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GOOD MORNING, PORTLAND! And we can dance all day around it. If you front then I'll be bouncing. LET'S GO TO PRESS.
While we're not there yet, the City of Portland is poised to put "shelter in place" (staying at home and away from others) regulations into effect if the situation demands it. Our Alex Zielinski has more.
Gov. Kate Brown is also not ready for a "shelter in place" edict yet, but she did issue a warning that we're "a couple of days off" from running out of protective gear for our front line medical responders, and the state is looking for donations. Want to help first responders? They are currently looking for donations of Personal Protective Equipment, including latex free gloves, procedural masks, surgical masks, respirators, face shields, hand sanitizer, and more. Drop off at Portland Fire and Rescue, Mon-Fri, noon-4 pm, 1300 SE Gideon, AND Multnomah County Headquarters, 501 SE Hawthorne (loading dock on 6th).
There have been 13 new positive coronavirus cases in Oregon in the last 24 hours, bringing the total to 88. The known death count remains at three.
Starting today, the Oregon Convention Center will turn into a temporary 130-bed homeless shelter for those affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
How are TriMet employees managing the COVID-19 outbreak? Our Blair Stenvick talked to transportation workers who are working hard and really stepping up for the public.
“When there is additional isolation, that exacerbates the situation."https://t.co/UkPjatZDHb
— Alex Zielinski (@alex_zee) March 20, 2020
BECAUSE YOU NEED THEM, the Mercury has lists featuring restaurants that have food to go (more than 220 in fact), dispensaries that deliver weed, and now? Local bookstores that have curbside pickup, delivery, and more!
Looking for studio movies this weekend, but the theaters are closed? Our Bobby Roberts tells us how you can watch some brand new flicks from your quarantined couch.
IN NATIONAL NEWS:
According to one count, the US has added another 4,500 positive coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours.
More than 4,000 (!) new cases in the U.S. today.
— Mike Baker (@ByMikeBaker) March 20, 2020
Total tally at end of each Thursday:
• Jan 16 — 0
• Jan 23 — 1
• Jan 30 — 6
• Feb 6 — 12
• Feb 13 — 15
• Feb 20 — 27
• Feb 27 — 60
• Mar 5 — 227
• Mar 12 — 1,667
• Mar 19 — 12,326https://t.co/74QzWYbn1p
Senate leaders are meeting to negotiate a $1 trillion economic stabilization plan—in which OF COURSE the Republicans are favoring corporations over people.
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin announced that the government is moving national tax day from April 15 up three months to July 15—though if you want your refund sooner, then filing before then is a good idea.
Make no mistake, Donald Trump is a despicable racist. His labeling of the coronavirus as the "Chinese virus" was planned ahead of time, and this story has the receipts to prove it.
Close up of President @realDonaldTrump notes is seen where he crossed out "Corona" and replaced it with "Chinese" Virus as he speaks with his coronavirus task force today at the White House. #trump #trumpnotes pic.twitter.com/kVw9yrPPeJ
— Jabin Botsford (@jabinbotsford) March 19, 2020
More information is being revealed about how the Trump administration blithely ignored a tsunami of warnings that could've dramatically slowed COVID-19 in America.
In yet more GOP corruption, North Carolina Senator Richard Burr was caught on tape warning his wealthy friends about the economic danger of COVID-19 weeks ago as he was telling his constituents they were going to be fine. He also took the opportunity to dump a bunch of stocks before the market crashed. OH MY FUCKING GOD, HE'S A TRAITOR. (In fact, it's so bad, even Tucker Fucking Carlson thinks he should resign!)
Members of Congress should not be allowed to own individual stock.
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) March 20, 2020
We are here to serve the public, not to profiteer. It’s shocking that it’s even been allowed up to this point.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom has ordered all 40 million residents of the state to stay home as much as possible, warning that 24 million Californians could have COVID-19 within 8 weeks.
Unemployment claims have spiked 30 percent, with 281,000 claims coming into the labor department since last week.
Joe Biden is considering choosing a woman to be his veep pick, and the Democratic party favors him choosing one of his former rivals: Kamala Harris, Elizabeth Warren, or Amy Klobuchar. UMMMM... WARREN, DOY!
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
The Scripps National Spelling Bee has been suspended due to the ongoing coronavirus threat. https://t.co/z9doh0jF3W
— CNN (@CNN) March 20, 2020
YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAS!!!!
Online Music Retailer @Bandcamp Is Waiving Its Share of Sales Today – 100% Goes to Musicians https://t.co/0YMLcofaEA
— Variety (@Variety) March 20, 2020
Now let's peer out of the curtains at the WEATHER: Another glorious day with a high of 65, and two more good ones to follow THANK GOD.
And finally... time to walk the good boy!
"Stay safe" pic.twitter.com/gMtfJOo4Mi
— B@$$ 🛡 (@24onlinee) March 19, 2020