In this newsletter: community highlights, further resources, moving forward, and more.

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Hello Friends and Neighbors,

As a nurse practitioner who is a primary care provider for homebound seniors and disabled adults who reside at long-term care facilities (LTC) and adult care homes (ACH), I have been uniquely positioned during this crisis to provide perspective and advocate in my role as a legislator. During the February short session I expressed concern for residents and caregivers at LTC facilities to the Department of Aging & People with Disabilities, Oregon DHS and the Oregon Health Authority during COVID-19 informational hearings. Since then, I have continued to voice my concerns because I’m committed to advocating for our vulnerable community members.

As we all know, Long Term Care and Adult Care facilities have been at the center of the COVID-19 pandemic, here in Oregon and elsewhere. A recent article from The Oregonian showcased important stories from frontline LTC and ACH workers. While highlighting the challenges these workers are facing as they care for individuals during this pandemic, it did not include the steps agencies and facilities are taking during this crisis to try to keep people safe. I believe it is important additional information for Oregonians to have, to provide a larger context of what is being done, and what more we need to do for our vulnerable community members and caregivers.

I’m grateful that DHS and OHA launched a multi-agency support team to assess the needs of long-term care facilities experiencing increased COVID-19 cases, and help them access resources to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 to residents and staff. The new team is built on ongoing efforts from both agencies and provides for stronger coordination in providing intervention and support. As part of this work, the state is beginning to contract with facilities to develop additional capacity to safely treat COVID-19 patients. We must continue to be creative and smart in our solutions and remember we’re all in this together.

While there is certainly more work to do to improve transparency and communication, I truly believe each agency has the well-being of Oregonians at the center of their work. When this is over, I look forward to discussing and evaluating the process and policies so we can ensure Oregon is better prepared for any future health crisis.

Sincerely,

Rachel Prusak

My colleagues practicing the 6 ft distancing rule wearing homemade PPE as we waited to get fitted for our N95 mask so we can provide COVID 19 testing when needed.


** Tri Counties Working Together
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A new website ([link removed]) lets people enter their symptoms to gauge their COVID-19 risk and find local resources in Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas counties. The website was launched by health officials and local first responders to assist people in determining how likely it is they have the virus. It provides guidance on what steps to take considering their symptoms, including calling a doctor, or 2-1-1 to find other services. If the user lives in Multnomah, Washington, or Clackamas counties, they can use the site to see which nearby hospitals have space available.


** Education
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I am so appreciative of the parents, educators, school districts, and Oregon Department of Education staff who are stepping up to make things work during this unprecedented time. If you’re an educator in West Linn, Tualatin, Durham, Rivergrove, King City, or Stafford who’s interested in having me meet with your class virtually, please feel free to get in touch ([email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) )


** Nutrition: Oregon Food Bank Update
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Governor Brown announced ([link removed]) the Oregon Food Bank, and its statewide network of food banks, will receive $8 million in funding to help Oregonians in need of emergency food assistance due to the coronavirus pandemic. Under the federal emergency declaration, about 75% of that funding is expected to come from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This is an important development, and I thank the Governor for coordinating this much-needed funding. Food insecurity is on the rise and local food banks have been stepping up. I’m glad the state has been able to meet that need. As a reminder, more information on how to volunteer and donate is available here ([link removed]) .

Watch CEO Susannah Morgan explains why the challenge food banks are facing due to the coronavirus pandemic is so different than others in the past.Learn more about what Oregon Food Bank is doing to ensure we #EmergeStronger ([link removed]) and how you can Find Food, Donate, And Volunteer. Click here ([link removed]) .


** When Will Things Go Back To Normal
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Naturally, many of us are wondering when we’ll see an eventual relaxing of the ‘Stay Home, Save Lives’ order or other social distancing measures. The Oregon Health Authority is monitoring the situation closely - obviously the number of cases is a key measure and, at minimum, they want to see a steady decline in cases over at least a two-week period.

Beyond continued slow growth, there are other key framework areas that we must have in place before we relax restrictions:
* Testing capacity – Additional testing capacity of about 15,000 tests per week is essential to identifying new cases and containing the virus. We need to significantly expand testing capacity so we can test more people, more often, so that new cases can be identified and isolated. This includes additional workforce to perform testing.
* Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – We need enough personal protective equipment (PPE) for our frontline workers (health care professionals, grocery store workers, etc.), as well as sufficient hospital capacity in all regions of the state. We also need a consistent supply of PPE to protect frontline workers, to conduct the testing safely, and to enable elective and non-urgent medical procedures to resume.
* Regional Contact Tracing – We need more health care workers to not just perform testing, but also to do immediate contact tracing of every person who tests positive; preventing flare ups from spreading.
* Quarantine / Isolation Program - We need a plan for those identified as COVID positive that takes into account mental health of being isolated and considers at-risk populations.

Also, we still need to learn about the virus:
* Immunity
+ Are those who have recovered from the disease immune from getting it again?
+ If so, how long will that immunity last?
+ Will immunity be lost as soon as the virus mutates?

* Seasonality - Some coronaviruses are seasonal, some are not.
+ Will transmission reduce when the weather warms?
+ If so, how much?
+ How or when would it likely return?

We have all made huge sacrifices by staying home and now, though there is no timetable for loosening restrictions, we are having conversations on how to reopen our economy. The governor is asking for input in these four areas first: personal services, retail, child care, and restaurants. Please email my office if you have suggestions on how a particular industry can be reopened safely. Moving back to ‘normal’ will take time, and won’t happen as quickly as we would like, but with thoughtful, considerate policy we will protect Oregonians and keep our communities solvent.
Watch Governor Brown’s press conference here ([link removed]) .


