WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
SPREAD THE FACTS, NOT FEAR
Rumors and false information are spreading as fast as the virus itself. Make sure you get your information from reliable sources:
Oregon Health Authority (OHA) – sign up for daily updates & helpful info
Governor Kate Brown: Oregon Coronavirus Information & Resources
Hood River County Emergency Management Office – Get Ready Gorge
Hood River County Department of Public Health
Center for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC)
World Health Organization (WHO) & WHO COVID-19 Myth Busters
In Oregon:
Search 211info for questions about the coronavirus or referrals to programs for food, shelter, child care, health care and more. You can also:
CALL 211 or 1-866-698-6155
TEXT your zip code to 898211 (TXT211)
EMAIL help@211info.org
HOURS Monday-Friday 8am-6pm
Hood River County information line:
A message with Coronavirus updates is recorded with new information and will be updated daily or as conditions change.
541-399-8022 (English)
541-399-8023 (Español)
Also see Get Ready Gorge for local updates.
Sign up for Hood River County Citizen Alerts. Get alerted about emergencies and other important community news.
Community Resources for Individuals, Families & Businesses
We are constantly updating this information. If you have suggestions or corrections, please let us know at info@hoodriverlibrary.org.
COVID-19 Prevention & Medical Care
Check your risk for COVID-19
Based on best clinical practices, CDC guidelines, illness severity and risk factors like age and pre-existing conditions.
If you think you have COVID-19, first call your health care provider or call 211. They will advise you if you need to come see them, otherwise you risk exposing others to the disease, or getting it yourself if you don’t actually have it. Many medical visits can now be done via telehealth video calls.
If you are having difficulty breathing, call 911 immediately or go to your local emergency room.
Prevent getting sick – how the virus spreads, how to protect yourself, cleaning & disinfecting your home, cloth face covers (CDC)
Guidance on using cloth face covers (HR County Public Health)
People who are at higher risk for severe illness (CDC)
Symptoms & testing (CDC)
If you are sick or caring for someone who is sick – what to do if you are sick, caring for yourself at home, caring for someone at home, disinfecting your home if you are sick. (CDC)
Local hospitals & medical resources (Get Ready Gorge)
COVID-19 Financial Resources for People with Cancer – American Society for Clinical Oncology
Disinfecting guidelines (HR County Public Health)
Groceries & food safety (Institute for Food Safety at Cornell University)
Health Insurance
COVID-19 health insurance information – Oregon Division of Financial Regulation. Please note: the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services issued a temporary emergency order in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. It requires all insurance companies to extend grace periods for premium payments, postpone policy cancellations and nonrenewals, and extend deadlines for reporting claims.
Mental Health & Suicide Prevention
Mid-Columbia Center for Living: 24-Hour Crisis Hotline 1(888) 877-9147
Mid-Columbia Center for Living – addiction, mental health, community support services. General information:
Hood River Office: 1(541) 386-2620
The Dalles Office: 1(541) 296-5452
Mid-Columbia Center for Living Warm Line
MCCFL is sensitive to the needs of our community during this time of the Covid-19 crisis. A warm line has been developed to meet the needs of children and youth in our community during this challenging time.
A Warm Line is a non-crisis listening service for children, teens, and parents/guardians of children who may be struggling with emotional, behavioral, and mental health challenges.
This is a free service. You do not have to be a client with Mid-Columbia center for Living to use the warm line.
The Next Door Mental Health Crisis Line
We have staff on hand to offer mental health assistance at no charge, during this time, for youth and their families to address stress and anxiety amid COVID-19.
Please call our new Mental Health Crisis Line: 541-308-7110
Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm
Ongoing services are available for those on OHP.
Oregon Health Authority Crisis Lines & support and treatment services
Alcohol and Drug Help Line 1(800) 923-4357
Mental Health Crisis/Suicide 1(800) 273-8255
Problem Gambling 1(877) 695-4648
Military Helpline 1(888) 457-4838
Youthline 1(877) 968-8491
Oregon Health Authority Suicide Prevention
Oregon Health Authority Suicide Prevention: Recognizing Depression in Youth
Ayuda En Espanol – National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (Español)
1(888) 628-9454
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
Mentalhealth.gov – government resources for mental health
Espanol Mentalhealth.gov – government resources for mental health (Español)
Senior Loneliness Line
1(800) 282-7035 or 1(503) 200-1633
Domestic Violence
Report child abuse at 1-855-503-SAFE (7233)
Helping Hands Against Violence – Chrysalis House, a domestic violence shelter in Hood River, offers shelter, safety, and supportive services to survivors and their children.
Crisis Line: 541-386-6603
National Domestic Violence Hotline – For any victims and survivors who need support, call 1-800-799-7233 or 1-800-799-7233 for TTY, or if you’re unable to speak safely, you can log onto thehotline.org or text LOVEIS to 22522.
