Statement from Corvallis Mayor Biff Traber on the COVID-19 Pandemic

Corvallis Mayor Biff Traber issued the following statement on April 2, 2020, after a briefing on the COVID-19 pandemic by City staff participating in the countywide emergency operations center.

"Three weeks ago, the Corvallis community entered into an unprecedented period of stress and uncertainty as the COVID-19 pandemic took hold in Oregon. Many people aren’t working, and families are struggling with closed schools and service agencies. We’ve all heard the guidance from state and federal health agencies: stay home, save lives, and practice social distancing so that we can flatten the curve and help our health care system.

We are in the early days of this pandemic, and the next two weeks will be critical for our community and our nation.

While the outcome is still unclear, I want to say that I have been humbled and grateful to see the outpouring of support from neighbors, families, and local businesses.

Without a doubt, we are in this together. People are stepping up in ways large and small.

I have been heartened by stories of sewing brigades making face masks, neighbors organizing grocery runs for elderly residents, and local businesses pivoting to make hand sanitizer and 3D printed and other medical gear.

If you are looking for a way to get involved, donations and volunteers are being coordinated online at bentoncounty.recovers.org.

Our ability to bounce back and return to our regular way of life is directly related to the actions you’re taking right now. To be clear: I am asking you to stay home and avoid all non-essential trips, and to maintain social distancing as you make essential trips.

Now I want to share some information about the emergency response that is currently being coordinated by the City of Corvallis and Benton County. This work is led by the capable staff of the city and county brought together in a joint Emergency Operations Center (EOC).

Elected officials like me have a role to play, but in times of crisis, the best thing we can do is to empower the trained professionals to do their jobs. I have the utmost confidence in their ability to manage the pandemic’s local impact.

The job of the EOC is to constantly plan ahead and anticipate our future needs as the pandemic unfolds. To accomplish that, the EOC brings together emergency planners, public health workers, medical providers, first responders, hospital managers, media liaisons, and other essential staff in an intensive, collaborative environment that is designed to focus local resources on the pandemic. They are working long hours so that we can do our best to stay ahead of the worst impacts of this crisis.

I know that we will get through this. The breadth of the impact is not yet known, but for now, the best advice is to stay home, save lives, and give our healthcare system a fighting chance. Thank you."

The latest information about city closures and service announcements is available online. This information is updated regularly.