There are 22 new COVID-19 related deaths in Oregon raising, the state’s death toll to 2,346, the Oregon Health Authority reported today March 16, 2021.

The new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases reported today are in the following counties: Benton (3), Clackamas (28), Coos (3), Crook (2), Curry (5), Deschutes (15), Douglas (13), Harney (1), Jackson (18), Jefferson (2), Josephine (13), Klamath (7), Lake (2), Lane (12), Lincoln (3), Linn (5), Marion (34), Multnomah (50), Polk (4), Tillamook (3), Umatilla (18), Union (3), Wasco (1), Washington (20) and Yamhill (2).

Vaccine Voices: Oregon’s Teacher of the Year Nicole R. Butler-Hooton

Nicole R. Butler-Hooton, Oregon’s 2021 Teacher of the Year, is a second-grade teacher at Irving Elementary. Butler-Hooten’s story on Oregon’s Teacher of the Year webpage says that her “teaching style goes beyond instruction and serves to build lasting relationships with students and families.”

As a teacher and a Siletz and Apache tribal member, Butler-Hooton felt it was important to get the COVID-19 vaccine. She shared:

I got vaccinated against COVID-19 because I want to feel safe to be around my family members and friends. I want to feel safe returning to the classroom and teaching. The evidence has shown that it can help bring an end to the pandemic. In addition, Indigenous communities have been disproportionately affected by coronavirus, and I know I am more likely to have a negative outcome than many of my colleagues if I get sick. I believe the vaccine is safe.

The first vaccine I experienced a sore arm, lethargy, and a mild headache. I was back to normal within a few days. The second vaccine caused me to experience severe flu-like symptoms for two days following. I had a high fever, chills, headache, body aches, and nausea.

Nicole R. Butler-Hooton after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine.

 

Vaccine side effects often mean the vaccine is working

Many of us are eagerly awaiting our turn to be vaccinated and hearing from others about their experiences taking the vaccine. You may have noticed that some people have side effects and others don’t. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), side effects are normal signs that your body is building protection. Having side effects may make it difficult to do daily activities, but they should go away in a few days. Some people have no side effects, but the vaccine is still working.

See the graphic below for a list of common side effects and what you can do to relieve them.

Did you know? Renters must take action to get protected from eviction

Renters in Oregon must take a step to be covered under the current statewide eviction moratorium that will last until June 30, 2021. With limited exceptions, landlords cannot evict renters for nonpayment or without cause until July of 2021 — if renters sign and return a form to their landlord if they can’t afford their rent. Renters who do not return the form are not protected, and can be evicted!

In order to be protected from eviction, you will need to take the following steps:

1. Download the declaration of financial hardship form.
2. Sign the declaration of financial hardship form.
3. Return the form to your landlord as soon as possible (keep a copy for your records!) Renters can return the form by text, email, first class mail, personal delivery, or fax.

Find the form here: courts.oregon.gov. If you have questions or need legal information you can contact one of these agencies:

• Oregon Law Center
• Legal Aid Services
• Community Alliance of Tenants

Renters can give the form to their landlord at any time, up until the first appearance in eviction court. But renters should give the form to their landlords as soon as possible.

Please help spread the word in multiple languages by using the social media toolkit.

Read and share Oregon Coronavirus Update content on OHA’s new blog

Today, OHA launches a new blog, which features stories and information about COVID-19 vaccines in Oregon. It is another place to read and share some of the content from this newsletter. You can find it on the vaccine page at covidvaccine.oregon.gov or at covidblog.oregon.gov.