COVID risk levels improve as governor touts pandemic lottery

Posted May 2021

By Graciela Del Rosario

Staff Reporter

Heralded as one of the slower states in the U.S. in terms of COVID regulations, Governor Kate Brown issued an onslaught of ever-changing orders in the past month, that ranged from closing indoor dining for a week to a chance to win $1 million for being vaccinated.

On April 27, Brown announced 15 of 36 Oregon counties would shift towards extreme risk. This list included Multnomah, Clackamas, Baker, Columbia, Crook, Deschutes, Grant, Jackson, Josephine, Klamath, Lane, Linn, Marion, Polk, and Wasco counties.

According to Oregon Health Authority (OHA), all counties considered extreme risk must close all public indoor-dining and restrict the number of patrons in any indoor entertainment facility to six. To determine whether or not counties would be considered extreme risk, Oregon government would observe from a two-week period, April 24 being the cutoff in this case. Counties containing 30,000+ residents would need 200 new cases per 100,000 citizens. For counties under 30,000 residents, 60 new cases or positivity rates over 10% would be the cutoff. In the two-week period, Multnomah saw 221 new cases per 100,000, whilst Clackamas saw 245 new cases per 100,000.

Brown received a vary number of responses. Many Oregonians felt the intervention was necessary for the 54% spike of in-state infections. Others who have been more affected both mentally and economically by the pandemic have been critical of the governor’s response, as many claim these announcements could have little to no effect. Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association (ORLA) president Jason Brandt had been quite vocal, claiming Brown has “punished” businesses “yet again.”

“The move by the Governor’s Office is tone deaf and offensive to tens of thousands of Oregonians working in restaurants and bars across our state attempting to pay their bills,” Brandt stated to The Oregonian. “...Instead, we should focus on what we know will work—vaccinating all Oregonians.”

Nearly a week later from the announcement, Brown issued another statement that all 15 counties that were previously at extreme risk would be lowered back to high risk, and two additional counties would be raised to high risk from moderate risk, Douglas and Malheur. High risk allows for limited indoor dining, indoor entertainment capacity up to 25% or 50 patrons, full-access outdoor dining, and an outdoor space capacity of 75 customers.

With the surge of vaccinations, the accessibility of most public facilities is slowly becoming regulated. According to USAFACTS.org, 2,243,761 people, or 53% of Oregonians, have received at least one dose as of May 24. Fortunately, Brown has said if 70% of the state receives at least one vaccination dose, much of the economy could be opened statewide. This target may become easier, as the CDC announced May 12 that the Pfizer vaccine would now be usable for children ages 12+.

As a means to encourage Oregonians to get vaccinated, Brown revealed the “Take Your Shot, Oregon” campaign in a conference on May 21. This campaign is taking the form of a lottery: if Oregon residents receive at least one vaccine dose, they are entered in to win. The grand prize for anyone 18+ would be $1 million, and an additional $10,000 to one person in each county (36 winners). For minors 12-17, five winners would be drawn for $100,000 in Oregon Savings Plan scholarships. Prize money is coming from Oregon's Federal Coronavirus Relief Act funds. Winners would be drawn on June 28 and their names would be made public for Oregon records.

“Vaccines are the best tool we have to protect ourselves and our loved ones from COVID-19, and our fastest way to end this pandemic,” said Brown. “The Take Your Shot Oregon Campaign is a way to thank Oregonians for stepping up and keeping our communities safe. It’s never been easier to get a vaccine, so don’t miss your shot to enter!”