News and Updates
Community Pathways
Newsletter: Friday, August 21
Updates on Face Covering Guidelines
On August 13th, Governor Kate Brown released new guidelines for face coverings at businesses and office spaces. These guidelines require face coverings in public and private building hallways, bathrooms, elevators and other common spaces - unless employees are in work spaces or meeting rooms in which 6 feet of distance or more can be maintained. It is also important to note that face coverings should be worn while traveling in a car with people outside of your home if you cannot maintain a 6-foot distance.
By now you are likely aware that face coverings are crucial to slowing the spread of coronavirus. But, as mentioned in our last newsletter, many of us are still getting used to incorporating them into our daily lives. Medical professionals have been releasing very useful information on how to properly use and care for face coverings in order to wear them safely and effectively. Even with all this information, many of us might still have questions about face coverings. Read below for explanations to commonly asked questions about various types of face coverings and masks, and how to use and care for them.
Types of Face Masks
There are many different types of masks we can wear to protect ourselves and others. If you find it difficult to wear a typical face covering, you could also try a scarf, bandanna, or mask with adjustable toggles which might make it more comfortable. If you are a customer, talk to your PA about finding the right face covering or mask for you. The guide below (source here) should help to differentiate between common coverings that people use.
Cloth Masks/Face Coverings
The cloth masks we wear are also called “face coverings” because they are not surgical grade “masks” that doctors wear in hospitals. Cloth face coverings are often made of cotton, and can even be homemade. Cotton is a common material to use for face coverings because it is tightly woven and very thick, which is helpful for protection against germs. However, although cloth face coverings reduce the risk of spreading germs, they are not completely effective in blocking germs, which is why a 6-foot distance from others is still recommended.
Surgical Masks
Surgical masks are made of paper and plastics and they are usually light blue and white in color. Doctors or dentists commonly use these during procedures, and they are limited in supply. It’s important to wear these the correct way; the blue color faces outward. These masks are effective at blocking large droplets, but due to the thin covering and loose fit on the face, they do not protect from smaller droplets.
N95/Professional Grade Masks
N95 masks are used by healthcare workers to protect themselves from droplets in the air while they are in a medical setting. These masks fit tightly with a protective seal. They are very effective, but not recommended by the CDC to wear on a daily basis. These masks are reserved for essential workers, like doctors and nurses. To be used properly N95 masks should be properly fitted to the person.
Face Shields
Face shields block the entire face with a clear sheet of plastic. Before the pandemic, dental hygienists often wore face shields. These shields don’t offer a full barrier to protect from droplets, due to the open bottom, but they can be useful for people who are sensitive to tight materials on their mouths or people who have difficulty hearing, so they are able to read lips.
Masks for Individuals Who Are Hard of Hearing
There are also face coverings available for individuals who are hard of hearing, or have a friend or loved one who is hard of hearing. This article gives instructions on how to make a homemade conversation face covering for people who need to read lips in order to communicate.
What Type of Face Covering Do I Need?
See the visual below to determine when to use the different kinds of masks:
Face Covering Do’s, Don’ts, Myths and Commonly Asked Questions
When you wear a face covering or mask, make sure it covers your mouth and nose completely. Don’t wear it around your neck, forehead or below your nose. Practice talking with your face covering on before you leave your home so you are sure it doesn’t fall down to expose your nose. You shouldn’t touch or adjust your face covering while you’re wearing it.
Wearing a mask might be uncomfortable in the summer heat. When wearing a mask outdoors, choose materials with light colors if possible. Breathe through your nose to prevent heat and humidity from building inside your mask. If you feel overwhelmed or overheated, move away from others so you can remove the mask safely and rest without a face covering. You can view more information on mask safety by reading the OHA bulletin.
Caring for Your Face Covering
“By now, we all know that wearing a face covering is a simple step you can take to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. But what you do with them after you wear them is important too.”
- OHA Coronavirus update July 7th, 2020
Source: Facebook
You should wash your hands before and after touching your mask, and wash your cloth coverings/masks/bandanas after every use. It is best to have more than one face covering at home so you can alternate between them and make sure they are being cleaned.
It is okay to combine a face covering with regular wash. It is best to dry it on the highest heat setting possible and wait for it to be completely dry before using the face covering again. Masks shouldn’t be worn if they are wet or damp. This reduces the ability to effectively block germs from escaping the mask. For more information on caring for your face coverings, you can visit the CDC’s website.
