Governor Kate Brown

Governor Kate Brown @OregonGovBrown

I’m asking you to do it again for our health care heroes, vulnerable community members, and Oregon’s kids. Our best tools to keep our schools, businesses, and communities open are wearing masks and getting vaccinated. — PolitiTweet.org

Governor Kate Brown @OregonGovBrown

I know we had all hoped that we could put the challenges of 2020 behind us. But after the last year and a half, I also know what we are capable of when we work together. We stood together for nurses, doctors, and health care workers. We saved lives by following science and data. — PolitiTweet.org

Governor Kate Brown @OregonGovBrown

There are those who will disagree with the actions I am taking today. But school is starting across the state. COVID-19 poses a threat to our kids, and our kids need to be protected. And I’m willing to take the heat for it. — PolitiTweet.org

Governor Kate Brown @OregonGovBrown

That’s why I’ve directed the Oregon Health Authority to issue a rule requiring all teachers, educators, support staff, and volunteers in K-12 schools to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19––again by October 18, or six weeks from FDA approval, whichever is later. — PolitiTweet.org

Governor Kate Brown @OregonGovBrown

From what we know today, there are two keys to keeping our students in classrooms: • Because children under 12 are not eligible for vaccination, masks are critical to prevent our kids from getting sick at school • Ensuring all adults around our students are fully vaccinated — PolitiTweet.org

Governor Kate Brown @OregonGovBrown

As always, we are following science in implementing health and safety protocols. And while we are still learning about the Delta variant, we know from previous experience that when schools open with safety measures in place, the risk of transmission is low. — PolitiTweet.org

Governor Kate Brown @OregonGovBrown

We have seen school districts in the South being upended by COVID-19, with thousands of students quarantined, because they opened without robust safety measures. Our kids need to be in the classroom full-time, 5 days a week. We have to do everything we can to make that happen. — PolitiTweet.org

Governor Kate Brown @OregonGovBrown

It is also the beginning of back-to-school season. Oregon schools are opening their doors for full-time, in-person instruction over the next few weeks. I know many parents are anxious about sending their children back to school buildings. — PolitiTweet.org

Governor Kate Brown @OregonGovBrown

I am also calling on Oregon’s hospital administrators to devote additional resources to support their staffs during current shortfalls. I will provide additional FEMA resources for small and rural hospitals. We cannot afford to lose a single health care worker. — PolitiTweet.org

Governor Kate Brown @OregonGovBrown

In the weeks since I announced Oregon’s original test-or-vaccination policy, the Delta variant has put enormous pressure on our health systems. There are simply not enough resources to stand up weekly testing systems while also responding to the current crisis. — PolitiTweet.org

Governor Kate Brown @OregonGovBrown

Toward that end, Oregon’s vaccination requirement for health care workers will no longer have a testing alternative. Health care workers will be required to be fully vaccinated by October 18 or six weeks after full FDA approval, whichever is later. — PolitiTweet.org

Governor Kate Brown @OregonGovBrown

However, we cannot wait for help to come. We must proactively implement solutions right now. We need every single frontline health care worker healthy and available to treat patients. — PolitiTweet.org

Governor Kate Brown @OregonGovBrown

In addition, I’ve made requests to FEMA and the Biden-Harris administration for additional federal resources and support. Yesterday, I spoke directly to Administrator Criswell about our needs. I expect they will be able to respond to our near-term requests in the coming hours. — PolitiTweet.org

Governor Kate Brown @OregonGovBrown

I have also convened a Hospital Crisis Prevention and Response table to problem solve. Director Allen will go into more detail. — PolitiTweet.org

Governor Kate Brown @OregonGovBrown

I am devoting all available resources to help, including: • Deploying the National Guard and nurse strike teams • Establishing temporary decompression units to free up hospital bed space • Removing barriers to discharging patients who no longer require hospital-level care — PolitiTweet.org

Governor Kate Brown @OregonGovBrown

This puts all of us at risk. When our hospitals are full, there may not be a staffed bed for you if you have an unexpected medical emergency. When ambulances have nowhere to go, people die preventable deaths. — PolitiTweet.org

