thedenverpost--2020-06-12--Coronavirus and sports: What Colorado fans can expect from their new “normal”

The joint ticks every box .
A 55-inch TV is visible from almost every angle .
A collection of game-worn hockey sweaters and baseball jerseys hangs with pride along one wall , with special dispensation for the No .
92 of Avalanche center Gabe Landeskog and the No .
31 worn by former University of Denver goalie Evan Cowley .
If the autographed pucks on the shelves don ’ t turn into a conversation-starter , then the bubble dome hockey table a few feet away just might .
“ We don ’ t have to be sitting on top of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Castle Rock resident and Avs fan who built the collection , “ if a couple people come over.
” A puck head could kill a few hours of paradise here , easy .
Which is what Dubin plans to do once the NHL resumes play in late July or early August .
After all , it ’ s his basement .
“ Unless things change , I don ’ t want to be in a crowded bar , ” Dubin says .
“ If I ’ m going to be in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it be at the Pepsi Center than at a bar .
I ’ m not going to take that risk ( of being out ) unless it ’ s to be at the event itself.
” Welcome to the new normal Front Range sports fans , in which every game for the next few months , when it comes to the NBA , NHL and Major League Soccer , is going to feel like a road game .
For everybody .
Which , to be fair , beats the holy stuffing out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a survey of more than 1,000 sports fans last month by ESPN , roughly two-thirds — 65 % — said they were in favor of sports returning “ even if fans can ’ t be in the stands.
” “ I just want to see football games again , ” said Tim Larison , who ’ s been a Broncos season-ticket holder since 1968 .
“ And if there are going to be fans in the stands , great .
And if I can be there , great .
But if they have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s better than no football.
” Dubin , an Avalanche season-ticket holder for 14 of the last 16 years , didn ’ t set up his man cave , a bunker of hockey heaven , because of the coronavirus pandemic .
But until live games return to Pepsi Center — unlikely to happen for the NHL or NBA this summer — it ’ s where he prefers to scream himself hoarse .
And it ’ s where he ’ ll cheer on the Avs and Nuggets as they finish their suspended seasons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the NBA ) or in one of the 10 “ hub ” cities the NHL announced two weeks ago .
“ It ’ s going to be interesting , ” Dubin said of an entirely remote postseason for the Front Range ’ s two most popular winter sports franchises .
“ There ’ s nothing like a playoff atmosphere at the Pepsi Center .
It ’ ll be strange .
But it ’ ll be great to be able to at least watch live sports and root for your team.
” *** Absence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say nothing of boredom .
An average of 5.8 million viewers on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend watched Peyton Manning , Tiger Woods , Tom Brady and Phil Mickelson play golf in the pouring rain for charity , with a peak audience of 6.3 million — making it the most-watched golf telecast in the history of cable television .
So we want the games back , no question .
But with COVID-19 still spreading in the United States and without a vaccine on the runway , we ’ re also unsure if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them in person .
A Seton Hall University poll of 762 Americans in early April found that 76 % said they would watch broadcasts of sporting events with the “ same interest ” as before .
But 72 % of those same respondents also said they wouldn ’ t attend a game until a coronavirus vaccine was developed .
And only 13 % said they would feel as safe at a sporting event as they had in the past .
Adam Earnhardt , chair of the communications department at Youngstown State and an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chunk of those fans may continue to stay away willingly into 2021 , even if stadiums like Pepsi Center and Empower Field at Mile High open up again at full , or close to full , capacity .
“ The fan reaction , for the most part , it ’ s going to be , ‘ I ’ ll do what you need me to do , so I can show up and cheer for my team , ” said Earnhardt , co-author of “ Sports Fans , Identity and Socialization : Exploring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the mom or dad who just want to load up their kids and take them to the Indians game on a Saturday afternoon — that ’ s probably not going to happen .
I ’ ve got four kids , and my wife and I are trying to keep our family safe or keep them at home and still at a distance as much as possible .
I think most average spectators and families are going to follow suit.
” Regardless , that experience won ’ t be the same as it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Empower Field in the fall , presuming fans can attend , will likely resemble the current experience of going to a grocery store or a local Walmart : controlled entrances and exits ; social distance maintained in lines for concessions and restrooms ; constant sanitization efforts by stadium workers ; and masks and plastic gloves mandatory for staff .
Facial coverings could become mandatory for Broncos fans , too .
“ You ’ re definitely going to have cases where you can put whatever protocols in place that you need and it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to show up and cheer for my team , ’ ” Earnhardt said .
“ But there ’ s also the whole facemask-versus-no-facemask crowd , and that whole debate .
