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GOOD MORNING, PORTLAND! And I'm holding on for dear life, won't look down, won't open my eyes. Keep my glass full until morning light, 'cause I'm just holding on for tonight. LET'S GO TO PRESS.
We knew it was coming, and here it is: The first case of COVID-19 in Multnomah County has been confirmed by the Oregon Health Authority, who added that there will surely be more, but “we are not going to isolate and quarantine our way out of this pandemic.” For more, check out the report from our Alex Zielinski.
Let's jam through some more coronavirus news:
• Washington state governor Jay Inslee is expected to announce "social distancing" rules for Seattle today, banning any gathering of 250 people or more, including sporting events and concerts.
• A "containment zone" has been set up in New Rochelle, New York in which schools, churches, and community centers have been closed, and the National Guard has been sent in to help disinfect the place.
• German Chancellor Angela Merkel announced that "the virus is coming" and warned that it could infect 70 percent of their country.
• The British Minister of Health reveals that she has COVID-19.
• Two more big music festivals have been forced to reschedule due to the coronavirus—the company behind Coachella and Stagecoach will be moving the fests to October.
• There will not be an audience for the debate between Biden and Sanders in Arizona this Sunday THANK GOD KEEP IT THAT WAY.
In last night's primary race, Joe Biden took a commanding lead over Bernie Sanders by taking Michigan, Missouri, and Mississippi thanks to sweeping support from Black and white suburban and rural voters. More votes will be cast of course, including here in Oregon, but Sanders' chances of taking the Democratic nomination are growing slimmer by the second.
We live in a country that has never reconciled its past and present conditions of sexism, classism, white supremacy, and homophobia.
Until it does so, America will have the president it deserves, either way.
— Frederick Joseph (@FredTJoseph) March 11, 2020
According to an appeals court, the Congress has every right to look at the full Mueller Report (that the Trump administration has desperately tried to hide).
Right after the media released details of Harvey Weinstein's repeated sexual abuse of women, he appealed to billionaire pals Jeff Bezos and Michael Bloomberg for help—and in one email wrote that "Jennifer Aniston should be killed." Weinstein is expected to be sentenced today from anywhere from five to 29 years in prison, which obviously isn't nearly enough.
You hate to hear it headline of the day: "Infowars' Alex Jones accused of DWI."
IN LOCAL NEWS: In other local coronavirus news, the Oregon Health Authority is expressing "confidence" that the CDC will release more testing kits "in the next few days." Our Alex Zielinski has the details.
Governor Kate Brown signed an executive order to aggressively cap greenhouse gas emissions—basically outmaneuvering the chickenshit crybaby Republicans in the legislature who walked off the job.
Type Foundry—the recording studio who worked with the Decemberists, Y La Bamba, Blind Pilot, Red Fang, Alela Diane, M. Ward, and many more—is closing its doors after 22 years. Our Robert Ham has more.
HEY, YOU LOVE COCKTAILS, RIGHT? Then don't miss the upcoming Mercury HIGHBALL week, featuring 50 craft cocktails for only (*checks notes*) $5?? Wow!
Now let's peer skyward at the WEATHER: After a quick morning shower, expect another gloriously sunny afternoon with a high of 53.
And finally....
Cat playing theremin you’re welcome pic.twitter.com/1rYdenoFW8
— WYLIE CABLE (@WylieCable) March 8, 2020