While states such as Alabama and Nebraska are split ideologically on whether to issue stay-at-home orders, these public health measures have bipartisan support in Oregon.
"I think to stop this virus, given we have no treatment or vaccine, we have to go to basic public health protocols," Representative Greg Walden (R-Ore. 2nd District), told Cheddar on Friday. "As painful as it is, especially for us in the Northwest who don't want to be cooped up, it's really important in these times."
So far, these efforts appear to be working. State officials have said that by staying home Oregonians have helped cut the spread of coronavirus by 50 to 70 percent.
Walden attributed the relative success to the state's community-based health system — though some health care professionals within the state still believe it's woefully unprepared.
One challenge facing Oregon that Walden highlighted was the impact of certain state restrictions on financially encumbered rural hospitals.
"Our rural community hospitals are struggling financially right now, in large part because the governor shut down any elective procedures. This is something we're going to have to get our hands around because some of them are losing half their monthly revenue streams."
Some of the current federal support needs to be targeted at helping these hospitals, according to the congressman.
