Category: Information

As we turn our calendars to December, we’d like to share gratitude for those who modified their Thanksgiving holiday – potentially sacrificing time with loved ones – and helped to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our community, region and state. We know it’s hard, but you’re making a difference for your family, friends and neighbors.

Many thanks to those who continue shopping locally and ordering from our restaurants and breweries. We all need support this time of year, including our small businesses. For those remaining items on your holiday shopping list, check out the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce’s shop local guide.

Oregon’s Risk and Protection Framework

Tomorrow brings more changes as the state’s two-week freeze expires. Governor Kate Brown announced Oregon’s Risk and Protection Framework starting December 3. This new health and safety framework uses current data to help inform safety measures at the county level. 

Lane County falls under the extreme risk category due to the spread of COVID-19 in our community. While this is the highest risk category under Governor Brown’s new order, there are some changes.  

What’s allowed: 

• Outdoor dining; takeout highly recommended
• Retail stores, including Farmers’ and Holiday markets; max 50 percent of capacity, encourage curbside pickup
• Faith institutions; indoor max 25 percent capacity or 100 total (whichever is smaller), 150 outdoor
• Parks, hiking trails and outdoor gardens; max 50 people
• Outdoor recreation and fitness establishments; max 50 people
  • Amazon Pool re-opens on December 3 – registration info on website
• Outdoor entertainment establishments; max 50 people
• Personal services

See Oregon Health Authority’s Guidance by Activity Table for full details. 

The Oregon Health Authority will reassess county risk levels every two weeks based on the Disease Metrics Table. Governor Brown emphasizes that there is no Zero Risk category. Until COVID-19 vaccines are widely available, health and safety precautions will remain in place so that schools, businesses, and communities can reopen, and stay open.

Learn more about the new health and safety framework on our Keeping Eugene Safe page.

Mental Wellbeing During the Holidays

Many of us are feeling exhausted, anxious, and sad after dealing with months of the pandemic. Pandemic fatigue is real, and if you are feeling it you are not alone. It’s more important than ever to take care of ourselves. Here are a few ways to prioritize your wellbeing:

• Take care of your body by getting enough sleep, maintaining a nutritious diet and exercising regularly.
• Replenish your energy and reduce stress through activities like meditation, yoga, gardening, music, reading, walking in nature or watching a comedy.
• Connect with others. Being apart from friends and loved ones can be incredibly challenging and isolating. Find safe ways to connect like phone calls, video chats or online classes.
• Limit your news intake. The bombardment of negative and sensational headlines can be overwhelming. Take a break for a day or two or limit yourself on a daily basis.
• Create new traditions to give yourself something fun to look forward to, like a Friday family movie night or Sunday self-care.
• Get outside with Eugene’s parks and trails, a tour of the 20×21 Mural Project, or a drive to play in the snow.

The CDC has put together a guide for holiday celebrations and small gatherings with suggestions of how to safely celebrate. See our Health and Wellbeing page and open the Mental Health tab to find other helpful local and national resources.

Hult Center Presents Still at Home Talent Show – Holiday Edition

The Hult Center’s “Still at Home Talent Show – Holiday Edition” is now seeking entries from local creatives between now and December 10 for 2020 Holiday Card designs, original dances, as well as holiday songs both new and reimagined. Get the full details on how to apply and possibly win some snazzy prizes.

Stay Safe This Holiday Season

Follow the Four:

1. Stay six feet apart
2. Wear a mask
3. Wash Your hands
4. Avoid large gatherings

COVID-19 Resources 

See a list of Community Resources for physical and mental health, food, housing, businesses, employees, schools and children, as well as information in Spanish.

Also learn how you can help. Our partners have a significant amount of information available online. Please visit these resources for the most up to date information:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• State of Oregon
• Oregon Health Authority
• Lane County Public Health

Lane County Call Center: Open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., 541-682-1380

Thanksgiving is this week, and what would normally be a bustling time of year looks like a slow-motion video.  

One way you can help our community during this two-week freeze, if you are financially able, is to purchase pick-up orders from our local restaurants or gift certificates as holiday gifts. Our restaurants and bars are once again restricted to take out, which jeopardizes the future of many of these local businesses. 

This update has information about ways you can support our local economy this holiday season to help small businesses survive the pandemic, as well as resources for keeping yourself healthy through these difficult times. 

Shop Local

The holiday season normally ushers in a time of local economic prosperity as consumers purchase goodies and gifts, but this year will look much different due to COVID-19.  

The Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce is asking the community to consider shopping locally for the holidays, and so Chamber staff created a festive guide. 

