I’m sorry to state it so bluntly: Oregon Health Authority Director Patrick Allen needs to be fired.
Just one day after issuing a mea culpa, the Oregon Health Authority is immediately back to its standard operating procedures:
The Oregon Health Authority on Wednesday refused to release key statistics used to help justify and monitor Oregon counties allowed to reopen during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Oregonian/OregonLive filed two public records requests last month seeking underlying data used by public health officials and Gov. Kate Brown’s office to allow phased reopenings by counties.
Oregon uses coronavirus data to make decisions about reopening. It refuses to release that data., OregonLive.com, 03 June 2020.
This is contemptible, and something I had hoped we’d gotten past with the OHA. Obviously not.
The state health authority has withheld statistics even in instances where counties have released the same type of data.
It’s part of a broader pattern by state public health officials to limit the flow of information about the pandemic.
Although Oregon has one of the lowest infection and death rates in the country, state officials have been secretive on many fronts, initially refusing to release details about outbreaks at long-term care facilities or workplaces or the age ranges for some people infected. They also have blocked the public from listening to daily conference calls between state administrators and lawmakers.
Counties are beginning to request Phase 2 reopening. Will OHA share the underlying data used to determine whether counties should reopen? No.
Patrick Allen needs to go.