Oregon Child Welfare COVID-19 Resources
Discrimination & Harrassment
Oregon Health Authority Fact Sheets:
Spread Facts, Not Fear (Español)
Viruses don’t discriminate. Neither should we. (Español)
Stop Coronavirus Racism, Combat Fear & Misinformation with Facts (Español)
Small Business Resources & Assistance
Small Businesses in the Gorge (Get Ready Gorge)
Hood River County is made up of many small businesses that can be particularly hard hit by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions and closures. EIDL (Economic Injury Disaster Loans) are now available from the federal government for local small businesses. The Small Business Association (SBA) deadline to apply for an EIDL is December 16, 2020.
Gorge Grown: Resources for Farmers & Producers
COVID-19 Business Resources (Oregon SBDC Network)
Oregon Small Business Development Center advisers are available to work with your business to answer questions and provide resources to help get through this period.
Small Business Resource Navigator
COVID-19 Business Resources (Oregon SBDC Network)
COVID-19 Small Business Resources (America’s SBDC)
A collection of Small Business Development Center resource from around the country. A good place to look for webinars directed toward small business owners.
USDA Rural Development Offers COVID-19 Assistance (PDF)
Assistance Paying for Utility Services
Utility Assistance Information (Oregon Public Utility Commission)
Many Oregon internet companies are offering free service; energy and telecommunications utilities are suspending service disconnections, and waiving late fees to support Oregonians impacted by coronavirus. In addition, state and federal programs can provide assistance to qualified individuals and households.
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Also, from Spectrum.net:
Community Assistance
More than ever before, Americans rely on high speed broadband in nearly every aspect of their lives. In the coming weeks, many will be affected either directly or indirectly by COVID-19. We’re committed to serving our 29 million customers and ensuring they maintain reliable access to the online resources and information they want and need. To ease the strain in this challenging time, as of Monday, March 16, we committed to the following for 60 days:
- We’ll partner with school districts to make sure local communities are aware of these tools to help students learn remotely.
- We’ll open our WiFi hotspots across our footprint for public use.
- We’ll continue to offer Spectrum Internet Assist, our high-speed broadband program to eligible low-income households.
- We’ll offer new free access to internet and WiFi for 60 days for new PreK to 12, college student and educator (PreK-12 teachers and college/university professors) households who don’t currently have internet or WiFi service and at any service level up to 100 Mbps.
We won’t terminate service for residential or small business customers who face difficult economic circumstances related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Similarly, we won’t charge late fees for those customers facing difficult economic circumstances related to the pandemic. Customers should contact us about qualifying for payment extensions related to COVID-19.
Beware of Scams / Price Gouging / Fake News
Contact the Oregon Department of Justice’s Consumer Hotline if you see merchants charging exorbitant prices for goods and supplies: 1-877-877-9392 or www.oregonconsumer.gov
Keep Calm & Avoid Coronavirus Scams – US Federal Trade Commission recommendations
Avoid Coronavirus Scams – Oregon Division of Financial Regulation
COVID-19 Myth Busters – World Health Organization
How to spot fake news – Coronavirus edition. There is a lot of information about the current situation being shared. Some of it’s right, some of it’s changed and some is just fake. Learn ways to identify what is good information and what shouldn’t be trusted from The Conversation.
Family Assistance & Support
Coronavirus Tax Relief & Economic Impact Payments
Information about the direct payments to individuals coming out of the federal stimulus (CARES) law. Most people making under $75,000 will automatically receive a $1200 deposit into their bank accounts. See link for more details.
IRS Federal Tax Deadline Extended to July 15, 2020
COVID-19 Scenarios and Benefits Available
Oregon Food Bank’s Food Finder
How to Find Food in a Pandemic
From Partners for a Hunger Free Oregon
Derechos de Inquilinos en Oregon durante COVID-19/Oregon Tenant Rights during COVID-19 (Español)
Mortgage Help for Homeowners Impacted by the Coronavirus
Utility Assistance Information
Child Care Information and Resources
Oregon Department of Human Services COVID-19 Information and Resources
COVID-19 Resources For Parents & Families of Students Experiencing Disability (Oregon Dept. of Education)
Mid-Columbia Center for Living Warm Line
MCCFL is sensitive to the needs of our community during this time of the Covid-19 crisis. A warm line has been developed to meet the needs of children and youth in our community during this challenging time.
A Warm Line is a non-crisis listening service for children, teens, and parents/guardians of children who may be struggling with emotional, behavioral, and mental health challenges.
This is a free service. You do not have to be a client with Mid-Columbia center for Living to use the warm line.
Aging and Disability Resource Connection
Protect yourself financially from the impact of the coronavirus (CFPB)
COVID-19 Eviction information for Oregon renters: A quick guide.
Video guide from the Community Alliance of Tenants.
Food Assistance / Local Take-Out Restaurants / Groceries
Please note: The food banks in Hood River and Wasco Counties do NOT require identification. If you are in need of food assistance, please see links below.
Partners for a Hunger Free Oregon has assembled information on accessing school meals during school closures. They also have answered many questions around SNAP & WIC benefits, food pantries, meals for college students and more.
Hood River County School District School Meal Program
FISH Food Bank – They also have a list of additional community resources.
Columbia Gorge Food Bank – weekly schedule of local food pantries and other info.
Meals on Wheels – Hood River Valley Adult Center
Food Hero Program – OSU Extension Service offers recipes and gardening tips for eating healthy on any budget. They also have a COVID-19 Activities For Home page for kids and adults.
