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.
After a late-night vote and last-minute ruling, the Federal Reserve began a key meeting on interest rate policy Tuesday with both a new Trump administration appointee and an official the White House has targeted for removal.
The Trump administration has issued its first warnings to online services that offer unofficial versions of popular drugs like the blockbuster obesity treatment Wegovy.
Albania's Prime Minister Edi Rama says his new Cabinet will include an artificial intelligence “minister” in charge of fighting corruption. The AI, named Diella, will oversee public funding projects and combat corruption in public tenders. Diella was launched earlier this year as a virtual assistant on the government's public service platform. Corruption has been a persistent issue in Albania since 1990. Rama's Socialist Party won a fourth consecutive term in May. It aims to deliver EU membership for Albania in five years, but the opposition Democratic Party remains skeptical.
The Trump administration has asked an appeals court to remove Lisa Cook from the Federal Reserve’s board of governors by Monday, before the central bank’s next vote on interest rates. Trump sought to fire Cook Aug. 25, but a federal judge ruled late Tuesday that the removal was illegal and reinstated her to the Fed’s board.
President Donald Trump's administration is appealing a ruling blocking him from immediately firing Federal Reserve Gov. Lisa Cook as he seeks more control over the traditionally independent board. The notice of appeal was filed Wednesday, hours after U.S. District Judge Jia Cobb handed down the ruling. The White House insists the Republican president had the right to fire Cook over mortgage fraud allegations involving properties in Michigan and Georgia from before she joined the Fed. Cook's lawsuit denies the allegations and says the firing was unlawful. The case could soon reach the Supreme Court, which has allowed Trump to fire members of other independent agencies but suggested that power has limitations at the Fed.
Chief Justice John Roberts has let President Donald Trump remove a member of the Federal Trade Commission, the latest in a string of high-profile firings allowed for now by the Supreme Court.