If you have a product or service you’d like to have included in the holiday guide, please fill out the form for the Chamber to include. 
 

#LoveLaneBiz 

Supporting local businesses during this time will help these companies bounce back and our economy to recover. Right now, that support means shopping local, following health guidelines and providing grace and understanding as businesses adapt to and navigate new guidelines being required by the state. Take the pledge.
 

Holiday Market in the Park Blocks 

The Holiday Market, with its extensive array of craftspeople, returns to its downtown roots by moving from its indoor venue at the Lane Events Center to the outdoor Park Blocks. 

The Holiday Market will be open at the Park Blocks from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturdays, from Nov. 21 to Dec. 19 and will require people to wear face coverings and adhere to social distancing. The Holiday Farmers Market also remains on the Park Blocks each Saturday through Dec. 19 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Business Support

Layoff Aversion Funds

A limited amount of new funds will be available to help Lane County businesses keep their employees during the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on the State of Oregon Two-week Freeze requirements that began November 18, Lane Workforce Partnership will distribute a limited amount of Layoff Aversion Funds in Lane County to the following types of Lane County eligible employers with fewer than 20 employees:  

• Restaurants 
• Bars 
• Gyms 
• Fitness organizations 
• Other indoor recreational facilities  

Lane County Employers interested in receiving funds should complete the Application Form in its entirety (all fields are required) and submit to fiscal@laneworkforce.org by 5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 2.  Initial distributions will be made during the week of Dec. 7. 

Business Investment Grants 

The City of Eugene and Community Lending Works are hosting a grant opportunity for small businesses with priority of award going to those owned by black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) community members and women. Eugene businesses in the most impacted economic sectors (hospitality, retail, arts, and culture) ranging from 2 to 25 employees who have experienced negative impacts from COVID are eligible to apply.  

Award amount is based on employee count:  

• Businesses with 2-10 employees are eligible for $5,000 awards 
• Businesses with 11-25 employees are eligible for $10,000 award 

The grant opportunity opens today and applications will be accepted through end of day on December 6, 2020 – see Community Lending Works website for more details. 

Learn about additional resources on our Business Support page.  

Mental Wellbeing During the Holidays 

None of us expected the pandemic would still be impacting our lives when the holiday season came around. Holidays often bring up a range of emotions for people, from joy to loneliness, and this year has been especially difficult for everyone.  

The CDC has put together a guide for holiday celebrations and small gatherings with suggestions of how to safely celebrate (you’ll notice that wearing masks and keeping 6 feet of distance continues to be one of the top recommendations). Getting outside is one great way to take care of our mental health. Consider some of these options: 

• Many parts of Oregon already have snow – go for a drive to enjoy the scenic beauty, or bring a sled along  
• Enjoy the fresh air at Eugene’s numerous parks and trails 
• Take a tour of Eugene’s 20×21 Mural Project 
• Showcase your talent and win prizes in the Hult Center’s Still at Home Talent Show – Holiday Edition! 
• Try creating something seasonal, like homemade eggnog, or a wreath for your front door 
• Make homemade gifts to mail or deliver to loved ones 

Taking care of your emotional health and wellbeing is important right now. It’s vital that we all try to decrease stress and anxiety. It can help keep you physically healthy and, in turn, help those around you. See our Health and Wellbeing page and open the Mental Health tab to find helpful local and national resources.

Stay Safe This Holiday Season

Follow the Four:

1. Stay six feet apart
2. Wear a mask
3. Wash Your hands
4. Avoid large gatherings

COVID-19 Resources

See a list of Community Resources for physical and mental health, food, housing, businesses, employees, schools and children, as well as information in Spanish.

Also learn how you can help. Our partners have a significant amount of information available online. Please visit these resources for the most up to date information:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• State of Oregon
• Oregon Health Authority
• Lane County Public Health

Lane County Call Center: Open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., 541-682-1380

Eugene is once again in a make or break moment. Our COVID-19 cases have been rising steadily for weeks and our hospitals are sounding the alarm.

To prevent hospitals from being stretched to capacity, Governor Brown has announced a statewide two-week freeze in addition to a new travel advisory (more info on both below). These new measures put strict limitations on social gatherings, which continue to drive our COVID-19 case increases.

We can’t control the pandemic, but we can control the steps we take to protect ourselves and the community. If we do not act now to slow the spread of the virus, these restrictions will be extended.

Statewide Two-Week Freeze Begins Today

Last week, Governor Kate Brown announced a statewide two-week freeze, implementing new measures to limit gatherings and stop the rapid spread of COVID-19 across Oregon.

