At Oregon PSR, we are doing our part to keep our communities safe from the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Public health experts’ understanding of the situation is evolving rapidly and we encourage you to continually check with the World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Oregon Health Authority, Multnomah County Health Department, and any other local county health department for the latest information.
For the foreseeable future, subject to change, Oregon PSR is adopting the following organizational policies, which may affect meetings and events with which we are involved:
- Staff will not be convening or attending in-person meetings and will instead plan to hold meetings over phone or by video conferencing, or will be postponing meetings until further notice. This includes already scheduled meetings, which we are in the process of switching to a virtual format. Oregon PSR volunteers are asked to do the same (please email us if you would like assistance setting up video conferencing).
- We will not be sending staff or volunteers to meetings, conferences, or other Oregon PSR-related activities that require travel or involve being in close physical contact with others. This is both to protect our staff from contracting the virus as well as to protect others from transmission, as it appears that people with no symptoms can be carriers of the disease.
- Per current public health guidelines, we encourage everyone to wash hands regularly and thoroughly, refrain from shaking hands, and do not go out in public if you have a fever or cough. If you are feeling ill, contact your healthcare provider.
- Remember that disease knows no nationality: Asian Americans have been experiencing discrimination during the outbreak. We urge all to resist baseless fear and xenophobia, support Asian communities, and if you are in the Portland area, please report hate incidents to Portland United Against Hate.
We will continue to assess the situation, track recommendations and best practices from multiple public health agencies, and update our policies accordingly. Should you have any questions about how this may impact upcoming Oregon PSR-supported events or meetings, please contact us.
Additional resources regarding the COVID-19 pandemic:
Join or view webinars organized by Oregon PSR's community partners
What the Coronavirus Can Teach Us About Nuclear Weapons
Americans’ Risk Perceptions and Emotional Responses to COVID-19
Resources on COVID-19 Relevant to Violence, Conflict, & Peacebuilding
Sign the Oregon Dept. of Justice Petition to Stand with the Asian American Community
Take Action: Congress Must Not Undermine Our Future in Pandemic Stimulus Package
Take Action to Protect All Oregonians, Including Undocumented Oregonians
An Open Letter on National Priorities in the Face of a Pandemic
Statement from National PSR to Supporters and the Public
Joint Committee on Coronavirus Response Testimony
Oregon PSR Message to Multnomah County on Passing Business Income Tax Increase
Tell Congress to Double the CDC’s Budget by Cutting Money to the Pentagon
Coronavirus: Wisdom From a Social Justice Lens
Coronavirus Is a Historic Trigger Event, and it Needs a Movement to Respond