Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) beneficiaries can now use their EBT cards to purchase groceries from online retailers Amazon and Walmart due to a rapid adoption after a pilot program and COVID-19.
“We appreciate the accommodations that many retailers have made to support individuals at high risk of serious health consequences from COVID-19,” said Mike McCormick, interim director of the DHS Office of Aging and People with Disabilities. “Anything we can do to help Oregonians access necessities and limit their potential exposure to illness, is absolutely crucial at this time.”
Oregon has been part of a pilot program that allows SNAP recipients the opportunity to purchase groceries online. In March, the Department of Human Services (DHS) gave access to online purchasing in Portland and Grants Pass for Walmart and Amazon. Due to the COVID-19 crisis, both retailers moved up their expansion dates to help those who have difficulty or are unable to get to a store.
DHS officials said purchasing groceries online supports social distancing and is necessary to slow the spread of the virus.
If your work hours are reduced or you lose your job, you may become eligible for SNAP if you meet eligibility requirements. You can apply for SNAP benefits without visiting an office.
Samaritan Health Services put out a request on March 19 to the communities it serves for donations of personal protective equipment. Facemasks and other items were requested as health care facilities grapple with an international supply-chain shortage as a result of COVID-19 response.
Instantly Samaritan received phone calls, emails and responses via social media from people eager to help.
“The response has been remarkable,” said Taylor Gilmour, assistant vice president of Samaritan Foundations. “It is clear that we are surrounded by a caring community who wants to ensure the health and safety of health care professionals and patients and for that we are thankful. We have received donations from individuals and local businesses, including Hewlett-Packard and the Lowe’s and Target distribution centers.”
Samaritan’s original request was for facemasks of all kinds, including but not limited to N95 masks, disposable gowns and gloves, eye protection, swabs and viral transport tubes, and 70% or greater isopropyl alcohol. After four donation drop-off sessions, eight pallets of PPE items were collected and the need for gloves has been fully met.
“While we received donations of commercially-produced facemasks, we also received a lot of homemade masks,” Gilmour said. “The craft of sewing is alive and strong in Benton, Linn and Lincoln counties.”
In settings where facemasks are not available, the CDC does allow for health care professionals to use homemade masks for care of patients with COVID-19 as a last resort. Samaritan’s strategy is to use standard PPE first as it offers the best protection for health care professionals, especially those treating patients with COVID-19. Homemade masks will be used if standard PPE supplies are depleted or will be used in care settings not requiring as stringent PPE use to free up available supplies in COVID-19 treatment areas.
“All donations collected from the community will now be sanitized or sterilized before being circulated in patient care areas,” said Karen Keuneke, infection prevention supervisor at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center.
At the conclusion of Samaritan’s supply drive, the counties of Benton, Lincoln and Linn announced plans to host supply drives, which they will then distribute to organizations in need throughout each county. To learn more, visit co.benton.or.us/coronavirus and co.lincoln.or.us/covid. Linn County’s drive information with be forthcoming.
Anyone still wanting to make fabric masks, please refer to the following instruction video from EasyToSew on YouTube for the now preferred pattern that includes a filter pocket. Samaritan encourages community members to support their county’s efforts.
Oregon Health Authority held a webinar Thursday, March 26 outlining the Governor’s Joint Task Force for Health Care Systems Response to COVID-19 action plan and addressed problems that could be presented by a COVID-19 surge.
A PowerPoint presentation showed COVID-19 projections and steps being taken to prepare for a possible “coming surge” that is expected by state medical professionals.
Oregon Health Authority’s Dr. Dean Sidelinger covered the latest projections for Oregon. He said COVID-19 cases being seen now is the “tip of the iceberg” and showed projections of what could happen in the future based on action taken now.
IBM and OHSU worked with Oregon to provide the models shown in the presentation.
“We all need to work together to stay home and save lives,” Sidelinger said. “We can’t afford to drop our guard.”
Health officials repeated they are expecting a COVID-19 surge and said medical supplies, personal protective equipment (PPE) and testing kits were “already constrained” and “negatively impacting the healthcare system’s ability to respond to this crisis.”
Oregon Health Authority’s Dr. Dana Hargunani said hospitals were preparing for the surge using guidance from the joint task force action plan. She said hospitals could be overwhelmed by this crisis and medical supplies and PPE could become even more scarce.