The two-week freeze will be in effect from today, November 18, through December 2.

These risk reduction measures are critical in limiting the spread of COVID-19, reducing risk in communities more vulnerable to serious illness and death, and helping conserve hospital capacity so that all Oregonians can continue to have access to quality care. They include restrictions on social gatherings, restaurants, retail, gyms and more. See our Keeping Eugene Safe web page for more information.

City Services Affected by the Freeze

Some City of Eugene services will have temporary changes due to the statewide freeze from Nov. 18 through Dec. 2:

• Eugene Public Library: All locations will remain open with most services continuing, including holds pick-up and book returns. Because fewer people will be allowed inside the buildings, two services will temporarily not be available: at the Downtown Library, there will not be counter service for same-day borrowing; and at Bethel and Sheldon branches, there will not be Internet computer access.
• Recreation: Sheldon and Amazon pools are closed. Adult programming and indoor sports leagues are canceled. We will be able to continue offering childcare, youth programming, outdoor sports leagues and virtual programming. Check with specific programs for any additional details.
• Parks and Open Space: The Rhododendron Garden at Hendricks Park and the Owen Rose Garden are closed. Community gardens are open for harvesting produce. All volunteer events during this period have been canceled and park rental applications are not being taken.
• Eugene Police Department: Eugene Police Records Section Front Counter is providing only the following services: vehicle impound releases, pet fix-it tickets, potentially dangerous dog (PDD) registration and posting bail. All other Front Counter and Records Services are suspended. Learn how to submit public records requests.
• See our City Services – What’s Open? page for upcoming information about Municipal Court and other services.

Travel Advisory

Together with the governors of Washington and California, Governor Brown announced a joint travel advisory effective November 13, 2020. The advisory urges anyone entering Oregon – either residents returning from a trip, or non-residents entering Oregon on a trip – to quarantine for 14 days. It further advises Oregonians to refrain from any non-essential travel to other states or countries. Read the full advisory.

Thank you, COVID-19 Messaging Contest Participants

We are thrilled to have received 67 entries for “Stop the Spread: A COVID-19 Messaging Contest for Young Adults.” Public voting has now ended but you can still view the entries while they are being scored by our panel of judges.

Winners will be announced by Friday, Nov. 20. The winning graphics and videos from young adults ages 14-30 will be shared with other young adults to emphasize the importance of preventing the spread of COVID-19.

Celebrating Thanksgiving Safely

It is difficult to think about Thanksgiving looking different this year. But social gatherings among all age groups are the largest cause of increasing COVID-19 cases. The governor’s statewide freeze currently limits gatherings to no more than 6 people total, from no more than 2 households, whether indoors or outdoors.

The safest way to celebrate Thanksgiving this year is to share it with people in your household. You might also consider alternatives like hosting a virtual Thanksgiving meal, playing games with people in your household or safely preparing a dinner and providing a “no contact” delivery to a friend or neighbor. We all have a responsibility to keep ourselves and others healthy so that we can move toward a return to our favorite holiday traditions.

And One More Thing To Consider This Thanksgiving… 

Follow the Four:

1. Stay six feet apart
2. Wear a mask
3. Wash Your hands
4. Avoid large gatherings

COVID-19 Resources 

See a list of Community Resources for physical and mental health, food, housing, businesses, employees, schools and children, as well as information in Spanish.

Also learn how you can help. Our partners have a significant amount of information available online. Please visit these resources for the most up to date information:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• State of Oregon
• Oregon Health Authority
• Lane County Public Health

Lane County Call Center: Open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., 541-682-1380

Starting today, Nov. 18, Oregon will begin the statewide two-week freeze.

Governor Kate Brown issued Executive Order 20-65 following last week’s announcement of a temporary statewide freeze to stop the rapid community spread of COVID-19 in Oregon. In light of increasing COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, the order outlines necessary risk reduction measures designed to limit gatherings and curb human contact.

“I know Oregonians have made tremendous sacrifices throughout this pandemic and that these new, temporary restrictions may seem daunting,” said Governor Brown. “But, we are at a breaking point. If we don’t take further action, we risk continued alarming spikes in infections and hospitalizations, and we risk the lives of our neighbors and loved ones.”

“I also know that Oregonians come together in times of need, and we owe it to each other to take these measures seriously. It is up to all of us to work together to get this virus under control.”

For more details about the freeze see the news release and check out the graphic below. You can also find this graphic in multiple languages for sharing here.

The City of Eugene and Eugene Water & Electric Board are working together to distribute CARES Act dollars that have been allocated to the City for distribution to utility customers impacted by COVID-19 as part of the City’s community recovery efforts.

