Welcome to the first edition of the CNSCOS newsletter! This week we’re bringing you Covid-19 case updates from around the state, general Covid-19 news about vaccines and how to avoid misinformation, and some tips for helping families transition to online learning.  If you have questions or need Covid-19-related assistance, please reach out to covid19@nevehshalom.org. CNSCOS serves not just the Neveh Shalom community but also the Jewish communities of Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas counties.

Oregon Covid-19 Update

As of September 7, Oregon has reached 28,190 total Covid-19 cases As of August 29, Oregon has a declining positive test rate, with 4.6% positivity of people tested. This means Oregonians’ efforts to use face coverings, physically distance, and avoid gatherings are helping to slow the spread of COVID-19. Multnomah county was removed from the COVID-19 Watch List on August 28. (“Counties are placed on the Watch List when COVID-19 is spreading quickly and public health officials cannot trace that spread to specific sources”) Governor Kate Brown extends COVID-19 State of Emergency for 60 days. Extending the state of emergency declaration legally allows the Governor’s executive orders regarding COVID-19 safety guidelines to remain in effect.

Cases broken down by county

Latest numbers for Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington counties, from the week of August 23. You can view data from across Oregon here.

Covid-19 In the News

The race for a Covid-19 vaccine can be confusing, but good information is out there. Check out the New York Times’s Coronavirus Vaccine Tracker for information about how many vaccine candidates there are currently, what phases of trials they’re in, and who is making them. Flu season is starting soon, and doctors want you to get your flu shot. The flu hospitalizes thousands of people every year, and hospitals could be overwhelmed with flu patients on top of Covid-19 patients. The Oregonian has a great Q&A about the importance of getting a flu shot this year. To find out where to get your flu vaccination, use the Flu Vaccine Finder or call 211 (211info.org). While the Covid-19 pandemic spreads, so do debunked myths and misinformation. When you read news on social media, use strategies like stopping to assess your emotional reaction and thoroughly investigating the sources to help spot misinformation. The Oregon Health Authority shares facts about the coronavirus and information about testing in Oregon.

Back to School 2020

Oregon schools won’t open until Covid-19 case rates are low enough to meet county metrics. Case rates in Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas counties remain too high to safely return to on-site education.  To help with the transition to distance learning, the Oregon Department of Education created a guide with tips for at-home learning and resources for students and families. Creating a new routine and utilizing free at-home learning tools can help families navigate this unusual school year.

Virtual Learning Opportunities

Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Imperial College London, and the World Health Organization are offering free online courses on Covid-19 science to the public.

Covid-19 Outreach survey

We want to know how to best serve you. What questions do you have about Covid-19? What are your biggest concerns? What kind of resources are you looking for?

Fill out the survey here!

To learn more about COVID-19 information and resources, visit our website and OHA's COVID-19 page

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