Covid-19 Response and Resources

Many of us in Ashland are concerned about the Covid-19 virus and wondering what we should be doing in our personal lives and what resources are available. I’m writing this post to share information and resources to help Ashland residents know what is being done, where to go with different questions, and how they can help our community meet this challenge.

Who does what?

As we navigate this situation, it’s important to remember that government is set up such that different tasks are handled at different levels. The federal level should be securing resources (including testing supplies) for states and communities, supporting scientific research on the virus, issuing recommendations for states and communities to follow, providing national updates, passing emergency legislation when necessary, and working with other countries to halt the spread of the virus.

At the state level, the focus is on bringing resources to bear on the situation – declaring a state level emergency allows our communities to access resources not available without that declaration. State health agencies focus on assisting counties and cities and are generally the pass-through mechanism for federal funding. The state can also provide resources for counties, cities, businesses, and individuals and pass emergency legislation.

At the local level, public health services are generally handled by the county in coordination with health care providers, like hospitals, clinics, and coordinated care organizations. This is the level where resources generally begin to reach the ground.

Also at the local level are municipalities, like Ashland. While cities generally do not have infrastructure or programs to provide public health services, there are definitely things cities can do depending on which utility systems the city controls and the nature of the emergency. Cities coordinate with counties and other partners during situations like this.

Moving Forward Together

The Covid-19 virus has brought with it anxiety for our own health and that of our loved ones. In difficult times like these, it is helpful to remember that our community has faced serious challenges before. If you were here during the New Year’s flood, you remember our community pulling together to make sure everyone was safe and had clean drinking water. We pulled together again when the recession hit in 2008, and again when faced with weeks of wildfire smoke over two consecutive summers.

We know how to do this.

We will navigate this challenge together, as a community, by being smart, by being careful, and by being kind.

We will stay informed about best practices so we know what we should be doing. We will take care to follow instructions regarding social distancing, hand washing, cleaning facilities, etc. And, we will look after our neighbors by checking in to make sure people have what they need and by resisting the urge to hoard supplies.

We will be as self-sufficient in our homes as we can be, while contributing to the Ashland Emergency Food Bank, Options for Helping Residents of Ashland, the United Way, and other organizations that help people who will need more assistance during this difficult time. We will patronize our local businesses using appropriate precautions.

And, we will be grateful for what we have. While it has been difficult to see plays, sporting events, conferences, and community events canceled, we realize that what we actually need at this moment is far more basic. Let’s focus our energy on each other and our community for the time being and work together to make sure everyone is safe and cared for during this difficult time.

Resources and Information

General Guidance:

·         wash hands often with soap and water or use a hand sanitizer

·         get comfortable with elbow bumping when greeting friends (rather than hand shaking)

·         avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands

·         avoid contact with people who are sick

·         stay home as much as possible, especially when you are sick

·         cover your mouth and nose with a tissue, sleeve, or face mask when coughing or sneezing

Elderly folks and those with underlying health conditions are most at-risk so be particularly careful to avoid any possible exposure to those people.

From the Centers for Disease Control

Information about Covid-19, including how to prevent exposure, what to do if you are sick, and how to protect your community, schools, and businesses is on the front page here: https://www.cdc.gov/

From Governor Kate Brown

Governor Kate Brown has declared a state-wide emergency that includes a ban on gatherings of over 250 people. Information about the emergency declaration, cases in the state, actions the state is taking, and guidance for employers, faith-based organizations, community groups, and treatment facilities are here: https://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/DISEASESCONDITIONS/DISEASESAZ/Pages/emerging-respiratory-infections.aspx

From Jackson County

Jackson County Public Health activated its incident management team on February 10, 2020, to focus our efforts on planning and responding to the novel coronavirus. Jackson County Public Health is following the CDC and Oregon Health Authority (OHA) guidelines and is monitoring people that have possibly been exposed to COVID-19 based on travel or known exposure. Jackson County Public Health is actively collaborating with the OHA, local EMS, and healthcare partners to ensure an effective and safe response should a person under monitoring develop symptoms.  There is also active collaboration occurring with schools and other businesses to assist with planning and responding to COVID-19.Jackson County’s Covid-19 information is here: https://jacksoncountyor.org/hhs/Public-Health/Public-Health-News-Information/novel-coronavirus-covid-19-2

From the City of Ashland

The City of Ashland is part of a large group of Southern Oregon cities, agencies, and health care professionals that are meeting regularly with Jackson County Public Health and the Oregon Health Authority to respond to COVID-19. Information about City responses can be found here: https://stories.opengov.com/ashlandor/published/9RBIqlFm9

To date, the City of Ashland has done the following:

·         Suspended all regular Commission meetings until staff can determine a mechanism for accommodating these meetings electronically while staying within the requirements of public meeting laws

·         Canceled the study session scheduled for March 16th

·         Instituted a daily cleaning program for the Community Development Building and City Hall – both will close to the public 15 minutes early (4:15 p.m. for Community Development Building and 4:45 p.m. for City Hall) to conduct a cleaning

·         Adjusted utility billing processes as follows:

o   Utility customers will not be charged late fees for past due balances through April 30.

o   Utility customers will not be disconnected for late or non-payment through April 30.

o   Bill payment plans will be extended beyond the three-month policy timeframe.

