Are Portland's homeless prepared for freezing temperatures？

In February 2021, a winter storm hit Portland. Affected by the severe cold, the temperature in Portland dropped to minus 35 degrees. Due to freezing rain and heavy snow, the power supply of more than 270,000 people ware without power, and many infrastructures were destroyed. Compared with usual, the homeless in Portland are seriously threatened by the heavy snow.

Authorities in Portland are providing temporary shelters for homeless people who are not safe to live outside due to snow accumulation caused by the snow. According to Portland data provided by the government, they will be $16.5 million in federal CARES bill money for homeless service, created 365 of physical winter shelter, 100 portable toilets was installed in the whole community. In addition, the Portland government purchased six motels for older adults and other homeless people who are at high risk of contracting COVID-19. However, due to COVID-19, the shelter does not mean safe. How the homeless in Portland will survive the cold wave is worrying.

                (David Ryder/Getty Images)

Sources:

https://www.koin.com/news/homeless/freezing-temperatures-prompt-concern-for-portland-homeless/

https://ktla.com/news/nationworld/hundreds-of-thousands-without-power-in-pacific-northwest-snow-storm/

COVID vaccines and the homeless

Via the FDA

When the homeless will get access to the COVID vaccine is a very pressing issue, given how vulnerable the homeless population is to this virus. A large proportion of homeless people have chronic illnesses, which might make them a great deal more likely to die from COVID. This combined with the rising rate of homelessness makes the question all the more pressing. While information is still light on the ground here are a few answers I've found. Washington State is likely to serve its homeless population in phase 2 (of 4), but there's no estimate on when phase 2 will begin. Similarly, Nebraska intends to give its homeless population the vaccine in phase 1C which is after frontline healthcare in 1A and first responders in 1B. This looks as though it's roughly in line time-wise with Washington. In Massachusetts the order appears to be a little different, with homeless people and those incarcerated getting the vaccine before some of the other sensitive groups other states have prioritized. Still, none of these resources give much of a time estimate, just that the homeless population will be served before the general public. 

The state names at the beginning of each sentence are hyperlinked to further reading on each of these states. 

COVID-19 Shutting Us Down

Portland just like everywhere in America is being hit hard with COVID-19 and what it has done to local businesses. It has brought extreme tension and sadness on what is happening to our local economy. Not only are the business owners suffering, but so are the employees that make a living at the shutdown businesses. This latest shutdown by Governor Brown, which started on November 18 is very scary in terms if businesses will be able to get back up on their feet again.

Financial Assistance to Businesses

Governor Kate Brown will be allocating $55 million in assistance to businesses that are being affected by  COVID-19. The money will come from the federal CARES Act fund. This is supposed to be the start of potential more money down the road to help sustain the economy until the virus gets contained. The money will be handled and awarded to the counties based on population. Each county will have to figure out how they want the funds distributed and managing the applications. The hospitality industry and the businesses from black, native American and other disadvantaged communities will be prioritized. 

 

https://www.oregonlive.com/business/2020/11/oregon-gov-kate-brown-pledges-55-million-in-state-aid-for-businesses-hurt-by-covid-19.html

 

 

Oregon Business Groups Urging Kate Brown of shutdown

Oregon’s Coronavirus Recovery Business Coalition urged Kate Brown to consider alternatives in regards to her shutdown of businesses. Sandra McDonough, President and CEO of Oregon Business & Industry said that this shut down will be a lot more damaging than the previous one. This shut down is a little bit more mysterious than the last one right now for workers and business owners because we had the federal unemployment support and small business assistance that was in play. The Business Coalition brought to the table some ideas, but the governor was not buying into that course of action.

 

https://www.wweek.com/news/business/2020/11/13/oregon-business-groups-urged-gov-kate-brown-not-to-implement-statewide-freeze-amid-covid-19-spike/

 

 

Ways to Help Small Businesses

1)Gift Cards- Purchasing gift cards would generate instant cash flow to the suffering businesses. It’s a Win-Win-Win though for all three groups involved though. The business is obviously benefiting because they are bringing in money. The purchaser is benefiting because they are going to be providing a good to the person of their choosing. The receiver of the gift card will obviously be benefiting because they will be able to spend money at that business whenever they want.

 

2)Shopping Local- Instead of shopping at all the chain restaurants or grocery stores do a good service and try to help out the local businesses instead. It is imperative during these times we are going through that we stick together and support each other as much as we possibly can.

 

3) Ordering Online- The easiest way in today’s world is to purchase everything and have it delivered by Amazon. Instead of doing everything the easiest and most convenient way try and order necessary items through local and brick and motor stores and shops. That could make the biggest difference towards them being able to fight through these times.

 

4) Pick-up from Restaurants- if some of your local restaurants don’t do delivery simply see if you can pick it up from them. Even though everything is most convenient through all of the food delivery services try and support your local restaurants when they need it the most.

Supporting Local Businesses on a Budget

As Oregon embarks on its second lock down order, small businesses are feeling this freeze both in spirit and in finances. Businesses have cut down their hours, services and for some, they have completely shut down. This is devastating for our community as a whole. Small businesses keep communities diverse and vibrant, not to mention the jobs that they provide. In an ideal world we could all donate and purchase from these small shops, but unfortunately due to COVID most of us are also suffering financially from this pandemic. So, how can we help our favorite local small businesses during COVID-19, while also watching out for our own finances? It turns out there are actually a few ways to do this!

The first way is by following them on social media and interacting with their posts. It's likely that many of them rely on social media to grow their businesses. Instagram and Facebook are huge tools for marketing, especially for small businesses that may not have a full marketing team. Interacting with their posts right now is one of the easiest ways to boost their account and spread the word about them! It just takes a couple clicks and you’ve helped a small business without even touching your wallet!

