Did Oregon win the pandemic — and lose in the aftermath?

Portland Pandemic Woes Continue

Portland has been slower to recover than other cities, and downtown may never be the same. But projects like the James Beard Public Market, our future WNBA team, and the main terminal renovation at PDX are building back the city’s reputation. [Oregonian]

• Related: Oregon had one of the longest and most extensive shutdowns — and one of the longest school closures.
• Related: Oregon had "one of the nation’s lowest pandemic fatality rates, one-third lower than the U.S. rate,” the Oregonian reports. That’s despite the state having a higher median age — a significant risk factor for COVID.

Overhauling the Downtown Waterfront

Here’s another exciting plan for Portland: A redesign for downtown’s riverfront — just south of the Hawthorne Bridge — kicked off this month with a $750,000 grant from the regional government Metro. Ideas include creating a permanent stage for live music and an inviting beach so you can dip a toe in the Willamette River. [Portland Mercury]

Rally for the US Postal Service

As part of nationwide protests over cuts to the U.S. Postal Service, hundreds of workers and community members rallied at Pioneer Courthouse Square on Sunday morning. The Trump administration has announced they’ll axe 10,000 postal workers. [KOIN]

• Related: Portlanders also rallied against the Trump administration deportations, including the arrest of a Columbia University student with legal residency status. [KATU]