Governor Kate Brown has worked her whole political career to get recognition on the national level. She hasn’t made any points in the news with her mismanagement of the Portland riots. But, to one party that seems to be the agenda she was playing out. Now it is rumored that she may have an opportunity in the Biden administration. So what is she doing to enhance her chances? A complete lock down of Oregon over the Thanksgiving holiday.

Using increased testing that in turn produces increased positive results, not to be confused with an active virus, she justifies her latest order effective November 18 for a total lock down to December 2. But, it doesn’t stop there. If you cross state lines, coming home or visiting, you need to self-quarantine for two weeks – effectively closing borders except for essential services.

Governor Kate Brown, California Governor Gavin Newsom, and Washington Governor Jay Inslee issued travel advisories this week urging visitors entering their states or returning home from travel outside these states to self-quarantine to slow the spread of the virus. The travel advisories urge against non-essential out-of-state travel, ask people to self-quarantine for 14 days after arriving from another state or country, and encourage residents to stay local. The travel advisories recommend individuals limit their interactions to their immediate household. The advisories define essential travel as travel for work and study, critical infrastructure support, economic services and supply chains, health, immediate medical care, and safety and security.

“COVID-19 does not stop at state lines. As hospitals across the West are stretched to capacity, we must take steps to ensure travelers are not bringing this disease home with them,” said Governor Brown. “If you do not need to travel, you shouldn’t. This will be hard, especially with Thanksgiving around the corner. But the best way to keep your family safe is to stay close to home.”

There may be cause to be cautious bordered with states on both sides with high cases of COVID-19. “California just surpassed a sobering threshold – one million COVID-19 cases – with no signs of the virus slowing down,” said California Governor Gavin Newsom. “COVID cases have doubled in Washington over the past two weeks. This puts our state in as dangerous a position today as we were in March,” Washington Governor Jay Inslee said.

Between the ban on travel and new local restrictions, what is left of our freedom?


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2020-11-13 18:56:46