnose breast cancer. Regular mammograms can help find cancer up to three years before it can be felt upon examination. Still, it is important to be aware of changes in your breasts, do self-exams and have clinical breast exams during your annual checkups.
In Oregon, the ScreenWise Program works with a network of providers that offer breast, cervical and hereditary cancer screening services for uninsured and underinsured patients. Covered services are offered at no cost to the patient. ScreenWise was created to help reduce cancer burden and health inequities across the state.
While it is rare, men can also have breast cancer. To learn more visit the CDC here.
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TODAY WAS THE GREAT OREGON SHAKEOUT!
If you missed the Great Oregon Shakeout at 10:21 AM this morning, it's not too late to participate and to learn more about earthquake preparedness. You can hold your #ShakeOut drill when and where you want! For more information, please visit www.shakeout.org and learn how to take precautions during an earthquake.
COVID-19 UPDATES
Oregon reports 1,366 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, 41 new deaths
COVID-19 hospitalizations: The number of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 across Oregon is 562, which is one more than yesterday. There are 130 COVID-19 patients in intensive care unit (ICU) beds, which is 10 fewer than yesterday.
There are 56 available adult ICU beds out of 706 total (8% availability) and 292 available adult non-ICU beds out of 4,127 (7% availability).
The total number of patients in hospital beds may fluctuate between report times. The numbers do not reflect admissions per day, nor the length of hospital stay. Staffing limitations are not captured in this data and may further limit bed capacity.
Note: Please do not visit an emergency department for COVID-19 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, contact your provider. An urgent care center may also help you get the care you need and will save emergency departments from added strain.
More information about hospital capacity can be found here.
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Cases and deaths: There are 41 new COVID-19 related deaths in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 4,226, the Oregon Health Authority reported at 12:01 a.m. Monday.
Oregon Health Authority reported 1,366 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, bringing the state total to 353,368.
VACCINE INFORMATION
BREAKING NEWS: FDA authorizes booster doses of Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines, says mix and match OK
*This article comes from CNN.
The US Food and Drug Administration authorized booster doses of both Covid-19 vaccines made by Moderna and Johnson & Johnson Wednesday and also said any of the three authorized vaccines could be used as a booster in a "mix and match" approach.
The FDA gave emergency use authorization for a half dose of Moderna's vaccine as a booster for people fully vaccinated at least six months ago who are also at least 65, or who are at least 18 and who are at high risk of severe Covid-19 or have frequent institutional or occupational exposure to SARS-CoV-2.
It also authorized booster doses of Johnson & Johnson's vaccine.
"The use of a single booster dose of the Janssen (Johnson and Johnson) COVID-19 Vaccine may be administered at least 2 months after completion of the single-dose primary regimen to individuals 18 years of age and older," the FDA said in a statement.
And it said any of the three authorized vaccines could be used to boost. "The use of each of the available COVID-19 vaccines as a heterologous (or 'mix and match') booster dose in eligible individuals following completion of primary vaccination with a different available COVID-19 vaccine," the FDA said.
"To clarify that a single booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine may be administered at least 6 months after completion of the primary series to individuals 18 through 64 years of age with frequent institutional or occupational exposure to SARS-CoV-2," it added.
"As the pandemic continues to impact the country, science has shown that vaccination continues to be the safest and most effective way to prevent COVID-19, including the most serious consequences of the disease, such as hospitalization and death. The available data suggest waning immunity in some populations who are fully vaccinated. The availability of these authorized boosters is important for continued protection against COVID-19 disease," FDA Acting Commissioner Dr. Janet Woodcock said in a statement.
"The amendments to the emergency use authorizations to include a single booster dose in eligible populations are based on the available data and information and follows the input from the members of our advisory committee who were supportive of the use of a booster dose of these vaccines in eligible populations," added Dr. Peter Marks, director of the FDA's vaccine arm, the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research.
"We are also taking action today to include the use of mix and match boosters to address this public health need. We will work to accrue additional data as quickly as possible to further assess the benefits and risks of the use of booster doses in additional populations and plan to update the healthcare community and public with our determination in the coming weeks."
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's vaccine advisers, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, meets Thursday to decide on whether to recommend the FDA's authorization for the American people, and then the CDC director will decide whether to sign off on ACIP's guidance.
The FDA said it decided to allow the mix-and-match boosters after National Institutes of Health researchers presented their findings last week to its vaccine advisers. Although the findings were limited, they made it clear mixing up the different vaccines was safe.
It gave some examples for how this might work
"For example, Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine recipients 18 years of age and older may receive a single booster dose of Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine, Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine (half dose) or Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine at least two months after receiving their Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine primary vaccination," it said.
"In another example, Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine recipients falling into one of the authorized categories for boosters (65 years of age and older, 18 through 64 years of age at high-risk of severe COVID-19, and 18 through 64 years of age with frequent institutional or occupational exposure to SARS-CoV-2) may receive a booster dose of Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine (half dose), Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine or Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine at least six months after completing their primary vaccination," it added.
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Washington Co. Vaccine Information:
Every Oregonian age 12 and up is eligible for a vaccine. Twelve to 14 year-olds must be accompanied by either a parent, guardian or someone designated by the parent. If someone other than a parent or guardian accompanies the 12 to 14-year-old, they will need to provide proof of parental/guardian consent.
Proof of consent is either:
- A signed consent form (available in English and Spanish on the All4OR.org site)
- A written or typed note that includes the parent/guardians name, relationship to the young adult, their date of birth, a statement saying they consent to young adult being vaccinated and the parent/guardian signature.
Fifteen-year-olds do not need to be accompanied, and do not require parental consent in the state of Oregon.
Washington County's Mobile Vaccination Van: Our van is traveling the county to make it easier for people to get the vaccine close to where they live or shop. Find the schedule here.
