Posted 10/19/20

Setting up a safe workspace for online work and school

If you’re working mostly at home or have children who will be spending at least part of their school year at home, it’s important to have workspaces for both that are safe and healthy. For example:

• The computer should be set up with the screen at eye level so you or your child can sit up straight and practice good posture.
• The chair should provide enough comfort and back support to sit for long periods of time.
• Take breaks to stretch and take a walk to avoid sitting all day.

In addition to making things ergonomically correct, it’s important to make sure the workplace is conducive to work and learning. For example:

• Is the workspace free of clutter and distractions?
• Are supplies like paper, books and pencils at hand and ready to use?
• Are things organized so you and your student can easily find things?

To learn more about setting up a good student workspace, view Oregon OSHA’s Computer Ergonomics for Elementary School website. (Posted 8/31/20)

Public charge rule blocked amid COVID-19 pandemic

A judge issued new injunctions this week blocking the public charge immigration rule during the COVID-19 pandemic. This will allow immigrant communities across Oregon and the rest of the country to access critical health care and public benefits during the current health crisis. (Posted 7/31/20)

Masks Required Statewide

Masks, face shields and face coverings are currently required statewide for indoor public spaces (for example, grocery stores, pharmacies, public transit, personal services providers, restaurants, bars, retail stores, and more). In addition, face coverings are required in outdoor public spaces when physical distancing is not possible. Children age 5 and up are required to wear a face covering. People with a disability or medical condition may request accommodation from the business if they cannot wear one. (Posted 7/31/20)

Kids Ask, Doctors Answer

When it comes to COVID-19, kids have burning questions too. The Governor’s Office partnered with OHSU to answer some of their questions. Check out this video, where Baxter wants to know:“How do I wear a mask?”      (Posted 7/31/20)

School Health and Safety Metrics

Governor Brown and leaders from OHA and the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) announced new guidance about schools and how they might operate this fall. There is no simple, statewide answer for every school in Oregon. It is important to get students back to class, but how we do that depends on a number of important factors. Oregon public health officials have developed evidence-based metrics to help school boards and school districts make decisions about how they can safely reopen schools. Visit ODE's Ready Schools, Safe Learners web page for more information. 
(Posted 7/31/20)

Will seeking treatment for COVID-19 count against someone under the federal “public charge” rule?

If you or someone you know is applying to become a Legal Permanent Resident, is undocumented, or is covered by emergency-only coverage (CAWEM), you may wonder if seeking medical treatment for COVID-19 will be counted against you under the federal “public charge” rule.

Receiving emergency Medicaid, such as CAWEM, cannot be counted under the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service’s (USCIS) public charge rule. Additionally, on March 13, 2020 USCIS issued an alert on its website stating that the agency will not consider testing, treatment, or preventative care (including vaccines, if a vaccine becomes available) related to COVID-19 as part of a public charge analysis.

You should seek the medical treatment or preventive services you need to protect your health and the health of others. This includes if your care is paid for in whole or in part by Medicaid, also known as the Oregon Health Plan.

Disclaimer: This is not legal advice. Individuals who are concerned about whether and how receipt of public benefits might affect their immigration status should ask for help from an immigration attorney.

(Posted 4/29/20)

El sitio web de la Autoridad de Salud de Oregón (OHA) dice:

¿Buscar tratamiento para COVID-19 contará contra alguien bajó la regla federal de "carga pública"?

Si usted o alguien que conoce está solicitando convertirse en un Residente Legal Permanente, es indocumentado o está cubierto por una cobertura solo de emergencia (CAWEM), puede preguntarse si la búsqueda de tratamiento médico para COVID-19 se contará en su contra según la ley federal "carga público ".

Recibir Medicaid de emergencia, como CAWEM, no se puede contar bajo la regla de carga pública del Servicio de Ciudadanía e Inmigración de los Estados Unidos (USCIS). Además, el 13 de marzo de 2020, el USCIS emitió una alerta en su sitio web que indicaba que la agencia no considerará las pruebas, el tratamiento o la atención preventiva (incluidas las vacunas, si una vacuna está disponible) relacionada con COVID-19 como parte de un análisis de carga pública .

Debe buscar el tratamiento médico o los servicios preventivos que necesita para proteger su salud y la salud de los demás. Esto incluye si su atención es pagada en su totalidad o en parte por Medicaid, también conocido como el Plan de Salud de Oregón.

Descargo de responsabilidad: Esto no es un consejo legal. Las personas que están preocupadas acerca de si la recepción de beneficios públicos podría afectar su estado migratorio y cómo deberían hacerlo, deben solicitar ayuda de un abogado de inmigración.

Fotos Indican:  

Buscar atención COVID-19 no contará en su contra bajo la regla federal de "carga pública".

Debido a COVID-19, el Departamento Federal de Seguridad Nacional y USCIS han confirmado que las pruebas, el tratamiento y la atención preventiva relacionados con COVID-19 no se considerarán como parte de la determinación de la carga pública.

(Posted 4/29/20)