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THE ASTORIAN • SATuRdAy, MARcH 13, 2021
Biden signs virus relief package
Aims for virus milestone
by the Fourth of July
WHAT’S INSIDE THE
CORONAVIRUS RELIEF PACKAGE
By ZEKE MILLER and
JONATHAN LEMIRE
Associated Press
WASHINGTON — One year
after the nation was brought to a
near-standstill by the coronavirus,
President Joe Biden pledged in his
first prime-time address to make all
adults eligible for vaccines by May
1 and raised the possibility of begin-
ning to “mark our independence from
this virus” by the Fourth of July. He
offered Americans fresh hope and
appealed anew for their help.
The speech came just hours after
Biden signed into law a $1.9 trillion
relief package that he said will help
defeat the virus, nurse the economy
back to health and deliver direct aid
to Americans struggling to make ends
meet.
Speaking in the White House East
Room Thursday night, Biden hon-
ored the “collective suffering” of
Americans over the past year in his
24-minute address and then offered
them a vision for a return to a modi-
cum of normalcy this summer.
“We are bound together by the
loss and the pain of the days that have
gone by,” he said. “We are also bound
together by the hope and the possibil-
ities in the days in front of us.”
He predicted Americans could
safely gather at least in small groups
for the Fourth of July to “make this
Independence Day truly special.”
But he also cautioned that this
was a goal and attaining it depends
on people’s cooperation in follow-
ing public health guidelines and roll-
ing up their sleeves to get vaccinated
as soon as eligible. Only that, he said,
can bring about an end to a pandemic
that has killed more than 530,000
Americans and disrupted the lives of
countless more.
“While it was different for every-
one, we all lost something,” Biden
said of the sacrifices of the year-
long-and-counting pandemic.
Some cash distributions through
the relief package could begin arriv-
ing in the bank accounts of Ameri-
cans this weekend.
“This historic legislation is about
rebuilding the backbone of this coun-
try,” Biden said as he signed the bill in
the Oval Office.
Most noticeable to many Amer-
icans are provisions providing up to
$1,400 in direct payments and extend-
ing $300 weekly emergency unem-
ployment benefits into early Septem-
ber. Also included are expanded tax
credits over the next year for chil-
dren, child care and family leave —
some of them credits that Democrats
have signaled they’d like to make
permanent — plus spending for rent-
By KEVIN FREKING
Associated Press
• UNEMPLOYMENT AID: $300 a week in unemployment checks
through Sept. 6.
• MORE CHECKS: Direct payment of $1,400 for a single taxpayer, or
$2,800 for a married couple that files jointly, plus $1,400 per dependent.
Individuals earning up to $75,000 would get the full amount, as would
married couples with incomes up to $150,000.
• STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS: $350 billion to state and local
governments and tribal governments for costs incurred up until the
end of 2024.
Andrew Harnik/AP Photo
President Joe Biden speaks about the COVID-19 pandemic during a prime-
time address at the White House on Thursday.
ers, food programs and people’s util-
ity bills.
The House gave final congressio-
nal approval to the sweeping pack-
age by a near party line 220-211 vote
on Wednesday, seven weeks after
Biden entered the White House and
four days after the Senate passed the
bill. Republicans in both chambers
opposed the legislation unanimously,
characterizing it as bloated, crammed
with liberal policies and heedless of
signs the crises are easing.
US. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, an
Oregon Democrat who represents
the North Coast, was outspoken in
her support of the money the bill sets
aside for child care subsidies to fami-
lies and support to providers.
“The American Rescue Plan will
help the people of northwest Ore-
gon, including many who have
reached out to me during this past
year, Bonamici said. “It will help the
senior citizen in Seaside who needs
a vaccine but doesn’t have access to
the internet. It will help the new mom
and her husband, both paramedics,
who don’t have access to paid fam-
ily leave and can’t afford child care.