For further information on face masks, read OHA’s face covering fact sheet or visit Oregon’s COVID-19 mask requirements web page.
CPI Employee Highlight of the Week
A fall-themed wreath that Liz is making
Liz is our new communications manager at CPI! She joined the team this August. Although Liz has been staying home as much as possible, she is still keeping busy during the pandemic. While at home, Liz occupies her time with art and crafts. She loves to paint and make holiday decorations. She recently started working with clay and ceramics, too.
Liz’s cat Freddy, mid-yawn
Liz is adjusting to a new job online. As many of us have experienced during the stay-at-home orders, her interaction with friends and colleagues is very different now. But she is excited to find new ways to connect with her new coworkers and the CPI community! Find out more about Liz in her staff bio on our web page!
Summer recipe
Even though you may have seen some fall decorations or Halloween costumes out at the store, it is still officially summer for another month! Which means tomatoes, tomatoes and more tomatoes. The easy recipe below will help use up all of those pretty red fruits. This tart can be eaten as a snack or as lunch or dinner, paired with a side salad.
Source: Cup Of Jo
Tomato and Cheese Tart (via Cup of Jo)
Kitchen Items and Ingredients
You will need parchment paper, a rolling pin and a baking sheet.
1 sheet frozen puff pastry (thawed)
1/2 cup ricotta cheese
5 large tomatoes
Flaky sea salt
Fresh or dried thyme
Recipe Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
Place puff pastry on a sheet of parchment paper and gently roll with a rolling pin to even out the pastry.
Place parchment with puff pastry onto a baking sheet.
Evenly spread ricotta on top of puff pastry, leaving 1-inch (without cheese) all the way around.
Sprinkle salt and thyme on top of ricotta.
Bake pastry for 15 minutes.
While the pastry bakes, slice up your tomatoes into 1/4 inch slices.
Remove pastry from oven and let it cool at room temperature on the baking sheet for 10 minutes.
Top pastry with tomato slices and sprinkle tomatoes with additional salt and thyme leaves. Slice, serve and enjoy!
If you make this recipe, we’d love to see photos to feature in our next newsletter! Send those pictures to ekuth@communitypath.org.
Upcoming Events
ABI Your Voice, Your Vote!
ABI (All Born In) is hosting a virtual workshop to teach the DD community about voting. You will learn how to register, what the voting process is like, what your rights are and what to expect this November for the presidential election.
Host: ABI (All Born In) Time: 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM Date: Wednesday, August 26th, 2020 Where: Virtual Workshop via Zoom, sign up here.
Questions? Email anugent@nwdsa.org
Event page may be viewed here.
Creative Alternatives to In-Person Gatherings
Organize drive-through greetings or car parades for celebrations like birthdays and other special events. Decorate posters or pick a theme and dress up for extra fun!
Use a video calling application to put together a dance party, karaoke night, book club or cooking class with friends or family.
Host a virtual game night. Websites like Playingcards.io and applications such as Jackbox.TV allow you to play cards and trivia games with friends from afar!
Newsletter: Friday, August 7
communicating with others during covid-19
In these unprecedented times, we are expected to keep up with a lot of change. Physical distancing and face coverings are huge adjustments to our daily lives. This means that we might need to establish new social etiquette that we weren’t used to before the pandemic. Read below for helpful communication tips in case you have been experiencing challenges while wearing a face covering or maintaining social distancing with others.
Wearing a Face Covering in Public Spaces
Even before the pandemic, it was common in some cultures to wear a face covering if someone is sick or wants to prevent getting sick. However, this way of life is very new to many of us in Oregon. Wearing a face covering may feel odd at first, and it may make it difficult to communicate with others.
When you are in a public space, it is helpful to remember that tone, eye contact and volume of your voice are all very important when your face is covered. If you have trouble carrying your voice, it might be helpful to bring a notepad to write your message on or use gestures to help with communication.
Image Source: CDC Considerations for Wearing a Mask
Masks should cover your mouth and nose at all times, so make sure to choose a mask that is comfortable and doesn’t slip off of your nose while talking to people. If you have trouble breathing in a face covering, find one that has breathable fabric and wicks moisture. You can also consider using a face shield instead. This will help you communicate AND keep people around you safe. The only time you want to touch your mask is when you put it on or take it off at home – always washing your hands before and after you do so. Cloth masks need to be washed after every time you wear them. Disposable masks need to be thrown away after each use.
Multnomah County’s website has tips for people who are hard of hearing to communicate with face coverings. The site also has helpful communication cards to download, print and bring if you need to leave home.
