July 3, 2020
T he C olumbia P ress
8
Governor imposes face mask rule statewide
The Columbia Press
A statewide requirement to
wear face coverings in indoor
public spaces began July 1.
The guidance applies to
businesses and members of
the public visiting indoor
public spaces, such as gro-
cery stores.
“The choices every single
one of us make in the com-
ing days matter,” Gov. Kate
Brown said in making her
announcement. “Face cover-
ings that cover your nose and
mouth play a critical role in
reducing the spread of this
disease because droplets
from our breath can carry
the virus to others without us
realizing it.”
Face-covering
require-
ments already had been
mandated in seven urban
counties when Clatsop asked
to be included in the rules
last week.
With shocking recent spikes
in COVID-19 cases, the gov-
ernor decided over the week-
end to require face masks ev-
erywhere in the state.
There are a few exceptions
to the face-mask rules: Chil-
dren younger than 12; cus-
tomers of restaurants and
bars while eating or drink-
ing; gym patrons while doing
strenuous exercise; and peo-
ple with medical conditions
or disabilities that prevent
them from wearing a face
covering.
Acceptable face coverings
can be cloth, paper or dispos-
able, including bandanas and
homemade masks.
Statewide, COVID-19 cas-
es have increased for four
straight weeks and at in-
creased speed.
Just under 9,000 cases have
been reported in the state
with 208 death.
Clatsop County had record-
ed 49 cases as of Wednesday,
with 46 who have recovered.
p uBliC h ealth direCtor
Mike McNickel, the Clat-
sop County director of Pub-
lic Health, disclosed publicly
that he is one of the three new
county cases reported recent-
ly.
His agency is charged with
managing COVID-19 infor-
mation, testing, and contact
tracing.
McNickel told a reporter
that he is asymptomatic and
only learned of his positive
result when going to the hos-
pital for treatment of an un-
related condition.
McNickel is now on a 14-
day quarantine at home.
Public Health has been im-
plementing workplace safety
measures recommended by
the Centers for Disease Con-
trol, as in any health care set-
ting.
Consequently, the depart-
ment expects there would
have been limited transmis-
sion to other staff members
and is confident no patients
were at risk of exposure.
In an abundance of caution,
the department cancelled all
patient appointments, shut
its offices for deep cleaning
and tested employees on
June 24.
irs deadline looMs
Taxpayers who put off pay-
ing their 2019 income taxes
because of economic woes
brought on by the pandemic
have until July 15, this year’s
deadline for filing a tax re-
turn and paying taxes due.
Oregon extended the usual
April 15 deadline when the
Internal Revenue Service ex-
tended its deadline to file and
pay federal taxes.
For personal income tax fil-
ers, the six-month extension
will allow filing on Oct. 15,
but it must be requested and
taxes will remain due on July
15.