Think Out Loud

Restaurants around Oregon have been closing their doors, laying off staff and, in many cases, scrambling to offer takeout and delivery options since March 16. That’s when Governor Kate Brown issued an executive order banning seated dining in an effort to increase social distancing as a response to the new coronavirus. We hear from Carmen Oakes, manager at the Korner Cafe in Fossil, Mother’s Bistro and Bar executive chef and owner Lisa Schroeder and Jason Brandt, president and CEO of the Oregon Restaurant and Lodging Association.

The novel coronavirus outbreak has closed schools, restaurants and other sectors of Oregon life, but daycares and preschools remain open. We hear from Miriam Calderon, the head of Oregon’s Early Learning Division, about the latest updates to childcare in Oregon and what families need to know.

Restaurants around Oregon have been closing their doors, laying off staff and, in many cases, scrambling to offer takeout and delivery options since March 16. That’s when Governor Kate Brown issued an executive order banning seated dining in an effort to increase social distancing as a response to the new coronavirus. We hear from Carmen Oakes, manager at the Korner Cafe in Fossil, Mother’s Bistro and Bar executive chef and owner Lisa Schroeder and Jason Brandt, president and CEO of the Oregon Restaurant and Lodging Association.

Last Friday the Governor called for all Oregonians to “stay home, stay healthy.” But it appears that the combination of spring break and beautiful weather this weekend inspired many people to leave their homes. In response, some coastal communities have closed hotels and short term residences. And all state parks will close today. OPB’s Dirk VanderHart fills us in on the latest orders from the Governor. And Warrenton Mayor Henry Balensifer tells us about the decisions they made this weekend for the safety of their coastal community.

For many people in addiction recovery, going to in-person meetings regularly is what makes the difference between sobriety and relapse. The Alano Club of Portland is part of a coalition providing online resources to support those in recovery, and is among those working to provide more online meetings. The Alano Club’s Brent Canode joins us to tell us more and about what still needs to be done to support people without internet access. We also talk with Katie Crocker, who has been sober for 9 years and volunteers with the group Tempest, focused on recovery for women and those who identify as women.

Environmental advocates are calling on state regulators to put new, stricter restrictions on toxic diesel emissions from non-road sources such as construction sites, rail yards and freight distribution centers. A coalition of 21 advocacy groups submitted a petition to the Oregon Environmental Quality Commission late last year asking for new rules and regulations. This week, the commission voted to deny that petition. The coalition says it will appeal to local governments if the state won't act. We hear from Amelia Schlusser, staff attorney for the Green Energy Institute at Lewis and Clark Law School and the lead author of the petition.

Lisa Bates, Allen Alley, and Anna Griffin join us for opinions and analysis of the week’s biggest news.

Bend pastor Morgan Schmidt started the Facebook group "Pandemic Partners Bend" to "help neighbors help neighbors" during the coronavirus outbreak. A week later, the group has more than 7,000 members and towns around Oregon are asking Schmidt how they can replicate her model. We want to hear how you are helping others and staying connected right now.

Oregon courts have delayed all proceedings except those deemed essential. Restrictions will be in place through March 27 and may be extended. Washington County District Attorney Kevin Barton and Metropolitan Public Defender executive director Carl Macpherson tell us about the delays and their impacts.

Meals On Wheels People is a nonprofit based in Portland that delivers meals to homebound seniors and, until recently, also offered dine-in options. Because of the coronavirus outbreak, the organization is shifting its focus to meal deliveries and welfare checks, while maintaining social distancing to protect the vulnerable people they serve. Meals on Wheels is also bringing on new volunteers, as schoolteachers and others step up to meet the increasing demand for meal deliveries. We hear about this delicate balancing act from Meals On Wheels People’s chief executive officer Suzanne Washington.

As businesses begin shutting down and laying off workers, the economic impacts of the new coronavirus are just beginning to be felt in Oregon. What will the long term impacts be? Joshua Lehner, and economist with the Oregon Office of Economic Analysis, is looking into it.

Spring break usually signals the beginning of the tourism season in seaside towns like Astoria. But the coronavirus pandemic means fewer visitors, event cancelations and restaurant closures. David Reid, executive director for the Astoria Warrenton Area Chamber of Commerce, says that the pandemic will have a lasting impact on coastal economies. He joins us.

Portland writer Claire Rudy Foster describes themselves as a “queer, nonbinary, trans single parent in recovery.” Their latest collection of short stories is called “Shine of The Ever.” The queer and trans characters in the stories have familiar struggles, from love problems to paying the rent. We sit down with Foster to talk about the book and about the responses they've heard from readers.

Street Roots vendors are helping to get accurate information about Covid-19 to other homeless folks in Portland. Street Roots Executive Director Kaia Sand joins us, along with Tina Drake, a member of the new Street Roots Action Team.

Oregon are schools canceled until at least the end of the month to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Now, parents all over the state are grappling with the question: What do we do with our kids? Janet Allison has worked with families and kids for more than 20 years, specializing in the special needs of active and rambunctious boys. She joins us to share her suggestions for how to talk about COVID-19 and at-home activities for kids.

The novel coronavirus is putting stress on the entire health care system, and mental health is no exception. Chris Bouneff, executive director of the Oregon chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) joins us to talk about how people are accessing mental health resources right now and what that could look like in the future.

Airport workers are some of the many people who don’t have the option to work from home during the coronavirus outbreak. People who clean airplane cabins and push people in wheelchairs are asking PDX for more affordable health benefits and better sick leave policies. Many of these workers are represented by SEIU Local 49. The union’s executive director, Maggie Long, joins us to talk about the Airport Workers’ Bill of Rights.

Agriculture contributes around 20 percent of the world's greenhouse gas emissions. But agriculture could also have a huge role to play in fighting climate change. Certain farming techniques are known to increase the amount of carbon plants can capture and store in the soil. Jennifer Moore-Kucera, Climate Initiative Director at the American Farmland Trust, and Mimi Casteel, owner of Hopewell Vinyards, tell us what farmers can do to help mitigate climate change.

Many businesses are closing due to concern about COVID-19. Others are having employees work from home. And many businesses and employees have questions about what the laws are around using sick time. Oregon Labor Commissioner Val Hoyle joins us to answer some of those questions

On Thursday Governor Kate Brown prohibited all gatherings larger than 250 people. Similar measures have been taken in other states. Smaller events can continue as long as the organizers can ensure guests can remain 6 feet apart from each other. That makes concerts tricky. OPB’s Jerad Walker has been talking to concert venues and local musicians about how their livelihoods are impacted by social distancing.