Any adult that works at an Oregon K-12 school must be able to show proof that they are fully inoculated against the coronavirus, Democratic Governor Kay Brown announced Thursday, the Associated Press reports.
Oregon is in the midst of a coronavirus surge, with hospitals at or near capacity and few intensive care unit beds available. The medical care shortfall was illustrated by a COVID patient who died in the emergency waiting room at a Roseburg hospital because the facility didn’t have an open ICU bed.
“There are those who will disagree with the actions I’m taking today,” Brown said during Thursday’s news conference. “But school is starting across the state, and COVID-19 poses a threat to our kids. Our kids need to be protected, and they need to be in school. And that’s why I’m willing to take the heat for this decision.”
The mandate impacts all teachers, educators, support staff and volunteers in any K-12 school. Brown said the reason for the mandate was a dearth of medical professionals who could conduct coronavirus tests for people who chose not to get inoculated.