Special legislative committee starts work Monday on coronavirus response

March 23, 2020

By DICK HUGHES/Oregon Capital Bureau SALEM — The Legislature’s coronavirus response committee is working through proposals to help Oregon businesses and residents handle the economic and health effects of the pandemic. “What are the five most important things we must do as a Legislature to respond to this coronavirus?” committee co-chair Rep. Paul Holvey, D-Eugene, asked at Monday’s lengthy meeting.

Oregon governor orders most people to stay home; tightens restrictions on businesses, social contact

March 23, 2020

By DICK HUGHES/Oregon Capital Bureau Gov. Kate Brown on Monday directed most Oregonians to stay home except for getting groceries, going to work or handling important activities that cannot wait. Brown said she was acting because many Oregonians had failed to heed her directives to practice “social distancing” to decrease the transmission of COVID-19. “I was very, very clear. I

Help hospitality workers by hiring them for jobs

March 23, 2020

I am a vacation rental owner. One of my best-booked years ever has ground to a halt with cancellations. I am happy that I am able to ride this out but I’m very concerned about the cleaning people we hire who are now out of work. I have scheduled some maintenance cleaning at the same rate I pay for house

Will a little humor help get us through this staggering pandemic?

March 23, 2020

I’m curious if we can mitigate the staggering effects that the pandemic is having on our lives with some mirth and whimsy? It might be a touch of tonic to help us through. The one thing that we can do to help slow the spread of the disease is social isolation. But with that, what tasks are we going to

Beach walks will be missed if state closes day-use areas

March 23, 2020

My husband and I live on the Alsea River in Waldport and have been watching the Waldport Facebook page regarding the extra influx of visitors this weekend. The panic is real and I worry about a portion of the population who might turn to vigilantism. That said, I mourn the closing of the state’s day use parking lots because we

An act of kindness, tears of gratitude

March 23, 2020

Two days ago a truck pulled up in my driveway. A couple got out, a young couple I know from Eugene. They are friends of my youngest daughter who lives in Los Angeles. The couple talked to my daughter a few days ago and told her they were coming to Yachats to stay in their home for a couple of

Social distancing doesn’t exist at grocery stores

March 23, 2020

After changing my lifestyle to accommodate social distancing, I was struck a few days ago by the difficulty of following advisory guidelines while making a necessary visit the grocery store. It’s pretty hard to stay six feet apart in an aisle that is not much wider than that. I was also struck by the huge potential for transfer of germs

Helpful hint: buy washable cotton gloves

March 23, 2020

We bought two dozen pair of cotton gloves from www.ConstructionGear.com for $5 a dozen which we wear every time we have to go out. They are porous so probably provide little in the way of immediate protection, but are very effective in keeping our hands away from our faces. We toss them in the wash after returning so there’s always

More Yachats-area restaurants close over the weekend as business plummets and to keep staff, public safe

March 22, 2020

By QUINTON SMITH and CHERYL ROMANO/YachatsNews.com Two more Yachats restaurants closed this weekend as business slumped from statewide dining restrictions, fewer Spring Break visitors and to protect staff and customers from possibly spreading the coronavirus. Ona Restaurant owner Michelle Korgan closed her business at 4 p.m. Saturday. Yachats Brewing + Farmstore announced on Facebook it would close Sunday evening.

Coronavirus concerns and few visitors leads to closure of Overleaf, Fireside and Adobe motels

March 21, 2020

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews.com The three largest motels in Yachats are closing until the coronavirus outbreak subsides, laying off up to 140 employees. The 54-room Overleaf Lodge and 43-room Fireside Motel closed Saturday after the last of its guests departed. On Sunday, the 110-room Adobe Motel and Restaurant announced it would close all its operations Monday morning. Sweet Home vacation