Oregon Army National Guard soldiers set up a temporary medical facility at the Oregon State Fairgrounds in Salem on Thursday, March 19, 2020 (Courtesy Zachary Holden/Oregon National Guard)
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This digest provides all-in-one-place access to reporting on the novel coronavirus outbreak. A statewide media collaboration is sharing coverage among Oregon’s newspapers and broadcast outlets. Salem Reporter is part of that collaboration.
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In Salem area, police plan to be educators about state’s new stay home order
With Gov. Kate Brown issuing more stringent directives, more Salem businesses are closing and government agencies are locking their doors. Police, charged with enforcing the order, say they are going to take a light touch – for now.
Oregon childcare providers must prioritize essential workers or close, state says
A new state order Tuesday caused confusion among Salem-area childcare providers who say they want to remain open to serve local families. Meanwhile, the Salem-Keizer School District is now running emergency child care for families with health workers and first responders.
OTHER REPORTING FROM AROUND THE REGION:
MALHEUR ENTERPRISE: Malheur County businesses, government offices shut doors to thwart COVID
Following Gov. Kate Brown’s statewide order, Malheur County residents face new requirements to stay home except for essential chores. Meanwhile, restaurants and retail businesses are struggling with closures or partial closures, and government offices are limiting access to help stem the spread of the new coronavirus.
THE OREGONIAN/OREGONLIVE: Coronavirus in Oregon: Legislators sifting priority ideas for pandemic response
Oregon lawmakers are considering delaying the state’s new business tax for education and are searching for ways to provide financial assistance to independent contractors and those ineligible for unemployment payments. Those were among the topics discussed Monday at an hours-long hearing of the Legislature’s Joint Special Committee On Coronavirus Response. The committee will prioritize potential actions and make recommendations for lawmakers to act on during a special session that has yet to be scheduled.
THE OREGONIAN/OREGONLIVE: What’s the penalty for breaking Oregon’s new ‘stay home’ order? Jail, $1,250 fine or both.
Violating the new ‘stay home’’ order issued Monday by Gov. Kate Brown is a class C misdemeanor punishable by up to 30 days in jail, a fine of up to $1,250 or both, but police and sheriffs’ officials across the state said they’ll work first to inform people about the new coronavirus restrictions before cracking down.
OPB: Buy Local, Shop Online? Oregon’s Farmers Markets Evolve As Coronavirus Sets In
For years, farmers markets have served as community gathering spaces where people can come together, shop locally, see their neighbors. But with all but the most essential businesses closing in the face of a global pandemic, farmers markets say their fundamental service is more important than ever: getting fresh food into the community.
OPB: Worried About COVID-19? Psychologists Have Some Tips
For 30 years, Susan Mayea ran Park Place Gifts and Jewelry in downtown Portland. She’s 70 now and lives with her husband in the Mt. Tabor neighborhood. Initially, she said she wasn’t worried about the coronavirus because it was in China and Europe. But the last couple of weeks have been hard.
BEND BULLETIN: Hotels, vacation rentals bracing for market downturn
After a blissful weekend of good weather, busy parks and signs of spring break, Central Oregon’s hospitality industry is bracing for leaner days ahead as greater travel restrictions take hold amid the coronavirus outbreak. Despite the economic fallout, the nonprofit that promotes tourism in Bend told people to stay away.
EAST OREGONIAN: Local businesses and governments react to ‘stay home’ order
Pressed by Oregon media about what was and wasn’t covered by her “stay home” executive order, Gov. Kate Brown tried to simplify it down to a single sentence. “If you cannot telecommute, if you cannot socially distance safely, then you need to shut down,” she said in a teleconference with the media.
KOBI: Rogue Valley Growers Market continues, but with safety precautions
The Rogue Valley Growers and Crafters Market is considered an essential business and will still be operating as normal. However, the market says it’ll be taking extra precautions to make sure everyone can stay safe and healthy while grocery shopping. In order to ensure the safety of everyone, the market says it’s added extra handwashing stations, access to hand sanitizer at every station, and is requiring all vendors to wear gloves.
HOOD RIVER NEWS: Food banks move to drive-through, curb-side service
On March 16, FISH Food Bank transitioned to new model of distribution, said Board Chair Marianne Durkan. Volunteers are filling clients requests similar to a drive-in restaurant. Clients will drive in, be assigned a number and asked about food allergies and preferences. They will be given pre-filled bags of staples, based on family size, plus the usual dairy items, meats that are available. Volunteers will fill orders and return to the car.
SEATTLE TIMES: Experts say Inslee’s stay-at-home order will add to Seattle economy’s coronavirus-induced pain
Economists and business owners said Monday that Gov. Jay Inslee’s order for state residents to stay at home will land hard on a local economy already reeling from weeks of closures and declining business. The order, which closes the physical locations of all nonessential businesses in the state, seemed largely supported by business leaders as a critical step in minimizing the economic fallout of the pandemic.
SEATTLE TIMES: Washington education officials: School must continue, even during coronavirus closures
Washington education officials have a new message for the state’s schools: buildings may be closed, but school must go on. The state’s Education Department released guidance Monday that calls on school districts to provide some form of instruction while schools are closed because of the novel coronavirus.
These articles originally published by one of more than a dozen news organizations throughout the state sharing their coverage of the novel coronavirus outbreak to help inform Oregonians about this evolving heath issue. Salem Reporter is part of this extraordinary collaboration. Reports from the Seattle Times are by special permission to Salem Reporter.