Governor Kate Brown @OregonGovBrown

This isn’t just about beds––it’s about having enough health care professionals to treat patients. Our nurses, doctors, and health care workers have been on the front lines of this pandemic––in full PPE––for over 17 months. They are being stretched to their absolute limits. — PolitiTweet.org

Governor Kate Brown @OregonGovBrown

Overwhelmingly, the Oregonians who are being hospitalized or who are dying from COVID-19 are unvaccinated. — PolitiTweet.org

Governor Kate Brown @OregonGovBrown

I’ll start by addressing Oregon’s hospital crisis, caused by the Delta surge. With over 845 Oregonians hospitalized for COVID-19 and 226 in ICUs, our hospital and ICU beds are over 93% full. Some hospital regions are beginning the day with 2 ICU beds available, or none at all. — PolitiTweet.org

Governor Kate Brown @OregonGovBrown

Join my press conference, starting at 11 a.m: https://t.co/7UvKDRUDMQ — PolitiTweet.org

Governor Kate Brown @OregonGovBrown

I can't think of a better person for the important role of @NatlParkService Director than Chuck Sams. I have worked closely with Chuck for many years, and have witnessed firsthand his unparalleled service to his Tribe, our state, and our nation. https://t.co/wqf0CFZTjh — PolitiTweet.org

Governor Kate Brown @OregonGovBrown

As we watch the current situation unfold in Afghanistan, Oregon stands ready to help the federal government resettle Afghan refugees. I am hopeful this administration will lift admission caps and take other emergency actions to save lives. Full statement: https://t.co/Zpl9rBifKa — PolitiTweet.org

Governor Kate Brown @OregonGovBrown

Thank you @PPSConnect and Portland educators for taking this critical step to help prevent disruptions and keep students in the classroom. With the school year starting soon, we must act quickly to protect educators and students from COVID-19. https://t.co/4xxNazDwB1 — PolitiTweet.org

Governor Kate Brown @OregonGovBrown

With 838 Oregonians hospitalized with COVID-19 and 222 in ICUs, plus those hospitalized for other serious illnesses and injuries, 93% of our hospital beds and 90% of our ICU beds are full. — PolitiTweet.org

Governor Kate Brown @OregonGovBrown

RT @OHSUNews: Current #COVID19 hospitalizations at OHSU, as of Aug. 17, 2021. https://t.co/mukO7S7uFS — PolitiTweet.org

Governor Kate Brown @OregonGovBrown

If you are unvaccinated, you are at incredible risk from the Delta variant. Almost everyone hospitalized for COVID-19 could have avoided severe illness if they had been vaccinated. Wear a mask and get vaccinated as soon as possible. — PolitiTweet.org

Governor Kate Brown @OregonGovBrown

When our hospitals, emergency departments, and ICUs are full, that means a staffed hospital bed may not be available when you and your family need urgent or intensive care, whether for COVID-19, or a car crash, or a heart attack or stroke. — PolitiTweet.org

Governor Kate Brown @OregonGovBrown

838 Oregonians are hospitalized today for COVID-19, including 222 in the ICU. That’s 93% of the beds hospitals have available, and 90% of our ICU beds. If you are healthy today, you may not think this impacts you. But when our hospitals are full, all Oregonians are at risk. — PolitiTweet.org

Governor Kate Brown @OregonGovBrown

I am calling on Oregon's superintendents, school board members, and education leaders to work with me to ensure our K-12 students can return to full-time, in-person instruction this year, with minimal disruptions from COVID-19. Read my full letter: https://t.co/3GuyukakQD — PolitiTweet.org

Governor Kate Brown @OregonGovBrown

Thank you to @OSFM, @ORDeptForestry, @OregonGuard, @NWCCInfo, & the firefighters, emergency management teams, & community heroes who protected homes and lives from the Bootleg Fire. Please continue to practice fire safety in these hot, dry conditions. https://t.co/i4V3zTCD1q — PolitiTweet.org