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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Since my last newsletter, we have a little more clarity on what the new omicron COVID-19 variant means for Oregon. Modeling released last Friday by Oregon Health and Sciences University (OHSU) shows that we are expected to see record COVID-19 hospitalizations in the coming weeks and reach a new peak in February.
Let’s be honest – this is distressing, frustrating, and exhausting. That said, I know Oregonians will rise to the occasion. There is still time for you to take action to keep yourself and others safer.
Oregon health officials are aiming to get one million Oregonians boosted by January 31, 2022. I got my booster last month and am grateful for the protection it’s providing. As you can see in the chart from OHSU below, we only have a few weeks to reduce the impact and preserve hundreds of hospital beds for needed emergencies. (In the chart, “double booster” means doubling the number of people who get boosted every day.)
When our hospitals are at capacity due to a massive increase in patients with COVID-19, it can limit the ability for doctors and nurses to address other urgent medical needs like heart attacks or strokes. If you are a senior or immunocompromised, it is especially critical that you get your booster as soon as possible.
With three weeks before the surge is projected to begin, and two weeks for the booster shot to become fully effective, here’s what you can do to help:
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Get vaccinated. If you have children, kids from 5-11 are now eligible for the Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine. They are free, safe and effective.
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Get boosted. If your last vaccine was at least 6 months ago (or two months ago for Johnson & Johnson), you can get your booster shot right away. More information is available here, and you can find a list of vaccination/booster sites here.
If you’re unsure where to start or need assistance, contact your doctor. You can also call 211 or 1-866-698-6155 between 6 am and 7 pm daily, including holidays, for more information. If you would rather not call, you can text ORCOVID to 898211 (English and Spanish) or email ORCOVID@211info.org (language help is available).
And lastly, you can always search for a site or provider near you on the Get Vaccinated Oregon locator here.
Again, I know Oregonians will rise to this latest challenge. Thank you for being resilient.
I hope you find brightness and joy in this holiday season – and happy new year!
Best,
Tina Kotek
State Representative
House District 44
Speaker of the House
email: Rep.TinaKotek@oregonlegislature.gov I phone: 503-986-1200
address: 900 Court St NE, H-269, Salem, OR 97301
website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/kotek
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