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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (May 13, 2021)
A6 THE ASTORIAN • THURSDAY, MAY 13, 2021 Risk level: One of 21 counties that will be at high risk through May 20 Continued from Page A1 the fourth surge,” the gov- ernor said in a statement. “Our hospitalization rates have stabilized. Our infec- tion rates are on a down- ward trajectory. And in the race between vaccines and variants, our eff orts to vac- cinate Oregonians are taking the lead. “We still have some work to do to reach our 70% goal, but I am confi dent we can get there in June and return Oregon to a sense of normalcy.” As of Tuesday , about 30,400 doses have been administered in Clatsop County and nearly 13,600 people were fully vacci- nated. About 55% of res- idents 16 and older have received at least one dose, according to the county. “With eligibility open- ing up to younger residents, we continue to urge the pub- lic to get vaccinated to pro- tect not only themselves and loved ones, but also to help us on the path to re opening,” a county spokesman said in County reports 11 new virus cases The Astorian Hailey Hoff man/The Astorian Registered nurse Audrey Knippa administers a vaccination against the coronavirus. an email. Clatsop County is one of 21 counties that will be at high risk through May 20. Seven counties will be at moderate risk and eight will be at lower risk. Counties with a popula- tion of 30,000 or more are evaluated for risk based on virus cases per 100,000 over two weeks and the test pos- itivity rate for the same period. Counties at high risk have a case rate between 100 and Rent: ‘This bill has another side that has not been given any consideration’ Continued from Page A1 rental assistance to cover the back rent,” Morgan-Platt said in a statement furnished by Stable Homes for Ore- gon Families. “There are so many Oregonians in simi- lar situations who lost jobs or income during COVID through no fault of our own and are still struggling to catch up. As Oregon contin- ues to face a statewide hous- ing crisis and our communi- ties are suff ering, SB 282 is going to be a lifeline to pro- tect us from eviction.” Reliance on state and federal aid State Rep. Julie Fahey, a Democrat from Eugene and the chairwoman of the House Committee on Hous- ing, said the bill banks on millions coming in state and federal aid to tenants and landlords. “It is a reasonable com- promise bill that sets the stage for a more equitable recovery,” Fahey, the bill’s fl oor manager and chief sponsor in the House, said. “By passing this bill, we can ensure that Oregon tenants and landlords can get the full benefi t of rental assis- tance coming to our state and help prevent the fallout from the pandemic follow- ing the most vulnerable Ore- gonians for years to come.” A special session of the Legislature in December extended the eviction mor- atorium from December to the end of June , and also set aside $200 million for assistance — $150 million for landlords and $50 mil- lion for tenants. The Ore- gon Department of Housing and Community Services reported to the House com- mittee this month that $40 million was paid from the landlord compensation fund in the fi rst round in March. Congress also passed two rounds of federal assistance for renters, the latest round approved in March. Ore- gon’s senators announced this month that the state will be in line for $222.5 million from President Joe Biden’s pandemic recovery plan . The state would get $156.5 million; Portland, $15.5 mil- lion; Multnomah County, $3.8 million; Washington County, $14.2 million; and Clackamas County, $9.9 million. Other amounts will go to the counties that include Eugene, Salem and Medford. “The policies we passed last year have likely pre- vented many thousands of people from being evicted from their homes during the pandemic,” Fahey said. “Because we know that public health research has shown that eviction mor- atoriums helped prevent the spread of COVID-19, we know that in addition to keeping people stably housed, those policies have saved lives.” Other provisions Among other provisions of SB 282, which was bro- kered by Sen. Kayse Jama, D-Portland, with tenant and landlord advocates: • Potential landlords would be barred from screening out applicants based on COVID-era evic- tions. The bill would allow sealing of evictions during COVID from a tenant’s record. • Credit history reports would be barred on any late payments during the mora- torium. Landlords would be barred from screening out tenants based on nonpay- ment of past-due rent during the eviction moratorium and grace period. • Landlords could not evict tenants for dou- bling-up or occupancy lim- its that are narrower than current law during the COVID period when peo- ple have had to share hous- ing due to the pandemic and wildfi res. • Increased damages would remain in eff ect tem- porarily for retaliation viola- tions by landlords during the COVID era. All of the votes against the fi nal version were cast by Republicans, although three Republicans joined Democrats to vote for it. “This bill has another side that has not been given any consideration,” Rep. Kim Wallan, R-Medford, said. A move by Republicans to send the bill back to com- mittee failed on a party-line vote. Rep. Jack Zika, R- Red- mond, said he sought an amendment that would have allowed landlords to check some tenant records unre- lated to fi nances. He said his intent was not to block the bill itself, and that he felt an agreement was close. “Nobody wants to see anybody evicted,” he said. Rep. Wlnsvey Cam- pos, D-Aloha, said that as a case manager, she works with prospective tenants to help them apply for rental housing. “I know there are back- stops in place for checking on the past rental history of tenants,” she said. “ What I do know, from doing the work I do, is that if we do not pass this, it will cause harm to our commu- nities. We all know that bad actors exist, but I also know that folks want to be able to pay their rent so they can stay in housing.” The Oregon Capital Bureau is a collaboration between EO Media Group and Pamplin Media Group. 