🦠 Beware of Oregon’s flu season

Shooting and Threat Target Workers’ Compensation Insurance Exec

It’s a crime with “echoes of the December murder of a UnitedHealthcare executive in New York,” Willamette Week reports, though no one has been hurt. On Feb. 21, there was a shooting at an insurance executive’s Lake Oswego home by an unknown person, who apparently emailed in a threat afterward. [Willamette Week]

Flu Season Is Still Here

Tracking the national trend, Oregon is having its worst flu season in eight years. Flu is a more serious threat to health than many people realize, and while the flu vaccine doesn’t necessarily prevent infection, it is effective at reducing the risk of hospitalization. [OPB]

• ⚠️ Alarming data point: Only 29% of Oregonians have gotten their shot this flu season — down from 36.5% five years ago at this time.
• More info: Even in a year where there’s a mismatch between the flu vaccine and circulating strains, a study found the vaccine was 75% effective at reducing the worst outcomes for children.

Portland’s Best Bakeries

Food writer, chef, and host of the “Food Friends” podcast, Sonya Sanford, shares her picks for places to find a great loaf of bread, a massive chopped sandwich, or just a fun sweet treat. [City Cast Portland 🎧]

It’s time for your responses to the newsletter:

Gripes From People Walking (Not Driving)

Last week, I featured some grumpy gripes that had a lot to do with driving (an observant reader, Eric O., pointed out). Eric wrote, “Ride your bike, take TriMet, or go for a walk. Maybe you'll have less to gripe about.”

And this week we heard from people with another perspective on city streets:

“I saw somebody's complaint about pedestrians crossing wherever they please, which I agree with as a regular pedestrian (it's always safer to cross at a crosswalk than it is to run into the street!). That said, I was hit by a car recently while crossing at a crosswalk, with the walk sign lit. It sucked. If you fear seeing pedestrians hit, remember that the person in the car is the one wielding a deadly weapon. Maybe look inward. And also outward. Through your windshield. — Reader R.L.

“The blocks are extremely long for pedestrians. There aren't enough crosswalks. Drivers may get mad because someone walked out in front of them — but imagine if you're a pedestrian and have to walk an extra 15 minutes just to get to their crosswalk and then double back.” — Reader Carla

“I live in the NE and take walks every day in my neighborhood. EVERY day, I watch one or two cars sail through STOP signs. Some look left and right, some do not. It has become dangerous to walk here. Of course I look before I cross, but I did that recently, crossed, and felt the «whoosh» of a car about 6 inches behind me. It is a dangerous, selfish and just downright stupid, plus illegal, form of driving. Not bothering to stop because you are in a hurry is simply outrageous. Where are the police? I guess someone needs to be killed or seriously injured before anyone will do anything about this problem.” — Reader Melissa Marcus

Saving on Heating Costs

“I wanted to chime in with a few more suggestions to save on winter heating costs, since I’ve recently committed to being cozy AF, while still cost efficient, during the colder months. While some of these were not cheap, I’m hoping they will serve me well for many years to come (listed roughly in order from cheap to expensive):

• Wear fingerless gloves/wrist warmers around the house, particularly if you have a computer-based job
• Use a hot water bottle to pre-heat your bed on cold nights
• Get a pair of flannel sheets (I recently scored a heavily discounted set of the L.L. Bean ones from Dillard’s online and they’re amazing)
• Layer up with wool base layers (I just bought some from Woolx during a sale and have not been able to stop wearing them)” — Reader Rachel

This week I invite you to write in about something you love about Portland or something you love to do here. Please email me about that or anything else about our city or this newsletter.