Clackamas County Risk Category Downgraded
February 10, 2021
Governor Kate Brown announced yesterday that Clackamas County is being downgraded from "extreme" risk to "high" risk, effective this Friday, February 12. Click here to see what activities are allowed, with health protocols in place.
New Options Available to Help Find Vaccine Information
Approximately 168,000 adults age 80 and older are now eligible to get a COVID-19 vaccination. While this is a welcome increase in vaccine eligibility for one of our most vulnerable communities, it is important to note that there is still not enough vaccine supply for everyone.
Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has piloted and launched a new tool to provide older adults information about COVID-19 vaccinations. The “Get Vaccinated Oregon” tool is in addition to other methods that are already available to help people in Oregon get connected to vaccines. With the new tool, older adults in Oregon have four primary ways to get linked to local vaccine information:
- Get Vaccinated Oregon is an eligibility and notification tool developed by Google, in partnership with the state of Oregon. You can find it at covidvaccine.oregon.gov or getvaccinated.oregon.gov. Users can answer basic questions to learn if they are eligible and get linked to information about vaccinations in their counties. Users can sign up for alerts to get notified about vaccination events or find out when they may become eligible.
- Vaccine Information chat bot on the covidvaccine.oregon.gov website allows anyone to find out if they’re eligible for a vaccine in Oregon or get answers to other questions about vaccines. The Vaccine Information chat bot also enables vaccine-eligible users who live in Clackamas, Columbia, Marion, Multnomah or Washington counties to schedule vaccine appointments through scheduling tools hosted by local health care providers. OHA developed and offered this scheduling feature in direct response to requests from health care providers in the region. The friendly Vaccine Information chat bot tool is an orange box that appears whenever a user accesses the covidvaccine.oregon.gov website.
- 211: You can also text ORCOVID to 898211 to get text/SMS updates about vaccination clinics (this option is available in English and Spanish only) or email ORCOVID@211info.org. If you can’t get your COVID-19 vaccine question answered on the website, by text or by email, you can call 211 or 1-866-698-6155, which is open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, including holidays. Please be aware that wait times may be long due to high call volumes. As Governor Brown announced on Friday, the Oregon National Guard will help 211 answer phone calls, starting by the end of today.
- Licensed senior facilities: Residents and staff at most licensed facilities for older adults and people with disabilities are receiving on-site vaccinations through pharmacies enrolled in federal vaccination programs. Residents (or family members) can ask their facility operator when their residence is scheduled for a vaccination clinic.
Grief and mental health support resources
If you are experiencing loss, know that you aren't alone. Local mental and emotional health resources for support can be found on OHA's Safe + Strong website, including peer support, community-based resources and crisis lines. You can also call the Safe + Strong Helpline at 1-800-923-HELP (4357). Callers can get free, 24-7 emotional support and resource referral to anyone who needs it. If you are grieving, or supporting someone who is, these resources may bring you some comfort:
If you are experiencing loss, know that you aren't alone. Local mental and emotional health resources for support can be found on OHA's Safe + Strong website, including peer support, community-based resources and crisis lines. You can also call the Safe + Strong Helpline at 1-800-923-HELP (4357). Callers can get free, 24-7 emotional support and resource referral to anyone who needs it. If you are grieving, or supporting someone who is, these resources may bring you some comfort:
- The Dougy Center has information on supporting grieving children and teens during the COVID-19 crisis as well as a resource page for family and friends.
- The COVID Grief Network provides connection for young adults grieving the illness or death of someone close.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offer suggestions on grief and loss during the pandemic.
- Refuge in Grief author Megan Devine has pages devoted to grievers and their helpers.
Stay Safe This Valentine's Day
As with any holiday during the pandemic, it's going to look a bit different this year. Here are some tips to keep in mind. If you're going on a date with someone new, keep it outdoors, maintain six feet of distance from one another and wear a mask. This way, you'll greatly reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 to one another. Or, keep it virtual and chat over video.
As with any holiday during the pandemic, it's going to look a bit different this year. Here are some tips to keep in mind. If you're going on a date with someone new, keep it outdoors, maintain six feet of distance from one another and wear a mask. This way, you'll greatly reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 to one another. Or, keep it virtual and chat over video.
If you're going on a date with your significant other, keep others safe by wearing your mask and keeping six feet of distance from people outside of your party. If you're looking for things to do:
- Consider having a picnic at a local park. Here's 51 Easy Picnic Food Ideas to get started.
- Go on a bike ride together.
- Check out some hiking in the great Oregon outdoors. Oregon Hikers maintains a comprehensive guide to the best trails available in Oregon.
- Take a stroll through a nearby botanical garden.
- Get a bite to eat at a local restaurant with outdoor seating or pick up take-out. Learn more about What to Expect at Oregon Restaurants During COVID-19.
- Keep it virtual and play a Zoom-friendly game. Here are 11 you can try out.
- For general information on going out during the pandemic, visit Travel Oregon's webpage.
