A message from Representative Prusak, resources on COVID-19, and how we can work through this crisis as a community. 

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Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Over the last month I have been in touch with Oregon Health Authority and my colleagues in Salem prepping for COVID-19. During the last 2 weeks I have had numerous conversations with local elected officials on the best ways to support and care for our community. I was happy to hear of all the hard work our local leaders are doing, and it is inspiring to see how many people are stepping up and working tirelessly to make sure we protect the most vulnerable members of our community. As a nurse with 20 years of experience, I must share with you all that I’m deeply worried about our frontline healthcare workers, our first responders, and our vulnerable community members. We only have a finite amount of hospital beds, personal protective equipment, and ventilators. Social Distancing is something we need to take seriously so we have a better chance of not only saving lives, but limiting the long term economic damage. The longer this lasts, the harder the recovery will be on all fronts. Please
continue to look out for one another, take this seriously, and follow the social distancing guidelines. I have created a large list of resources here but if there is something you need help with that is not covered here, please reach out via email at [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) or by phone at 503-986-1437

Sincerely,

Rachel


** New Resource Alert: Make a donation, offer services or volunteer to support COVID-19 response
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Oregonians have been stepping up to offer donations, services, or volunteer for #COVID19 support. In response the state has launched a webpage where services can be offered and vetted to ensure products and services meet CDC and other public health guidelines. This website also includes a process where vendors can sell or enter into a business relationship with the state. The biggest need right now is for personal protective equipment (PPE). Please help us by sharing this resource. We appreciate the work you are doing, and that Oregonians are stepping up to help out in response to this crisis. You can find the page here:

[link removed]


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Which underlying health conditions make you more at risk for severe illness from COVID-19:
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You’ve likely heard that older adults and those with underlying health conditions are more at risk for severe illness from COVID-19. People with underlying health conditions are counting on all of us to help protect their health. If you or someone you know has any of the following medical conditions, they may be at increased risk, no matter their age:
* Lung disease, including asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (chronic bronchitis or emphysema) or other chronic conditions associated with impaired lung function or that require home oxygen
* Compromised immune system (immunosuppression) (e.g., seeing a doctor for cancer and treatment such as chemotherapy or radiation, receiving an organ or bone marrow transplant, taking high doses of corticosteroids or other immunosuppressant medications, HIV with a CD4 count <200)
* Blood disorders (e.g., sickle cell disease or on blood thinners)
* Chronic kidney disease
* Chronic liver disease
* Current or recent pregnancy (in the last two weeks)
* Endocrine disorders (e.g., diabetes)
* Metabolic disorders (such as inherited metabolic disorders and mitochondrial disorders)
* Heart disease (such as congenital heart disease, congestive heart failure and coronary artery disease)
* Neurological and neurologic and neurodevelopment conditions


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West Linn & Tualatin Food Pantries Need Donations and Volunteers
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Local Food Pantries: If you are young, healthy and at low risk, please reach out to donate or volunteer at one of the pantries listed below.


Tualatin Food Pantry: Rolling Hills Community Church
3550 SW Borland Rd, Tualatin. 503-783-0721
[link removed]

West Linn Food Pantry: Willamette United Methodist Church.
1683 Willamette Falls Drive, West Linn. 503- 915-9446
[link removed]

Packed With Pride: Tigard High Auditorium on the swim center side
9000 SW Durham Road, Tigard, OR 97224
Serving Tualatin, King City, Durham
[link removed]


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King City looking for Volunteers to Support Elderly:
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We are creating a virtual socializing framework to help combat feelings of isolation, loneliness, and boredom for house-bound community members. Want to volunteer to have a friendly chat with a lonely senior? Complete and return our volunteer form ([link removed]) !


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Resources for Small Business Assistance, Employers & Employees
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Oregon’s application for Small Business Assistance has been accepted!
If your small business has been impacted by Coronavirus you can apply by going tohttps://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDUsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDAzMjEuMTkwOTQ2MzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vd3d3LnNiYS5nb3YvZGlzYXN0ZXIifQ.A9QQgY8cjsdzQHYA3F-UeptPrzI_pNZuT2jPev_7LRE/br/76449964319-lwww.SBA.gov/disaster ([link removed])

Work Share:

Employers who need to limit an employees’ hours due to the COVID-19 outbreak should consider utilizing Work Share as a means of protecting their business while compensating your workforce. The process can be done online by going to the Work Share Oregon website, ([link removed]) or using this contact information:

Email: [email protected]
Phone: (503) 647-1800, Toll-Free: (800) 436-6191

Business Oregon

A number of tips and resources available for small business owners, including a large list of financial resources, on their coronavirus response page,available here ([link removed])

Where to report loss of revenue: As a state it is important we track the loss of revenue in our business community. This information will affect how the state and the federal government will address future assistance. Businesses with impacted revenue caused by COVID-19 should fill out the'Estimated Disaster Economic Injury Worksheet for Businesses' ([link removed]) form and send to Leah Horner: [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])

Oregon Department of Revenue Guidance: Concerned about CAT payments? DOR has posted information about initial CAT payments. They are working on guidance on delay of payment mirroring federal changes, and those should be posted early next week. They will be available at [link removed].

Need help with unemployment related to COVID-19?

The Oregon Department of Unemployment has released a new temporary rule, (retroactively applied to March 8, 2020 and lasting until the statewide emergency if lifted). If you are unable to work because of COVID-19 related situations, you are eligible to apply for unemployment benefits. State and Federal law require a person to be able to work in order to receive unemployment insurance benefits. Under this temporary rule, being unable to work because of COVID-related situations does not disqualify you from eligibility.

