Here’s your daily roundup of all the local and national news about COVID-19. (Like our coverage? Please consider donating to the Mercury to keep it comin’!)
• First, the good news: SOCIAL DISTANCING APPEARS TO BE WORKING, according to a new analysis from Oregon health officials. Don’t give up, and keep it up!
• As of yesterday, there were 736 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Oregon, and 19 known deaths. We’re approaching one million cases worldwide. UPDATE: Today the number of confirmed cases in Oregon has risen to 826, and 21 reported deaths.
• Gov. Kate Brown’s newest anti-eviction order: A ban on commercial evictions for businesses. Businesses that can provide proof to their landlords that COVID-19 has negatively impacted their income will qualify. Our Blair Stenvick has the full story.
• All four members of the Portland City Council signed a letter on Wednesday stating individuals and businesses affected by COVID-19 “need forgiveness of all residential and commercial rent and mortgage payments for the duration of this emergency.”
Criminal justice advocates have raised concerns that Oregon’s 14,500 adults custody are not being allowed the same safety precautions against COVID-19 as other Oregonians.
To get (a few) clear answers, we spoke with the state prison system’s top doc: https://t.co/kudyYfkGkg
— Alex Zielinski (@alex_zee) April 2, 2020
• Unsurprisingly, Travel Portland has seen a big dip in tourism revenue, and has had to lay off 40 percent of its staff.
• Just under 170,000 Oregonians have filed new unemployment claims in the last two weeks.
• If you’re looking for a way to help your houseless neighbors during this terrifying time, check out this graphic from PSU and Right 2 Survive on how you can help feed the houseless near you safely.
• Homemade masks aren’t a proper replacement for medical grade PPE, but they could come in very handy should Portland’s mayor issue a general “everybody wears masks outdoors now” guideline like Los Angeles’ mayor did yesterday.
• As a reminder, here’s a great tutorial for making homemade masks for yourself and for donations!
• It’s okay to admit you need help. If you are suffering from trauma or know that we all will be soon, check out this guide from a local therapist on how to deal with these terrible feelings and stay mentally healthy.
IN NATIONAL NEWS:
• The Kirkland, Washington nursing home that was a hotspot for coronavirus deaths is being fined a whopping $600,000 for failing to report the virus.
• Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi announced the creation of a bipartisan House Select Committee to oversee federal coronavirus response efforts, and will have the power to issue subpoenas in order to fully investigate any improper actions.
Pelosi on McConnell’s claim that impeachment slowed down the coronavirus response: “That’s so sad. They can’t handle their jobs I guess,” adding “that denial and that delay costs lives.” pic.twitter.com/jgN3l72XXm
— Amy Siskind 🏳️🌈 (@Amy_Siskind) April 2, 2020
• Today in chilling visual representations of how inadequate the federal response to the Coronavirus has already been: Watch as COVID-19 becomes the the third-highest daily cause of American deaths in just 31 days. It will likely become #1 on this graph by next week.
• The president suggested reviving a tax write-off for businesses commonly known as the “three martini lunch” tax break, as a means to help struggling restaurants. Not surprisingly, financial analysis reveals this wouldn’t actually help restaurants very much, and was subject to “tremendous abuse” when it was still active.
• Today in YIPES, SIGN UP FOR DIRECT DEPOSIT:
Per a memo obtained by NBC News, the Trump Administration estimates the earliest that Americans will receive their relief payments is April 13. For those without direct deposit, it could take *up to 5 months,* per @kasie & @AlexNBCNews
— Michael Del Moro (@MikeDelMoro) April 2, 2020
• Georgia’s idiot Governor (and—surprise—Trump supporter) Brian Kemp says he’s just NOW learning that people without symptoms can spread the coronavirus. JESUS FUCKING CHRIST.
it’s weird how this map about how ppl in the south are still traveling corresponds directly to the locations of food deserts in this country. these 2 things are probably totally unrelated, I’m sure pic.twitter.com/nXwjCdygel
— the thicc husband & father (@lukeisamazing) April 2, 2020
• The Democratic National Convention has been moved to August 17, and is expected to see attendance numbers close to “bare minimum.”
• Welp, this headline is not surprising at all: “Report: ’Tiger King’ subject Joe Exotic is in coronavirus quarantine.”
• If you’re having a tough day, get your mood going in a different, more positive direction with the Mercury Cheer Up Club!
• You need a crap-ton of fun stuff to do while staying safe at home this week, right? Well, we have a crap-ton of stuff for you to do right here, courtesy of your pals at the Mercury!
• And finally… SOME HEROES DON’T WEAR SHIRTS.
For your approval: Tom Holland tries to put on a shirt while doing a handstand pic.twitter.com/M7eOhDfm6r
— Jarett Wieselman (@JarettSays) April 2, 2020