OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY: Tips for getting face coverings to fit better; Data reporting updates; Facebook Live event Thursday Dec. 3rd

Recently Oregon Health Authority asked you to share your tips and tricks for making face coverings work better for you. Last month we shared your suggestions for avoiding fogged-up glasses, increasing comfort and remembering to bring your face covering with you. Today we’re sharing reader suggestions for making face coverings fit better.

If a mask is too baggy due to long ear straps, the straps can be twisted before placing over the ears for a tighter fit.
If your mask is slipping down, tie a small knot in the ear loops or pinch off the strap with a small rubber grommet that you can buy at a hardware store.
Silicone stoppers (pictured below) can be added to the elastic earpieces on face masks, before or after sewing. They allow the elastic to be adjusted (loosened or tightened), behind the ears so face masks are more comfortable to wear. When the stoppers are on the elastic, a face mask can be adjusted to fit snugly against the face, with no openings around the cheeks or under the chin, and the material over the nose stays put.
If you have long hair, you can slip both loops of the mask around a ponytail, rather than your ears.
Cut to fit a piece of unscented, disposable dust-collecting mop cloth (such as Swiffer), and fit it inside the mask. It gives added filtering protection for small particles and helps the cloth mask fit better to the face.
Use a small clip that has a hook on one end and a clothespin type hook on the other end. Place the hook end over the nose bridge on your glasses and fasten the clip to the mask. No nose slippage.
Make an ear saver by using an old gift card or other similar card you don’t need. Cut it in half lengthwise. Hold one of the pieces horizontally and cut pairs of opposing notches, one on the top and one on the bottom, to hold the loops behind your ears.

Mask with strap

Eviction moratorium continues through Dec. 31

Renters must pay back any unpaid rent that is owed. Tenants have until March 31, 2021, under HB 4213 to pay pack unpaid rent owed from April 1, 2020, to Sept. 30, 2020. Back rent from Oct. 1 through Dec. 31 is due Jan. 1, 2021.

New report highlights Oregon’s COVID-19 data reporting

A new report from Resolve to Save Lives, a global health initiative focused on cardiovascular disease and epidemic prevention, spotlights Oregon’s COVID-19 data collection and sharing.

In July, Resolve to Save Lives released a review on the status of publicly available state-level COVID-19 information, along with the 15 key indicators all states should report on. Last month, a second review of states’ reporting on these essential indicators was published.

The analysis highlights Oregon for having one of the nation’s top-performing state-level dashboards, providing robust data for public consumption. Oregon is also featured as one of few states to provide comprehensive information on whether new cases are linked to existing cases, as well as one of four states that report data on mask use.

You can download the report, Tracking COVID-19 in the United States: Progress and Opportunities, to learn more. Check out OHA’s COVID-19 Data Dashboards here.

Coming Thursday: Facebook Live on social gatherings and holidays

As cases continue to rise in Oregon, COVID-19 is reshaping how Oregonians celebrate the holidays. Join us at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3, for tips on celebrating safely and information on social gathering guidelines. Our experts will answer your questions directly.

The Facebook Live will be available in English and in Spanish.

Share your experience with phone and video health care – listening session Sat. Dec. 2nd

Have you had a health care appointment by phone or video? Have you tried, but not been able to get care by phone or video because you don’t have access to a phone or good access to video or the internet? Oregon Health Authority and Department of Consumer and Business Services want to hear from you.

You can join the listening session Saturday, Dec. 5, at 2 p.m., to share about your experience with phone and video health care appointments. Your feedback will help the state plan for improvements to phone and video health care right now and in the future.

How to join the meeting:

By video: Join via Zoom.
By phone: Dial 669-254-5252. When prompted, enter access code 617006095#.

The meeting will be live captioned in English. Interpreters are available; please contact Amanda Peden at least three days before the meeting. Can’t make it? Send your input by email to community.outreach@state.or.us.