Oregon’s rural communities are petitioning Governor Kate Brown to immediately order a halt to all aerial pesticide spraying statewide due to increased health risks associated with the COVID-19 virus respiratory pandemic. All Oregonians have been ordered to mitigate contagion risk and reduce impact upon our highly stressed health care system. We ask The COVID-19 Health Care System Response Joint Task Force to immediately advise Gov Brown of the health risks associated with aerial pesticide spraying, including impaired immune systems. This is especially important for rural Oregonians living in close proximity to private timberlands, where there is often limited accessibility to health care, and limited capacity. As this is a declared National Emergency by the President of the United States, we also ask Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, and Oregon’s congressional delegation, to affirm support for this emergency executive action.

Aerial pesticide spraying is occurring across rural Oregon, even as the State of Emergency has been declared. In many rural areas, aerial spraying is occurring adjacent to highly vulnerable populations. Many residents prefer to leave their homes during a nearby aerial spray application, but the Governor's "stay at home" will make it increasingly difficult for residents to find a place to go to protect themselves.

Oregon ranks last among all US states in hospital beds per capita. Rural regions are especially vulnerable to corona virus impacts. Rural Oregonians urge the Governor to implement the pesticide spray moratorium effective immediately.