Restaurants Transit in in Crisis Feed the age of Hungry COVID-19 Program is a win- TriMet requires win for homeless, passengers to small businesses wear masks Established in 1970 See Local News, page 3 See story, page 2 PO QR code ‘City of www.portlandobserver.com Volume XLVIV • Number 13 Roses’ Wednesday • May 20, 2020 Committed to Cultural Diversity Geneva’s Closed for Good for eight weeks under the stay-at- Legacy home orders of Oregon Gov. Kate Brown to prevent the spread of COVID-19. business a Even if allowed to open under the loosening of public health re- victim of strictions in the coming weeks, businesses such as Geneva’s would be difficult to operate amid the re- COVID-19 strictive actions recommended to BY MICHAEL LEIGHTON avoid spreading the disease, Knauls PORTLAND OBSERVER EDITOR Jr. posted on Facebook. Geneva’s Shear Perfection, In a letter, he thanked staff and the legacy barbershop and salon explained the decision. grounded in African American life “As you know COVID 19 has in the heart of northeast Portland for had devastating effect on so many the past 30 years, will not survive businesses large and small includ- the loss of business brought on the ing Geneva’s Shear Perfection,” he Coronovaivus Pandemic. said. “It is with a heavy heart that af- Paul Knauls Jr. and his father ter almost 30 years Geneva’s Shear Paul Knuals Sr. confirmed to the Perfection will not reopen. I want to Portland Observer Monday that Ge- express my sincerest gratitude to all neva’s has closed for good due the who have stuck with our family for economic turmoil brought on by the PHOTO BY SHAWNTELL WASHINGTON/THE PORTLAND OBSERVER so many years. Thank you for your public health crisis. The business, Paul Knauls (left) and Paul Knauls Jr., owners of Geneva’s Shear Perfection, a legacy barbershop and dedication and professionalism.” located at 5601 N.E. Martin Luther salon located in the heart of Portland’s African American community, announce the closing of their CONTINUED ON PAGE 5 King Jr. Blvd., has been shuttered landmark business due to economic losses caused by the coronavirus public health crisis. Phased-in Openings Begin protocols. That screening consists Safety and of asking the customer if they feel sick, even though the coronavirus distancing can be transmitted by infected peo- ple who feel no symptoms. requirements Retail stores in Portland and across the state, regardless of continue whether they received phase one Oregon Gov. Kate Brown is approval, can be open as long as allowing the vast majority of they’re not in shopping malls or smaller cities and counties to re- shopping centers and they limit the open in a first phase of allowing number of customers to maintain Demetria Hester reacts in court to the guilty verdicts against businesses closed by the corona- at least six feet of distance between Jeremy Christian. (AP pool photo) virus pandemic to reopen under Oregon Gov. Kate Brown people and employees in the store. safe distancing requirements. sit-down service if they maintain The business must also post signs Racism at Every Step Portland and the major population six feet of distance between cus- listing COVID-19 symptoms and centers around the city expect to tomers, limit groups to a maximum frequently clean and sanitize work Victim in Max attacks blames ‘white supremacy’ take similar actions over the next of 10 people, and require employ- areas, high-traffic areas, and com- BY MICHAEL LEIGHTON from the violence wants the com- several days and weeks, officials ees to wear face masks. monly touched surfaces, and re- PORTLAND OBSERVER EDITOR munity, judge and jury to under- said. Salons and other “personal ser- quire all employees to wear masks. As Jeremy Christian awaits sen- stand how the legacy of white su- Under the phase one guide- vices” can also reopen in all but the “In each of these counties, we tencing for his deadly and racist lines, restaurants and bars in ap- Portland area for now, but only if CONTINUED ON PAGE 4 CONTINUED ON PAGE 4 attacks on TriMet, a brave survivor proved counties can reopen for they screen clients and follow other Page 2 May 20, 2020 Train Hits Lombard Overpass A Union Pacific freight train derailed early Tuesday in north Portland, damag- ing an overpass on North Lombard Street in the industrial area served by the Port of Portland. Lombard was closed at North Terminal Road as bridge inspectors from the Portland Bureau of Transportation as- sess the damage. According to Union Pacific, three empty train cars came off the tracks as crews were attempting to move empty rail cars out of the Port of Portland around 6:15 a.m. One of the empty cars struck the overpass. Another access to the port’s Terminal 4 A TriMet passenger wears a