A truck driver encourages the crowd at a "Reopen Oregon" rally in Salem, Ore., Saturday, May 2, 2020. Hundreds gathered outside the Capitol to demand the governor lift the stay-home order she issued to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Jonathan Levinson / OPB
UPDATE (7:39 p.m. PT) — Oregonians demonstrated in Salem Saturday to demand the government lift the stay-at-home order and allow people to return to work.
Hundreds of people showed up to the rally at the state Capitol. The crowd was full of American flags, Trump flags, Gadsden flags and signs decrying Oregon Gov. Kate Brown.
Among the conspiracy theorists and anti-government rhetoric were a lot of people whose lives had been significantly impacted by the recent shutdowns, like Adam Ellifritt, who runs an ad agency and helped organize the rally.
"I had about a $12,000 loss in monthly occurring revenue," Ellifritt said. "That pretty much wiped out my use of all my contractors. It sucks to not be able to pay others and that’s a huge income loss for us."
Ellifritt said that when so many Americans live paycheck to paycheck, going just 30 days without pay is a severe blow.
More than 360,000 jobs have been lost in Oregon in the past month and a half. The surge in unemployment applications has taxed the state’s antiquated computer system, worsening the economic crisis.
Public health officials say the state needs better testing and contact tracing before it can safely open back up.
5 more people die with COVID-19 in Oregon
Health officials in Oregon on Saturday confirmed 57 new coronavirus cases, bringing the state’s total to 2,635 known cases.
The Oregon Health Authority said one previously reported positive case has now been confirmed as negative.
Officials also announced Saturday five new coronavirus-related deaths.
The Oregon Health Authority details the deaths as:
- A 64-year-old man from Polk County who tested positive on March 19 and died on May 1 at Salem Hospital. He had underlying medical conditions.
- A 70-year-old man from Multnomah County who tested positive on April 20 and died on May 1 at Adventist Medical Center. He had underlying medical conditions.
- A 75-year-old man from Multnomah County who tested positive on April 27 and died on May 1 at Providence Milwaukie Hospital. He had underlying medical conditions.
- A 91-year-old woman from Marion County who tested positive on April 22 and died on April 30 at Salem Hospital. She had underlying medical conditions.
- A 76-year-old woman from Umatilla County who tested positive on April 14 and died on April 30 at Kadlec Regional Medical Center. She had underlying medical conditions.
The number of people who are known to have died of COVID-19 in Oregon is now at 109.
Oregon COVID-19 Map
Jacob Fenton, The Accountability Project at the Investigative Reporting Workshop
Washington at more than 15,000 confirmed cases
In Southwest Washington, Clark County Public Health Friday reported two new confirmed cases of coronavirus, bringing the county’s total number of known cases to 361.
No new deaths were reported Friday. In total, 21 people are known to have died of COVID-19 in Clark County.
The latest available data from the Washington Department of Health show 15,003 diagnosed cases of the coronavirus and 830 related deaths.
Washington counties awarded federal aid for coronavirus costs
Struggling local governments in Southwest Washington are finding out how much federal money will come their way for coronavirus relief. Clark County will receive $26 million and Cowlitz County will get about $6 million, according to county officials. Their biggest cities — Vancouver and Longview — will get $5.5 and $1.14 million, respectively.
The funds are part of the CARES Act, the federal relief package meant to help public bodies weather the coronavirus pandemic.
Officials say they are still trying to figure out exactly what they can spend the money on.
Graffiti covers the drive-thru menu at Burgerville in Portland, Ore., Friday, May 1, 2020. May Day demonstrators demanded personal protective equipment and hazard pay for frontline workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bradley W. Parks / OPB
Social distancing brings smaller May Day to Portland
In Portland, May Day often means big outdoor rallies and protests in honor of workers' rights. But with the holiday coming in the midst of a global pandemic, activities looked a little different this year.
Activists couldn’t come together like they normally would to honor International Workers’ Day. So, a coalition of local social justice groups organized a small car caravan in Southeast Portland. The convoy stopped at businesses where essential workers remain on the job, putting themselves on the front lines of the pandemic. It was a small crowd — maybe a dozen or so cars.
Time at home brings time for art
Kelli Palmer is a master weaver in Warm Springs. She sent OPB some great photos to show what she’s been up to during this stay-at-home time.