Credit: Governor's Office
Gov. Kate Brown has a cold—but cool your jets, its probably not coronavirus!
Gov. Kate Brown has a cold—but cool your jets, it’s probably not coronavirus! Governor’s Office

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’!)

• As of yesterday, there were 606 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Oregon, and 16 confirmed deaths. UPDATE: Today the number of confirmed cases jumped to 690, and 18 deaths.

• Would you like to learn how to legally withhold your rent this April? Alex Zielinski put together a very helpful guide on that very subject!

• Grocery store workers are demanding safer working conditions and better pay, AS THEY SHOULD. Our Blair Stenvick has much more in this very interesting report.

• “Like a particularly stubborn case of herpes, Malheur militia member/anti-government zealot Ammon Bundy is back,” holding public meetings during the COVID-19 crisis, and protesting Gov. Brad Little’s statewide Shelter-in-Place order. Wm. Steven Humphrey has the (hugely-aggravating) story.

• In Oregon, school is likely over for the rest of this academic year, and officials have adjusted their advisory guidelines for parents looking to, effectively, homeschool their children.

• Gov. Kate Brown has a cold—BUT DON’T PANIC. Her symptoms do not line up with those exhibited by the coronavirus, and she tested negative. GET WELL SOON, KATE!

• Some good news: The number of people ordering books online from Powell’s has prompted the company to re-hire over 100 employees back on, full time, with benefits.

• One local restaurant worker’s warning:

IN NATIONAL NEWS:
• Today’s depressing Coronavirus milestone: The United States’ COVID-19 death toll has passed the number of those who died on September 11, 2001. Dr. Anthony Fauci has already suggested that number could land somewhere between 100,000 and 200,000 people by the time the crisis finally subsides.

• Days after mask production was reported to be on the upswing, the CDC is now weighing whether they should officially advise that everyone start wearing a mask when they go outside.

• This might be the most rage-inducing headline you’ll read today: “Border Wall Work in Arizona Speeds Up, Igniting Contagion Fears.”

• Amazon has fired the Staten Island warehouse worker who was responsible for organizing a wide-reaching strike yesterday. Just a reminder: Amazon owner Jeff Bezos has a personal worth currently estimated at $119.9 billion.

• Texas, Ohio, and Alabama all tried to use the Coronavirus as cover for implementing abortion bans. Yesterday federal judges blocked those opportunistic (and rights-violating) orders in all three states.

• The strongest predictor of virus response practices is partisan politics, according to Vox: “Democrats are more likely than Republicans to wash their hands more often, avoid contact with others, and self-quarantine, more likely to support increased social spending, more likely to worry about getting themselves and others sick, and more convinced that normal life must be temporarily suspended.”

• Need some fun stuff to do while quarantined? Check out our new and very creative list of “The Best Things to Do (While Staying Home and Staying Safe) in Portland This Week.”

• Or maybe you need a funny pick-me-up following all this depressing news? Congrats! You’re now a beloved member of the Mercury‘s Cheer Up Club!

And finally, Jack Black’s back, ALRIGHT!