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Debate in Oregon over responses to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

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These pages were updated from March 2020 through June 2020 and do not contain the latest commentary available. To submit arguments for inclusion on this page, email editor@ballotpedia.org. To learn how Ballotpedia decides which arguments to feature, click here.


Ballotpedia is providing comprehensive coverage of how the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is affecting America's political and civic life. In addition to monitoring federal, state, and local responses to the coronavirus, we are also capturing the nationwide and local debates on whether to extend or lift coronavirus-related restrictions affecting the economy, schools, government operations, public health, religious services, and travel.

These arguments come from a variety of sources, including public officials, journalists, think tanks, economists, scientists, and other stakeholders. We encourage you to share the debates happening in your local community to editor@ballotpedia.org.


This article covers the debate over continuing restrictions and closures in Oregon in response to the coronavirus pandemic. You will find the following:


Debate over stay-at-home orders in Oregon

See also: Debate over stay-at-home orders during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

This section includes a sampling of statements made by public officials, influencers, and stakeholders on the stay-at-home order in Oregon.

  • Dr. Jennifer Vines (OPB): Dr. Jennifer Vines, Multnomah County's deputy health officer, argued that some individuals have overestimated the damage of stay-at-home orders and that such orders help suppress disease and that economies can bounce back from them.

    "I [t]hink there’s a risk of overestimating the damage of these longer ‘stay home to save lives’ campaigns. I think there’s some decent scientific evidence that it not only helps suppress disease, but also that economies can actually bounce back better through more cautious social distancing measures." - "When Can Oregon Reopen? Not Anytime Soon, Officials Say," April 21, 2020.

  • Governor Kate Brown (D) (KATU): Governor Kate Brown (D) explained that rural counties in Oregon with little to no presence of coronavirus cases will likely open in May.

    "We have a handful of counties that have very few or no cases. Those counties will likely start to reopen sooner than counties in Multnomah, Washington, where we're still seeing, frankly, some very concerning updates." - "Gov. Brown apologizes for delay in unemployment checks," April 17, 2020.

  • Oregon Uniting for Liberty (Oregon Uniting for Liberty): Oregon Uniting for Liberty, a group that opposes the governor's stay-at-home order, organized a protest in front of the Capitol on May 2, 2020.

    "We are calling you to stand together and exercise your constitutional right to demand that our government address its grievances against us. We demand that Kate Brown’s “state of emergency” declaration be removed immediately and that our freedoms be restored now!" - "Group plans 'Reopen Oregon' rally at state Capitol in May," April 16, 2020.

  • Deschutes County District Attorney John Hummel (The Bulletin): Deschutes County District Attorney John Hummel called on police to arrest protesters rallying outside Redmond City Hall opposing the governor's stay-at-home order because they would be violating non-essential travel restrictions.

    "I trust law enforcement to do the right thing. ... It’s unfortunate that some people in our community choose to put their neighbors at risk of illness and death, because of some twisted sense of patriotism." - "Redmond activist to protest Oregon stay home order with rally," April 16, 2020.


Debate over reopening plans in Oregon

See also: Debate over reopening plans during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

This section includes a sampling of statements made by public officials, influencers, and stakeholders on reopening plans in Oregon.

  • Governor Kate Brown (D) (Oregon.gov): Governor Kate Brown (D) announced a partnership with Oregon Health & Science University to test volunteers to track infections in the state.

    "As we look to reopen Oregon, it’s critical we understand the prevalence of COVID-19 across the state and use science and data to ensure we can safely take steps forward. A strategy of testing and tracing helps us identify who has the disease and who may be at risk of infection — knowledge that is incredibly powerful as we look to reopen." - "Governor Kate Brown Announces COVID-19 Testing and Contact Tracing Plans for Reopening Oregon," May 1, 2020.

  • Linn Goldberg, M.D., professor emeritus at Oregon Health and Science University (The Oregonian): Dr. Goldberg argued more data should be evaluated on a county-wide basis before broad reopening of the state.

    "By examining a few rural, low-coronavirus counties first, state officials could more safely evaluate reopening. If the rate of spread remains controlled, more counties could be added in a step-wise fashion to relax other restrictions." - "Opinion: Oregon’s rush to reopen leaves scientific caution behind," May 24, 2020.

  • Lincoln County OR Board of Commissioners (CNN): "The expressions of racism regarding the exception has created a ripple of fear throughout our communities of color. The very policy meant to protect them, is now making them a target for further discrimination and harassment." - "An Oregon county drops its mask exemption for people of color after racist response," June 25, 2020.

  • Oregonian Editorial Board (Oregonian): "The masking requirement highlights the public’s role in this public health emergency. It reinforces the fact that we all must respond to a serious threat that may or may not ever personally affect us but could devastate our community as a whole. We’ve already taken some of the most drastic measures, such as shutting down businesses and staying home. Wearing a mask should be an easy ask to protect the freedom that we have, and to ensure a continued safe journey down the path to reopening the state’s economy." - "Mask mandate a small ask for public health," June 24, 2020.


Debate over school closures in Oregon

See also: Debate over school closures during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

This section includes a sampling of statements made by public officials, influencers, and stakeholders on school closures in Oregon.

We have not yet identified any statements related to this topic or state. To suggest a statement, email us.


