December 28, 2016
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INSIDE
The
Week in Review
Year in Review
O PINION
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Andrea Miller, executive director of the Causa, a Latino immigrant rights organization in Oregon, testi-
fies before the Multnomah County Commission in support of ‘sanctuary county’ resolution reaffirming
the local government will not cooperate with federal enforcement of immigration laws.
Sanctuary County
Board on notice
for welcoming
immigrants
C hrista M C i ntyre
t he P ortland o bserver
Multnomah County has reaf-
firmed its commitment to serving
all residents regardless of immi-
gration status by passing a resolu-
tion making it an official ‘sanctu-
ary county.’
Joining hundreds of other coun-
ties, cities and states across the
by
Arts &
ENTERTAINMENT
C LASSIFIEDS
C ALENDAR
page 16
S PORTS
nation, the county board voted
unanimously Thursday to adopt
a sanctuary resolution meant to
build trust with immigrants by as-
suring them that the use of county
services like health clinics, librar-
ies and other services will not be
used against them in the enforce-
ment of federal immigration laws.
President-elect Donald Trump
joining hardline Republican law-
makers in Congress are threaten-
ing to pull federal funding from
any county, city and state which
adopts similar measures. The
President has the power to divert
funding, but it would take mea-
sures passed by Congress to cut
off federal funding to states, cities
and counties, officials said.
Commissioner Loretta Smith,
commented: “I have no idea what
the repercussions are, but when
you are standing for the right
thing, and to do the good thing
for your community, you always
are on the right side of policy, and
politics, as well.”
There is no precise legal defi-
nition of “sanctuary,” but it has
its roots in Jewish, Christian
and Common Law. The Unit-
ed States’ Sanctuary Movement
C ontinued on P age 15
Flu Hits Oregon Strong and Early
pages 10-13
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page 15
Still time for flu
shot protection
Influenza cases are rising in Or-
egon, and although the increase is
expected this time of year, Oregon
Health Authority officials say it
shows flu season is off to a strong
and early start. Most of the cases
have been influenza A, this sea-
son’s predominant flu type.
Hospitalizations for flu-like
illnesses have jumped sharply in
recent weeks.
“While this is shaping up to
be a heavy flu season, this uptick
during this time of the year is fair-
ly typical,” Dr. Paul Cieslak of
the Oreogn Health Authority said.
“Flu season doesn’t usually peak
until late February or early March,
so people can and should get their
flu shots.”
Flu is a virus that causes mild
to severe respiratory illness. The
virus kills thousands of people in
the U.S. each year. People who are
at higher risk of severe illness or
death include children, adults old-
er than 65, pregnant women and
those with chronic medical con-
ditions or weak immune systems.
The flu vaccine is the best pro-
tection against flu. It can take up to
two weeks to become effective, so
getting it earlier in the season is ide-
al. That said, it’s not too late, since
flu season usually lasts until spring.
Vaccinations are recommended for
everyone 6 months and older.
Other ways to help prevent flu
includes staying at home and lim-
iting contact with others if you are
sick; that includes staying home
from work or school when you are
sick. Cover your nose and mouth
with a tissue when you cough or
sneeze. Throw the tissue out when
you are done.
Wash hands with soap and wa-
ter. Use an alcohol-based hand rub
if soap and water are not available.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose
and mouth. Clean and disinfect
surfaces and objects that may have
flu germs on them. Avoid getting
coughed and sneezed on.
Flu vaccine is available from
health care providers, local health
departments and many pharma-
cies. To find a flu vaccine clinic,
visit flu.oregon.gov.