Here is a summary of the changes:

The following situations are deemed the be “COVID-19 related situations”
1. A person is unable to work because they are ill with the novel coronavirus;
2. A person is unable to work because they have been potentially exposed to the novel coronavirus and have been subjected to a mandatory quarantine period;
3. A person is unable to work because they have been advised by their health care provider or by advice issued by public health officials to self-quarantine due to possible risk of exposure to, or spread of, the novel coronavirus;
4. A person is unable to work because their employer has ceased or curtailed operations due to the novel coronavirus, including closures or curtailments based on the direction or advice of the Governor or of public health officials;
5. A person is unable to work because they have to stay home to care for a family member, or other person with whom they live or for whom they provide care, who is suffering from the novel coronavirus or subject to a mandatory quarantine;
6. A person is unable to work because they have to stay home to care for a child due to the closure of schools, child care providers, or similar facilities due to the novel coronavirus; and
7. A person is being asked to work when it would require them to act in violation of a mandatory quarantine or Governor’s directive regarding the limitation of activities to limit the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Read the full details of the rulehere ([link removed]) .


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Resources for Childcare Workers, Families, and Educators
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* The Early Learning Division’sCOVID-19 website ([link removed]) has general resources, specific resources for providers, families, and information about emergency childcare.
* The Early Learning Division has also created asurvey for providers ([link removed]) to share updates on their supply needs during this crisis, so the agency can effectively request and supply resources.
* Common Sense has assembledtools and resources ([link removed]) for families navigating learning at home, understanding the crisis, and general well being.
* Common Sense has also assembledtips and tools ([link removed]) for educators transitioning to online and at-home learning.


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Housing
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Governor Brown has issued executive order 20-11 ([link removed]) ordering a statewide moratorium on residential evictions. This order will remain in effect for 90 days unless extended or terminated early by the Governor.


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Something We Can All Do Today: Census 2020
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The Census is happening now! Filling out your census form is a perfect activity while social distancing. It can still be completed by mail and by phone, but for the first time ever, you can fill out yourcensus form online ([link removed]) !

The full economic impact of the coronavirus outbreak on Oregonian families, businesses, and workers is yet to be seen. We know it will take a massive toll, especially on our most vulnerable communities. Amidst a crisis like this, it is critical that we correctly account for every resident of Oregon, regardless of housing situation or citizenship status.

Millions of federal dollars are at stake. Every single Oregonian deserves to be counted and represented. Census data is also used to calculate representation in Congress and the amount of federal funding each state receives. Based on the federal dollars per person that Oregon received in fiscal year 2017, for each Oregonian that is counted, Oregon receives $4,600 per year for critical programs and services.


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Four Simple Guidelines For Grocery Shopping
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Please Don't Hoard: Federal, State, and Local governments are working with the industries that provide your food and essential goods to keep your grocery store open and stocked. The Covid-19 virus is not like a natural disaster that could immobilize trucks, or threaten water supplies. Everyone should shop to have an adequate supply of food and essential products, but there is no need to hoard supplies to be safe. Remember your neighbor behind you in line, they need toilet paper too!

Social Distancing With Other Customers: At doors, in aisles, and in line, remember to take a step back and allow 3 to 6 feet of distance between you and your fellow customers. According to the CDC this is one of the most effective ways to prevent transmission. Think of it as seeing that person you’ve been avoiding, but without the hostility.

Limit Contact With Store Employees: Our employees are a critical link to your food supply. Please do the following to keep them as healthy as possible:
* Observe social distancing the best you can with department personnel and your clerk when checking out
* Use self-checkout stations whenever available. Ask for a cleaning or use a sanitation wipe before each use
* Bag your own groceries to mitigate the number of touches your bags and merchandise receive

Senior and Immune-Compromised Hours: Some grocers are offering special morning hours for senior and immunocompromised populations to shop. By coming early these populations will have the advantage of overnight stocking, smaller crowds, and the first to enter after an overnight deep cleaning. Your help in respecting this time is appreciated. These are the ones I know if:
* Albertsons & Safeway: Tuesday and Thursday open from 7-9am (most at risk community)
* Target: Wednesday’s 1st hour of opening for their vulnerable guest
* Whole Foods: Daily opening 1 hour early for customers over 70
* New Seasons: Daily opening 8-9am for senior shoppers

Do you know a senior or immunocompromised individual? Offer to do their shopping or help them navigate home delivery, even if it’s a neighbor you haven’t talked to in a while. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP IN KEEPING YOUR GROCERIES SAFE AND PLENTIFUL!


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Support & Recovery Resources:
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Due to COVID-19, meetings have been cancelled and some organizations have set up online support:
* WEconnect Health Management, Unity Recovery and Alano Club of Portland are offering on-line support meetings 4x / day led by the Peer Recovery Support Specialists! They are open to anyone, anywhere, who is dealing with substance use, mental health concerns, disordered eating, as well as any other quality of life concerns: [link removed]
* Herren Project Online Support Groups & Recovery Meetings: [link removed]
* Online Intergroup AA [link removed]



HOT LINES

SUICIDE LIFELINE
800-273-8255
Text 273TALK to 839863

ALCOHOL & DRUG HELPLINE
800-923-4357
Text RecoveryNow to 839863

MILITARY HELPLINE
888-457-4838
Text MIL1 to 839863

SENIOR LONELINESS LINE
503-200-1633

YOUTHLINE
877-968-8491
Text teen2teen to 839863
Chat at www.oregonyouthline.org

HD 37County & City Resources
* Clackamas County: [link removed]
* West Linn: [link removed]
* Washington County: [link removed]
* Tualatin: [link removed]
* King City: [link removed]
* Durham: [link removed]


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Rachel for State Representative . 1980 willamette falls drive . Suite #120 - PMB#135 . West Linn, Or 97068 . USA

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