Kate Brown Press Conference: A Glimpse into Oregon's Reopening Plan

As the world continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic, state governments are working tirelessly to develop plans for reopening their economies and getting people back to work. In Oregon, Governor Kate Brown has been holding press conferences to provide updates on the state's progress towards reopening. During her latest press conference, she outlined two new initiatives that could significantly accelerate the process: a partnership with OHSU to conduct randomized testing and the development of a contact tracing team.

The governor emphasized that some parts of the state could open as soon as May 15, primarily rural communities. This announcement was met with mixed reactions from residents and business owners, who are eager to get back to normal but also concerned about the risks associated with reopening too quickly.

According to leaked drafts of the reopening plans obtained by The Oregonian, the first phase of reopening could include restaurants, although it is unclear to what extent. Restaurants would be required to maintain 'strict physical distancing and sanitation protocols,' although the specifics of these protocols are still unknown.

The testing and tracing requirements are seen as an essential first step towards reopening. The state plans to start randomized testing, with a minimum of 15,000 tests available per week to meet the governor's safety threshold. Additionally, a contact tracing team will be established to investigate potential outbreaks and encourage those exposed to self-isolate.

The biggest takeaway from Governor Brown's press conference is that the economy won't reopen all at once. Instead, it will be a gradual process with different sectors opening under specific circumstances. Over the last two weeks, a plan has started to take shape in Oregon, outlining what it will look like when businesses are allowed to reopen and under what conditions.

In summary, while there is still much uncertainty surrounding Oregon's reopening plan, Governor Brown's initiatives aim to speed up the process by increasing testing and tracing capabilities. As the state continues to navigate the complex challenges posed by COVID-19, residents and business owners alike can expect a gradual return to normalcy with precautions in place to ensure public health and safety.

Kate brown press conference