More than a week has passed since I sent the message “extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures“, the first email communication from Portland Downtown related to the emergence of COVID-19 in our community. Since then, I’ve talked with business owners and nonprofit leaders who have had to lay off staff, cancel fundraising events, and in some cases, close their doors temporarily. People are concerned about their future and the health and well-being of their staff, colleagues, friends, families and communities. Read more