Over this last week Governor Kate Brown gave more details about how the state will begin to re-open. Brown said we could see more rural counties open up as early as May 15, but more populous counties like Lane County will be longer off. Oregon government has begun drafting guidelines regarding reopening. The Governor also extended her state of emergency order until July 6.
A major part to Oregon’s reopening plans will be its partnership with OHSU where it will test 100,000 people across the state at random. Oregon residents that are selected will receive an invitation on May 11 where they can opt-in. Participants will have COVID-19 related symptoms tracked on a daily basis.
Lane County Commissioner Heather Buch announced that the county is working on a plan that they will send to Brown. The Board of Commissioners will hold a joint meeting with the Board of Health Tuesday. Lane County Public Health has already announced that they are setting a goal of 500 tests per day.
Local Links
The Student Cooperatives’ Association a collection of co-op housing for students, encompassing The Campbell Club, Janet Smith Graduate Student House, and The Lorax Manner, has started a fundraiser with many members losing work and members moving out.
University of Oregon faculty union’s bargaining team have reached an agreement with the administration and will send it out to members to vote on this week. This agreement only includes tentative agreements that were reached pre-COVID shutdown and will last one year. Bill Harbaugh has some more notes up on his blog.
“Oregon has hundreds of excess deaths, suggesting a hidden COVID-19 toll”
“Construction to continue for Hayward Field despite event cancellations”
On Tuesday Oregon rolled out Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, a part of the national CARES Act, which allows the self-employed and gig workers to obtain unemployment insurance.
To take in May Day members of Lane County Mutual Aid and Eugene Rent Strike dropped off packages of bread and roses with a little message on community doorsteps.
“Housing authorities throughout Oregon will receive more than $5.7 million”
The Week ahead
Tuesday, 7 PM — Study circle – worker coops by Cooperation Eugene – A New Economy Working Group
Tuesday, 5 PM — Weekly WildChat: wolves in wild Cascadia by Cascadia Wildlands
Thursday, 3 PM — Know your rights for youth activists (two-part series) by Civil Liberties Defense Center