Beaverton Resource Center: They have extended their program into October. Visit their website 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!
Local pharmacies: As of April 27, 2021, pharmacies are required to offer second/boost doses to people who received their first dose somewhere else.
How much does the vaccine cost? Vaccines are provided free of charge to the recipient. If you have health insurance, you may be asked to provide that information so the vaccinator can bill your insurance an administration fee.
EMPLOYMENT DEPT LISTENING SESSIONS
The Oregon Employment Department is hosting listening sessions for workers and employers to give feedback on the changes to the “availability” rule.
The new temporary “availability” rule impacts Oregonians who have barriers to returning to work, such as caring for a sick family member or providing child care. Feedback on this temporary rule will inform changes to the permanent rule. The temporary rule is effective from September 26, 2021 through March 24, 2022. Changes to this rule may expand access to support for those still affected by COVID-19.
You can register for one of the remaining listening sessions below. Simultaneous interpretation will be available in Spanish, Vietnamese, Russian and Cantonese.
Listening Sessions for Workers
- October 26, 2021 from 12 pm - 1:30 pm: Register
- November 9, 2021 from 6 pm - 7:30 pm: Register
Listening Sessions for Employers
- November 3, 2021 from 12 pm - 1:30 pm: Register
- November 17, 2021 from 9 am - 10:30 am: Register
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AROUND WASHINGTON COUNTY
#StandUpFG Event
Join Five Oaks Museum in celebrating the opening of the 2021 history & culture online exhibition #StandUpFG: Latinx Youth Activism in the Willamette Valley, guest curated by Israel Pastrana. Celebrate the #StandUpFG exhibition opening with live music, community leaders, & ethnic studies educators on October 23rd from 2:00-3:00 PM.
Tickets are available here.
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October is National Principals Month!
Our school principals work incredibly hard to provide the best education to students, leadership for staff, and support for families that they possibly can. Show your support during National Principals Month by sending an e-card or posting words of thanks and encouragement on social media to #thankaprincipal.
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Safe Schools and School Bus Safety!
From the Hillsboro School District: The week of Oct. 18 celebrates both Safe Schools Week and School Bus Safety Week. This is a great time to revisit all of the systems and structures HSD has in place to keep students safe; as well as the appropriate precautions to take in, on, and around school buses.
Here are a few safety tips for your student from the Hillsboro Safe Routes to School program:
- While waiting for the bus, stay in a safe place away from the street.
- Once off the bus, take 10 giant steps away from the bus.
- Walk in front of the bus to cross the street, and make sure that the bus driver sees you before you step off the curb.
Interested in learning more? Watch this animated video for basic school bus safety tips, or visit the Oregon Safe Routes to School program website at Hillsboro-Oregon.gov/SRTS.
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WILDFIRE UPDATES AND RESOURCES
Wildfire Recovery Resources
OEM has put together this list of contacts to help speed up the process of replacing these documents:
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Green cards: Phone (800)-375-5283; Website: www.uscis.gov
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Medicare cards: Phone: (800)-772-1213; (TTY) (800)-325-0778 Website: www.medicare.gov
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Military records Phone: 866-272-6272 Website: www.archives.gov/contact/
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Passport Phone: 877-487-2778; (TTY) 888-874-7793 Website: travel.state.gov
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Social Security card Phone: 800-772-1213; (TTY) 800-325-0778 Website: www.ssa.gov
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U.S. Savings Bonds Phone: 844-284-2676 Website: www.treasurydirect.gov
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U.S. tax returns Phone: 800-829-1040 Website: www.irs.gov
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Birth, death, marriage, domestic partnership, divorce certificates Phone: 888-896-4988 Website: www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/Birthdeathcertificates
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Driver’s license, auto titles and registration, ID cards Phone: 503-945-5000 Website: www.oregon.gov/odot
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SNAP (Oregon Trail Card) Website: www.oregon.gov/DHS/Assistance/Food-Benefits
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State taxes (Oregon Dept. of Revenue) Phone: 503-378-4988 or 800-356-4222 TTY: All relay calls are accepted. Website: www.oregon.gov/dor
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Real estate and property - Contact your county government.
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Credit cards - Contact your credit card company directly.
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Credit reports from Equifax, Experian, TransUnion Phone: 877-322-8228 Website: www.annualcreditreport.com
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Insurance documents - Check with your insurance agent.
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Medical records - Call your doctor or your medical insurance company; medical and prescription records are tracked electronically.
The Governor’s office has put together a Wildfire Resources page that you can access from the Governor’s home page. It has links to many of the most important updates about the status of fires and resources for evacuees. This website will be updated regularly.
Legal Resources: Oregon State Bar’s Lawyer Referral Program, Oregon lawyers, through the Oregon State Bar, are partnering with FEMA and the American Red Cross to provide legal assistance on FEMA claims, contract claims, insurance claims, landlord-tenant matters and more.
The Department of Forestry’s Wildfire Response and Recovery Overview has ongoing updates about firefighting efforts, damage reports, and more.
FEMA Updates: FEMA has provided several different Fact Sheets and resources for accessing benefits, determining eligibility and avoiding scams.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Employers and Employees
The following list of resources is from Oregon’s Secretary of State’s Office. The fastest way to get in touch with the SOS team is by emailing business.sos@oregon.gov, using the “Need Help?” button found on most state agency websites or visiting www.oregon.gov/smallbusiness.
Education Links
Local Government
Utilities Assistance
Food and Housing Assistance
Acadia National Park, Maine
Yours truly,
 Representative Susan McLain
House District 29
email: Rep.SusanMcLain@oregonlegislature.gov I phone: 503-986-1429
address: 900 Court St NE, H-376, Salem, OR 97301
website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/mclain
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