April 02 2021
Eric Fruits, Ph.D. is vice president of Research at Cascade Policy Institute and an adjunct professor at Portland State University, where he teaches courses in urban economics and regulation.
We re in the waning days of the pandemic, and it s time to take action to return to normal. About one-quarter of the state s population has been vaccinated or received a first dose.
If the state keeps the current rate of vaccination, we should achieve herd immunity by early July. This also coincides with Independence Day, as well as some of Oregon s best weather. Let s make the Fourth of July the day Oregon celebrates our independence from the pandemic a summer of street fairs, block parties, dining out, and get-togethers. That gives us a little more than three months to get ready. And like any big celebration, there s a lot to do.