face mask as he prepares to board was still open and crews were working on public transit. TriMet is now requiring riders to wear face coverings getting more lanes open. to support the safety of its riders and employees during the No injuries resulted from the crash, ac- coronavirus public health crisis. cording to Union Pacific. They are evaluat- A Union Pacific freight train derailed early Tuesday in ing the scene and will begin removing the north Portland and one of the cars jammed up against rail cars once necessary evidence is gath- an overpass on North Lombard Street. (Photo by Portland ered, officials said. Bureau of Transportation) Face Coverings in the age of COVID-19 Got COVID-19 Symptoms? Test ASAP TriMet now As the governor eases stay-at- The Centers for Disease Con- ing, they may have COVID-19 home restrictions in some coun- New guidelines ties across the state, TriMet plans trol and Prevention recently ex- and should call their health requires masks panded the list of symptoms con- care provider to request test- to increase the limits on the num- issued to slow ber of people on board, increase sistent with COVID-19 and now ing right away, officials said. for safety urge health care pro- If someone has at onboard cleaning throughout virus spread viders to test all pa- least two of the fol- On guidance of the Oregon the service day, add more opera- Anyone who develops symp- tients with COVID-19 lowing symptoms governor’s office, TriMet an- tor safety panels and continue to toms of the new coronavirus symptoms, saying ear- they should also nounced additional actions Mon- educate riders about COVID-19 (COVID-19) is urged to contact ly testing is critical to call their health day to promote safety during the symptoms and precautions. their health care provider about slowing the spread of care provider to coronavirus public health crisis. The requirement for riders to testing as soon as possible, ac- the virus. request testing: Fe- “Over the last two months, use face coverings on transit goes cording to new guidelines issued For people with ver, chills, repeated TriMet has elevated our cleaning into effect Wednesday, May 20. Monday from Clark County Pub- either a cough, short- protocols, provided riders direc- OHA also strongly recommends lic Health. ness of breath or difficulty breath- CONTINUED ON PAGE 11 tion to stay healthy and changed riders use face coverings at rail procedures to increase the wellbe- stations, transit centers and busy ing of our bus operators and other bus stops. This follows the guid- front-line staff,” said TriMet Gen- ance of the Centers for Disease eral Manager Doug Kelsey. “Now, Control when physical distancing as we look forward to the TriMet of at least 6 feet from other indi- of tomorrow, we will step up even viduals cannot be maintained. more. It is paramount that our cus- When people wear face cover- tomers feel safe with the transit ings it sends a strong message of service we provide. Gov. Brown’s community. It shows respect and order helps build on everything caring for our neighbors and each we’ve done to date.” other, officials said. TriMet urges Based on the direction of the riders and its employees alike to Oregon Health Authority, TriMet follow this requirement to help will now require riders to wear keep everyone safe. face coverings; install face cover- Children under the age of two ing and hand sanitizer dispensers should not wear face coverings, inside all buses and trains; and nor should people with medi- require passengers to maintain cal conditions or disabilities that 3-feet distancing from each other prevent it. Face coverings should and 6 feet from the operator. cover both the mouth and nose. Providing Insurance and Financial Services Home Office, Bloomington, Illinois 61710 Ernest J. Hill, Jr. Agent 311 NE Killingsworth St, Portland, OR 97211 503 286 1103 Fax 503 286 1146 [email protected] 24 Hour Good Neighbor Service R State Farm R May 20, 2020 Page 3 INSIDE L O CA L N EWS The in Week Review page 2 Joy Sinviengxay manages the counter at the Chai Thai restaurant in east Portland, one of two eateries ArtsENTERTAINMENT providing meals to homeless shelters operated by Human Solutions as part of a partnership with two & pages 8 nonprofits providing financial backing to businesses impacted by the coronavirus health crisis. Restaurants in Crisis Feed Hungry are two of the participating restau- munity members have economic Program is a rants, preparing hot, delicious and housing security. meals delivered to two Human Leaders for both groups said win win for Solutions shelters, Lilac Mead- they saw an opportunity to col- ows for Families and the Gresh- laborate and meet multiple com- homeless, small am Women’s Shelter.