Another great way to help local businesses is by leaving positive reviews on Yelp or Facebook. These reviews help to boost their businesses website and encourage potential customers to check them out. You do not have to purchase from a small business to help boost their sales! Encouraging other people to try their product or service is a way to show that you care about their success and send more customers in their direction!  

One more way to help your local business get through this particularly tough time is by reaching out to them directly with a little word of encouragement. On top of the financial problems this is causing for so many small business owners, there is also a loss of morale that so many are experiencing. Sending an email or comment about how much you appreciate and love a small business is the emotional support they may need to get them through these uncertain times. Seeing sales go down can make business owners feel like they are not as wanted or appreciated, but this is not the case! If you are able to, send a nice email or a happy comment on their next instagram post. It might make their whole week!

Everyone is struggling right now in a lot of ways. We would all love to order take out every night and go on online shopping sprees, but that is not exactly feasible for many of us right now. Maybe we are not able to support our local businesses through our wallets, ,but we can support them through our words and hearts. 

For more resources and ideas check out these articles!

NBC News: 11 Ways to Help Small Businesses Affected by Coronavirus

Harvard Business School: Ways to Help Small Businesses Now

Coronavirus and its implications

    LGBTQ+ Youth are always at a distinct risk for struggles, due to their treatment within society. Oftentimes, being ostracized or bullied by peers can lead to exacerbation of mental health difficulties, and even physical ones. This can make it difficult to keep gainful employment, as well as continue to operate socially and keep in touch with friends.

    All of these struggles are significantly increased during the Coronavirus pandemic. In addition to the stress which they must deal with on a day to day basis, houseless individuals have no option to quarantine or stay safe within a room of their choosing. In many cases, all that resources can provide for them is a bed within a room filled with other individuals. When considering trans identity, it may become a choice to stay at a location which doesn't adequately address gender of the individuals staying there, or stay nowhere at all. 

    All of this stress builds, and can lower the immune system, which means a lower capacity to fight infections. These issues can snowball into one another, and a problem in one environment can potentiate the problems in others. One of the best ways to care for these individuals is to donate funds to them, in order to provide them with adequate shelter, and a place to be able to rest and recover. This virus does not discriminate, and all humans deserve to have access to ways of keeping healthy.

Coping with COVID-19 while experiencing homelessness

 

Photo by Tim Mossholder from Pexels

COVID-19 has touched every corner of this planet, affecting the lifeways and practices of almost every person. Masks, face shields, social distancing, frequent handwashing and cleaning of surfaces are increasingly commonplace. 

But what happens when you don't have access to running water? What happens when you share an encampment with many others, with no way to socially distance? Where do you get masks if you can't afford them?

Protests in Portland: How civil unrest affects the unhoused

Photo by Taufiq Klinkenborg from Pexels

Protests in Portland, Oregon, have garnered much media attention, and have been a consistent presence in the city for over two months. Police tactics from the local Bureau as well as Federal agents have sparked both outrage and support, mostly depending on one’s political leanings. People are risking their health and safety to be out in the streets, practicing their First Amendment rights and taking part in civil disobedience in response to police brutality. 

But the people in the streets each night- protestors and police alike- get to go home and wash off the tear gas afterward. What about the people who don’t have a home to go to? 

Corona-virus outbreak puts local shelters in a difficult position

People experiencing homelessness are in an essential state of crisis at all times. Many of us would agree that shelter is essential to have a continuously sustainable and stable life. So what is someone without a home to do when the society they’re a part of is facing a pandemic that requires all citizens to severely limit their outdoor time and contact with other people? COVID-19 has been difficult to face and requires everyone to change their daily routines in order to subdue the spread of the virus. Things such as staying mostly isolated, washing your hands frequently and staying home when you feel sick are essential. All of these things can be a challenge for someone experiencing homelessness. In addition, most of the shelters in the area are fairly tightly packed with beds, not allowing for the recommended 6 feet of distance between people. Therefore, the houseless population is at high risk during these times. Especially considering many have underlying health issues. So what is there to be done?

Unfortunately one of the easiest solutions for shelters has been to offer beds to fewer people in order to meet the requirements of proper spacing between individuals. Shelters are given motel vouchers but are restricted to use them only in severe cases. In order to make a real impact in slowing the spread of the virus in a community as vulnerable as this would be for the local government to expand funding on these motel vouchers and loosen the requirements for when they are allowed to be used. Things such as this will only become more necessary in the coming weeks. 

The National Low Income Housing Coalition has put together a document of things required for the houseless population to adequately respond to the onset of COVID-19. Policymakers are currently working on a spending package that addresses how public health will be affected by the virus. In order for this spending package to be beneficial to homeless populations, NLIHC recommends these things such as protections against evictions and relocations, medical respite care, and expanded outreach medicine. More information on NLIHC recommendations pertaining to the virus can be found here: https://nlihc.org/responding-coronavirus

Relating this to my last post (February 24th, 2020) about homeless youth in Beaverton, school being canceled due to the virus has created an especially difficult situation for this community, as well as low-income families. Many students rely on breakfast and lunch provided daily by the school. Fortunately, the district is providing a meal pickup service at many of their schools during the times when class was supposed to be in session. Remote learning isn’t as easily remedied, however. Many of the remote learning opportunities provided for students assume that students have access to the internet at home. This is an issue that has no simple fix as many community resources are closed through the end of the month. 

For more information related to the topics I discussed, check out the sources I’ve referenced here:

https://www.opb.org/news/article/covid-19-coronavirus-multnomah-county-oregon-homeless-shelters/

https://www.opb.org/news/article/portland-coronavirus-homelessness-covid-19-prevention-shelters/

https://www.beaverton.k12.or.us/departments/public-safety/emergency-preparedness/coronavirus

Written by Brody Jones