Gorge Grown – where to find free and low-cost food in the Gorge and other resources. Also, visit the Hood River Farmers Market – new distancing measures have been added to keep everyone safe.
Apply for SNAP benefits – Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (OR Health & Human Services Dept)
Older Adult Food Help: 1-855-673-2372 (OR Health & Human Services Dept)
Hood River Take-Out Dining (GorgeCurrent)
Hood River County Food Resources – list of local restaurants serving take-out and grocery information.
Groceries & Food Safety (Institute for Food Safety at Cornell University)
Stock Little Free Libraries with Food (see “Where to Donate” below for more information)
Employee Resources / Unemployment Benefits
Work Disruption Resources (OR Employment Department)
Relief For Workers Affected By Coronavirus Act (OR Employment Department)
Resources for Workers During the COVID-19 Crisis
Seniors & People at Higher Risk
People who are at higher risk for COVID-19 and how to say safe (CDC)
COVID-19 Financial Resources for People with Cancer – American Society for Clinical Oncology
Meals on Wheels – Hood River Valley Adult Center
Groceries:
Rosauers & Safeway have created special shopping times for older and at-risk residents.
Rosauers & Safeway: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7AM-9AM
Fred Meyer: Advised to come in at 6AM as stock runs out early
Walmart: is open to high risk people only on Tuesdays from 6am-7am.
If you are NOT high risk, please do not go to these stores at these times to help our community members that are most at risk stay as healthy as possible during this pandemic.
Are you an older adult who needs help with shopping? Clients receive weekly phone calls from volunteers. Clients can request shopping orders during these calls. Clients do not have to pay at time of order or delivery but will be given an invoice from The Next Door Inc. to pay within 2 weeks of delivery. To support social distancing, all deliveries to be done as “no contact” or “limited contact” for clients who require it. Contact Britta Willson, Volunteers In Action Program Coordinator at 541-387-6404 or brittany.willson@providence.org to sign up.
Senior Loneliness Line
1(800) 282-7035 or 1(503) 200-1633
Avoid coronavirus scams – US Federal Trade Commission recommendations
Schools & Education
Hood River County School District – updates regarding distance learning, school meals, family learning activities, and more.
Oregon Department of Education COVID-19 Resources – important information for distance learning, mental health support, how to talk to kids about COVID-19, and much more.
COVID-19 Resources For Parents & Families of Students Experiencing Disability (Oregon Dept. of Education)
Columbia Gorge Community College – frequently asked questions for students, faculty, and the general public concerning COVID-19.
Education & Childcare Frequently Asked Questions – Governor Kate Brown: COVID-19 Resources for Oregonians
Child Care
Education & Childcare Frequently Asked Questions – Governor Kate Brown: COVID-19 Resources for Oregonians
Emergency Child Care Program – Oregon Early Learning
Support For Those Experiencing Homelessness
Gorge Outreach is a new program launching in Hood River, Sherman and Wasco counties to support vulnerable unsheltered individuals through the COVID-19 crisis.
Gorge Outreach (GO) is intended to help homeless community members decrease their vulnerability to infection while also limiting transmission of COVID-19.
Priority for hotel vouchers will be individuals or households with a member who are in a high risk category per current CDC guidelines and individuals with disabilities and/or underlying health conditions. Secondary objective will be to provide linkage to emergency shelter, community healthcare, and social service resources to promote improved health and social outcomes and decrease impact of high utilization of emergency services and contacts with law enforcement agencies and first responders.
For referrals call 971-238-4438. A GO Program Coordinator will contact clients with 24 hours for an initial eligibility screening.
Where to Donate
How Can I Help With The Coronavirus Effort In Oregon? – The best ways to volunteer, donate, and support your community (My Oregon News from the State of Oregon)
Hood River County Health Department is requesting donations of personal protective equipment – for latest updates, visit here.(Note new location, hours)
Donations to local food banks & community organizations: please see the list of organizations supporting local individuals and families on Get Ready Gorge or check directly with organizations you wish to support.
Stock Little Free Libraries with Food
“We know that it can be a real struggle for those families out there, especially if they don’t have work right now, and so we just wanted to make sure that we could help supply a little bit of supplies that’s something that they need.”
Dr. Teena Chopra, the steward of @littlefreelibrary, recommends these practices during Covid-19 with consultation from the CDC:
- “If you are sick, don’t share books [or food] in your library until you are symptom free:
- If your friend is sick, they should not come to your library.
- Use a hand sanitizer every time you use your library.
- Do not gather with others at your Little Free Library; practicing social distancing is critical to flattening the curve.”
We’ve made this map of the libraries in the county. If we are missing one, please email streetsalivehr@gmail.com
Volunteering
How Can I Help With The Coronavirus Effort In Oregon? – The best ways to volunteer, donate, and support your community (My Oregon News from the State of Oregon)
Get Ready Gorge is serving as a clearinghouse to match volunteers with organizations needing assistance.
You can also contact community organizations directly.
Oregon licensed health care workers looking to volunteer can sign up at the State Emergency Registry of Volunteers in Oregon