IMPORTANT RESOURCES REGARDING COVID-19
June 30 , 2020
State of Oregon

Oregon Health Authority - Weekly Report from June 24

Newest modeling suggests considerable rise in COVID-19 transmission. Read more.


Senator Jeff Merkley



Leading the push to take further action on coronavirus relief.
After more than a month of inaction since the U.S. House of Representatives passed major legislation to address the ongoing health and economic crisis caused by the coronavirus, Senator Merkley led a group of 19 senators urging Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to bring the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solution (HEROES) Act to the Senate floor for a debate and vote. This was shortly after the Senator urged Congressional leadership to ensure that any upcoming coronavirus relief bill includes strong provisions to expand access to quality and affordable health care coverage in the wake of this public health crisis by increasing the federal government’s share of Medicaid dollars, as well as reduce premiums, for individuals who are eligible for covered in the ACA exchanges.

Calling for more action to support Dreamers.
Senator Merkley and Senator Wyden called for a Senate vote on the bipartisan house-passed Dream and Promise Act, which would establish a path to citizenship for Dreamers and immigrants with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) or Deferred Enforced Departure (DED). The Senators emphasized that it would be un-American to deport the 200,000 DACA recipients working in occupational areas classified by the Trump administration as “essential” in the midst of the COVID-pandemic and urged action on the legislation. This followed the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down President Trump’s attempt to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) program.

Standing up for farmworkers.
Senator Merkley led the introduction of the Frontline At-Risk Manual (FARM) Laborers Protection Act, groundbreaking legislation that establishes critical protection, including 10 days of paid leave and hazard pay, for America’s agricultural workers. 

Advocating for students and equity in education.
Senator Merkley and Senator Wyden said that Congress and the Trump administration must provide at least $175 billion in additional federal funding to help K-12 students in Oregon and nationwide safely return to the classroom this fall. This was following Senator Merkley’s work to address educational disparities in tribal schools amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Continuing the fight for LGBTQ equality.
Senator Merkley and Senator Wyden joined the Democratic caucus in introducing a Senate resolution recognizing June as LGBTQ Pride month, and recognizing how the COVID-19 pandemic compounds the systemic inequality that LGBTQ people face in the healthcare, employment, and housing systems in the United States. This resolution followed the Senator’s work to push to bring the Equality Act to a vote to extend protections for LGBTQ Americans to include housing, education, and public accommodations.
Local Updates
Douglas County COVID-19 Response Team - Daily Updates
Resources for All
OSHA | Reminder: Complaints about non-compliant businesses can be directed here.

Oregon Housing and Community Services | State distributes $70 million in COVID-19 rental relief and energy assistance. Read more.

State of Oregon | State of Oregon announces telehealth agreement for health insurance plans. Read more.

Oregon Office of Economic Analysis
How strong is the economy? The Oregon Office of Economic Analysis examines how jobs are up nationally in Oregon, while unemployment is down at the same time. The latest blog looks at new research trying to get at the temporary vs permanent impacts of the pandemic. Read the blog post.

Resources for Businesses/Non-Profits
UCC Small Business Development Center | Free Webinar on Thursday, July 2 at 12:00 p.m. - Get Your PPP (and PPP tax/accounting) Questions Answered by Our Experts


Community Outreach Partner Program | A new resource guide to help ensure farmworker protection during the pandemic.
Previously Shared Resources
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