Hargunani said donations of PPE supplies are coming in and is working to secure additional supplies. She said PPE is being collected at the Emergency Coordinating Center in Salem and 500,000 surgical masks are on the way.
“Hospital leaders and health officials are doing their part to find beds, secure supplies and protect health care workers,” she said. “Oregonians continue make the difference to stay home and save lives.”
Oregon Association of Hospitals and Health Systems CEO Becky Hultberg said hospitals are adding beds, managing critical supplies, building staffing models, deferring elective procedures and converting existing beds to ICU beds.
“Hospitals are going to extraordinary measures to prepare for the coming surge,” Hultberg said. “We are committed to working with the State and local partners to implement the task force’s recommendations. This was necessary and essential work that will shape how we will collaborate statewide.”
Hultberg thanked state partners and member hospitals and called this an “unprecedented time” and said, “Staying home is the best way to protect yourself and your family and also to protect the caregivers who are out on the front lines.”
Action Plan objectives:
1. Procure & distribute critical medical supplies
Necessary for the health care system’s response to the surge of COVID-19 cases including personal protective equipment and ventilators.
2. Optimize hospital capacity
To prepare for the expected surge of COVID-19 patients requiring hospital level of care, including the management of admissions and discharges and the development of alternative hospital care sites.
3. Mobilize necessary healthcare workforce
To respond to the expected surge of COVID-19 patients.
4. Maintain transparency and coordination
To ensure a unified COVID-19 emergency response across Oregon.
Pharmacies in Lincoln City are doing things differently due to COVID-19 and have implemented new measures to keep people who need medications safe.
Curbside pickup and delivery options are available and prescriptions can even be mailed directly to patients.
“We’re doing everything we can to get medications to people and keep them safe,” Safeway Staff Pharmacist Harrison Wood said. “It’s working pretty well, this is all new to us so it’s a learning curve for both us and the patients.”
Safeway’s pharmacy is delivering medications in a 10 miles radius from its store and offers curbside pickup and will bring out medication to people in their parking lot. Customers will still benefit from pharmacist council if they receive medications by mail via the United States Post Office. Those people will get counsel by phone. Medications requiring refrigeration can’t be mailed.
Safeway has established early hours for seniors and immunocompromised individuals on Tuesday and Thursday from 7-9 a.m.
Rite-Aid’s pharmacy said it is not currently mailing prescriptions, but is doing curbside pickup upon customer request. Those wishing to have their medications brought out to the car can call ahead. This service is dependent on staffing and should be available around midday.
(Photo by Google Maps)
Walgreens is advising its customers to use their drive-thru and has some grocery items available to purchase while picking up prescriptions. Those wanting groceries will need to call ahead to arrange pickup. Mail delivery is available through their website and mobile apps. Walgreens staff said they saw an increase in the number of cars at its drive-thru initially, but have seen a drop off as “people are taking the COVID-19 threat seriously.”
Bi-Mart‘s corporate office said they have noticed an increase in people making sure they are staying up on medications, which has caused higher demand and caused some prescriptions to be delayed by “a day or so” as manufacturers ramp up production to meet demand. Some drugs are being doled out in smaller quantities in an effort to get everyone who needs certain medications some of the supply. Bi-Mart has a walk-up window and has beefed up social spacing and sanitizing protocols.
“It might take a little longer to get refills and everybody needs to be patient,” Wood said. “We’ll get through this.”
Keeping your home online workplace secure during the COVID-19 outbreak:
While working from home can – and hopefully will – help slow the spread of the coronavirus, it brings new challenges: juggling work while kids are home from school; learning new software and collaboration programs; and managing paper files at home. As you’re getting your work-at-home systems set up, here are some tips for protecting your devices and personal information.
Start with- cybersecurity basics like Do Not Click! Keep your security software up to date. Use passwords on all your devices and apps. Make sure the passwords are long, strong and unique: at least 12 characters that are a mix of numbers, symbols and capital and lowercase letters.
Secure your home network- Start with your router. Turn on encryption (WPA2 or WPA3). Encryption scrambles information sent over your network so outsiders can’t read it. WPA2 and WPA3 are the most up-to-date encryption standards to protect information sent over a wireless network. No WPA3 or WPA2 options on your router? Try updating your router software, then check again to see if WPA2 or WPA3 are available. If not, consider replacing your router. For more guidance, read Securing Your Wireless Network and Secure Remote Access.
