Healthcare

Oregon Governor’s new mask mandate applies to outdoor venues and the vaccinated

Published

3 years ago

August 27, 2021

Screen Shot 2021 08 25 at 9.21.06 AM scaled

[brid autoplay=”true” video=”835861″ player=”23886″ title=”Sick%20Migrants%20Cross%20Southern%20Border%20Exhibiting%20COVID%20Symptoms” duration=”311″ description=”undefined” uploaddate=”2021-07-29″ thumbnailurl=”//cdn.brid.tv/live/partners/18168/thumb/835861_t_1627544058.png” contentUrl=”//cdn.brid.tv/live/partners/18168/sd/835861.mp4″]

By Jenny Goldsberry

Oregon Governor Kate Brown announced a state-wide mask mandate Tuesday. Now, Brown expects all Oregonians, vaccinated or otherwise, to wear masks indoors and outdoors. The mandate will go into effect Friday.

“Today we have 1,000 COVID-19 patients in our hospitals,” Brown tweeted along the announcement. “I’m continuing to take actions to protect Oregonians and save lives.”

Today we have 1,000 COVID-19 patients in our hospitals. I’m continuing to take actions to protect Oregonians and save lives.

Effective Friday 8/27, masks will be required in public outdoors settings where physical distancing is not possible, regardless of vaccination status. pic.twitter.com/0EU6bteTPU
— Governor Kate Brown (@OregonGovBrown) August 24, 2021

According to Brown, the high caseload of the COVID-19 Delta variant is overwhelming local hospitals. “In some cases, hospitals are having to put patients in hallways,” she said. This was a result that state Rep. Daniel Bonham (R) warned about over the weekend.

“With forced vaccination mandates – what will be the impact to our quality of health care, law enforcement & education when we are already short handed?” Bonham tweeted before the announcement. “Governor Brown must know that we will lose employees in these sectors. What’s the plan to backfill those positions?”

With forced vaccination mandates – what will be the impact to our quality of health care, law enforcement & education when we are already short handed? Governor Brown must know that we will lose employees in these sectors- what’s the plan to backfill those positions? #orpol
— Daniel Bonham (@dbonham31) August 22, 2021

Meanwhile, Speaker of the House Tina Kotek (D) has remained silent on the issue, seemingly agreeing with the move. Oregon’s federal representatives, four of whom are Democrat with one Republican, haven’t made comments either. Their senators as well are silent.

You can follow Jenny Goldsberry on Twitter @jennyjournalism.

Healthcare

Study finds harmful levels of ‘forever chemicals’ in popular bandage brands

Published

2 weeks ago

April 8, 2024

Sara Carter Staff

A new consumer study tested several brands of bandages and found higher levels of fluorine in bandages from Band-Aid, CVS Health, Walmart, Rite Aid, Target and Curad, which contain harmful levels of “forever chemicals,” also known as PFAS.

The study by Mamavation and Environmental Health News revealed that out of 40 bandages from 18 different brands, 26 contained organic fluorine, an indicator of PFAS.

“Because bandages are placed upon open wounds, it’s troubling to learn that they may be also exposing children and adults to PFAS,” said Dr. Linda S. Birnbaum, the study’s co-author and the former director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and National Toxicology Program.

News Nation reports that the study found the chemicals present in the adhesive part of the bandages. Mamavation said some brands likely used the PFAS in bandages “for their waterproof qualities.”

“It’s obvious from the data that PFAS are not needed for wound care, so it’s important that the industry remove their presence to protect the public from PFAS and opt instead for PFAS-free materials,” Birnbaum said.

According to the study, the chemicals are linked to several health effects, including “reduced immune system, vaccine response, developmental and learning problems for infants and children, certain cancers, lowered fertility, and endocrine disruption.”

While the exposure risk to PFAS through the skin isn’t clear, skin exposure “poses similar health risks” as eating or drinking food contaminated with PFAS, according to a previous study by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.