Oregon Public Health Coalition Forms to Fight COVID-19 – 750 KXL

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By Annette Newell

They believe that Oregons losing ground to the pandemic. Now, the states unions, doctors and nurses have created a new group, called the Oregon Public Health Coalition.

Theyre demanding more masking, more testing, and more locally produced personal protective equipment.

The groups organizer is Portland pediatrician Dr. Lisa Reynolds. She says Oregons made progress fighting COVID-19, but is losing ground. Although we are instituting some good measures in trying to stop the spread of COVID, what were doing thus far has not been sufficient, she says.

She points to positive test rates climbing back up in Oregon, to levels they were at before the stay home orders in March, saying Im not calling for another shut down, but it seems that the gains we made then have been slipping.

She says fortunately masks work to help stop the spread of the virus, but doesnt see enough people wearing them.

Were still seeing outbreaks in food processing plants, in the Oregon Employment Division, so I think masking should be in all workplaces that are indoors.

The group want to see more, enforced, workplace requirements to wear masks.

We are so lucky that masking works to slow the spread of COVID. And I believe that part of our rise in numbers is that we arent really seeing the masking thats currently called for by the Governor, says Reynolds.

Another area that needs improvement, is testing for COVID-19. We have a heck of a time getting tests for our patients, Dr. Reynolds says.

So shes organized the coalition of health care and workers groups. She says they include, Front line workers in grocery stores and hospitals, in the employment division for example and farm workers as well. So it seems like a natural group to bring together.

The group wants the state to make sure theres more locally made personal protective equipment, or P.P.E.

Oregons an innovative state. Were really calling for locally produced, locally sourced, locally made P.P.E., so that we can be self sufficient,Reynolds said.

Dr. Reynolds is a candidate for an Oregon House seat in November.

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Oregon Public Health Coalition Forms to Fight COVID-19 - 750 KXL