Ignoring Order Comes with Penalty
Governor Brown’s executive order yesterday now makes it a class C misdemeanor to not follow the directives laid down. The latest order lays out the foundation of what the state has been doing since first reacting to the pandemic on February 28th. The new order prohibits social gathering regardless of size and effectively relegates people to their own residences unless patronizing a business that is consistent with the guidance provided by the Oregon Health Authority. Outdoor activities such as walking and hiking are still allowed as long as social distancing of at least 6 feet is available. The order even states that people that are not in your immediate household are a potential risk. The new order also updates what businesses are to close and adds arcades, barber shops, hair salons, gyms and fitness studios, skating rinks theaters, yoga studios, and furniture stores. Businesses like jewelry stores and boutiques must close unless goods are supplies exclusively through pick-up or delivery service. Social and private clubs are also required to close under the order.
Temperature Screening For Medical Staff
Employees and visitors of Peace Harbor hospital will now undergo temperature screening before entering the hospital to ensure the safety of the facility and the occupants within the hospital. The order went in effect yesterday afternoon at 4pm and will remain in effect until COVID-19 is no longer considered a public threat. Any person with a temperature of 100.4 or above will be turned away and will be provided the appropriate information on seeking care.
Studded Tire Reprive
Covid-19 has also changed another rule in Oregon. The Oregon Department of Transportation is allowing the use of studded tires on the streets until May 1st. the extension of the deadline was approved yesterday due to the limited hours placed on businesses and the need for social distancing.
WLCF Awards Grants
The Western Lane Community Foundation has moved forward with awarding $87,090 to local nonprofits. 32 local non-profits will benefit from the foundation and includes the Boys and Girls Club Florence Air Academy, C.R.O.W, Food Backpack for Kids, Florence and Mapleton Food Share, and Siuslaw Outreach Services, to name a few.
Gas Prices Not Following Crude Prices
Despite the lowest crude oil prices in about a decade the west coast is still suffering from higher prices than the rest of the nation. Locally Florence has dipped about 8 cents over the last week to $2.61 a gallon while some Midwestern and southern states are less than two dollars and even one Kentucky town is selling gas at .99 cents. Marie Dodds with AAA Oregon says the slow response on the west coast is that supply and demand are close to equal and without a glut in the reserves there is not likely to be extreme changes in pricing. This could change she says as more people are staying at home, but she says it is likely that refineries will just curb production to meet demand.
Latest COVID-19 Numbers
The latest COVID-19 numbers for Oregon continue to increase. Currently there are 191 positive test results while there are 3649 negative results. The total cumulative number of tests administered is 3840. At the same time there has been a sharp increase in flu symptoms with a 12.5% increase in cases over the past week and a total of 791 positive cases reported across the state.