The CDC also has these suggestions:
- Make Valentine cards or decorations and drop them off to loved ones.
- Celebrate with loved ones virtually.
- Prepare a special meal or dessert.
New Options Available to Help Find Vaccine Information
Approximately 168,000 adults age 80 and older are now eligible to get a COVID-19 vaccination. While this is a welcome increase in vaccine eligibility for one of our most vulnerable communities, it is important to note that there is still not enough vaccine supply for everyone.
Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has piloted and launched a new tool to provide older adults information about COVID-19 vaccinations. The “Get Vaccinated Oregon” tool is in addition to other methods that are already available to help people in Oregon get connected to vaccines. With the new tool, older adults in Oregon have four primary ways to get linked to local vaccine information:
- Get Vaccinated Oregon is an eligibility and notification tool developed by Google, in partnership with the state of Oregon. You can find it at covidvaccine.oregon.gov or getvaccinated.oregon.gov. Users can answer basic questions to learn if they are eligible and get linked to information about vaccinations in their counties. Users can sign up for alerts to get notified about vaccination events or find out when they may become eligible.
- Vaccine Information chat bot on the covidvaccine.oregon.gov website allows anyone to find out if they’re eligible for a vaccine in Oregon or get answers to other questions about vaccines. The Vaccine Information chat bot also enables vaccine-eligible users who live in Clackamas, Columbia, Marion, Multnomah or Washington counties to schedule vaccine appointments through scheduling tools hosted by local health care providers. OHA developed and offered this scheduling feature in direct response to requests from health care providers in the region. The friendly Vaccine Information chat bot tool is an orange box that appears whenever a user accesses the covidvaccine.oregon.gov website.
- 211: You can also text ORCOVID to 898211 to get text/SMS updates about vaccination clinics (this option is available in English and Spanish only) or email ORCOVID@211info.org. If you can’t get your COVID-19 vaccine question answered on the website, by text or by email, you can call 211 or 1-866-698-6155, which is open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, including holidays. Please be aware that wait times may be long due to high call volumes. As Governor Brown announced on Friday, the Oregon National Guard will help 211 answer phone calls, starting by the end of today.
- Licensed senior facilities: Residents and staff at most licensed facilities for older adults and people with disabilities are receiving on-site vaccinations through pharmacies enrolled in federal vaccination programs. Residents (or family members) can ask their facility operator when their residence is scheduled for a vaccination clinic.
Grief and mental health support resources
If you are experiencing loss, know that you aren't alone. Local mental and emotional health resources for support can be found on OHA's Safe + Strong website, including peer support, community-based resources and crisis lines. You can also call the Safe + Strong Helpline at 1-800-923-HELP (4357). Callers can get free, 24-7 emotional support and resource referral to anyone who needs it. If you are grieving, or supporting someone who is, these resources may bring you some comfort:
If you are experiencing loss, know that you aren't alone. Local mental and emotional health resources for support can be found on OHA's Safe + Strong website, including peer support, community-based resources and crisis lines. You can also call the Safe + Strong Helpline at 1-800-923-HELP (4357). Callers can get free, 24-7 emotional support and resource referral to anyone who needs it. If you are grieving, or supporting someone who is, these resources may bring you some comfort:
- The Dougy Center has information on supporting grieving children and teens during the COVID-19 crisis as well as a resource page for family and friends.
- The COVID Grief Network provides connection for young adults grieving the illness or death of someone close.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offer suggestions on grief and loss during the pandemic.
- Refuge in Grief author Megan Devine has pages devoted to grievers and their helpers.
Stay Safe This Valentine's Day
As with any holiday during the pandemic, it's going to look a bit different this year. Here are some tips to keep in mind. If you're going on a date with someone new, keep it outdoors, maintain six feet of distance from one another and wear a mask. This way, you'll greatly reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 to one another. Or, keep it virtual and chat over video.
As with any holiday during the pandemic, it's going to look a bit different this year. Here are some tips to keep in mind. If you're going on a date with someone new, keep it outdoors, maintain six feet of distance from one another and wear a mask. This way, you'll greatly reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 to one another. Or, keep it virtual and chat over video.
If you're going on a date with your significant other, keep others safe by wearing your mask and keeping six feet of distance from people outside of your party. If you're looking for things to do:
- Consider having a picnic at a local park. Here's 51 Easy Picnic Food Ideas to get started.
- Go on a bike ride together.
- Check out some hiking in the great Oregon outdoors. Oregon Hikers maintains a comprehensive guide to the best trails available in Oregon.
- Take a stroll through a nearby botanical garden.
- Get a bite to eat at a local restaurant with outdoor seating or pick up take-out. Learn more about What to Expect at Oregon Restaurants During COVID-19.
- Keep it virtual and play a Zoom-friendly game. Here are 11 you can try out.
- For general information on going out during the pandemic, visit Travel Oregon's webpage.
The CDC also has these suggestions:
- Make Valentine cards or decorations and drop them off to loved ones.
- Celebrate with loved ones virtually.
- Prepare a special meal or dessert.
