We need your help. The economic fallout of the coronavirus has threatened our ability to keep producing the Mercury. If you’re able, please consider donating to the Mercury.

The 2017 Columbia River Gorge fire.
The 2017 Columbia River Gorge fire. DIEGO DIAZ

Good morning, Portland! Did you know you can now watch SPLIFF 2020 anytime for as little as 10 bucks? Consider your evening plans made (or daytime—I don't judge!).

Here are the headlines.

• The City of Portland began giving away $250 gift cards to low-income Portlanders struggling because of coronavirus impacts yesterday. The gift cards ran out after 17 minutes due to high demand.

• Yesterday, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Oregon jumped to 2,354, and 92 Oregonians have died from the virus. Nationally, the death rate is at 54,874.

• The key to returning to semi-normal life will be an increased testing capacity, and Donald Trump is now selling the idea that this benchmark is within close reach. But there's still a lack of reliable data about the pandemic, and it's not clear when more reliable tests will become available.

• A top New York City emergency room doctor died by suicide on Sunday. Her father believes her death was caused by the trauma she experienced treating coronavirus patients.

• Several East Asian countries have been successful in avoiding the worst of COVID-19. Experts believe that is because they were quick to centrally isolate people who tested positive or showed symptoms of the coronavirus—something countries in the West have been hesitant to do.

• How are Oregonians struggling with or recovering from drug addiction fairing right now? Some experts are concerned that the pandemic can set off addiction issues, while others say the lack of drugs available on the street right now gives people a chance to get clean. Read more in OPB's fascinating report.

• In case you needed something else to fuel your anxiety: Oregon lawmakers are preparing for another brutal wildfire season.



• If you're one of the lucky ones—that is, you're among those of us who have the luxury of staying home during a pandemic and are therefor bored out of our minds—then you might be looking for new podcasts to dive into. If so, I recommend Rabbit Hole, the New York Times' exploration of how the internet radicalizes its users.