Debate over religious service restrictions in Oregon

See also: Debate over religious service restrictions during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

This section includes a sampling of statements made by public officials, influencers, and stakeholders on religious service restrictions in Oregon.


Debate over election policy in Oregon

See also: Debate over election policies and procedures during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

This section includes a sampling of statements made by public officials, influencers, and stakeholders on election policies in Oregon.

  • Governor Kate Brown (R) (The Hill): Governor Kate Brown (R) defended Oregon's vote-by-mail elections by arguing that they are secure, cost-effective, and accessible.

    "It’s very secure, its very cost-effective, and it’s extremely accessible to our voters. It’s one of the reasons we have one of the highest voter turnouts in the entire country. Because folks like to vote from their kitchen tables. It’s very, very accessible." - "Mail-in voting in Oregon has worked for decades, says Republican," April 16, 2020.

  • Senator Ron Wyden (D) (East Oregonian): Senator Ron Wyden (D) argued that more states should consider adopting the vote-by-mail system that has been in effect in Oregon for over 20 years because it would keep voters safe and healthy.

    "Because Oregon votes by mail we do not have to be concerned about social distancing issues at polling places that so many other states are struggling with. ... Many states are looking to implement our vote-by-mail system as a safer way to conduct elections in November." - "COVID-19 creates new relevance for Wyden's vote-by-mail pitch," March 19, 2020.


Debate over employment in Oregon

See also: Debate over employment during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

This section includes a sampling of statements made by public officials, influencers, and stakeholders on employment in Oregon.

  • U.S. Representative Suzanne Bonamici (D) (KATU): U.S. Representative Suzanne Bonamici (D) said that additional unemployment resources provided for by the Families First Coronavirus Relief Act is not enough.

    "I spoke directly with US Department of Labor Assistant Secretary Pallasch earlier this week, and helped expedite the distribution of $12 million allocated to Oregon through the Families First Coronavirus Relief Act to increase the state’s staffing and improve outdated technology. This funding will provide some help to improve the unemployment system, but it is not enough. I will continue fighting for workers during this challenging time." - "Oregon working to waive 'waiting week' for unemployment claims, Gov. Brown says," April 16, 2020.


Debate over prisons and inmates in Oregon

See also: Debate over prisons and inmates during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

This section includes a sampling of statements made by public officials, influencers, and stakeholders on prisons and inmates in Oregon.

  • Governor Kate Brown (D) (Oregon.gov): Governor Kate Brown (D) explained in a press release that she would continue handling prison inmate releases on a case-by-case basis.

    "It would be irresponsible to compromise public safety for indeterminate benefits to public health. Whether an adult in custody should be released before the end of their sentence or not is a decision that must be weighed based on the individual merits of their situation. I want to be clear: at this time, I have no specific plans to abandon that case-by-case approach." - "Governor Kate Brown Statement on Early Release," April 10, 2020.

  • Maria Morris (ACLU Oregon): Maria Morris, senior staff attorney for the National Prison Prison Project, wrote that the prison population in Oregon is vulnerable to the spread of coronavirus due to the lack of healthcare available and the living conditions there.

    "Once a contagious illness enters, conditions in correctional facilities are highly conducive to it spreading. People in prisons and jails live in close proximity to each other. ... Many people in prisons and jails are in relatively poor health and suffer from serious chronic conditions due to lack of access to healthcare in the community, or abysmal healthcare in the correctional system." - "Are Our Prisons and Jails Ready for COVID-19?," March 6, 2020.


Debate over parks and outdoors in Oregon

See also: Debate over parks and outdoors during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

This section includes a sampling of statements made by public officials, influencers, and stakeholders on parks and outdoors in Oregon.


Responses to the coronavirus in Oregon

See also: Government responses to and political effects of the coronavirus pandemic, 2020 (Oregon)
Click the links below for more on responses to the coronavirus pandemic in Oregon.

General resources

The chart below shows coronavirus statistics from countries across the world. The information is provided by Real Clear Politics.

Click the links below to explore official resources related to the coronavirus outbreak.


See also

Footnotes

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Political responses to the coronavirus pandemic, 2020-2021
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Federal policy responses • State government responses • Local government responses • Diagnosed or quarantined incumbents, candidates, and officials • State legislative session changes • State legislative responses • State executive orders • Eviction and foreclosure policies • Travel restrictions • School responses (2021-2022) • School responses (2020-2021) • School responses (2019-2020) • State court closures • Stay-at-home order status • States that issued stay-at-home orders • States that did not issue stay-at-home orders • Changes to ballot measure campaigns and policies • Changes to vote-by-mail and absentee voting procedures • Initial key federal official responses • Arguments in support of and opposition to government responses • Lawsuits • Multistate agreements • Non-governmental plans to reopen • Unemployment filings • Analysis articles • Paycheck Protection Program • Mask requirements • School budget changes • State budgets • Federal definitions of essential and nonessential businesses • Federal aid to states • Lost Wages Assistance (LWA) program • State emergency power authority • Changes to state emergency power authority • Municipal emergency power authority • Halloween guidelines • Vaccine distribution plans • State plans to end federal unemployment • Changes to emergency power laws • Active COVID-19 emergency orders • State vaccine requirement (vaccine passport) policies • Recalls related to the pandemic • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance on school responses to the coronavirus • State employee vaccine requirements • Healthcare worker vaccine requirements
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