If you see someone in public who isn’t wearing a mask or face covering when they should be, try to avoid interaction and remove yourself from the situation if you feel at risk. Remember that by maintaining your six-foot distance and wearing a face covering, you are setting a good example and keeping the community safe. We can’t control other people’s actions, but we can do our best to stay healthy and be prepared for anything.
If you feel that a business is not enforcing proper face covering guidelines, you can file a complaint with OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) to investigate the issue.
Navigating Social Situations
COVID-19 continues to be a threat to Oregonians and actions have been taken by our state’s leaders in order to slow down the spread of the virus. It is still recommended to stay home as often as possible and follow the CDC’s guidelines to protect yourself and others. If you do leave home, it’s important to remember that many people are responding differently to coronavirus than others. This might depend on individual risk level or awareness of updated science related to COVID-19. This means that some people have different boundaries and expectations than others when it comes to preventing the spread of the virus.
Maintaining Boundaries with Friends and Family
“Managing risk during a pandemic is a delicate dance. It can be hard to tell friends and family that you can’t see them. It might feel awkward to set safety expectations ahead of get-togethers.” - Oregon Health Authority Coronavirus Bulletin on July 27th, 2020
You might find yourself in some uncomfortable situations, such interacting with a friend who does not keep six feet distance between you when you meet for an outdoor get together. Or, you might have a family member who isn’t updated on CDC’s recommendations and you’d like to keep distance from them in order to maintain your health and safety.
One way to navigate these situations is to make sure loved ones understand your concern for your own health and safety. If you experience a social situation in which you’re unsure about how to communicate your boundaries, the following sentences developed by Oregon Health Authority are very helpful guides to express your desire to continue social distancing:
“I believe it’s important to stay home and keep the virus from spreading”
“In our family we’re keeping a healthy distance from others to help reduce the spread of the coronavirus.”
“I care about you and want to see you, but I want to make sure that we are on the same page about how we keep each other healthy and safe right now.”
“I look forward to seeing you when we can all safely get together again.”
“We would love to visit with you over the internet or on the phone.”
It’s good to initiate these conversations. Remember that health and safety of yourself and loved ones is the highest priority right now. We are all adjusting to new social norms around coronavirus, and it is best to navigate through open and honest conversation rather than put yourself at risk of getting sick.
If you’re not sure about what might put you at risk or when to have these conversations, the following graph displays risk levels related to certain activities. Staying home as often as possible is the safest and most efficient way to reduce the spread of coronavirus.
Keeping Your Distance in Public
Social situations that make us nervous about spreading coronavirus can happen with anyone, not just among family and friends. You might meet a stranger at the pharmacy who stands too close to you. You might take a walk and run into a neighbor who is not wearing a mask but still would like to stop and chat with you. Dr. Tracy Shaffer, Department of Communications at Louisiana State University, has created a helpful guide for situations in which an acquaintance or stranger makes you feel at risk. The guide is called REST.
R: REFLECT
Reflect on the situation. Check your surroundings to see if you can remove yourself and step away from the person who approached you. Also, try to put yourself in their shoes and understand why they might be getting closer to you. Maybe they are also avoiding someone who is in their space. Try to be calm and stay aware of your surroundings.
E: EYES
If you cannot remove yourself from the situation, use eye contact and expression to communicate feelings of concern to the person.
S: STATEMENT
If you find that reflection and eye contact are not sufficient in this situation, a statement might be necessary to express your concern.
T: TACT
Use tact and politeness in your statement. Say something such as: “I’m really concerned about my immune system, can you please keep your social distance?”
Read more about Dr. Shaffer’s recommendations here.
According to Oregon Health Authority physicians and mental health specialists, the best thing you can do in all situations during the pandemic is be prepared. It is important to understand that although most people mean well, some individuals might forget how serious the virus is when they are caught up in daily chores or activities outside of their homes. Prepare yourself by creating polite statements for different situations in which someone might get too close. This can help you to stay calm and communicate effectively, which is important in order to keep yourself safe and healthy.
Americans with Disabilities Act
Did you know that last Sunday, July 26th, marked 30 years since George W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) into law? According to Disability Rights Oregon, ADA was a “landmark civil rights law that made clear people with disabilities have an equal right to live, work, and participate in our society.” This law was signed in order to prevent discrimination against people with disabilities at a federal level by providing inclusion standards for businesses, health care, social services, transportation and telecommunications.
