Courthouse fitness Salem to defy Gov. Brown’s freeze, will stay open
Dr. Esther Choo speaks on the dangers of medical facilities reaching capacity if Oregonians do not heed new restrictions imposed by Gov. Brown’s two-week freeze statewide.
Wochit
One of Salem’s most prominent fitness centers says it will defy Oregon Gov. Kate Brown’s order that requires all gyms to close for two weeks starting Wednesday and instead will remain open.
Courthouse Club Fitness, which has five locations across Salem, announced on its Facebook page Monday that “it would remain open Wednesday and in the days to follow.”
Brown’s order listed gyms and fitness centers as being required to close to limit the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has spiked in recent weeks.
The order is for a two-week “freeze” requiring some businesses and “faith-based organizations” to limit capacity. It requires others, including gyms, indoor recreational facilities, museums and others to close completely for the duration of the two weeks.
Courthouse was not the only gym considering staying open. Landon Burningham, owner of Physiq Fitness, which has four locations in Salem, Keizer and Albany, said he considered staying open but ultimately decided to close while he looks at “outside the box ways” to reopen sooner than two weeks, he said in a Facebook post Tuesday night.
Overall, owners of gyms and fitness centers said they were facing a wrenching decision and felt unfairly singled out by Brown’s order given no specific evidence has been presented linking gyms to COVID-19 outbreaks in Oregon.
“These are among the hardest decisions we will make as a company,” Burningham said. “We believe exercise is medicine. We believe gyms are safe and when adhering to safety measures, gyms are and should be considered essential.”
COVID-19 pandemic: Coronavirus cases surge in Oregon
Courthouse says it will stay open, Brown pushes back
Courthouse owner John Miller said in a statement that a second shutdown would push his business to the breaking point.
“As a result of the harm done to our business from the first shutdown, we will not survive another closure,” Miller said. “This is a horrible position I find myself in, and it leaves me with only one choice. Courthouse Club Fitness will remain open Wednesday and the days to follow.”
Courthouse Club Fitness on Monday, Nov. 16, 2020 on Devonshire Court Northeast in Salem, Oregon. The fitness center has announced on it’s Facebook page that it will remain open during the two-week freeze mandated by Gov. Kate Brown to reduce the spread of COVID-19. (Photo: ABIGAIL DOLLINS / STATESMAN JOURNAL)
Oregon Gov. Kate Brown’s spokeswoman said a Class C misdemeanor could be issued for any violation of the two-week freeze measures. Oregon State Police said they’d take an “education first approach” and would issue criminal citations “as a last resort.”
“Our focus is on voluntary compliance,” said Liz Merah, Brown’s press secretary in an email. “It’s critical that Oregonians do their part to stop the spread of COVID-19 and prevent further spikes in infections and hospitalizations.
“If Oregonians and businesses don’t take these measures
Antonio Brown’s physical fitness ‘shocked’ the Bucs, per report
Antonio Brown is just a week away from making his 2020 NFL debut, the closest he’s been to an NFL game in over a year. After being away from football for so long, the recently-signed Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver could’ve had a lot of work to do to get back into game day shape. But just the opposite is true.
Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer reported on Sunday that to the surprise and delight of the Bucs, Brown walked into the facility in peak physical condition.
“As far as physically, they were shocked at how good he looked,” Glazer said. “He is in game shape.”
Brown is a five-time All-Pro and known to be a workout nut. Despite his frequent (and quickly rescinded) retirements, it always seemed clear that Brown wanted to return to the NFL. Staying in excellent physical condition would certainly help that happen faster than if he’d spent the last year eating cheese curls and binge watching “Real Housewives” while camping out on the couch.
As far as getting acclimated to his new team and their game plan, don’t worry. Tom Brady apparently invited Brown to stay in his Tampa mansion, so he’ll be around to help whenever Brown needs it.
Brown’s suspension coming to an end
Brown was suspended in January for eight games for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy following a fight with a moving company driver that led to burglary and battery charges, but that is far from his only off-the-field issue. Brown has also been accused of rape and sexual misconduct by several different women.
His former personal trainer, Britney Taylor, has accused Brown of raping her and has sued him in civil court. That suit is still ongoing, and The Athletic reports that a trial date of Dec. 14-18 has been set, though it’s likely it will be rescheduled to a later date.
Brown’s eight-week suspension ends after this week, so while he will not be playing in Tampa’s Week 8 game against the New York Giants on Monday Night Football, he will make his debut for the Bucs’ Week 9 game agains the New Orleans Saints.
Antonio Brown’s physical condition reportedly “shocked” the Buccaneers when he first showed up to the facility. (Joe Cavaretta/Sun Sentinel/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
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