Visitors Urged To Stay Home; Oregon Records 4th Death; Respirator Masks Recovered; Money Safe in the Bank; Driftwood Shores Closes Temporarily; WLEOG Sets Up Command Center; Lane County Wants Unified Message From Governor Brown

Visitors Urged To Stay Home

Over the weekend there was still a steady flow of visitors to the coast.  Vehicles with trailers loaded with off road equipment made their way to Florence and people trying to get away from the city took the opportunity to come to Florence.  A decision that concerns local authorities as Florence attempts to prepare for the potential of COVID-19 hitting the area.  City Manager Erin Reynolds says the city is constantly working  to keep the city operating and working with County and state officials to make sure that the residents of the City of Florence remain safe.  She says the city is standing with the community.

“We are with you in this, we care for you, we are doing our best as your city and community leaders to work through this and lead and even though we are in a leadership role we are right there beside you experiencing this uncertain time and this quickly changing environment moment by moment with you.”

Reynolds says a special city council meeting will take place this evening to cover some of the issues surrounding COVID-19 and while it is a public meeting there is no public hearing.  Residents are encouraged to view the meeting via Charter cable or listen through a special streaming broadcast.  Information is available at ci.florence.or.us

Oregon Records 4th Death

Oregon reported another COVID-19 death bringing the total to 4 now.  The death was reported Sunday in Linn County.  The new death was a veteran in his 90s at the Oregon Veterans Home who had underlying medical conditions. The Oregon Health Authority’s last update confirms that there are currently 161 cases in the state and that is out of 3025 tests conducted.

Respirator Masks Recovered

Portland police announced that about half of the approximately 8,000 N95 respirator masks stolen from a Portland nonprofit building supply center earlier this month have been recovered after the business’ operator became suspicious after seeing what she believed to be the masks being sold on Craigslist. The victim has donated the masks to hospitals.

Money Safe in the Bank

Oregon Pacific Bank President, Ron Green, told coast radio news that while the COVID-19 situation is dire, there is no need to worry about your money.  He says that some people are making large withdrawals which is considered risky for many reasons.

“Having cash on hand because you need some cash to spend is one thing.  But to withdraw significant amounts of money puts the individual at great risk, security, certainly fire, theft.”

Green says the FDIC protects up to $250,000 dollars in deposits, and if you have more than that, he encourages you to talk to your bank and see how to best maximize that insurance.

Driftwood Shores Closes Temporarily

Businesses locally continue to limit customer interaction and even are closing.  Driftwood shores announced that as of today they would close even though they had reported numbers that were consistent with last year’s numbers during the same period.

WLEOG Sets Up Command Center

The West Lane Emergency Operations Group announced that they have opened up its Emergency Operations Center.  The incident command structure has been established with Fire and EMS Chief Michael Schick and Florence Police Chief Tom Turner serving as unified command.  WLEOG urges residents to follow the State of Oregon message to abide by social distancing, avoid unnecessary travel, avoid gathering in groups and not to hoard supplies.

Lane County Wants Unified Message From Governor Brown

Lane County in conjunction with Eugene Mayor Lucy Vinis and Springfield Mayor Christine Lundberg has asked Governor Brown to issue a statewide Stay at Home order.  The letter says that while a Portland order is cause for concern, other cities and municipalities are flush with concern on how regional orders could negatively affect their towns.  The letter urges swift and clear statewide guidelines for the purpose of unity.