PORTLAND, Ore. — The decision to reopen medical and dental facilities for elective procedures on May 1 is the first step Oregon Gov. Kate Brown has taken to lifting some of the restrictions put into place due to the coronavirus pandemic.
But some dental workers in Oregon worry they will return to dangerous work spaces. Emelie Robertson works the front desk at an dentist office in downtown Portland.
“I feel like this is worse than every other virus. It’s worse than the flu. It lives in your droplets and using a high speed, you know, ultra-sonic on your teeth, that flings all kind of debris everywhere and you can only wipe down so many surfaces,” she said.
She also wondered how offices will find enough personal protective equipment (PPE) after most donated all but an emergency supply to medical offices which needed it a month ago.
The Oregon Dental Association released a statement late Friday stating
“Dentists are experts at infection control and are committed to ensuring the safety of their patients and staff. ODA is working with the Oregon Health Authority and Gov. Kate Brown to determine specific requirements for reopening.”
On Thursday, Brown said she expects the state will have enough PPE by May 1 so medical centers can safely perform non-urgent procedures.
The Oregon COVID-19 Joint Information Center, which puts out information on the battle against the coronavirus, released numbers Thursday on expected deliveries. Over the next seven days, the state expects to get 4.8 million surgical masks, 9.9 million N95 masks, 410,000 gowns, 865,000 face shields and 720,000 gloves. Three weeks from now, Oregon expects to have even more.