T he C olumbia P ress
May 1, 2020
Closure: What you need to know this week
Continued from Page 1
“We have very real con-
cerns about being able to do
the testing piece of it,” said
Monica Steele,
assistant county
manager.
w estern
s tates p aCt
Colorado Gov.
Jared Polis and
Nevada
Gov.
Steele
Steve
Sisolak
announced Monday that
their states have joined Or-
egon, Washington and Cal-
ifornia in a pact, a working
group of states with a shared
vision for fighting the spread
of COVID-19 and modifying
stay-at-home orders.
California
Gov.
Gavin
Newsom, Washington Gov.
Jay Inslee and Oregon Gov.
Kate Brown began the pact
two weeks ago, listing three
shared principlest:
• Residents’ health comes
first.
• Health and science will
guide decisions, not politics.
• The states will be more ef-
fective working together.
e leCtIve surgerIes
Hospitals, medical and
dental offices can perform
elective surgeries and other
nonurgent procedures begin-
ning today, May 1.
“We supported the deci-
sion to pause elective proce-
dures to preserve PPE for the
COVID-19 fight,” said Becky
Hultberg, president of the
Oregon Association of Hos-
pitals and Health Systems.
“But we also understand
that it’s not safe to delay
some of these procedures in-
definitely. Our patients need
care and we are prepared to
safely resume health care
services.”
Gov. Brown lifted her or-
der for all facilities that show
they’ve met the guidelines on
coronavirus safety and pre-
paredness.
t estIng
Oregon Health Authority
this week revised guidelines
for COVID-19 testing to pri-
oritize impacted populations
and all front-line workers.
The guidelines continue to
allow health care providers
to make clinical decisions
about their patients.
In addition, if supplies al-
low, asymptomatic people
within congregate care or
group living systems can be
considered for testing.
The newly revised guide-
lines urge clinicians to poten-
tially increase testing for Or-
egonians who may be most at
risk, particularly those living
in nursing and other group
homes, underserved pop-
ulations such as racial and
ethnic minorities, front-line
workers, health-care pro-
viders and those serving the
public, such as grocery store
workers and delivery drivers.
M ore CanCellatIons
Veterans of Foreign Wars
Fort Stevens Post 10580 has
cancelled Memorial Day Cer-
emonies this year.
Traditionally, the post and
its auxiliary have hosted two
ceremonies, one at Fort Clat-
sop Army Post Cemetery and
one at “Flagpole Park” in
downtown Warrenton.
Also, the Seaside Chamber
of Commerce and city of Sea-
side agreed Monday night to
cancel this year’s Indepen-
dence Day fireworks display.
As many as 50,000 people
crowd Seaside beaches for
the fireworks and activities.
The city estimates local busi-
nesses will suffer an annual
economic impact of more
than $20 million.
n ursIng hoMes
The Oregon National Guard
began distributing person-
al protection equipment to
long-term care facilities last
weekend.
Nearly 400,000 pieces
went to every care facility in
the state, including masks,
gloves, face shields and med-
ical gowns.
The rapid distribution was
to supplement efforts to com-
bat the spread of COVID-19
to residents and staff.
a uto InsuranCe refunds
Several auto insurance
companies have agreed to
Building: Hammond Library could be sold
Continued from Page 1
spot.
“We still want to do that,”
said Bert Little, quartermas-
ter of the VFW Fort Stevens
Post. “It’s a historical build-
ing for the Hammond people
and we want to have the full
support of the community.”
But the group and its aux-
iliary have little money to
put toward the project since
fundraising amounts to run-
ning concession stands at the
city’s park and passing out
buddy poppies for donations.
The commission’s consen-
sus Tuesday night was to ask
the VFW for a formal propos-
al and to set up a public meet-
ing on any potential sale.
The city cannot show fa-
voritism toward any group
and can’t give away taxpay-
er-owned assets, Commis-
sioner Mark Baldwin warned.
If the building is sold, “I don’t
want to sway a long way from
our appraisal.”
But he and other commis-
sioners would love to see the
VFW or another group make
use of the historic structure
in some way that preserves
the building and benefits the
community.
“We are one of the few
towns without a VFW hall,”
Baldwin said.
3
provide refunds and credits
to Oregonians who have been
staying home and, thus, not
driving as much this spring.
The refunds and credits are
due to the reduced risk of
auto accidents.
Two dozen companies
were listed by the state De-
partment of Consumer and
Business Services, including
Allstate, American Family,
Amica, Country Mutual, Es-
urance, Farmers, Geico, Lib-
erty Mutual, Pemco, State
Farm, Travelers and USAA.
For more information, con-
tact your insurance company
or visit dfr.oregon.gov.
h elp wIth lonelIness
Social connections help
keep folks healthy while
physically distancing.
Oregon Health Authority
has partnered with Lines for
Life’s Senior Loneliness Line
to support the mental health
needs of Oregonians over 55.
Their team of volunteers
and staff are trained to work
with older adults by provid-
ing ongoing support, con-
necting callers with resourc-
es, or just listening.
To get support, call 503-
200-1633 or 800-282-7035.