It will help restaurants like a beloved
Portland eatery that has been shut
down for months but could finally
reopen thanks to the Restaurant Revi-
talization Fund.
“It will help school leaders in dis-
tricts big and small who want to bring
students back to classrooms but don’t
have the funding to do so safely. It
will help the arts industry worker in
Portland who has relied on unem-
ployment benefits since last June and
can’t afford to lose them now. I’ve
fought hard for this aid based on these
and so many other compelling stories,
and am grateful the American Rescue
Plan will now become law.”
In his Thursday night address,
Biden said that as vaccine sup-
plies continue to increase, he will
direct states and territories to make
all adults eligible for vaccination by
May 1. The U.S. is expecting to have
enough doses for those 255 million
adults by the end of that month, but
Biden warned the process of actually
administering those doses would take
time, even as his administration looks
to instill confidence in the safety of
the vaccines to overcome hesitance.
“Let me be clear, that doesn’t
mean everyone’s going to have that
shot immediately, but it means you’ll
be able to get in line beginning May
1,” he said.
Biden announced an expansion
of other efforts to speed vaccina-
tions, including deploying an addi-
tional 4,000 active-duty troops to sup-
port vaccination efforts and allowing
more people — such as medical stu-
dents, veterinarians and dentists —
to deliver shots. He is also direct-
ing more doses toward some 950
community health centers and up to
20,000 retail pharmacies, to make it
easier for people to get vaccinated
closer to their homes.
Biden added that his administra-
tion is planning to launch a nation-
wide website to help people find
doses, saying it would address frus-
trations so that there would be “no
more searching day and night for an
appointment.”
Even as he offered optimism,
Biden made clear that the July 4 time-
table applied only to smaller gath-
erings, not larger ones, and requires
cooperation from Americans to con-
tinue to wear face coverings, main-
tain social distancing and follow fed-
eral guidelines meant to slow the
spread of the virus in the near term.
He also called on them to roll up their
sleeves to get vaccinated as soon as
they’re eligible.
This is “not the time to not stick
with the rules,” Biden said, warning
of the potential for backsliding just as
the nation is on the cusp of defeating
the virus. “I need you, the American
people,” he added. “I need you. I need
every American to do their part.”
• SCHOOLS: About $130 billion to be used to reduce class sizes and
modify classrooms to enhance social distancing, install ventilation
systems and purchase personal protective equipment. The money
could also be used to hire more nurses, counselors and janitors, and to
provide summer school. Spending for colleges and universities would
be boosted by about $40 billion.
• CHILD CARE: About $39 billion for child care through an emergency
fund to help child care providers pay for staffing, rent and supplies, and
through a block grant program that subsidizes the cost of child care for
low-income families.
• BUSINESSES: A new program for restaurants and bars hurt by the
pandemic would receive $28.6 billion. The grants provide up to $10
million per company with a limit of $5 million per physical location. The
grants can be used to cover payroll, rent, utilities and other operational
expenses.
• PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM: $7.25 billion. The bill also allows
more nonprofits to apply for loans that are designed to help borrowers
meet their payroll and operating costs and can potentially be forgiven.
• TESTING AND VACCINES: About $50 billion to expand testing for
COVID-19 and to enhance contract tracing capabilities with new invest-
ments to expand laboratory capacity and set up mobile testing units.
More than $15 billion to speed up the distribution and administration
of COVID-19 vaccines. Another $1 billion would go to boost vaccine
confidence. And $10 billion would be used to boost the supply of
medical devices and equipment to combat the virus under the Defense
Production Act.
• HEALTH CARE: Increasing coverage under the Obama-era Affordable
Care Act. Financial assistance for ACA premiums would become con-
siderably more generous and a greater number of solid middle-class
households would qualify. Though the sweetened subsidies last only
through the end of 2022, they will lower the cost of coverage and are
expected to boost the number of people enrolled. The measure also
dangles more money in front of a dozen states, mainly in the South,
that have not yet taken up the Medicaid expansion that is available
under the ACA to cover more low-income adults.