Licensed childcare providers and non-profit agencies providing direct services to clients impacted by COVID-19 can apply for a utility grant equal to the lesser of $4,000 or your average monthly EWEB bill.

Approved applicants will receive the grant as credit on their EWEB bill. The credit will be applied to the total balance due, including EWEB charges for electricity and water, existing EWEB loans or payment plans, and City services that appear on the EWEB bill (stormwater and wastewater).

The total funding available for non-profit and childcare providers is $100,000 and will be made available beginning October 2020 until funds have been fully allocated.

To be eligible for a grant, the applicant must be a childcare facility licensed with the State of Oregon and currently providing services, or a 501c3 agency whose facilities are primarily used to provide essential services such as shelter, housing, medical, mental health, nutrition, personal hygiene or direct service to low-income clients who are not eligible for LIHEAP or other Coronavirus Relief Funds (CRF) due to citizenship status.

Apply at the link below.

http://www.eweb.org/outages-and-safety/covid-19-information/non-profit-and-childcare-provider-assistance

Stop The Spread contest

Submit an entry for a chance of winning $500! The City of Eugene is seeking submissions from people ages 14-30 living in Lane County for Stop the Spread, a community COVID-19 messaging contest geared toward young adults.

Stop the Spread encourages anyone ages 14-30 to submit visual (graphic design or illustrative) or video content (no longer than 30-seconds) in English or Spanish that emphasizes to their peers the importance of the preventing the spread of COVID-19.

All submissions must be received by 11: 59 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6. Visit Engage Eugene for full contest rules and entry form.

City of Eugene and EWEB team up on new assistance programs

Some Eugene Water & Electric Board residential customers will soon see a $250 bill credit on their EWEB account, while nonprofit agencies and childcare providers can apply for a new utility grant program. EWEB and the City of Eugene are teaming up to distribute $250,000 in federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act dollars that have been allocated to the City to help Eugene utility customers impacted by the pandemic.

To qualify for the credit, EWEB customers need to live in Eugene and be pre-approved for the Energy Assistance Stability CORONAVIRUS Relief Program (EASCR), a federal program administered by Lane County that provides financial assistance to income-qualifying households for home heating and energy bills. Once qualified for EASCR on Lane County’s Energy Assistance website, the $250 CARES credit will automatically apply to the EWEB bill. The credit will be applied retroactively for EWEB customers that already receive EASCR.

A second program focuses on licensed childcare providers and nonprofit agencies providing direct services to clients impacted by COVID-19. Those organizations can apply for a utility grant equal to the lesser of $4,000 or their average monthly EWEB bill.

Non-profits and childcare providers can apply for the utility grant on EWEB’s website.

Happy Safe Halloween

There are plenty of ways you can have fun this Halloween while avoiding the scare of being exposed to COVID-19 or unknowingly spreading the virus. Lane County Public Health is recommending that residents avoid traditional door-to-door trick or treating and “Trunk or Treat” events because these are high-risk activities for crowding among people outside your household.

Please consider low-risk alternatives with members of your household like carving pumpkins, doing a Halloween craft, or watching a spooky movie. If you dress up in costume, be careful to plan a costume that allows you to wear a face covering. Halloween masks will not protect you or others from coronavirus.

A lower-risk, family friendly option is Halloween Downtown presented by City of Eugene Cultural Services and Downtown Eugene Merchants. Bring your family or pod downtown from 12-4 p.m. and check out the spooky windowfront walking tour, a frightfully fun scavenger hunt, Coffin Race graveyard, costumed entertainment and a photo opportunity. If you choose to attend, you are required to follow public health precautions to keep yourself and others safe by wearing a mask, washing your hands and maintaining physical distance. Read more about Halloween Downtown.

Learn more about Holidays and COVID-19.

Keep Up the 4 Ws

1. Wear a Face Covering– indoors and outside when you can’t maintain 6 feet of space, it’s a statewide requirement.
2. Watch Your Distance – stay 6-feet apart from those outside your household and limit your gathering size.
3. Wash Your Hands – often with soap and water for 20 seconds throughout the day.
4. Wait It Out – stay home if you are sick.

COVID-19 Resources 

See a list of Community Resources for physical and mental health, food, housing, businesses, employees, schools and children, as well as information in Spanish.

Also learn how you can help. Our partners have a significant amount of information available online. Please visit these resources for the most up to date information:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• State of Oregon
• Oregon Health Authority
• Lane County Public Health

Lane County Call Center: Open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., 541-682-1380

Governor Kate Brown added Lane County to the State’s County Watch List on Friday, October 16 – yet another sign that COVID-19 is spreading rapidly in our community. 