As far as our nation has come in the past 30 years, there is still a lot of work to do in order to fight for advocacy among the DD community. This is especially important to acknowledge during the ongoing pandemic; the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recognizes the inequalities in public health among people with disabilities. “Some people with disabilities might be at increased risk of being infected or having severe illness from COVID-19 because of their underlying medical conditions; they also might not be able to communicate symptoms of illness.” Read more from the CDC here.
Community Pathways advocates for our customers. We are here for you during this global crisis. If you are a customer, use your PA as a resource to ask about how to stay safe and prepare for emergencies. You can also access our emergency planning page to learn more about your medical rights and utilize resources for communicating in case of an emergency. This page also provides DRO’s contact information if you have experienced discrimination at a medical facility.
Want to advocate for the community? Here are a couple of ways to get involved:
Join Self Advocates Taking Action on the second Friday of every month from 11am-1pm. These meetings are now on Zoom; look for updates with meeting links on their Facebook page!
Write to the Senate to express the importance of including the Disability Community within COVID-19 Relief Bills.
““Never give up, be motivated by a challenge, and be a strong advocate for yourself as well as for others. Together, we will succeed.” ”
CPI Employee Spotlight of the Week
Zoe’s dog, Lily, sometimes has cat-like tendencies
Zoe loves walking her dogs and spending time in her garden, but she is very social and misses interacting with people face-to-face. She looks forward to the day when we can all do that again!
Zoe, CPI’s resource manager, has been keeping busy at home since the pandemic began. Zoe is enjoying extra walks and snuggles with her two dogs, Lily and Carter. She also enjoys tending to the flowers and vegetables she grows in her yard; this summer her husband built a new greenhouse to expand their garden!
Zoe is growing beautiful pink dahlias in her garden
Upcoming Events Online
Let’s Talk About Sex! Webinar for parents
10 - 11:30 AM on August 12, 2020
This online training, held by the Arc and OTAC, is designed to help parents talk to their children about sexuality, bodies, gender and relationships. Find out more and register here.
Portland Art and Learning Studio (PALS)
Check out PALS virtual classes such as poetry, creative writing, karaoke, drawing, and crafts.
Email PALSinfo@albertinakerr.org for more information.
FACT Oregon Tri4Youth Race Online
August 8 to August 22, 2020
FACT Oregon is holding a virtual challenge to complete 2.53 miles of physical activity. The Tri4Youth Race is a fundraiser to support families with the information, resources, and support they need to effectively advocate for children experiencing disability. Join for free and participate by sending photos or videos of the healthy activity of your choice! Find out more and register here.
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
Newsletter: Friday, June 26
Reopening and Staying Safe
Counties in Oregon continue to reopen at different paces. Community leaders put our health and safety as their highest priority. Infection rates and population density are huge factors that guide reopening decisions per county. Last week, the Governor announced that Multnomah has moved into Phase 1. Marion, Polk and Hood River Counties have been approved to move into Phase 2 (learn more about what the phases mean here). It is important to stay up-to-date with the current restrictions recommended in your county for each phase.
Unfortunately, coronavirus infections continue to rise. Based on Oregon Health Authority’s daily reports, Oregon recorded its largest daily increase in COVID-19 cases on June 21st. Coronavirus continues to spread and to be a serious health risk, especially to vulnerable populations. No matter which county you live in, it is important to follow the CDC guidelines to prevent getting sick.
It is still recommended to stay home as much as possible.
A new mandatory rule was put in place on June 24th to require face coverings to be used in indoor, public spaces in Multnomah, Washington, Clackamas, Hood River, Marion, Polk and Lincoln counties. As populated counties reopen, this will help to keep each other safe in crowded places like grocery stores.
If you are unable to wear a mask there are alternative ways to stay safe, including physical distancing and limiting activities in public spaces. If this is the case for you, talk to a support person about your options.
““As we learn more about COVID-19, we’re refining our strategies to prevent its spread. This means increased testing, strictly enforcing health and safety standards, a new face covering requirement, and calling on the public to remain cautious.””
If You Plan to Leave Your Home
Stay focused on your health and safety.
This coronavirus symptom checker is a useful tool to bookmark and use daily to remember to check in with how you’re feeling.
The CDC has developed a helpful list of questions to ask ourselves every time we go out (see below). These can help us think through our actions prior to leaving our home. Ultimately, we want to gather information about our activity and our community to determine if our trip away from home is a good idea, necessary and as safe as possible.