• MENTAL HEALTH: About $3 billion for states to help address mental
health and substance abuse disorders, which have been exacerbated
by the pandemic. More than $14 billion is directed toward increased
support for the Department of Veterans Affairs.
• TAXBREAKS FOR HOUSEHOLDS WITHOUT KIDS: Increase the tax
break to $3,000 for every child age 6 to 17 and $3,600 for every child
under the age of 6. The legislation also calls for the payments to be
delivered monthly instead of in a lump sum. If the secretary of the trea-
sury determines that isn’t feasible, then the payments are to be made
as frequently as possible. The bill also significantly expands the Earned
Income Tax Credit for 2021 by making it available to people without
children. The credit for low and moderate-income adults would be
worth $543 to $1,502, depending on income and filing status.
• RENTAL AND HOMEOWNER ASSISTANCE: More than $30 billion to
help low-income households pay their rent and to assist the homeless.
States and tribes would receive an additional $10 billion for homeown-
ers who are struggling with mortgage payments and other housing
costs because of the pandemic.
SPORTS
Mitchell leads Oregon State
to fourth place Pac-12 finish
By NEIL BRANSON
For the Astorian
Former Astoria runner Kaylee
Mitchell had a grand day at the
2021 Pac-12 cross-country cham-
pionships last Friday, as the red-
shirt sophomore led the Oregon
State University women’s team to
a fourth place team finish, quali-
fying for the NCAA Champion-
ships on Saturday in Stillwater,
Oklahoma.
Before transferring to Sprague
High School, Mitchell was a mid-
dle distance runner for the Fisher-
men track team. She holds Astoria
records in both the 800 and 1,500
meters (2:16.51 and 4:41.47) and
contributed big points to the Asto-
ria state championships in 2015
and 2016.
After her sophomore year, the
family moved to Salem.
Mitchell ran cross-country at
Seattle Pacific University in 2017
and 2018, then transferred to Ore-
gon State.
After last week’s race, Mitchell
said, “I didn’t know where I was,”
in reference to the other runners.
“I just ran as I normally do and got
a big PR,” finishing seventh in the
a personal best 19 minutes, 39.4
seconds, dropping over 50 sec-
onds from her previous best over
6 kilometers.
It was a hair-raising finish, as
Mitchell and two others crossed
the line separated by 2.5 seconds.
“I didn’t feel that fast, I was
so tired and giving it my all,”
said Mitchell, whose future looks
bright, with two years of eligibil-
ity left.
“I have so much to learn about
overcoming mental barriers, com-
Oregon State University
Kaylee Mitchell had one of the
best races of her career last
week, helping the Oregon State
women’s cross-country team to its
best conference finish ever.
partmentalizing a race, finding a
mantra and learning to hurt,” she
said.
Bradley Rzewnicki, a for-
mer Seaside High School run-
ner, also competed at the Pac-
12 cross-country championships,
running for the University of Ari-
zona and finishing 66th in 26:06.
Meanwhile, Oregon State’s
fourth-place team finish marks the
highest finish in program history
at the Pac-12 Championships, top-
ping a sixth-place finish in 2018.
“Today
was
the
best
cross-country race in school his-
tory,” said Oregon State coach
Louie Quintana. “We scored 100
points and finished fourth, both
school records. It was a great day
in very difficult conditions. Our
team was amazing. Kaylee Mitch-
ell, wow! What a day for her.
Today was huge for us.”
PREP ROUNDUP
Astoria girls soccer win
the Clatsop Clash, 2-0
The Astoria girls soccer team
posted the first Clatsop Clash
win of the year Thursday night
at CMH Field, where the Lady
Fishermen shot their way past
Seaside, 2-0.
Astoria improves to 3-1 on
the season, while the Gulls fall
to 1-2-1.
