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After a cloudy start to spring the\u00a0sun is finally coming out<\/a>, tempting Portlanders to crowd public parks, a trend that has raised concerns about Oregon\u2019s ability to slow the spread of the coronavirus through social distancing.<\/span><\/p>\n

After a warm and sunny Sunday, reports came in from around the city that throngs of people crowded parks, bike paths and sidewalks, making the mandatory six feet of social distance \u2013 required by Oregon Gov. Kate Brown at all public spaces \u2013 an extremely difficult task.<\/span><\/p>\n

David Coseo, who lives next to the northern entrance of Mt. Tabor Park, said he saw roughly 100 people pass by his house in an hour Sunday. That included runners, cyclists, families and large groups of people, often clustered close together.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt’s sad, frustrating and frightening,\u201d Coseo said. \u201cSome few people were at least wearing masks. But most seem oblivious to the fact that they are walking through a constant cloud of exhaled breath.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Jonathan Maus, publisher of Bike Portland,\u00a0reported crowds of people<\/a>\u00a0at outdoor spaces across the city Sunday, including the Eastbank Esplanade, Mt. Tabor and neighborhood streets in North and Northeast Portland.<\/span><\/p>\n

Oregon is\u00a0nearing its peak<\/a>\u00a0for the novel coronavirus, updated projections from University of Washington researchers show. It\u2019s more evidence that by following Gov. Kate Brown\u2019s social distancing restrictions, Oregonians have helped the state escape the worst of the global pandemic \u2013 as long as people continue to stay home, Rob Davis reported Monday for The Oregonian\/OregonLive.<\/span><\/p>\n

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