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Good morning, Portland. After a beautiful weekend (with a CONCERNING number of people frolicking outside together), we're entering the fourth week of life under COVID-19. Let's all just take one deep breath in together—and let it out. Great job. Now, to balance out your renewed sense of calm, here's the news you may have missed from over the weekend:
US Surgeon General Jerome Adams told Americans Sunday to brace themselves for the "hardest and saddest week" of our lives, as many parts of the country prepare for a peak in COVID-19 cases. Adams compared the coming catastrophe to both Pearl Harbor AND 9/11, which seemed.... unnecessary? Washington Gov. Jay Inslee agrees. (Trump, meanwhile, says the country is seeing the "light at the end of the tunnel." Um.)
Oh, and Donald Trump is still pushing hydroxychloroquine—an anti-malaria drug unproven to help with COVID-19—as a cure for coronavirus patients. It's already killed people who took his advice the first time he touted it. “But what do I know? I’m not a doctor,” Trump added, after essentially hosting a hydroxychloroquine infomercial on live TV.
The CDC has suggested all Americans wear cloth masks while outside of their home to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Trump, trusted role model, said he probably won't, because it's just a "suggestion."
We're at the drone cop stage of the pandemic:
WATCH: A drone was seen flying over a Manhattan park on Saturday, urging pedestrians to “maintain social distancing.” https://t.co/5J9DLlunRB pic.twitter.com/VuNu1etBnW
— CBS News (@CBSNews) April 5, 2020
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been admitted to the hospital for "routine tests" after being diagnosed with COVID-19 ten days ago.
The captain of a US aircraft carrier who successfully appealed to his superiors alleviate the spread of COVID-19 among his crew of 5,000 has tested positive for coronavirus—and has been fired.
A tiger at the Bronx Zoo has tested positive for the coronavirus. "The tiger, a 4-year old Malayan tiger named Nadia, appeared visibly sick by March 27," writes the New York Times.
Things I wish we knew about earlier: According to a new study, the coronavirus can be transmitted between humans from up to 27 feet away.
this is truly perfect. https://t.co/n10b8HIT8F
— Seyward Darby (@seywarddarby) April 6, 2020
Oregon saw its number of coronavirus cases pass 1,000 this weekend. The total number of COVID-19 deaths in the state is now at 27.
Gov. Kate Brown announced Saturday that she'd be sending 140 of Oregon's surplus ventilators to New York. On Sunday, Washington state sent 400 of its ventilators back to the federal reserve, to be redistributed to states in need.
On Friday, the Mercury spoke with two Portlanders with compromised immune systems who are incarcerated in an Oregon prison. Both are scheduled to be released within three months. But, because of gaps in the facility's COVID-19 response, they're unsure they'll get out alive.
The Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) typically receives around 40 worker complaints a week. In the last two weeks, the agency has received at least 2,206 verified complaints. How are OSHA workers staying on top of this landslide of reports?
Arlene Schnitzer, generous supporter of Portland's art scene and philanthropist, died on Saturday from an illness unrelated to COVID-19. She was 91.
And, a final reminder:
Despite the many challenges brought by COVID-19, the primary election will be held on Tuesday, May 19, 2020. Oregon’s vote-by-mail elections allow voters to stay home, stay safe, and vote by mail. The voter registration deadline is April 28, 2020. MORE: https://t.co/gJLofTiVSg
— Multnomah County, OR (@multco) April 6, 2020