MultCo Health Officer Jennifer Vines: "The testing situation is a frustration for all of us... we are having a difficult time ... getting the testing supplies."
Multnomah County is down to two week supply of gowns, gloves and masks. #coronavirus
(listening now to MultCo press conference) Vines says future depends on what we all do individually in next couple of weeks
Testing ability could lower from already inadequate level due to lack of supplies. Focused on symptomatic people with high risk of spreading: for instance living in long term care, shelter, correctional facilities.
People need to be able to get health care without worrying about catching coronavirus, she says.
"I understand the fear that people have. I share it" But cautions against second-guessing, fingerpointing.
Multco Chair @dkafoury: While most people can self-care, when they lose their home that capacity is gone. So moratorium on evictions, in partnership with courts, sheriff
People will have six months to repay when crisis over.
People will have six months to repay when crisis over.
For homeless people, 'we will begin opening hundreds of new beds of shelter' that meet social distancing guidelines.
Some areas won't meet distancing guidelines-- but those will be restricted to folks who already have symptoms. Motels, hotels prohibited from barring people that the county pays for.
"Crisis exposes the character of a community.... in this county we will not stop looking out for each other."
Mayor @tedwheeler: 'We're just in the very beginning of this pandemic.... Everybody is being asked to sacrifice" so we can get though this as quickly as possible
City in alignment with county on eviction moratorium.
Rent will continue to accrue.. but there will be a repayment 'grace period' of six months after city emergency ends.
Wheeler calls on Legislature to increase rent assistance for all Oregonians.
Wheeler mentions task force set up yesterday to help businesses, says all options on table, including grants.
Exploring commercial eviction strategy
Employees who can telework now are required to do so.
City has suspended rules allowing in-person participation in council meetings.
Kafoury: Assessor's office closed to public; but health clinics will remain open. Public meetings will be remote as with city. Written testimony accepted but not in person
Wheeler says asking banks and credit unions to help landlords with mortgage issues due to cash flow issues
Protesters briefly over presser. Comms director calms folks
Before that, Wheeler was asked about opening Wapato as former Gov. John Kitzhaber suggested on Sunday. Mayor's response: "all options are on the table."
County expects to have additional beds open before end of the week.
Per Kafoury, state of emergency will last as long as necessary. Wheeler agrees.
Vines on two-week supply of masks, gloves, gowns etc: She's not sure what it means, they are working on how to conserve it. Addresses "energy in the room" and says a crisis like this shines a light on society's issues-- 'multiple crises within crises"
Wheeler on social distancing... says he thinks people are taking the recommendations seriously. "i believe that the message is getting through."
To clarify: this refers to City of Portland employees
