BALLOTS IN THE MAIL; PARKS INCREASE STEWARDSHIP STAFFING; NO ANTIBODY TESTING LOCALLY; DAILY DIGEST 4.28.2020
News Release from Central Oregon Emergency Information Network
Downloadable file: Ballot_Image.jpg
PREPAID POSTAGE ON MAY 19 PRIMARY BALLOTS
On Wednesday, close to 177,000 ballots for the May 19 Primary Election will be mailed to voters in Deschutes, Crook and Jefferson counties.
County Clerks encourage voters to vote early and take advantage of new pre-paid postage for ballots.
“Oregon’s Vote By Mail elections allow voters to stay at home, stay safe, and vote early,” said Deschutes County Clerk Nancy Blankenship. “We encourage all voters to take advantage of new prepaid postage and return their ballots by mail.”
The last day to safely return a ballot by mail is May 12. After that date, ballots should be returned using official ballot drop boxes. Find a ballot drop box near you.
BEND PARK AND RECREATION DISTRICT INCREASES STEWARDSHIP STAFFING
The Bend Park and Recreation District is increasing its park stewardship team to educate and inform park and trail users about distancing requirements and to seek compliance with temporary closures to amenities including skateparks, sport courts and playgrounds.
Park stewards and Bend Patrol staff visit parks and trails to inform users about new rules and encourage community compliance with restrictions. They are coordinating with law enforcement and recently doubled the staffing for park stewardship.
District staff members from recreation that have reduced duties due to recreation facility closures and program cancellations are serving the community in new ways as temporary assistant park stewards. The additional staff means there are park stewards on duty from early morning to early evening seven days per week. Learn more about this effort.
NO FDA-APPROVED ANTIBODY TESTS LOCALLY
Many individuals are seeking serological tests, more commonly called antibody tests, for COVID-19. According to the Federal Drug Administration, approved tests “detect the body’s immune response to the infection caused by the virus rather than detecting the virus itself.” Because antibodies are typically not detectable until 10 to 14 days after infections with COVID-19, the FDA cautions that antibody tests should not be used to diagnose COVID-19. In addition, the World Health Organization has indicated that it is too soon to know if recovered COVID-19 patients are immune to the virus.
While many test developers are currently seeking FDA approval, there are few approved antibody tests on the market. The FDA warns that, “some firms are falsely claiming that their serological tests are FDA approved or authorized, or falsely claiming that they can diagnose COVID-19.”
Currently, there are no FDA-approved antibody tests available in Central Oregon. Individuals seeking an antibody test, locally or online, should ensure it is FDA-approved.
ABOUT COEIN
COEIN’s website, www.coemergencyinfo.blogspot.com provides a collective resource for up-to-date information. Access to accurate, timely information both locally and nationally is encouraged. Our County Public Health experts point to the Oregon Health Authority and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as good sources of information. Daily situation updates are available via email at http://bit.ly/COVID19UPDATES
COVID-19 phone line: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. 541-699-5109
Central Oregon Emergency Information Network (COEIN), includes Deschutes County Health Services, Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, St. Charles Health System, Crook County Health Department, Crook County Sheriff’s Office, Jefferson County Health Department, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department, tri-county public schools, City of Bend, Bend Police, Bend Fire & Rescue, and others. COEIN’s purpose is to collect, coordinate and distribute timely and accurate information.
Accommodation Information for People with Disabilities
To obtain this information in an alternate format such as Braille, large print, electronic formats, etc. please contact the COEIN JIC at 541.316.0087 or centraloregoninfo@gmail.com.
On Wednesday, close to 177,000 ballots for the May 19 Primary Election will be mailed to voters in Deschutes, Crook and Jefferson counties.
County Clerks encourage voters to vote early and take advantage of new pre-paid postage for ballots.
“Oregon’s Vote By Mail elections allow voters to stay at home, stay safe, and vote early,” said Deschutes County Clerk Nancy Blankenship. “We encourage all voters to take advantage of new prepaid postage and return their ballots by mail.”
The last day to safely return a ballot by mail is May 12. After that date, ballots should be returned using official ballot drop boxes. Find a ballot drop box near you.
BEND PARK AND RECREATION DISTRICT INCREASES STEWARDSHIP STAFFINGThe Bend Park and Recreation District is increasing its park stewardship team to educate and inform park and trail users about distancing requirements and to seek compliance with temporary closures to amenities including skateparks, sport courts and playgrounds.
Park stewards and Bend Patrol staff visit parks and trails to inform users about new rules and encourage community compliance with restrictions. They are coordinating with law enforcement and recently doubled the staffing for park stewardship.
District staff members from recreation that have reduced duties due to recreation facility closures and program cancellations are serving the community in new ways as temporary assistant park stewards. The additional staff means there are park stewards on duty from early morning to early evening seven days per week. Learn more about this effort.
NO FDA-APPROVED ANTIBODY TESTS LOCALLY
Many individuals are seeking serological tests, more commonly called antibody tests, for COVID-19. According to the Federal Drug Administration, approved tests “detect the body’s immune response to the infection caused by the virus rather than detecting the virus itself.” Because antibodies are typically not detectable until 10 to 14 days after infections with COVID-19, the FDA cautions that antibody tests should not be used to diagnose COVID-19. In addition, the World Health Organization has indicated that it is too soon to know if recovered COVID-19 patients are immune to the virus.
While many test developers are currently seeking FDA approval, there are few approved antibody tests on the market. The FDA warns that, “some firms are falsely claiming that their serological tests are FDA approved or authorized, or falsely claiming that they can diagnose COVID-19.”
Currently, there are no FDA-approved antibody tests available in Central Oregon. Individuals seeking an antibody test, locally or online, should ensure it is FDA-approved.
ABOUT COEIN
COEIN’s website, www.coemergencyinfo.blogspot.com provides a collective resource for up-to-date information. Access to accurate, timely information both locally and nationally is encouraged. Our County Public Health experts point to the Oregon Health Authority and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as good sources of information. Daily situation updates are available via email at http://bit.ly/COVID19UPDATES
COVID-19 phone line: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. 541-699-5109
Central Oregon Emergency Information Network (COEIN), includes Deschutes County Health Services, Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, St. Charles Health System, Crook County Health Department, Crook County Sheriff’s Office, Jefferson County Health Department, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department, tri-county public schools, City of Bend, Bend Police, Bend Fire & Rescue, and others. COEIN’s purpose is to collect, coordinate and distribute timely and accurate information.
Accommodation Information for People with Disabilities
To obtain this information in an alternate format such as Braille, large print, electronic formats, etc. please contact the COEIN JIC at 541.316.0087 or centraloregoninfo@gmail.com.
