Occupy Medical was located daily at the Wheeler Pavilion, at the Fairgrounds, for the sick, non-hospitalized, unhoused to "shelter in place."
Who was accepted into Wheeler?
People who are unhoused with COVID19 symptoms:
❏ new or worse cough ❏ Shortness of Breath / Difficulty Breathing
And/Or
2 of the following symptoms: ❏ Fever 100.0* ❏ Chills ❏ Headache ❏ Repeated Shaking with Chills ❏ Sore Throat ❏ Muscle Pain ❏ New Loss of Taste or Smell
All patients were tested for COVID via nasal swab.
Criteria to leave Wheeler: You go to the ER, or all symptoms resolve/ return to baseline x 3 days after 7 days since symptom onset.
**Bring all medication and items needed, with you.
What was available at WUMR?
★ Safe, sheltered rest
★ Nutritious meals and snacks ★ Monitoring of vitals
★ Medical appointment assistance
★ Leisure activities such as movies, wifi, books, puzzles, games and art supplies
★ Clothing and hygiene items
★ Laundry service
★ Private showers
★ Integrated health support
★ Judgement-free care
★ COVID19 testing
Wheeler Unhoused Medical Respite
Staring 3/28/2020 through 5/31/2020, Occupy Medical stepped up to the plate to sponsor a medical respite site in cooperation with Lane County Public Health. The governor of Oregon, Kate Brown, declared a State of Emergency concerning the COVID19 pandemic. In order to preserve public safety, citizens must shelter in place. The unhoused do not have the capacity to shelter in place. If they have symptoms, they are in harm's way from the elements, the corona virus and any existing comorbidities.
In order to protect this vulnerable population, Occupy Medical (OM) hosted a site at the Lane County Fairgrounds where unhoused visitors with respiratory symptoms were able to quarantine themselves while being monitored by the OM staff. Visitors underwent a screening process that began at the Eugene/Springfield shelters run hosted by St. Vincent de Paul. If a visitor fit the medical alert criteria, they were sent to the Wheeler Unhoused Medical Respite (WUMR) for further screening and possible admittance.
VIsitors admitted to WUMR agreed to stay at the pavilion until they either achieved recovery in accordance with the guidelines set by the CDC. (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/disposition-in-home-patients.html or their symptoms worsened and were admitted to the hospital for care. All visitors at WUMR were monitored for health fluctuations. We provided food, shelter, and safety. This site was designed for safe recovery for the unhoused.
At the Lane County Fairgrounds Wheeler Pavilion 796 W, 13th Ave, Eugene, OR 97402
Driving Tips Enter at Gate A on the right side of W. 13th Ave after Tyler St. Turn left towards the Wheeler Pavilion
Main Points for COVID-19:
This is a virus, so there is no "cure," just time rest, hydration, and other symptomatic treatment. 85% of folks will have mild- moderate symptoms.
This virus is similar in appearance to Upper Respiratory infection or the Flu.
Symptoms:
Most include: Fever of 100*+, Cough, Shortness of breath.
Some include: Sore throat, Chills, Headache, Muscle aches, Vomit, Diarrhea, Abdominal pain.
What to do:
Keep 6 feet social distance
Wash hands with soap and water for 20-30 seconds
Cover your cough with your sleeve
Use your inhalers if you have asthma/ COPD. If you must use a Nebulizer, do so outside as it aerosolizes and can stay in the air for 3 hours.
You are considered well enough to go back to work of the general population if it has been at least 7 days since symptom onset and you have been healthy without symptoms or medication for a fever for at least 3 days (CDC).
Please see the CDC and Oregon Health Authority links below.
COVID testing is still limited in Oregon.
THANK YOU FOR OUR DONORS!
Occupy Medical is a community supported organization. We rely on our network to keep the work we do flourishing. We have many people to thank over the years. Some help came in the form of in-kind donations like vitamins and scrubs, some came in the form of gift cards or discounts, Some came in the form of grants and some came in the form of checks or donations through our PayPal account. We cherish every one of you who have reached out.
The list below is only a fraction of people, companies and organizations that have donated to help us offer healthcare as a human right.
Can we say thank you? If your name is not on the list please let us know.
Individuals/Families
Nel Applegate Charlotte Brandt Sue Denker Aleta Florentin
Paul Bergner Ellen Furstner Yaakov Levine Rose Brumley
Chris Hannegan Rachelle Phipps Mellisa Walker Donna Riddle
Lisa Johnson Dr Willy Foster Pam Garrison Ken Nuebeck
David Hofferbert Lisa Stein Justine Cooper Ahavah Oblak
Jody Wearin Bobbi Jo Newton John Reiss Dr. Leigh Saint-Louis
Yvonne Endersby Phyllis Laners Wendy Moore
Dr. Bruce and Debra Harrow Sharon Trigg and Phil Means
Pattie Leahy and Joe Casey Linda and Rick DeAngelo Jen and Scott McCall
James Strieby and Charles Congdon Ron Pike and Vickie Nelson
Donations Requested:
5 gallon top loading Water cooler
Thermometer for ear.
Automated BP cuff, small, regular and large sleeve.
Large paper filters, and coffee
Clorox wipes and toilet cleaners
Water bottles
Pajama pants, long sleeve shirts all sizes, and New underwear all sizes. Slippers.
Hygiene: razors, shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, and nail clippers.
Blankets
1-2 multi-plug extension cords
Book case, battery reading lamps. no books except some comic books.
Non-profit Organizations
Pacific Division Red Cross https://redcrosslegacy.org/team-pacific
Oregon Community Foundation https://oregoncf.org/
Faye and Lucille Stewart Foundation https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/930800814-faye-and-lucille-stewart-foundation/
Carry It Forward https://www.carryitforward.net/
St Vincent de Paul https://www.svdp.us/
Hearts for Hospice https://www.heartsforhospiceoregon.org/
Lion’s Club https://lionsclubs.org/en
Rainbow Optics https://www.rainbowoptics.net/
Medical Teams International https://www.medicalteams.org/
Burrito Brigade https://burritobrigade.wordpress.com/
Vinsanity for Charity https://www.facebook.com/pg/Vinsanity-for-Charity-542667806172669/
Community Alliance of Lane County http://www.calclane.org/
Companies
45 degrees NW https://www.45degreesnw.com/
Down to Earth https://www.downtoeartheugene.com/
Wise Woman Herbals https://wisewomanherbals.com/
Hula Bees http://hulabscrubs.com/
Action Golf Carts https://actiongolfcars.net/
Target https://www.target.com/sl/eugene/1405
Gateway Stores https://www.theshoppesatgateway.com/
Mountain Rose Herbs https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/
Timeless and Daughter https://burdencloth.com/
Hackerspace PDX https://pdxhackerspace.org/
Natural Grocers https://www.naturalgrocers.com/store/eugene
The Practical Herbalist https://www.thepracticalherbalist.com/
Mud Paw Design House https://mudpawdesign.com/
Sierralupe Construction https://porch.com/eugene-or/general-contractors/sierralupe-construction/pp