Keep an eye on your laptop and cell phone- If you’re using a laptop or a cell phone to work, make sure it is password-protected, locked and secure. Never leave it unattended – like in a vehicle or at a public charging station.
Securely store sensitive files- When there’s a legitimate business need to transfer confidential information from office to home, keep it out of sight and under lock and key. If you don’t have a file cabinet at home, use a locked room.
Dispose of sensitive data securely- Don’t just throw it in the trash or recycling bin. Shred it with a micro-cut shredder. Paperwork you no longer need can be a treasure to identity thieves if it includes personal information about customers or employees.
Follow your employer’s security practices- Your home is now an extension of your office. So, follow the protocols that your employer has implemented.
Want to learn more? Read our previous alerts on COVID-19 and learn how to file a complaint about price gouging by calling our new price gouging hotline at 503-378-8442.
Due to the nationwide shortage in Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) supplies, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office – Emergency Management is coordinating PPE donations.
We are asking local and regional businesses and non-health care industries, including construction, dental, veterinary, manufacturing, breweries, mining, logging, fisheries etc. to donate their PPE.
Items that can be accepted include:
Masks (N95, surgical, and procedural)
Face Shields (medical)
Gowns – Disposable
Gloves – Exam Type
Eye Protection (goggles and eye shields)
Donated PPE must be:
Unused
Original packaging is preferred but not required
Expired is okay
PPE Donation Sites in Lincoln County:
North County – North Lincoln Fire and Rescue
Bob Everest Station, 2525 NW Hwy 101, Lincoln City, OR
Drop off-times: 9:00am – 3pm, Monday – Friday
Central County – Newport Fire Department
245 NW 10th Street, Newport, OR
Drop off-times: 9:00am – 3pm, Monday – Friday
East County – Toledo Fire Department
285 NE Burgess Road, Toledo, OR
Drop off times: 9:00am – 3pm, Monday – Friday
South County – Central Oregon Coast Fire and Rescue
145 NW Alsea Hwy, Waldport, OR 97394
Drop off times: 9:00am – 3pm, Monday – Friday
Additional Information:
All donated supplies will be redistributed to our most vulnerable healthcare partners in need of supplies.
You will receive a donation letter you can use for a tax deduction.
If you require PPE for your own personal healthcare, please save those supplies for your use.
COVID-19 has claimed 2 more lives in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll from 8 to 10, the Oregon Health Authority reported at 8:00 a.m. today.
Oregon Health Authority also reported 57 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the state total to 266, as of 8:00 a.m. today. The COVID-19 cases reported today are in the following counties: Benton (2), Clackamas (4), Douglas (2), Jackson (1), Josephine (1), Lane (1), Lincoln (1), Linn (5), Marion (11), Multnomah (8), Washington (20), Yamhill (1). Oregon Health Authority reports new cases once a day on its website: www.healthoregon.org/coronavirus.
Oregon’s ninth COVID-19 death is an 80-year-old woman in Clackamas County, who tested positive on 3/23/20, and died 3/24/2020 at Legacy Mt. Hood Medical Center. She had underlying medical conditions.
Oregon’s tenth COVID-19 death is a 73-year-old woman in Marion County, who tested positive on 3/22/20, and died 3/23/20 at Salem Hospital. She had underlying medical conditions.
Stay informed about COVID-19:
Oregon response: The Oregon Health Authority and Oregon Office of Emergency Management lead the state response.
United States response: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention leads the U.S. response.
Global response: The World Health Organization guides the global response.
The Oregon Health Authority today announced Lincoln County’s first presumptive positive case of COVID-19. The new case brings Oregon’s total to 209 cases.
Lincoln County is in close coordination with Oregon Health Authority (OHA) about these cases. Test results are now coming from multiple laboratories and are delivered electronically to providers, counties, and OHA throughout the day. As a result, some counties may release county data sooner than it is reported on the Oregon Health Authority website. healthoregon.org/coronavirus.
The person is over the age of 55 and is hospitalized outside of Lincoln County. The individual had no known contact with a confirmed case, and had not traveled from a country where the virus is circulating, so the case is being investigated as a community-acquired case.
This case is unique because the patient is a resident of Lincoln County, however they became symptomatic while outside of the county and have not returned to Lincoln County prior to their hospitalization.
