Amid virus spike, Oregon lawmakers ask governor to lift restrictions

The same day Oregon tightened restrictions due to surging coronavirus cases, more than 50 Republican state lawmakers and county officials asked Democratic Gov. Kate Brown to let restaurants, bars, schools and churches stay open.

“Further shutdowns are not sustainable. We must adapt our Phases to allow for therapeutic remedies that appear to be on the horizon,” reads the Nov. 18 letter. On Thursday, the day after the letter was sent, Oregon reported 1,225 new and presumed cases of COVID-19 in a single day, along with 20 deaths — a state record in each category.

The coalition of lawmakers shows Brown may have an even more difficult road this time around getting rural areas to comply with her executive orders, even as hospital beds east of the Cascades fill with sick patients, and many health leaders support the restrictions.