200 per 100,000 people, and may have a test positivity between 8% and 10%. As of Saturday, Clatsop County had 132 cases per 100,000 over a two-week period. Test positivity was 5.1%. “I’m pleased that we are moving forward and extreme risk restrictions in Oregon will not be triggered this week. I’m optimistic Clatsop County can move down in risk category and the vaccination goals are Clatsop County on Wednesday reported 11 new coronavirus cases. The cases include a woman in her 70s, whose residence is unknown, along with a female between 10 and 19, a man in his 30s and a man in his 60s living in the northern part of the county. The others live in the southern part of the county and involve a female under 10, three males between 10 and 19, a man in his 30s, a woman in her 40s and a man in his 60s. One was hospitalized and the others were recov- ering at home. The county has recorded 976 cases since the start of the pandemic. According to the county, 24 have been hospitalized and eight have died. good motivation to get back to a more routine existence,” Mark Kujala, the chair- man of the county Board of Commissioners, said. “If you haven’t been vaccinated yet we have openings at our Preparedness: Two more public meetings planned in summer, fall Continued from Page A1 Farncomb said there are a lot of north-south oriented waterways like lakes, streams and wetlands that make it dif- fi cult to create new connec- tions. Meanwhile, a wide swath of the coast is expected to be inundated during a major earthquake and there are few places to reach higher ground. Farncomb said improv- ing trails in Fort Stevens State Park is also a priority because of the heavy visitor traffi c during the summer. The project will also look at building a vertical structure people can climb to evade a tsunami. The county expects to hold two more public meet- ings in the summer and fall before presenting the com- pleted project plan to the Board of Commissioners early next year. An advisory committee for the project is made up of representatives from cities , fi re districts, private and pub- lic landowners and nonprofi t agencies, including Consejo Hispano. Homeless: ‘Warming center is there for anybody and everybody’ Methodist Church in Astoria and Seaside United Meth- The conversation, the fi rst odist Church. In Astoria, the of several meetings happen- church also hosts the Astoria ing on Thursdays through Warming Center. As of April, May 20 and on June 3 and it was off ering free showers on July 1, comes as the con- three days a week. sequences of homelessness “The warming center is have come to the fore in Sea- there for anybody and every- side. Montero, Mayor Jay body,” Avila said. “It’s not Barber and others proposed one of those places where you a series of forums last year have to be in recovery before before being delayed because they let you spend the night. of the coronavirus pandemic. You can be whatever con- At a City Council dition you’re in. ... There’s goal-setting session in Jan- nothing in the Scriptures or in uary, homelessness, addic- these sacred texts that judges tion and mental health issues someone for being poor.” were listed among the city’s Martin Letourneau, of top priorities. In the months the organization Love on since, the topic has widened the Streets, said his group into a regional conversation. was interested in immediate Daniel Baker, of Light- remedies. house Christian Church, said “Right now, we’re in the he saw the forum as “a great business of Band-Aids,” opportunity for us to take a Letourneau said. “What lead and lead in an area that we’re doing is we’re going needs us. And we want our out to where the homeless communities to know that people are. And we’ll go to a we are here as a part of the variety of places. We go to the community.” south entrance of Safeway, Baker recommended con- we go to the Mill Ponds, we versations with the homeless. go down to the Turnaround, “If we we go up have a real by 12th and ‘RIGHT NOW, Necanicum. conversation with people, we try to WE’RE IN THE And I think we fi nd as many might be able BUSINESS OF people as we to get to the can. And we BAND-AIDS.’ root that will ask, what do actually help they need?” Martin Letourneau | them under- Letour- Love on the Streets stand that neau said there’s a way his dream out,” he said. “A lot of these for Seaside was an all-year folks have lost their purpose. shelter, drop-in center and It’s easier to just live on the a resource center. “We need street because they don’t a system that’s going to really have anything they’re meet needs and provide the looking for. How do we help resources,” he said. them have purpose? Again, Barber said he is “proud it goes back to the individual to be the mayor of a city person.” that cares about all people, Baker advocated for not just some people, but all programs, but also sought people. It’s so easy to talk accountability. “We’ve got to about this problem. But that continue to have programs,” doesn’t solve anything. ... As he said. “But I believe that the mayor of the city, I need there has to be some account- to learn more about what it ability, and not making it so is that we can do together to easy to live on the street.” deal with these situations of Pastor Michael Avila people who are homeless or serves at both the First United houseless.” Thursday clinic and a clinic for minors this Saturday. Don’t wait.” Restaurants and bars can continue indoor din- ing at 25% of capacity — or up to 50 people — with an 11 p.m. closing time. Up to 75 people can dine outdoors, with a limit of six people per table from two households. Gyms, indoor pools, museums, theaters and other entertainment venues can operate at 25% of capacity, or up to 50 people, which- ever is smaller. Grocery stores, pharma- cies, retail shops and shop- ping malls can operate at 50% of capacity. Churches can operate at 25% of capacity or 150 people indoors, whichever is smaller, and 200 people outdoors. Indoor social gatherings must be limited to six peo- ple from two households in counties at high risk. Out- door gatherings can have eight people. Businesses should urge employees to work remotely if able. Visits are allowed at long-term care facilities. The county has recorded 976 cases since the start of the pandemic. According to the county, 24 were hospi- talized and eight have died. Consult a PROFESSIONAL Is this email legitimate? LEO FINZI Astoria’s Best Examine the “suffix” of the email sender, the part after the “@” symbol. 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