Newsletter: Friday, July 10
Mandatory Face Coverings in Oregon
Image Source: Governor Kate Brown’s Facebook
As of July 1st, the state of Oregon has started requiring people to wear face coverings at all indoor public spaces. Wearing a face covering provides protection to people you interact with because it blocks droplets that travel through the air when we speak, cough, or sneeze. We wear face coverings in case we are infected with coronavirus but don’t show symptoms. This is especially important right now as coronavirus continues to rapidly spread in Oregon.
How do we wear face coverings correctly?
It is important that your face covering fits over your mouth AND nose. You want to prevent breathing the virus into the air. Wearing a mask around your forehead or pulled down on your chin will not help prevent the spread of the virus.
Image Source: Centers for Disease Control
Don’t touch your face while you are wearing the face covering. This will spread germs.
When you get home, take your mask off carefully and wash it immediately.
When and Where do we need to wear face coverings?
Businesses are responsible for requiring employees and customers to wear face coverings of some kind while being in indoor public spaces. According to Oregon’s Mask and Face Covering Guidance, clear signs with these requirements should be posted for customers.
Indoor public spaces include, but are not limited to: grocery stores, pharmacies, doctor’s offices, public transportation such as buses and ride shares, fitness-related organizations such as gyms, retail stores, bars, restaurants, and personal service providers such as hair salons and massage therapy services.
You do not need to wear the mask while eating or drinking at a restaurant, but you do if you get up from your table or interact with another person. It is important to remember that staying in a public indoor space a longer period of time raises the risk of contracting coronavirus. For vulnerable populations who get sick easily, it is recommended to stay home instead of eating at a restaurant. If you’d like to support local businesses during this time, ordering take out or delivery are great alternatives that provide a much lower risk of catching the virus.
Image Source: Governor Kate Brown’s Facebook
Who needs to wear a face covering?
Governor Kate Brown’s Facebook
Everyone over the age of two years should wear a face covering in public spaces. The CDC has provided certain exceptions, listed under “Feasibility and Adaptations” here.
The mandatory face covering rule is meant to keep the people around us healthy. It is important to wear a face covering, face mask or face shield if you are able to. A business might ask you to leave if you do not have a face covering on inside. This is to keep employees and other customers safe from getting sick.
It is your right to request reasonable accommodation if you are unable to wear a face covering outside of your home because of your disability. “The Americans with Disabilities Act protects you from discrimination on the basis of disabilities in public places.” Oregon’s public accommodations law makes it unlawful to discriminate against a customer if they have a disability. You do not need proof that you have a disability. Disability Rights Oregon has created a document as guidance for people who are unable to wear masks in public.
“Businesses must modify their policies and procedures when necessary to serve customers with disabilities and take steps to communicate effectively with customers with disabilities. However, what these modifications look like may be different from business-to-business.”
Private businesses must make reasonable modifications for people with disabilities who cannot wear a face covering in public. This does not mean that people with disabilities are exempt from wearing face coverings, but it does mean that certain modifications should be made, such as:
Allowing a person to wear a loose scarf or face shield instead of a mask
Acknowledging a request for accommodation to place orders online or over the phone, curbside pickup, or no-contact delivery. It is a good idea to call businesses before you visit to let them know that you cannot wear a face covering due to a disability and ask about alternate accommodations they will provide.
Whether or not you can wear a face mask in public, other recommendations to keep you safe include:
Schedule meetings and appointments online or outside with plenty of distance between you and the other person
Order groceries and essential items online or over the phone
Stay AT LEAST 6 feet from people outside of your home
Wash your hands often
If you are a Community Pathways customer: talk to your PA if you are still unsure about your rights, when to wear a face covering, or how to obtain a face covering.
PSW’s are required to wear a face covering or mask when interacting with the people they support. Read more about precautions during COVID-19 and how to obtain face coverings here.
If you are not a customer or PSW but you are in need of a mask: Portland-based company DHVANI will provide one free reusable face covering to anyone who writes in a request.
There is a LOT of new information about face coverings, and a lot of rules that come along with wearing them. New things take time to adjust to! If we are struggling to adapt, it might be helpful to remind ourselves that wearing the face covering is an act of kindness: “I will protect myself by using this mask because I care about my community, and the people around me.” – OHA Community Partner call: July 6, 2020
COVID-19 Eviction Laws
If you rent an apartment or house, make sure you are aware of COVID-19 regulations which protect tenants during the pandemic. Oregon State Legislature passed a new law on June 26, 2020 to prevent landlords from charging late fees, eviction for nonpayment, or termination notice without a cause. Tenants can defer rent payment between April 1st to September 30, 2020 and they will receive a six-month grace period to pay rent without penalty. Read more on this COVID-19 Eviction Moratorum document.
Healthcare and Hospitalization Support
Exciting news: Senate Bill 1606 unanimously passed the Oregon State Legislature! This bill ensures that Oregonians with disabilities will have access to healthcare and support from people they trust when hospitalized. This bill was pushed due to examples such as Christine Getman, who was denied her request for personal supports she needed while staying in a Portland hospital. Watch Christine’s testimony here. SB 1606 will hopefully prevent this from happening in the future.
If you are a customer, talk to your PA and visit our emergency planning page for more information on your rights in hospitals and doctor’s offices. The page also has Disability Rights Oregon’s contact information if your request to reasonable accommodation at a medical facility have been ignored.
Understand your rights to health care access and prepare for emergencies so you can get the best possible treatment if you are sick or hurt. This is especially important during the COVID-19 crisis.
PA Spotlight of the Week
Desiree is a new PA at Community Pathways! She has been a welcomed addition to the team.
Desiree and her husband camping in the Gorge
Desiree does most of her work at home - but that doesn’t stop her from enjoying her new gig! She has been getting to know her customers and coworkers by Zoom calls and emails instead of in-person meetings.
Desiree has a lot of hobbies she can still enjoy during the pandemic. She goes camping, spends time with her kids at home, and does crafts such as knitting and sewing. Read more about Desiree on our staff bio page!
Upcoming Events online
Oregon Department of Justice (DOJ) Community Conversations
Throughout July, the Oregon Department of Justice (DOJ) is hosting a series of online conversations related to experiences with Institutional racism and implicit bias. Join in these calls to talk about Oregon’s new hate crime law, and how Oregon DOJ can engage with your community. There are two sessions left:
Latinx Session: Friday, July 10, 2020, 1-3pm
Event/access code: 133 177 1055, Password: justice
Black/African American Session: Monday, July 13, 2020, 1-3pm
Event/access code: 133 606 1693, Password: justice
Click here to join the sessions with video, or dial in toll-free for audio only: 1-855-797-9485