Laurel Brauns
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Rapid Testing Could Ease Social Distancing. But Getting the Kits to Do So? Another Story.

A Bend test kit distributor describes his challenges importing at-home test kits
Laurel Brauns

New test kits arrive to the U.S. every day from China that can confirm the presence of coronavirus antibodies in just 15 minutes. Here in Bend, a business owner who sells other types of test kits is getting into the business of coronavirus testing. Bendite Jeremy Parker runs ToxTests, a company that sells test kits that […]

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Why Can’t I Get Tested?

A Bend woman shares her saga of trying to get a coronavirus test in Central Oregon
Laurel Brauns

Nicole Moore has been sick with symptoms associated with the novel coronavirus for two and a half weeks. She’s requested COVID-19 tests from three separate physicians, and has been told three times that she can’t be tested because she isn’t over 65 years old and doesn’t have a compromised immune system. Moore reached out to […]

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Out of Work? You’re Not Alone

Unemployment filings skyrocket—but on the flip side, local professor believes recovery could happen quickly in Central Oregon
Laurel Brauns

People who work in restaurants, tourism and retail were the first to lose their jobs in both in Central Oregon and across the country, due to the coronavirus pandemic. As the Oregon Employment Department struggles to keep up with thousands of new daily claims, the layoffs continue. Navis CRM, a Bend-based technology company that serves […]

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Bend Cultural Tourism Grants On Hold

With tourism revenues at an all-time low, Visit Bend cuts grants to cultural organizations and nonprofits
Laurel Brauns

Visit Bend formally announced Thursday that it’s placing a hold on future Bend Cultural Tourism Fund grants—a significant funding source for some of the most-visible events and artistic endeavors in Central Oregon. The fund is supported through a transient room tax on hotels and vacation rentals, and due to social distancing measures—and restrictions from the […]

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April 1 is Census Day. Did You Make It Count?

An accurate population count brings in billions in federal funding to Oregon. And it only takes 10 minutes
Laurel Brauns

Every 10 years, the federal government embarks on a nationwide people-counting project. It started in 1790 and is required by the U.S. Constitution. The year 2020 marks a breakthrough in technology and efficiency for the bureau: for the first time in history, people can respond to the Census anytime and anywhere: online, through the mail […]

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Checking In With Sen. Ron Wyden

Wyden pushes for more unemployment benefits, money for hospitals and nationwide vote by mail
Laurel Brauns

I talked to Sen. Ron Wyden this morning, ranking member of the U.S. Senate’s Committee on Finance, who is still in Washington, D.C. preparing for future legislation to respond to the coronavirus crisis. We chatted about unemployment reform, vote by mail and more. Questions for Wyden are in italics and the conversation has been lightly edited […]

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The Deschutes Library is Your New Netflix

From crafting courses to classic and foreign films, DPL has resources to deepen the mind or simply escape the chaos
Laurel Brauns

The Deschutes Public Library system went digital long before novel coronavirus hit Central Oregon. Now, it’s ramping up digital collections and live streaming its programs. Todd Dunkelberg, library director, said after they made the decision to close library locations, his staff stopped ordering physical books and materials and immediately shifted spending into more downloadable books, […]

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Bend is Awesome. Don’t Come Here.

In an city dominated by tourism, Bend’s city manager makes an order aimed at keeping visitors away
Laurel Brauns

Eric King, Bend City manager released an order Friday, “discouraging tourist travel” through the end of April. It doesn’t outright outlaw it, however, nor does it pose any fines for violations, nor demand cancellations for current bookings. But for some locals, it’s just the type of direction around outside visitors that they’ve been looking for […]

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Counseling From The Comfort of Home

Central Oregon mental health providers mobilize to offer a range of services online or over the phone
Laurel Brauns

Mental health counseling and psychological services are now more accessible than ever, partially thanks to the federal government lifting restrictions on telehealth during the coronavirus pandemic. It seems like years ago that the first COVID-19 case came to Central Oregon. Over the last two weeks social isolation, fear of illness and job losses are just […]

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Ripple Effect

How bad are things looking for the local economy? Central Oregon’s economic expert weighs in
Laurel Brauns

Social distancing has devastated the restaurant and tourism industry, but other sectors are feeling the heat, too. In a virtual meeting with 800 attendees this afternoon, Damon Runberg, a state economist with the Oregon Employment Department, described the potential impacts of COVID-19 restrictions on the local economy. “This is a human health crisis,” Runberg said. […]

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