City Declares State of Emergency to Aid COVID-19 Response Efforts
March 13, 2020 — City of Wilsonville Mayor Tim Knapp has authorized the City Manager to declare a local state of emergency, which takes effect immediately and may be ratified by a resolution to be brought before the City Council on Monday, March 16, at 7 pm at City Hall.
Taking this action allows City staff greater flexibility to address the hazards posed by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) by facilitating more expedient coordination with other public agencies and quicker deployment of resources needed to safeguard the Wilsonville community.
The state of emergency declaration provides the City’s Emergency Management staff with latitude to coordinate an effective response by redirecting funding for emergency use as needed, implementing mutual aid agreements with other public agencies and suspending standard procurement procedures.
Additionally, the designation aides the City’s efforts when requesting assistance and/or reimbursement for expenditures related to COVID-19 response.
The order also activates the City’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and convenes the Command Staff to assist with multi-agency coordination, public information and community outreach. The EOC provides a framework for mobilizing resources and developing plans across multiple City functions.
The declaration, set to expire on May 1, 2020, may be renewed if necessary. The City will utilize normal communication channels to notify the community of any additional changes in programs and activities as they occur.
“We thank the Mayor for making this emergency declaration to give our staff the flexibility and support to respond quickly and effectively,” City Manager Bryan Cosgrove said. “The health and safety of our community is the first priority, and this step improves our capacity to act efficiently and to request state and federal resources as they become available.”
Globally, more than 130,000 people have contracted COVID-19, a flu-like illness that can have serious health repercussions, especially among older adults, immuno-compromised individuals and those with underlying health conditions.
The aggressive global response to slow down the spread of COVID-19 is designed to keep public health systems from becoming overwhelmed and unavailable to those in critical need. Everyone, even those unlikely to be severely threatened, should adopt these and other measures to stem transmission:
- Wash Your Hands. Wash several time daily, vigorously with soap and water for 20 seconds or more, taking thorough care to get underneath your fingernails.
- Cover Your Mouth. When you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth with a tissue or the crook of your elbow.
- Avoid Touching Mouth, Nose or Eyes. This is how many germs end up in the respiratory system.
- Limit Unnecessary Contact. Skip the handshakes and high-fives until the threat subsides.
- When Sick, Stay Home! Avoid others when you are experiencing flu-like symptoms, including coughing, fever and shortness of breath.
- Social Distancing. By avoiding air travel and large-scale events where people are densely packed, you reduce your chances of exposure to COVID-19 and other ailments.
- Keep Your Immune System Strong. Eat healthy, get regular sleep and exercise, and address underlying health conditions.
Older adults and others with a high risk of more serious illness are encouraged to stockpile medical supplies and other needs, stay home, and seek help from community members who can provide assistance.
Stay informed and educated by seeking information from trusted sources, including the CDC, the Oregon Health Authority and Clackamas County Public Health.
General questions about COVID-19 may be answered by calling 2-1-1. Questions about specific medical needs should be directed to health care providers.
For more on the City's response to COVID-19, click here.
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