That debate aside , I think people just want to see their teams compete and to be in that place to see them do it.
” Another underlying narrative for fans , he noted , will be event congestion , especially August through October .
After more than nine weeks of either few or no live sporting events , early August through Halloween @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NBA playoffs and the Stanley Cup playoffs , two rites of spring , rolling at the same time as the NFL preseason and regular season and college football ’ s regular season .
And that ’ s not including Major League Baseball , which likely missed a window to dominate the national sports conversation in June and July due to its bickering .
If baseball resumes any later than the middle of next month , it ’ s going to be jumping onto a moving train with some awfully crowded freight cars .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ some of these dates about when they ’ re going to compete — I just wonder if this is going to be a mess for a couple years , ” Earnhardt said .
“ Think about it : You could have a case where you could have every season of every ( major ) sport being played at the same time .
How are fans going to cope with the rush of all these sports coming back all at the same time ?
I just don ’ t know .
I think for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be overwhelming .
I think you ’ re also going to have a case where it ’ s going to fracture attendance and it ’ s going to fracture ( television ratings ) .
” *** Those ratings — hello , Tiger and Peyton — are why the networks , and leagues themselves , are so eager to get pro sports back onto television .
SportBusiness Media estimates that U.S. broadcasters were expected to pay out roughly $ 22.6 billion in 2020 for the rights to live sports .
The cost of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consumers and account for roughly 40 % of your monthly cable bill , according to media analyst Rich Greenfield .
Given the scarcity of events in March , April and May , the return of the NHL and NBA in July and August is going to draw a lot of eyeballs .
It ’ s just a question of where they ’ re watching .
And for how long .
Faced with neutral-site games and no home crowds , broadcasters find themselves having to get creative — if not downright funky — in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as “ normal ” as possible to a salivating audience .
To that end , Stadium/The Athletic NBA reporter Shams Charania reported last week that the NBA and NBA Player Association are considering using crowd sounds from the NBA 2K video-game series as background noise during telecasts — another twist in the ever-blurring lines between reality and simulations .
“ I think it ’ ll add to the game , ” television analyst and former Nuggets guard Fat Lever said .
“ Guys will practice , and they ’ ll compete , just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s the key.
” The NHL is expected to reveal some of its broadcast parameters soon , and it ’ s expected to run along a similar track .
The challenge isn ’ t just replicating a non-COVID game environment to fans back home , but enhancing it .
Turning an empty arena from a weakness into a strength .
Do you experiment with new camera angles ?
Do you use more shots from a drone ?
Do you set off the horn after every goal , regardless of which team scores ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , foul language be darned ?
Will we see CGI people holding CGI beers and CGI boxes of popcorn , howling with CGI joy when the Avs take a two-goal lead ?
Nothing ’ s set in stone .
If something works , it sticks .
“ They don ’ t want it to be sterile , ” an NHL league source told The Post ’ s Mike Singer .
After all , a playoff game at Pepsi Center is anything but .
The NBA playoffs and Stanley Cup playoffs are beloved , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ferocity of fans so often feed into the players , and vice versa .
It ’ s not just tribal — it ’ s communal .
“ It ’ s that experience of turning to a fan in the seat to the left of you and being able to high-five and jump up and down after a goal , ” Dubin said .
“ Things like that .
It ’ s the sitting-on-the-edge-of-your-seat type mentality .
Obviously , I get excited from home , but there ’ s nothing like being there.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time the Avs held aloft Lord Stanley ’ s Cup , Colorado has a home playoff record of 32-26 , a winning percentage of .552 .
Since the 2013-14 postseason , the team boasts an 8-4 playoff record ( .667 ) at Pepsi Center .
“ It ’ s going to be more of an age thing ; I think you ’ ll get the 20-somethings out at the bars ( watching ) , ” Dubin said .
“ They ’ re more willing to go out and to do that because they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anything ) back with the kids at home .
I think your older crowd is going to play it a little more conservative , and be that basement and home-based type of viewing .
“ I ’ m still hesitant to go out to the bar scene .
Hopefully , I can have a handful , or one or two of my buddies over to watch it in my basement and still try to stay six feet apart — one guy on the couch , one behind the bar , that type of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of August , or the Stanley Cup finals , things are safer .
But like everything else these days , it ’ s hard to know .
”

The joint ticks every box. A 55-inch TV is visible from almost every angle. A collection of game-worn hockey sweaters and baseball jerseys hangs with pride along one wall, with special dispensation for the No. 92 of Avalanche center Gabe Landeskog and the No. 31 worn by former University of Denver goalie Evan Cowley.
