Courtesy Oregon Zoo Yesterday brought the disturbing news that Metro—the government entity that represents Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas Counties—had laid off 40 percent of their workforce due to severe loss of revenue from closures caused by the coronavirus crisis. Along with land management, garbage collection, and recycling, Metro is also in charge of several recreational […]
Coronavirus
Posted inNews
Today’s Coronavirus News Roundup: Nearly 100 New Oregon COVID-19 Cases, House Passes Relief Package, and Fun Free Stuff to Do at Home!
Doctors and nurses protesting the lack of proper protective gear in Oakland, CA. Justin Sullivan / Getty News 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’!) • The number of positive coronavirus cases in Oregon (that we […]
Posted inNews
Gov. Brown: Homeless Oregonians Aren’t Subject to “Stay at Home” Order
JOSHUARAINEYPHOTOGRAPHY / GETTY IMAGES When Gov. Kate Brown unveiled an executive order Monday, directing Oregonians to stay at home unless absolutely necessary, she didn’t mention how people without homes were expected to comply. She did mention, however, that anyone who didn’t comply with the order would be subject to a class C misdemeanor. The omission […]
Posted inPortland
Coping While Quarantined: Send the Mercury Your Socially Distant Hobbies!
All photos courtesy of Carlo Velazquez. I’m going to be honest with you, Portland: As an introverted homebody by nature, it’s at times easy to temporarily forget that I’m staying home because of a literal order from the governor, rather than by choice. I’m used to filling my time by consuming podcasts and TV shows, […]
Posted inNewsblast!
Good Morning, News: Gorge Trail Shutdown, GOP Rep Threatens to Delay Relief Package, and No, Seriously, STAY THE EFF HOME!
We need your help. The economic fallout of COVID-19 has threatened our ability to keep producing the news and entertainment you need. If you’re able, please consider donating to the Mercury. Conservative stink-finger Rep. Thomas Massie is threatening to delay national relief package because he’s a goddamn obstructionist idiot who even Trump hates. Bryan Woolston […]
Posted inNews
Portland’s Jupiter Hotel Offering 81 Rooms to Homeless Portlanders With COVID-19 Symptoms
Alex Zielinski The Jupiter Hotel, the boutique hotel adjacent to the Doug Fir Lounge, is making its 81 rooms available for houseless Portlanders showing symptoms of COVID-19. “We are just so honored to be able to contribute to the health and safety of some of Portland’s most vulnerable communities,” said Nick Pearson, the hotel’s general […]
Posted inNews
Oregon’s Vote-By-Mail System Could Be The Solution to the Election Threat Posed by Coronavirus
multnomah county The United States Senate passed a $2 trillion coronavirus economic relief package on Wednesday—which included $400 million for states to add early voting and vote-by-mail to their elections. That could be just the beginning of a national overhaul to make more states’ elections function the way Oregon’s do. If you’ve ever lived in […]
Posted inNews
Portland Clinicians Prepare for Uptick in Mental Health Crises Due to COVID-19
Richard Bailey / Getty Images The isolation, economic instability, and general dread that has accompanied COVID-19’s arrival in the Pacific Northwest has begun to take a mental toll on Portlanders. During a Tuesday press conference, Portland Police Chief Jami Resch told reporters that in the days following March 12—the day Portland declared a state of […]
Posted inNews
Today’s Coronavirus News Roundup: Possible Cash for Low-Income Portlanders, Unemployment Claims Skyrocket, and Dumb Dummies Won’t Stay Home!
DEAR DUMMIES. STAY THE FUCK HOME. Maja Hitij / Getty News 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’!) • The city of Portland is considering giving cash to low-income households for help surviving the coronavirus crisis. […]
Posted inCoronavirus
Crafty Folks Unite: How to Make DIY Face Masks for a Needy Nation!
Maja Hitij / Staff / Getty Images Do you know how to sew (or know people who sew and want to help)? Then you can assist in shoring up Oregon’s depleted medical supplies by making much-needed face masks and gowns and donating them to those who need them most! This DIY movement has been happening […]
Posted inNewsblast!
Good Morning, News: Senate Passes Coronavirus Relief Package, Oregon Inmate Sues His Jail, and SPLIFF Is Streaming, Ya Fucking Stoner!
We need your help. The economic fallout of the coronavirus has threatened our ability to keep Portland up to speed on the latest news, music, arts, food, and other local goings-on. Mercury. If you’re able, please consider donating to the Mercury. Stay up to date on Portland news and politics. “Sometimes I stick this thumb […]
Posted inComedy
The Mercury Cheer Up Club: Funny, Sweet Stuff to Finish Your Day
Today including best practices for Zoom backgrounds. Twitter Guys! You are doing such a good job of hanging in there. Here’s some fun, and sometimes sweet stuff to keep your mood on an even keel. HAVE A GREAT EVENING! (Got a funny tweet or positive story to share? SEND IT!) Today in “Best Use of […]