“The Watch List signifies caution,” Governor Brown said. “When we are able to address community spread early on, the more likely we are to be successful in curbing that spread. While OHA offers support and resources to help county officials prevent further case spikes, it remains up to all community members to do their part.” 

By being included on the watch list, the state will prioritize resources and assistance for Lane County, including increased monitoring and communication from OHA, contact tracing help, case investigation, and technical assistance. Lane County will remain on the Watch List for a minimum of three weeks and until our sporadic case rates drop below specific thresholds.  

Every one of us needs to continue to take this threat seriously. The choices we make affect not only us and our families but our neighbors, our communities and the most vulnerable people among us. 

The current Lane County COVID-19 alert level remains at high. We must continue to be vigilant about taking measures to limit contact and modify everyday activities to reduce exposure – washing our hands, wearing a mask, maintaining our distance and staying home when sick. 

Face Covering Update – Face Shields No Longer Recommended

Effective October 19, Oregon Health Authority updated statewide guidance on face coverings. This includes new provisions about workplaces, markets and events, some educational facilities, as well as information about face shields.

Updates to the statewide face covering requirements include:

• Face coverings are recommended in place of a face shield, except in limited situations when a face shield is appropriate such as when communicating with someone who is deaf or hearing impaired and needs to read lips.
• Face coverings are now required in all private and public workplaces.
• Face coverings are required in outdoor and indoor markets, street fairs, private career schools and public and private colleges and universities.

Read more about Oregon COVID-19 Mask Requirements.

Mask Up on the Trail

If you’re planning to hit the trail, make sure to bring your mask! 

Masks or face coverings are required outdoors when you are within 6 feet of others. Many of our trails are narrow, requiring a mask when passing others.

Please remember these additional guidelines to keep you and your fellow hikers safe: 

• Stay 6 feet apart. 
• Walk single file and step aside to allow others to pass.
• Do not gather and avoid crowded areas.
• Stay home if you have a fever, respiratory symptoms or are just not feeling well.

For more health and safety information about COVID-19, please visit Lane County Public Health or Oregon Health Authority’s websites.

Celebrating Halloween Safely

There are plenty of ways you can have fun this Halloween while avoiding the scare of being exposed to COVID-19 or unknowingly spreading the virus. Lane County Public Health is recommending that residents avoid traditional door-to-door trick or treating and “Trunk or Treat” events because these are high-risk activities for crowding among people outside your household.

Please consider low-risk alternatives to trick-or-treating and in-person celebrations. These could include activities with members of your household like carving pumpkins, doing a Halloween craft, or watching a spooky movie. If you dress up in a costume, be careful to plan a costume that allows you to wear a face covering. Halloween masks will not protect you or others from coronavirus.

Holiday gatherings on Memorial Day, July 4th and Labor Day led to increased case counts. This Halloween be extra mindful of your choices. Choosing low-risk Halloween plans can help to prevent the spread of COVID-19 illness, decrease the impact on our health care system and save lives. 

Learn more about Holidays and COVID-19. 

Keep Up the 4 Ws

1. Wear a Face Covering– indoors and outside when you can’t maintain 6 feet of space, it’s a statewide requirement.
2. Watch Your Distance – stay 6-feet apart from those outside your household and limit your gathering size.
3. Wash Your Hands – often with soap and water for 20 seconds throughout the day.
4. Wait It Out – stay home if you are sick.

COVID-19 Resources 

See a list of Community Resources for physical and mental health, food, housing, businesses, employees, schools and children, as well as information in Spanish.

Also learn how you can help. Our partners have a significant amount of information available online. Please visit these resources for the most up to date information:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• State of Oregon
• Oregon Health Authority
• Lane County Public Health

Lane County Call Center: Open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., 541-682-1380

Governor Kate Brown announced on Friday that Lane County has been added to the County Watch List, bringing the total number of counties on the Watch List to five.

Counties are placed on the Watch List when COVID-19 is spreading quickly and public health officials cannot trace that spread to specific sources—creating a potentially dangerous dynamic. Specific markers of this rapid community spread include when there is a sporadic case rate of 50 or more per 100,000 people in the last two weeks and the county has had more than five sporadic cases in the last two weeks (sporadic cases are those that cannot be traced to a source; they indicate community spread). Counties remain on the Watch List for a minimum of three weeks and until their sporadic case rates drop below these thresholds.

The complete County Watch List now includes the following five counties: Benton, Clatsop, Lane, Malheur and Umatilla. Learn more in the press release.