New OSU-Cascades research aims to help guide local COVID-19 public messaging Benjamin Hanes 'Art' wears a mask on the empty streets of downtown Bend early Sunday morning, March 22 'We’re trying to understand people’s concerns. We’re not saying they shouldn’t have them' BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — As COVID-19 case numbers continue to climb, Bend city officials and public health leaders are collaborating with Oregon State University-Cascades researchers to determine how to tailor public health messages to keep communities safer and healthier. Finding ways to convey the benefit of public health recommendations that align with the values of different groups of people and communities is instrumental in this work, OSU-Cascades said Monday in a news release, which continues in full below: