COVID-19 RESOURCES

PBDG will continue to add new and relevant information as it becomes available.

Free Vaccine Clinics

In July, PBDG will be hosting a series of three free vaccine clinics in the Salem and Portland Metro areas, focusing on the BIPOC and women construction worker population. We’re partnering with both union and non-union contractors to get the word out and encourage participation from workers and their families for this safe and convenient vaccine opportunity. Johnson & Johnson (one shot) and Pfizer vaccines (two shots) will be available, with the second Pfizer shot being scheduled via a partner organization. There will also be free food and an opportunity to win raffle prizes.

The events will be held from 11am-2pm on the following Saturdays:

1. 7/10 at the Willamette Education Service District in Salem, OR (2611 Pringle Rd SE)

1. 7/17 at Tualatin High School in Tualatin, OR (22300 SW Boones Ferry Rd)

2. 7/24 at LiUNA! Local 73717 in Portland, OR (230 NE Sacramento St)

Attendees can register in advance via our provider partner, Safeway’s, registration page (INSERT URL). If you’re able to register in advance, that would be great, but we’re also happy to accept drive-ins – no ID or insurance required.

We also need about 15 volunteers for each event. If you’re interested in helping out at one of these events, please click on this Google Form and someone will be in touch with you shortly about how you can help!

About PBDG

The Professional Business Development Group (PBDG) is a nonprofit construction trade association in the Pacific Northwest supporting disadvantaged, BIPOC- and women owned firms through advocacy, mentorship, networking, technical assistance and COBID certification. For more information, visit www.pbdgweb.com/about-us/.

VACCINATION UPDATES

Highlights from Governor’s June 4th Press Conference

The latest OHA Weekly Report shows hopeful trends — drops in daily cases, hospitalizations, and percent test positivity. 98% of COVID-19 cases and 94% of COVID-19 deaths (3/1-5/31/21) were among people who were unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated.

We are closing the vaccination gap between whites and communities of color:

Vaccinations among Latinos increased 5%
Vaccinations among Black Oregonians increased 5.4%
Vaccinations among American Indian/Alaskan Natives increased 5.2%
Vaccinations among Native Hwaiian/Pacific Islander communities increased 5%
Vaccinations among White Oregonians increased 2.5%

Oregon needs to vaccinate roughly 127,000 more adults to reach its 70% goal. OHA anticipates that we will reach this goal by June 21st. When Oregon reaches 70% of adults vaccinated, the state will reopen. What does that mean?

No more capacity limits in businesses.
Masks no longer required by the state (federal mask requirements in airports, public transit, and health care settings will remain).
No more physical distancing.
12 schools expected to return to full time in person instruction.

· Links

Video (Spanish)
Gov. Brown’s remarks as prepared
Press release
Pat Allen’s and Dr. Sidelinger’s talking points and slides

AFHHO’s COVID19 Vaccine Hesitancy Panel

Hosted by Haika Mushi, featuring 4 African healthcare professionals, in this session AFHHO hopes to answer questions and confront misinformation and fears about the COVID-19 vaccine for the African refugee and immigrant population of Oregon.

Saturday, June 12th from 1pm-3pm
Zoom link and Meeting ID: 749 851 9764
Panelists: Dr. Frank Minja, Yale School of Medicine; Tameka Brazile, Multnomah County Health Department; Dr. Burkhosi Dube, Oregon Health Authority; TK Kapurura, Multnomah County Health Department

Oregon Emergency Rental Assistance Program

Beginning May 19, 2021, qualified renters who have experienced financial hardship due to the coronavirus pandemic, and are at risk of homelessness or housing instability, may apply for the Oregon Emergency Rental Assistance Program (OERAP). OERAP helps eligible low-income households with their past due rent and utilities. In most cases, approved applications will result in payments made directly to landlords and utility providers. Click here for more information.

New Masking and Physical Distancing Guidance

In accordance with the CDC’s new guidance for fully vaccinated people, Governor Brown announced that as of May 13, fully vaccinated Oregonians with proof of vaccination are no longer required to wear a mask in indoor public places where vaccination statuses of individuals are checked, with a few exceptions. Those exceptions include; public transportation, hospitals and health care settings, correctional facilities, long-term care facilities, shelters and transitional housing, and K-12 schools. In addition, on May 18, Oregon Health Authority released other updated guidance for masking and physical distancing throughout the state with significant changes to the following: businesses, employers and faith institutions have the right to determine their own masking policies for fully vaccinated individuals; and masks are no longer required for people who are outdoors, though masking is still encouraged, especially in crowed places and for people who are unvaccinated.

For more information, visit Governor Brown’s COVID-19 Resource page.

Transportation

Uber & Lyft Rides to Vaccination Events

Soon you will be able to get a free ride with Uber or Lyft to get vaccinated. The program, a partnership with the White House, will run until July 4.

Lyft: Download the app or visit Lyft’s website for a ride code. The code will cover trips up to $15 to and from a vaccination site. Hours will be 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Codes will be available by May 24.

Uber: The company hasn’t announced specifics, but like Lyft, it will provide redeemable codes in the app.
Find the Lyft app:

In the Apple App Store
In Google Play

Find the Uber app:

In the Apple App Store
In Google Play

Tri-Met Offers Free Rides to Vaccination Events
Click here for more information.

BIPOC Vaccination Calendar

Please see below for some updates on COVID19 vaccination work as well as our BIPOC vaccination calendar for the month of June, which is linked below. Thank you, as always, for all that you do to take care of the community!

BIPOC Vaccination Calendar

ASSISTANCE

Coping with the existence of COVID-19 and how it has changed our daily lives is difficult enough. That’s why the City, County, State and federal government are all working to help provide relief for homeowners, renters and those experiencing homelessness.

Homeowners: Contact your mortgage servicer to determine whether or not your loan is backed by the Federal Government and to understand additional eligibility requirements. See the resources below for more information.

Renters: If you can demonstrate a substantial loss in income due to the COVID-19 pandemic you can defer your rent payments. Rent payments are not being forgiven, you will still be obligated to repay missed payments.

Federal and Private Mortgage Relief Information & FAQ.

Utilities: The three largest utilities in Oregon, Portland General Electric, Pacific Power, and Northwest Natural, have all announced a suspension of disconnects and/or late fees to support Oregonians during the COVID-19 outbreak.

NW Natural | For more information visit www.nwnatural.com or call 1-800-422-4012
Portland General | For more information visit www.portlandgeneral.com or call 800-542-8818
Pacific Power | Customers can call 1-888-221-7070
Portland Water | Water service will not be disconnected for non-payment of sewer/stormwater/water bills. For more information call 503-823-4874or email PWBCustomerService@portlandoregon.gov

Regional Resources

Portland Housing: Eviction Moratorium FAQ
Multnomah County: Eviction Moratorium Information
A Home for Everyone: List of service changes due to COVID-19.
Home Forward: Short-term help paying rent.
Portland Emergency Hygiene Stations: Hand washing stations and portable toilets map
Portland Street Medicine: Provides medical care for people experiencing homelessness.
Impact NW: Offers services to prevent homelessness.
Fund for PPS Students – Free Internet

State & Federal Resources

Oregon Housing and Community Services
Oregon Tenant Rights
211 Utility Assistance Program: Online database to find utility assistance programs in Oregon and Southwest Washington.

ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE

Regional Resources

Meds on Wheels | Prescription medicine delivery service provided by Portland Fire & Rescue. If you know of anyone having trouble obtaining prescriptions, please have them contact this referral line number: (971) 288-7687.
Multnomah County Health Department | Assistance with insurance enrollment in multiple languages.
Primary Care Clinics | Virtual and telemedicine services are available.
Parkrose Student Health Center | Open to any school-aged youth in Multnomah County all summer.
Coalition of Community Health Clinics| For more information, call (503) 546-4991 or email info@coalition-clinics.org.

State & Federal Resources

If you have lost your health insurance due to COVID-19, there are a number of different options depending on your circumstances. Those may include the following:

Marketplace coverage through healthcare.oregon.gov
Oregon Health Plan—OHP provides health care for low-income Oregonians.
COBRA— When you lose job-based insurance, you may be offered COBRA continuation coverage by your former employer.
State continuation— State continuation applies to those who have had continuous health coverage (not necessarily with the same employer) for at least three months before the date employment or coverage ended.

Medicare— Medicare is for U.S. citizens 65 and older who meet residency requirements and some blind and disabled people younger than 65.
Your previous employer decides to continue paying for employer-based coverage through a spouse’s insurance.

NUTRITION ASSISTANCE

Putting food on the table to feed your family does not have to be an added stress. Families and individuals who have experienced a loss of income due to the COVID-19 pandemic may be eligible for SNAP or WIC. Many local organizations and community partners also continue to operate at a high demand to ensure children, seniors and our most vulnerable neighbors are fed during this crisis.

Regional Resources

Oregon Food Bank: Find food near your home. For more information call (503) 505-7061 or email gethelp@oregonfoodbank.org.
Blanchet House: Provides free to-go meals three times a day, six days a week. Call (503) 241-4340 for more information.
Sunshine Division: Delivers emergency food boxes. Request a box.
Multnomah County: School access sites.