WATCH: Oregon Public Health official announces COVID deaths in CLOWN makeup

A senior official at the Oregon Public Health department raised some eyebrows when she decided to dress in clown makeup and a polka-dot suit to announce the COVID-19 death tolls.

Claire Poche, began her video announcement by listing off the new cases of the virus in the tall-tree state, not beginning by addressing the very strange choice of attire. 

“As of today, there have been 38,160 cases of COVID-19 in Oregon, with 390 new cases being reported today,” she said, going on to note that “Sadly, we are also reporting three deaths today, bringing the statewide total for COVID-19-related deaths to 608."

It was only when the video switched over to fellow senior adviser Shimi Sharief, who was dressed in a cuddly animal onesie that she said was inspired by the Japanese cartoon “My Neighbor Totoro," that it became clear the costumes were part of a Halloween-themed video. 

Still, the stunt went viral this week, causing many to question the appropriateness of the very strange choice of costume while discussing such a somber topic. 

Some social media users compared the clip to a skit from "The Office."

Another user said "Christmas is going to be grim this year if we are already at 'sad clowns deliver the news'"

Anna Slatz

Journalist

Anna Slatz is a freelance writer based in both the Maritimes and Southeast Asia. When not writing on subjects the mainstream media chooses to ignore, she is a busy full-time graduate student researching the ethnic and religious conflict in Myanmar (Burma).

https://twitter.com/YesThatAnna

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