Dear Family and Friends, 

When the pandemic changed our lives back in March, we all hoped that by this point in the year, things would be somewhat back to normal. Instead, we’re at the most dangerous point of the pandemic, both here in Oregon and throughout the United States meaning this will be a holiday season like no other. 

We are now averaging more than 1,000 cases per day, as The Oregonian reports here. Unfortunately, we all need to reconsider the holiday gatherings we planned and hoped for. I don’t want to minimize how hard it is to give up a holiday, especially after a very tough year, but this is not the time to gather in the same room with a group of friends and family. There are some great suggestions out there for how to make this time special for kids in your household or your family over Zoom. Additionally, the Oregonian created a list of Portland area restaurants offering takeout meal kits and Thanksgiving meals to-go for 2020: Thanksgiving canceled? These Portland restaurants are serving turkey dinners to-go

Many of us are feeling anger, frustration, sadness and disappointment about the repeated requests from public officials to limit our social gatherings. This is hard on everyone. I too feel the impact of this continued pandemic and last week experienced a day of tears.  

I cried for those dying alone, for those struggling with distance learning, for those worried about their livelihoods.

I cried because I, like so many of you, deeply miss meeting friends to share successes and disappointments and problem solve together as we break bread and share wine at our favorite local spots.

I cried for the lost visit with my family this year to check in on my brother going through a divorce, my brother who battles addiction, my three nephews, one with autism, and my aging parents.

I cried because this year I’ve watched my oldest dog lose all her abilities and will soon cross the rainbow bridge.

I cried because every week for 8 months I’ve watched my senior patients suffer from isolation as I care for them and their families who can't visit them.

I cried for our exhausted healthcare workers caring for the sick everyday during this pandemic.

I cried because I miss hugging. I miss hugging my patients, my colleagues, my friends and family and sometimes people met for the first time after a heartfelt meeting.

I cried because I miss seeing my healthcare team at our weekly meetings where we support each other in caring for the most complex patients at the end of their lives. Instead we quickly cross paths wearing masks when we go in to have our weekly COVID test and grab our PPE. Our team chaplin has even been forced to host two of our quarterly patient memorials virtually because even our grief can't be shared in our typical comforting ways.

I cried for myself and fellow legislators who are working around the clock -- but I still feel like there is more we could be doing for those struggling.

I cried for legislative staff who are hearing stories of struggle and desperation and who continue working around the clock to help our struggling community members.

I cried because we still have some leaders defying the plea for limiting social gatherings and putting others at risk. They do not understand the honor in caring for our community.

Because of all of these reasons and more, I cried. I share this because I know many people are struggling with isolation and sadness. We will get through this and we will once again meet up to break bread and look in each other's eyes and see one another's smile. Until then please be safe and enjoy your holiday safely.

A Healthy Economy Requires Healthy People

 I know communities are fatigued and frustrated with our current isolation policies as well as the recent 2-week freeze. As a state representative I’m incredibly concerned for my community and its ability to survive these times. Hospitals are nearing capacity because we don’t have enough workers. Staying home is how we band together for the health of our workers and businesses everywhere. Here is an opinion piece I wrote along with a few legislator colleagues who are also frontline healthcare workers.

Your Community Needs You Now

We aspire to charity during holidays and we will need it more than ever this year. While many families are preparing for a Thanksgiving feast, others are struggling just to get through another day. If you are someone who has the resources to give, here are the two food pantries serving our community who need help now:

• Tualatin Food Pantry 

• West Linn Food Pantry 

Support our local small businesses. Businesses are struggling right now. We are so lucky to have the small businesses that are an integral part of the distinctive character of our community. Where we shop, where we eat and have fun — all of it makes our community home. I have been ordering take out and filling our growlers several times a week and I'm sure many of you are doing similar things to support our community.  Here are a few resources to find some local small businesses, but if you have your favorites, support them. 

• Tualatin Chamber’s Shop Local Page 

• Historic Willamette Business Directory 

• West Linn To Go Restaurant Page  

• Travel Oregon’s Give the Gift of Oregon Page
   

Hospital Briefing: A Dark Winter

Legislators had a briefing this week with representatives of hospitals around the state to learn more about the shortages in treatment beds as a result of the current COVID surge. Unlike the challenges hospitals faced in the spring—which mainly had to do with a shortage of equipment and PPE—the challenge now is a growing lack of available staff. In the spring, it was possible to count on the ability of medical professionals to come in from other states where the disease had not yet hit, we are now facing the challenge of COVID hitting everywhere at once. It is now very difficult to get nurses and doctors from other states to come here when they’re needed in states with much worse case rates. 

Hospitals are also losing staff as a result of COVID. We heard from the Head of Nursing at OHSU that they were missing 80 nurses on that particular day as a result of COVID-related issues, either the result of positive COVID tests or the need to quarantine as a result of close contact.  In addition, their overall nursing levels are down because of a high number of nurses resigning for family reasons.

Here in the Metro region, hospitals are particularly stretched because they are receiving the most serious illnesses from other parts of the state and are devoting their most technical equipment to those patients.  We have an adequate number of ventilators, for example, but not enough workers who are trained to use them.

As a result of these challenges, and the record surge we’re experiencing, we are facing what the hospital leaders referred to as a “dark winter.”

Their repeated request—echoed by rural as well as urban hospital leaders—was that we encourage our constituents to help solve this problem by wearing face coverings and staying at home as much as possible. They believe the actions Oregonians take over the next couple of weeks will make a difference in preventing the worst from happening.

In the meantime, some hospitals are beginning to postpone elective procedures and doing what they can to clear beds out to make them available for COVID patients.

Yesterday hospitalizations hit another record high (474) and yesterday the Oregon Health Authority recorded a record-high 21 deaths which brings our total deaths to 847. Our family, our friends and our dedicated health care workers all need our support now – and that starts by being safe this holiday weekend.

Funding For Businesses and Child Care Providers 

The legislature approved additional funding for businesses and child care providers during the last meeting of the emergency board. The grants go live, November 25th.  The last round of grants, funded through Business Oregon, ran out of funding 20 minutes after opening. The need is great and the resources are limited, so please apply immediately if you are eligible. 

To apply for these grants click here.  

For additional information click here.

Health Insurance On The Exchange Open Enrollment

If you or a loved one purchase your own health insurance on the exchange, open enrollment began this week. The enrollment period ends on December 15th; meaning you must buy or change your health insurance before December 15th. 

To make sure your current plan still works for you, visit HealthCare.gov before December 15th to compare plans, check your eligibility and purchase coverage. You can also visit OregonHealthCare.gov or call 855-268-3767 for questions about plans. 

Additionally, you may also be eligible for assistance in paying your monthly premiums. In the past year 8 out of 10 people qualified for financial assistance to make their monthly premiums more affordable. 

It is a good idea to consult an agent before making your final choices. Excellent resources can be found at LocalHelp.HealthCare.gov.