UPDATE (7:31 p.m. PT) – Two of Oregon's most distinctive cultural events are taking opposite approaches to the coronavirus outbreak and the social distancing measures imposed by state officials.
Organizers for the Pendleton Round-Up have said that the event will take place this September, but are taking steps to make sure the event remains safe amid the coronavirus outbreak.
“Nothing is more important to us than the safety and well-being of all of you, our community, our Staff/Directors and families,” the Round-Up’s website reads. “We are staying up to date with all the information, and planning accordingly.”
But Pickathon, a music and arts festival in Happy Valley, announced Monday it has abandoned plans for its long weekend of events at the end of July.
Organizers said the event which draws thousands of campers to a hillside in Clackamas County can’t safely go on, citing the latest guidance from the governor's office, in their decision.
"The health and safety of our Pickathon community will always come first and we stand with Governor Kate Brown in her directive to postpone large gatherings through September," the festival said Monday in a statement on their website titled "Pickathon Reemergence 2021."
Pendleton Round-Up President Randy Bracher said the rodeo’s Board of Directors is actively meeting with Umatilla County health officials and county commissioners every two weeks to keep up to date on the latest guidance, and whether they need to change course.
“We have to have their blessing, and we’re of course talking to state officials as well,” Bracher said.
Bracher said he’s prepared to follow protocols for a “modified event,” a possibility mentioned in Brown's statement on large gatherings. Bracher said the Round-Up's changes could include limiting the number of people, increased social distancing, and adding sanitation stations. He said the Round-Up is waiting on specific guidance from the governor on how to move forward with best practices, and that the Round-Up would implement them.
Oregon reaches 130 deaths from COVID-19
Oregon state and local officials confirmed 51 new coronavirus cases Monday, bringing the state’s known total to 3,286.
Health officials also reported seven new presumptive cases. Those are people who have not tested positive but have coronavirus symptoms and have had close contact with someone confirmed to be infected with the virus.
Officials also announced three new coronavirus-related deaths Monday. In Oregon, 130 people are known to have died from COVID-19.
The Oregon Health Authority detailed the deaths as:
- Oregon's 128th COVID-19 death is a 91-year-old man in Polk County, who tested positive on May 2 and died on May 10 at Salem Hospital. He had underlying medical conditions.
- Oregon's 129th COVID-19 death is a 64-year-old man in Umatilla County, who tested positive on April 29 and died on May 9 at Providence St. Mary Medical Center, Walla Walla. It is unknown at this time if he had underlying medical conditions.
- Oregon's 130th COVID-19 death is a 77-year-old woman in Washington County, who tested positive on May 3 and died on May 9 at OHSU Hillsboro Medical Center. She had no known underlying medical conditions.
OHA clarified that a COVID-19 death was previously reported incorrectly. Oregon’s 120th death is a 58-year-old woman in Multnomah County, who tested positive on May 3 and died on May 8 at Legacy Emanuel Medical Center. She had underlying medical conditions.
Washington has more than 16,000 confirmed cases
In Southwest Washington, Clark County Public Health announced 11 new confirmed cases of coronavirus Monday, bringing the county’s total number of known cases to 386.
Officials also announced one new death, the first reported since Wednesday. In total, 24 people are known to have died of COVID-19 in Clark County.
The Columbian reports the data came out Monday as Washington Secretary of Health John Wiesman approved an application from Skamania County and two others to move into Phase 2 of the state's Safe Start plan.
The latest available data from the Washington Department of Health show 16,891 diagnosed cases of the coronavirus statewide, and 931 related deaths.
Warm weekend tests the resolve of Oregonians
Oregon saw a warm weekend in which the usual cooler retreat of the coast was largely off limits.
State officials reminded people to continue following public health guidelines amid the coronavirus pandemic. State park sites along the Oregon Coast were closed, and cities including Seaside and Cannon Beach closed beaches to the public and residents alike. The Oregonian reports that despite the notices, Cannon Beach police asked more than 700 people to leave the beaches over the weekend.
Washington County ups penalty for thieves
The Washington County District Attorney's office announced Monday it would be enhancing charges against some types of thieves during the pandemic.
Citing a recent uptick in property crimes, prosecutors said they will begin charging some misdemeanor thefts as felonies, regardless of the value of the property stolen.
Potential stricter charges would include any related to the pandemic, such as stealing masks, gloves or other protective equipment; committing multiple property crimes while emergency orders are in place; or if someone is "taking advantage of the COVID-19 emergency," such as burglarizing a closed business.
“Burglaries in our community, particularly those targeting commercial businesses, were up 60% in April compared to April of 2019. We are also seeing a marked increase in the number of stolen vehicle reports throughout Tigard,” Tigard Police Chief Kathy McAlpine said in a written statement.
Seaside braces for demonstration against coronavirus restrictions
Seaside city officials and residents are bracing for a demonstration against Oregon’s coronavirus restrictions Saturday from a group that calls itself Reopen the Coast.
The Daily Astorian reports that Reopen the Coast describes itself as dedicated to "stopping the revocation of individual and business rights in the state of Oregon." More than 200 people indicated interest in a planned three-hour gathering to be led by Haley Adams at the Seaside Promenade. Adams calls herself "a right-winged millennial" on a Facebook page declaring her candidacy for Portland mayor; she has not filed for the office.
According to Adams, Reopen the Coast is “a peaceful event and not a protest,” adding that “it’s just a gathering of folks speaking and not creating any harm.” But ties between the organizers and the Proud Boys and Patriot Prayer — groups that have been involved in violent clashes in Portland — are strong enough to concern city leadership.
“It’s definitely on our radar,” said Jon Rahl, Seaside’s public information officer.
Some locals are concerned about the group bringing disorder to the coast.
“They have zero reason to be in our community,” said Jimmy Griffin of Seaside Brewing Co.
“We don’t need these people coming into our community lecturing us on our First and Second Amendment rights. They’re not contributing one positive thing to what we’re doing here. They’re just here hoping to cause chaos like they do everywhere else.”
Seaside City Council is expected to discuss the logistics of reopening the beach Monday night.
Protesters gather Saturday in Olympia
For the second time in a month opponents of Washington Gov. Jay Inslee's extended "Stay Home, Stay Healthy" order rallied at the state Capitol. The rally was held in violation of Inslee's ban on large gatherings and came even as the governor began a phased reopening of the economy.
Oregon COVID-19 Map
Jacob Fenton, The Accountability Project at the Investigative Reporting Workshop
Hardship and tranquility in Drain, Oregon
Karie Fugett lives with her partner on a farm in Drain, Oregon. The solitude of her home has lent her pandemic experience something that most of us are lacking: a sense of peace, tranquility and appreciation of the beauty of a daily routine.