Community Partnerships
WEST LINN, OR--April 14, 2020
City of West Linn Updates
In addition to City staff reaching out directly to some of our more vulnerable populations using data we have available to us, we are using newspaper advertisements and utility bill mailings to provide vital resources to those without access to digital content. We can't do this alone and continue to ask you to check on your friends, family and neighbors and connect them with resources on this page or with City and/or Clackamas County staff that can help.
Your City Council is asking the community and other surrounding cities to "Take the Pledge to Stay Home & Save Lives." Staying home as much as possible helps reduce the spread of the virus, and lessens exposure risk and impact on our healthcare workers and other essential employees that are still working every day to provide for our basic needs, keeping us all healthy and safe. Take the Pledge here!
Much thanks to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints for donating over $2,800 worth of food, personal hygiene, and laundering products to the West Linn Food Pantry to help serve those in our community who are facing food insecurities and other difficulties during this time. West Linn Parks and Library staff helped to organize, pick up and deliver this large order from the LDS Bishops Storehouse on April 14th. Another example of the great partnerships that continue to define our community...
West Linn Library staff also partnered with local West Linn and Wilsonville robotics teams "WLHS To Be Determined" and "FRC 1426 Error Code" to 3D print and assemble protective face shields for West Linn Police and other local first responders. West Linn Police have been using these face masks as part of their free Prescription Drug Delivery Program.
We will be extending closure of City facilities to the public until it is safe to reopen them, based on data and guidance from public health authorities. City Council will also be considering an extension of their emergency declaration at their next meeting on April 20th, the current emergency declaration is set to expire on April 30th. Bernert and Cedaroak boat ramps remain closed, effective April 9th. With the closure of many boat ramps in Clackamas County, we are unfortunately no longer able to safely operate these facilities under the current State order.
City public meeting opportunities are expanding online, with many Citizen Advisory Groups now beginning to take advantage of the new videoconferencing abilities. Please visit the meetings page and agendas of upcoming meetings for information on how to participate.
State of Oregon Updates
Oregon Health Authority released new projections from health researchers at the Institute for Disease Modeling in Washington. The new projections estimate that Oregon’s aggressive social or physical distancing measures have prevented as many as 18,000 cases of COVID-19 and 500 hospitalizations. These restrictions must be maintained into at least May to prevent new cases from rising above current daily levels of active coronavirus cases. By following Governor Brown’s stay at home executive orders, Oregonians are preventing a surge in new infections that could overwhelm hospital beds if left unchecked.
On April 14, Governor Kate Brown announced a framework for reopening Oregon's economy, while maintaining healthy communities (press release here). The framework leans on scientific benchmarks prior to reopening, increased testing, robust tracking, and quarantining protocols. On April 13, Oregon, California and Washington announced a Western States Pact, an agreement on a shared vision for reopening their economies and controlling COVID-19 into the future (press release here). Governor Brown also released $8M in funding to the Oregon Food Bank (press release here).
If you are in need of food assistance, please visit the Oregon Food Bank's Food Finder or visit West Linn's own Food Pantry on Thursdays from 3:00 to 6:00pm.
West Linn Wilsonville School District Updates
West Linn Wilsonville Schools began distance learning on April 13th to continue serving students and the community through the extended school closure. WLWV primary schools and High School are providing to go meals Mon.-Fri. from 10:00-11:00am for children age 1-18, regardless of attendance area. For more information and details on distance learning and WLWV's meal program please visit their website here. You can also sign up for more WLWV updates, including on capital bond projects of interest to the community, through their listserv here.
Tri-County Symptom Checker
Health officials from Multnomah, Washington and Clackamas County agencies have launched a new online tool providing people a way to screen for possible Coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms from home. The COVID-19 Symptom Checker can be accessed at c19oregon.com and is available in 15 languages. The free online tool provides information on your nearest hospitals, but is a guidance tool only and should not replace professional health care advice, diagnosis or treatment by a licensed physician.