“I can only imagine the concern among the family and friends of this person. My concerns and positive thoughts go out to the patient and their family; may they have a speedy recovery.” said David Long, M.D., Health Officer for Lincoln County. “The Public Health system as well as Samaritan Health Services are on high alert and geared up to care for all patients who are affected by the Coronavirus. I’m asking you, as my neighbors and as my community, to keep this individual and their loved ones in your thoughts. let us all do what we can to keep our health system strong and minimize the number of other people who must go through this.”
Health officials continue to urge all Oregonians to take steps to protect those who are most vulnerable to complications from COVID-19.
Those considered “high risk” include adults 60 and older, or anyone with a serious health condition, including lung or heart problems, kidney disease, or diabetes, or anyone who has a suppressed immune system.
People vulnerable to complications should follow federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations to stay home as much as possible and avoid gatherings.
Every community member should take these basic steps to protect those most at risk:
Never visit a hospital or long-term-care facility if you have a fever or cough.
Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Regularly clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces like bathrooms, desks, countertops, doorknobs, computer keyboards, faucet handles, toys and cell phones.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
Stay home and away from others if you are ill.
The COVID-19 virus spreads like the flu, when someone who is sick coughs or sneezes close to another person (close means about six feet).
After someone contracts COVID-19, illness usually develops within 14 days. Symptoms include fever and cough or difficult breathing.
As testing capacity increases — with Labcorp and Quest Diagnostics online, and clinical laboratories at some Oregon hospitals expected to begin testing by next week — officials expect the number of people who test positive with COVID-19 to rise.
“We are not talking anymore about stopping the spread of this virus,” Dr. Long said. “Without a vaccine and without medicine, our best bet as a community is to slow the spread so those who do get seriously ill can get the care they need from our health system.”
Stay informed
Regional response: Lincoln County updates its site with COVID-19 news and guidance. Oregon response: The Oregon Health Authority leads the state response. United States response: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention leads the U.S. response. Global Response: The World Health Organization guides the global response.
In support of the stay-at-home directive ordered by the state of Oregon, Pacific Power will maintain reliable power to all customers during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
The company will also continue to suspend late payment fees and disconnections for non-payment, as previously announced.
Under Gov. Kate Brown’s order issued Monday, March 23, 2020, utility company employees, along with other essential critical infrastructure workers, are exempted from the stay-at-home order while performing job duties. Employees have been informed of this and will carry their ID badges and any other documentation provided by the company at all times. In most cases, they will be in company branded vehicles and wearing company safety gear.
Crews will be at work ensuring that power interruptions are minimized during this time where uncertainty is high and most people are housebound. This is always the company’s top priority, but at this time crews will limit work to upgrades involving wildfire protection, projects critical to delivering power to customers, compliance obligations and outage response. Some of this work may require short-term power outages to complete work safely.
While these crews will be our most visible employees, they are not alone in serving you during this time of crisis. They are backed up by thousands of employees who are working in the six western states served by Pacific Power and its sister utility, Rocky Mountain Power, based in Salt Lake City. We are running power plants, managing grid operations and talking to customers.
If you have questions about your electric service or your account, call us 24/7 at 888-221-7070.
We are here for you
Pacific Power plans for emergencies such as the pandemic we are now experiencing. We have contingency plans for possible interruptions to supply chains for an extended period of time. Our business continuity and pandemic plans have been developed over decades and refined during regular drills. They are designed to protect our customers and employees and to ensure energy operations and infrastructure are supported properly. These measures will help us continue to provide safe and reliable electricity throughout even a prolonged emergency.
An invaluable tool for Pacific Power’s business continuity involves our ability under emergency conditions to maintain continuous service by transferring local control center and customer care responsibilities from our Portland-based teams to PacifiCorp’s Utah-based teams, or vice versa. Last week we fully exercised this capability that we routinely drill. Moments after a 5.7 magnitude earthquake occurred near Salt Lake City and our facilities in Utah were evacuated, we transferred temporary full control from our Salt Lake City-based control center and customer care center to our Portland-based control center and customer care center until our facilities in Utah were restored.
As part of PacifiCorp, Pacific Power has a broad geographic footprint that serves nearly 2 million customers in six states, operates the largest grid in the West that crosses ten states and coordinates with neighboring utilities and grid operators to plan for, prepare, and respond to all hazards that could potentially impact the energy grid—including a pandemic—with our partners in government at the local, state and federal levels. We are also following the recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and coordinating with state and local emergency management leaders.
We are dedicated to serving you in this crisis and know that working together we will get through this uncertain time.
