The Way: Read runs for governor, Mosier calls for EVs, Wiener reflects on respect, and more!
Next week includes a piece on Grants Pass and its efforts to address its sordid racial past.
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Editor’s Note: Will You be Ready?
Governing in a pandemic is one hell of a tough job. But we can and must expect better from our local, state, and federal officials when the next emergency strikes. This note will not explore the single actors or policies we should blame for a pandemic response that the Economist twistedly referred to as “American Exceptionalism,” as in exceptionally bad. Our noted failures in comparison to peer countries are indicative of a failing political system more so than any individual neglecting their duty.
Instead of scratching the itch to bemoan what our leaders could have done better, I’ll instead focus on what we—individually—can do to ready ourselves, our communities, and our state for the disasters ahead.
First, understand what risks you ought to prepare for. You can do a risk analysis by visiting Hello Harbor and entering your zip code and email…do this before reading on.
You, like me, were probably at little surprised to see that I should actually “be ready” for a volcano eruption. Hopefully something like the thought of ash raining down from Mt. Hood gave you a good kick in the pants to take this preparedness effort more seriously.
Second, make a list of preparedness steps and actually cross them off. Personally, I delegated this role to Hello Harbor. It’s a free app that makes preparedness more like everything else we do these days — something on our phone. The bite-size steps to end up totally prepared have help me actually set aside money and time for the essentials. Then check your level of preparedness against the Red Cross’s recommendations, available here.
Third, because having excess time and financial resources is a privilege, preparedness is a privilege—so pay it forward by seeing what you can do to support the preparedness of others in your neck of the woods. Consider donating to Catholic Charities of Oregon, the OCCU Foundation, or Team Rubicon.
There’s a lot we can’t control in a disaster—like who is in power and how much preparation they’ve done for worst case scenarios, but we can and should help our loved ones and our neighbors “be ready.”
Here’s to a better Oregon,
Kevin
To look forward to:
Rep. Wilde explores the creation of an Oregon Climate Corps.
Nathan Howard talks about his new role related to implementing.
Ashley Henry pens her first post!
David Frank examines Critical Race Theory.
Jared Garson investigates the merits of a carbon tax in Oregon.
To read:
Tobias Read announces his run for governor and describes his motivations for doing so as well as his goals for the state.
read more here.
Kevin Frazier asks the Future Project to come to Oregon so that students can benefit from exposure to “Dream Directors.”
read more here.
Jared Wiener talks about the role of respect in resolving some of our most pressing problems — vaccination and homelessness.
read more here.
Kim Mosier puts her issues with Elon Musk aside and embraces electric vehicles as a promising development for rural Oregon.
read more here.
To do:
Share The Oregon Way with three friends
Nominate a contributor to TOW
Tell us how we can improve!
"Scholls, Oregon. June 2018" by drburtoni is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0