It might be a good idea to print these questions, or write them out, to keep them accessible.
The list of questions below are reminders to stay updated with local policies and CDC recommendations. They also examine how vulnerable you, or someone you live with, are to getting sick.
Each activity or trip outside of your home might be different. These are good questions to ask yourself every time you do something new.
Once you’ve answered these questions, you can use the safety scale below as a guide to determine risk. Public health experts rated the risk levels of spreading coronavirus through some common activities. Some activities are more dangerous than others. The lowest risk activities are rated as “1” and highest risk are “9”. Staying home is the activity with the lowest risk.
The CDC advises, “In general, the more closely you interact with others and the longer that interaction, the higher the risk of COVID-19 spread.”
A Note for Customers: Safety When Working with Providers
If you start working with your provider again, be sure to take the steps to protect yourself and your provider from the coronavirus.
Have a conversation with your provider about what steps you will take together.
Some precautions include:
Wear a face covering. Contact your PA if you need face coverings.
Ask your provider to wear a face covering.
Wash your hands often.
Ask your provider to wash their hands as soon as they come into your home.
Ask your provider to continue to wash their hands often, especially if they eat or do an activity that involves touching their face.
Try to keep a safe distance from each other. If you must travel in a car together it’s recommended to sit in the back seat, as far away from the driver as possible, and to roll down windows for air flow.
When possible, do outdoor activities.
If you or your provider feel sick, let each other know. The CDC recommends staying away from others if you show symptoms of COVID-19.
Make a plan for emergencies.
Your health and safety is important. Your provider’s health and safety is important.
Talk to your PA if you need help with setting up a safety plan.
Juneteenth
As you might know, last Friday was Juneteenth. The day commemorates freedom of African Americans in the US.
You might have seen our Facebook post recognizing this holiday in which we posted a link to the holiday’s general history. However, many of us didn’t grow up learning about Juneteenth in school. Community Pathways recognizes this as an important and unrecognized holiday. We would like to take this opportunity to provide more resources in order to expand on the education and history of the holiday.
“The History and Meaning of Juneteenth” the Daily podcast episode
Juneteenth: The Growth of an African American Holiday
How did we celebrate this year? How will we celebrate Juneteenth in the upcoming years?
Across the nation, people have been advocating to further educate and acknowledge this holiday. “There needs to be a reckoning, an effort to unify. One thing about national holidays, they help educate people about what the story is… Juneteenth legislation is a call for freedom, but it also reinforces the history of African Americans.” – Sheila Jackson Lee, U.S. Representative for Texas’s 18th congressional district. Read the full article here.
Black history IS American history. We have a lot of work to do as a nation to learn from racial inequalities and injustices in order to move forward and create change.
“Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”
CPI Employee Spotlight of the Week
Here’s another spotlight to keep in touch with what we’ve been up to while we stay at home!
Say hi to Kaaren, an employee at CPI!
Kaaren has mostly been staying busy by taking care of her one-year-old puppy, Honeybee. They go on walks around the neighborhood and visit neighbors from a distance. Kaaren is very proactive and loves to be involved with her community, so staying home is hard for her. She really misses going to PHAME, the DD Council, Oregon Self Advocacy Coalition, and working at the Community Pathways office. For now, she joins PHAME activities online and partakes in weekly Zoom staff meetings to catch up with coworkers. She is doing a great job of staying home – but she is excited for the day it is safe to hug her friends again!
Kaaren and her dog, Honeybee
Events and Resources
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. Oregon’s new hate crime law , and how Oregon DOJ can engage with your community.
To join the sessions below, click here to join with video or dial in toll-free for audio-only: 1-855-797-9485.
LGBTQIA+ Session: Monday, July 6, 2020, 1-3pm
Event/access code: 133 804 1146, Password: justice
Religious Minority Session: Wednesday, July 8, 2020, 1-3pm
Event/access code: 133 613 1955, Password: justice
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
Clackamas Service Center
Clackamas Service Center is a non-profit food pantry that is delivering free groceries during the COVID-19 pandemic to homes in the following zip codes:
97015. 97027. 97045. 97086. 97202. 97206. 97214. 97215. 97216. 97222. 97266. 97267. 97266.
To request a free grocery delivery: Call (503) 560-6178 between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday. If you reach a voicemail message, leave a message with your name & phone number. If you cannot call, email at info@cscoregon.org.
If you live in a zip code that is not listed here, visit Oregon Food Bank’s website to find food assistance near you.