The Fishermen had a big
advantage in possession time in
Thursday’s Clash, and scored
early in the match when Elle
Espelien converted off a free
kick by Pele Starr-Hollow from
50 yards out. Espelien gathered
in the ball in front of the goal and
made a move to get past Seaside
goalkeeper Abygale Brien.
Astoria took target practice on
the Seaside goal for the remain-
der of the half, but the Gulls
withstood the challenge with
several defensive stops and a few
big saves by Brien.
Brien stopped a fast break
run by Astoria’s Karen Jimenez,
made saves on shots by Haley
Kelley and Espelien, and col-
lided with Espelien to make
another save in the 33rd minute.
Seaside remained within strik-
ing distance, but Astoria played
their “Scandinavian Court Con-
nection,” when Espelien (Miss
Norway) made it 2-0 in the 48th
minute, scoring off a pass down
the middle of the field from Miss
Finland, Emma Biederman.
Brien made several more
saves in the second half, while
Shelby Rasmussen got the shut-
out in goal for Astoria. On Tues-
day, the Astoria girls cruised
to their second win of the sea-
son with a 6-0 victory over the
combined team of Clatskanie/
Rainier.
Astoria hosts Banks Monday.
Knappa rally beats
Nestucca volleyball
Knappa rallied from a two
games-to-none deficit to defeat
Nestucca in five sets Tuesday
night, 23-25, 20-25, 26-24, 27-25,
15-10.
“What a match that was,” said
Knappa coach Jeff Kaul. “The
Lady Loggers dug deep and
decided that they weren’t quite
ready to call it a night, and fought
back in one of the best come-from-
behind wins I have seen in a long
time. I was super proud of these
ladies tonight. It was just a great
effort by everyone.”
Knappa came back behind the
serving rally of Hannah Dietrichs,
and with Victoria Ramvick posting
“what is most likely a career high
in kills (13),” Kaul said.
Dietrichs was 24-of-29 from the
service line, with nine aces to go
with 21 digs and 13 kills.
Ramvick also had 13 kills,
while Ashley Feldscher and Ava
Skipper were a combined 41-for-
45 serving, with eight aces. Skip-
per also had 29 assists, and Feld-
scher added 14 digs.
Valley sweeps Astoria
If there is a battle for the Cow-
apa League volleyball title this
season, it will be between Astoria
and Valley Catholic.
The first of two meetings
between the two teams took place
Tuesday night in Beaverton, where
the Valiants scored a sweep over
the visiting Fishermen, 25-14,
25-14, 25-18.
Tigers top Warriors
Clatskanie and Warrenton could
not have been much closer in points
scored Tuesday night, as the Tigers
posted a big upset on the Warriors’
home floor in a Coastal Range
League volleyball match.
The Tigers won in five, 25-23,
25-23, 27-29, 23-25, 15-13. Total
points scored for the match: Clats-
kanie 115, Warrenton 113.
Warrenton volleyball
sweeps past Willamina
Warrenton volleyball jumped
back on the winning track Thursday
night, with a three-set sweep at Wil-
lamina, 25-22, 25-22, 31-29.
The Warriors had to rally from
a 20-19 in the first set, snapped a
21-21 tie to win the second, and
came back from a 28-27 deficit in
the third and final set against the
upset-minded Bulldogs.
Willamina — with just three home
matches this season — was celebrat-
ing Senior Night, while the Warriors
were coming off a rare league loss to
Clatskanie two nights earlier.
Mia McFadden led Warrenton
with a big night from the service
line, while the Bulldogs missed five
crucial serves in the second set.
A big serving run by Avyree
Miethe was capped by a stuff block
from Ann Heyen, giving the War-
riors an 18-13 lead in Game 2, in
which Warrenton closed out the set
with a 4-1 run.
Willamina fought off an 18-12
deficit in the third set, which had
ties at 25, 26, 27, 28 and 29, before
the Warriors reeled off the final two
points to end the match.
Warrenton plays a nonleague
match Saturday at Knappa.
— The Astorian