·         Adjusted the lodging and food and beverage tax due dates as follows:

o   The current due date for TOT (Lodging Tax) of April 25 will be extended to June 1.

o   The current due date for Food and Beverage Tax of April 30 will be extended to June 1.

The City recognizes that our residents and businesses may be affected in different ways. We encourage residents to contact the Utility Billing staff to develop custom payment plans during these unique and challenging circumstances: utilitybilling@ashland.or.us or 541.488.6004.

**The Ashland City Council will be discussing the developments of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) including how the City can help reduce its spread at its regularly scheduled Tuesday, March 17, Council Business meeting starting at 6 p.m.

From Ashland Parks and Recreation

Ashland Parks and Recreation has made information available here: http://www.ashland.or.us/news.asp?newsid=4582 and taken the following action:

·         Postponed the Rogue Valley Bike Swap originally scheduled for Saturday, April 4.

·         Canceled all non-essential activities for older adults at both Ashland Senior Center and The Grove. The Ashland Senior Center will remain open for phone calls and individual assistance.

·         The Food & Friends senior lunch program, administered by our partner the Rogue Valley Council of Governments, will continue to stage meals at the Center for their home delivery program, but there will be no congregate lunch. Instead, lunch participants may come to the Center, one at a time, to pick up a meal to take home.

·         The AARP Tax-aide program offered at The Grove is canceled as of Friday, March 13. Please call 1.888.227.7669 for information on other tax-aide options in Southern Oregon.

·         All non-essential public meetings will be suspended for four weeks.

·         For APRC programs that are not canceled, we are following the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and suggesting that participants, instructors and volunteers practice social distancing and stay six (6) feet away from others, avoid hand shaking, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or sleeve when coughing or sneezing, and please do not attend if you are sick. 

From the Chamber of Commerce

The Ashland Chamber of Commerce met with city and community partners to discuss this issue in depth. An Emergency Preparedness team will meet to work on possible scenarios and plan responses. Chamber staff is compiling federal, state, and local resources to help guide local businesses through these challenges. Information about the Chamber’s ongoing response efforts and assistance available to support small businesses that may be unduly impacted and face financial hardship is here: http://www.ashlandchamber.com/Page.asp?NavID=1455

From the Ashland School District

A message from Superintendent Kelly Raymond is here: http://ashland.k12.or.us/news.asp?newsID=2996

In addition to canceling classes next week, the school district made the following announcements:

• Due to a previously scheduled inservice day on Monday, March 16, the Ashland School District will be serving breakfasts and lunches Tuesday through Friday, March 17-20. We are still working on the details and will follow up with more information in the next couple of days.

• Based on guidance issued this morning by Governor Brown, the Ashland School District is canceling all nonessential after-school activities, effective March 13 through April 8. We are awaiting information as to whether this guidance includes OSAA sports. We will provide updates as we receive them.

From the United Way

United Way of Jackson County is setting up a COVID19 response fund. Deposits can be made at any First Interstate Bank beginning Monday.  Checks can be mailed to United Way, 60 Hawthorne St., Medford, OR  97504. Also, credit cards can be called in or giving online is possible. We will distribute 100% of the funds raised to help agencies delivering more basic needs and help individuals impacted through increased childcare or work stoppages related to COVID19.  We will prioritize first responders and medical staff for the childcare expenses. 

Ashland Emergency Food Bank

The need for food donations is expected to rise in the near future because of the Covid-109 virus so the Ashland Emergency Food Bank also needs our support. Make a donation here: https://ashlandefb.org/donations/

Options for Helping Residents of Ashland

In addition to operating the overnight shelter, Options for Helping Residents of Ashland runs the Resource Center, which connects people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless with needed services. One of the things they do is help people avoid becoming homeless by helping them avoid evictions. These services are expected to be in even higher demand in the near future, so contributions to OHRA can help address that demand for Ashland residents. To make a donation, go online here: https://helpingashland.org/donate/, mail a check to OHRA     P. O. Box 1133 Ashland, OR 97520, or call 541.631.2235.

Thank you for all you are doing to help our community navigate this challenge. As always, if you have thoughts or questions regarding this post, feel free to reach out to me via email at tonya@council.ashland.or.us.

Take good care.

Tonya