** Coronavirus Worker Safety Fund - Supporting Employee Safety During COVID-19
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The coronavirus worker safety fund, established by SAIF, has reopened for applications with an additional $15 million ([link removed]) . In keeping with SAIF’s mission, the fund is designed to support employee safety, reduce injuries, and decrease exposures by helping businesses impacted by the coronavirus.

The fund initially closed five business days after its launch on March 31, ([link removed]) after more than 1,300 businesses applied and used the $10 million available. We received applications from small and large businesses from a wide range of industries, public agencies, and nonprofit organizations across the state.

Some of the most common requests that SAIF is supporting include personal protective equipment (PPE) and cleaning supplies. In addition, resources to redesign or modify workspaces to encourage social distancing; mental health and wellness initiatives; and coronavirus and job reassignment safety training are eligible. Ineligible expenses include telecommuting and regular staffing expenses, including labor costs for employees reassigned to new positions. We are pleased to provide funding for a large majority of the requests we received.

More than 53,000 SAIF policyholders across the state are eligible for funds. SAIF recommends employers submit applications as soon as possible, given how quickly the initial funding was exhausted. We don’t anticipate additional funding. Policyholders who previously applied do not need to apply again; applications are still being processed from the first round of funding.
More information, including the application, can be found here ([link removed]) .


** Update on Unemployment Benefits
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The Federal CARES Act allows payment of Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC), which is an additional benefit to help compensate for the economic disruption of the pandemic. The Oregon Employment Department has started issuing these payments to eligible individuals.

Oregonians who are already eligible for regular unemployment benefits and eligible for FPUC will receive two weekly payments: one for regular unemployment, and an additional $600 payment. Individuals will be receiving FPUC benefits using the same payment method as their regular benefits for the week. FPUC payments will be paid for each week someone is eligible from March 29, 2020 through the week ending July 25, 2020. The $600 payments will be retroactive for those eligible for payments.

Many constituents have contacted me because they are independent contractors who are newly eligible for unemployment benefits under Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) in the CARES Act. Frustratingly, it still remains unclear when the Oregon Employment Department will be able to start taking those applications. All states are waiting for more guidance from the U.S. Department of Labor. We do know, however, that PUA benefits will be retroactive to February 2, 2020.
If you are wondering if you qualify for financial relief provided by the CARES Act, you can look to the Oregon Employment Department’s COVID-19 page ([link removed]) or their CARES Act page ([link removed]) . Also, these graphics can help you navigate through the various paths and options. The first graphic shows where to apply and what path to follow, while the second graphic explains what benefits are available to various scenarios that folks might encounter.
Additionally, Governor Brown just today announced Oregon will waive the one-week waiting period normally required for unemployment benefits. This change in policy will take roughly 4000 hours of programming to update our employment systems. This is a developing change and I will be keeping you updated as I learn more. For now, you can read about this change here ([link removed]) .


** Up-to-date Statistics from the Oregon Health Authority
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You can get up-to-date statistics from the Oregon Health Authority. If you want to dig deeper into the data surrounding COVID-19, there is some great information available on the Oregon Health Authority’s COVID 19 website ([link removed]) . You can see case counts, testing data, breakdowns by geography, demographics, and hospitalization information. Under the first dropdown, “COVID-19 Cases in Oregon” there is a daily update with more information, linked just below the total test results.


** Economic Impact Payments
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The first Federal Economic Impact Payments were issued Saturday, and more deposits will come soon. However, if you did not file 2018 or 2019 taxes, you may not get your benefit. The IRS launched a new platform for people who do not normally file taxes to submit their information so they can get their benefit. Access the platform here ([link removed]) .
If you do not file taxes but receive Social Security retirement, disability (SSDI), or survivor benefits, the IRS already has your information and you will receive $1,200. You do not need to submit an application and you can read more about economic impact payments here ([link removed]) .


** Community Highlights
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Shoutout to the West Linn and Wilsonville High School Robotics Teams

This amazing group of students saw the need and filled the gap. I’m so proud of them, and other area robotics teams, for creating so many face shields for our first responders, healthcare professionals, and essential workers. These young leaders are ready to change the world with creative thinking. Read more here ([link removed]) .

Local Family Makes Face Shields

The Cha family of West Linn have created and shipped over 1000 face shields to healthcare workers. They can be ordered directly from this website ([link removed]) and they are free (a donation is kindly requested to cover the cost of the shield if the person can afford to do so)

Local Cake Business Ready To Take Your Order
One caller on my telephone town hall was Leslie Forester. Her question was not taken live due to time constraints but when I called her back we had an extensive conversation about COVID-19 testing and the importance of wearing masks in public. I learned about her cake business which has been hit hard and I asked if I could share her business in my newsletter. Here is her website. ([link removed])


** Ways to Help
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I know so many of us feel helpless during these uncertain times. One of the best ways I've found to combat those feelings is with kindness, and by helping others. Here are 10 great ways to look out for your fellow Oregonians ([link removed]) .


** Tuesday Town Halls

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We are planning weekly Tuesday Town Halls. Each one will have a theme. Examples include small business support, distance learning, healthcare, re-opening the economy, childcare, mental health and more. These will start in May. Please let us know what topic you would like to discuss or a guest you would like to hear from.

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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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