April 23, 2020 4:00 a.m.
Douglas County Commissioners have authored a letter asking Governor Kate Brown to allow residents in southwestern Oregon to move to a Phase 1 reopening of the economy on Saturday.
The letter has been sent to commissioners in Coos, Jackson, Josephine and Curry counties and if approved, will be submitted to Brown. Commissioners from all those counties participated in a conference call with the Governor on Tuesday. A release from Douglas County Commissioners said the main topic of the conversation was allowing Oregonians an opportunity to “get back to work and get the economy moving again”.
Commissioner Tim Freeman was on Inside Douglas County Wednesday on News Radio 1240 KQEN:
Freeman said any opening would also follow federal guidelines.
The letter said southwestern Oregon has seen very few cases of COVID-19. It said there has also been a decline in the number of tests being administered as the number of people with symptoms has deceased. Local commissioners said they believe there is adequate testing and hospital capacity as well as thorough contingency planning should cases begin to increase at any point.
The letter said all five counties currently have healthcare capacity to manage the case load and beyond, but if other medical procedures are not allowed soon, they may not have, “as hospitals have limited ability to bear the financial burden of being out of business”. The plan for health and safety would still require social distancing, including the requirement to wear masks and heighten sanitation requirements for any situation where social distancing can’t be maintained, like beauty salons and barber shops, according to Freeman.
He said Phase 1 could allow most retail businesses to reopen though specifics would still be up to the Governor. Gyms, bars and larger events would remain closed under a Phase 1 reopening, according to the Governor’s framework.
Freeman said those who can work from home would be asked to continue to do so under Phase 1. He said those who are sick should stay at home and free testing for COVID-19 would be provided for anyone referred by a medical professional.
Freeman said commissioners will wait to hear back from Governor Brown.