Oregon Public Broadcasting

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Some companies set up outdoor seating to maintain business during the pandemic, like the Bijou Cafe in downtown Portland. Others, citing harm to their business, didn't follow the state mask mandate and were fined. | SHUTTERSTOCK

Oregon Health Officials Lift Rule Requiring Masks In Crowds Outdoors

“This decision, which takes effect immediately, reflects the overall progress we have seen on the COVID-19 front here in Oregon,” Oregon Health Authority director Patrick Allen said.

Nov 23, 2021

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SHUTTERSTOCK

Portland Schools Staff Recommend Delay For Student Vaccine Mandate

On Tuesday the Portland Public Schools board will hear a staff recommendation to delay a proposed student vaccine requirement for at least six months.

Nov 16, 2021

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The Oregon Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals held a rally on Sept. 28 to urge support for what the union calls safe staffing. | TIM TRAUTMANN/OPB

3,400 Kaiser Permanente Nurses Set To Strike Nov. 15 If Agreement Not Reached

Nurses and other health professionals at Kaiser Permanente in Oregon and Southwest Washington plan to strike, joining what could become a national work stoppage by nurses working for the health care giant.

Nov 9, 2021

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COMMUNICABLE DISEASE SUPERVISOR JILL JOHNSON DRAWS OUT DOSES OF THE PFIZER-BIONTECH COVID-19 VACCINE AT THE DESCHUTES COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT IN BEND ON JAN. 12, 2021./BRADLEY W. PARKS/OPB

COVID-19 Vaccines For Younger Kids Are Coming To Oregon

More than 120,000 doses of the Pfizer BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine for children should be available in Oregon by early next week.

Nov 4, 2021

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COVID-19 VACCINE PREPARATION AT A DRIVE-THRU VACCINATION CLINIC AT PORTLAND INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, APRIL 9, 2021. THE CLINIC WAS A JOINT OPERATION HOSTED BY OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY, THE PORT OF PORTLAND AND THE AMERICAN RED CROSS./KRISTYNA WENTZ-GRAFF/OPB

Oregon Prepares To Offer COVID Vaccines To Children Ages 5-11

The lower-dose vaccine has received emergency approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Nov 2, 2021

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GÁBOR BEJÓ/PIXABAY

OHSU Doctor, Advocacy Group Challenge Residency Requirement In Oregon’s Death With Dignity Act

The national advocacy organization Compassion & Choices and an OHSU professor filed a lawsuit alleging the requirement in Oregon's medical aid in dying law violates the U.S. Constitution.

Oct 28, 2021

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A man, 23, sits on the sidewalk in downtown Portland, preparing what he says is heroin, June 25, 2021. | KRISTYNA WENTZ-GRAFF/OPB

Key Component Of Oregon’s Pioneering Drug Law Not Working In Early Months

Police officers are giving out few citations, and defendants aren’t taking advantage of the help for addiction that Ballot Measure 110 offers.

Oct 28, 2021

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THE OREGON STATE HOSPITAL IN SALEM./BRYAN M. VANCE/OPB

Judge Increases Fines, Pressure On Oregon State Hospital

Judge Nan Waller ordered the state to pay $2,500 per day, per person as long as two people wait in jail for admission to the hospital.

Oct 26, 2021

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Portland City Hall. | CITY OF PORTLAND/OPB

Portland First In US To Provide Bereavement Leave Following An Abortion, Advocates Say

Last week, Portland City Council unanimously approved a policy to allow city employees to take paid time off after the procedure last week.

Oct 25, 2021

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KRISTYNA WENTZ-GRAFF/OPB

Rural Oregon Agencies OK Vaccine Exemptions, Rather Than Fire Workers

Factors, including broadly-crafted religious exemption policies, appear to be blunting the impact of the mandate in counties with low vaccination rates.

Oct 19, 2021