If the autographed pucks on the shelves don’t turn into a conversation-starter, then the bubble dome hockey table a few feet away just might.
“We don’t have to be sitting on top of each other,” says Jake Dubin, the Castle Rock resident and Avs fan who built the collection, “if a couple people come over.”
A puck head could kill a few hours of paradise here, easy. Which is what Dubin plans to do once the NHL resumes play in late July or early August. After all, it’s his basement.
“Unless things change, I don’t want to be in a crowded bar,” Dubin says. “If I’m going to be in a crowd, I’d rather it be at the Pepsi Center than at a bar. I’m not going to take that risk (of being out) unless it’s to be at the event itself.”
Welcome to the new normal Front Range sports fans, in which every game for the next few months, when it comes to the NBA, NHL and Major League Soccer, is going to feel like a road game. For everybody.
Which, to be fair, beats the holy stuffing out of having no games at all. In a survey of more than 1,000 sports fans last month by ESPN, roughly two-thirds — 65% — said they were in favor of sports returning “even if fans can’t be in the stands.”
“I just want to see football games again,” said Tim Larison, who’s been a Broncos season-ticket holder since 1968. “And if there are going to be fans in the stands, great. And if I can be there, great. But if they have to play in empty stadiums, that’s better than no football.”
Dubin, an Avalanche season-ticket holder for 14 of the last 16 years, didn’t set up his man cave, a bunker of hockey heaven, because of the coronavirus pandemic. But until live games return to Pepsi Center — unlikely to happen for the NHL or NBA this summer — it’s where he prefers to scream himself hoarse.
And it’s where he’ll cheer on the Avs and Nuggets as they finish their suspended seasons in Orlando (in the case of the NBA) or in one of the 10 “hub” cities the NHL announced two weeks ago.
“It’s going to be interesting,” Dubin said of an entirely remote postseason for the Front Range’s two most popular winter sports franchises. “There’s nothing like a playoff atmosphere at the Pepsi Center. It’ll be strange. But it’ll be great to be able to at least watch live sports and root for your team.”
***
Absence makes the heart grow fonder. To say nothing of boredom. An average of 5.8 million viewers on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend watched Peyton Manning, Tiger Woods, Tom Brady and Phil Mickelson play golf in the pouring rain for charity, with a peak audience of 6.3 million — making it the most-watched golf telecast in the history of cable television.
So we want the games back, no question. But with COVID-19 still spreading in the United States and without a vaccine on the runway, we’re also unsure if we want to come back and watch them in person.
A Seton Hall University poll of 762 Americans in early April found that 76% said they would watch broadcasts of sporting events with the “same interest” as before.
But 72% of those same respondents also said they wouldn’t attend a game until a coronavirus vaccine was developed. And only 13% said they would feel as safe at a sporting event as they had in the past.
Adam Earnhardt, chair of the communications department at Youngstown State and an expert on fan behavior, thinks a chunk of those fans may continue to stay away willingly into 2021, even if stadiums like Pepsi Center and Empower Field at Mile High open up again at full, or close to full, capacity.
“The fan reaction, for the most part, it’s going to be, ‘I’ll do what you need me to do, so I can show up and cheer for my team,” said Earnhardt, co-author of “Sports Fans, Identity and Socialization: Exploring The Fandemonium.”
“It’s the mom or dad who just want to load up their kids and take them to the Indians game on a Saturday afternoon — that’s probably not going to happen. I’ve got four kids, and my wife and I are trying to keep our family safe or keep them at home and still at a distance as much as possible. I think most average spectators and families are going to follow suit.”
Regardless, that experience won’t be the same as it was just a few months earlier. Going to Empower Field in the fall, presuming fans can attend, will likely resemble the current experience of going to a grocery store or a local Walmart: controlled entrances and exits; social distance maintained in lines for concessions and restrooms; constant sanitization efforts by stadium workers; and masks and plastic gloves mandatory for staff. Facial coverings could become mandatory for Broncos fans, too.
“You’re definitely going to have cases where you can put whatever protocols in place that you need and it’s, ‘I just want to show up and cheer for my team,’” Earnhardt said. “But there’s also the whole facemask-versus-no-facemask crowd, and that whole debate. That debate aside, I think people just want to see their teams compete and to be in that place to see them do it.”
Another underlying narrative for fans, he noted, will be event congestion, especially August through October. After more than nine weeks of either few or no live sporting events, early August through Halloween could feature, running concurrently, the NBA playoffs and the Stanley Cup playoffs, two rites of spring, rolling at the same time as the NFL preseason and regular season and college football’s regular season.
And that’s not including Major League Baseball, which likely missed a window to dominate the national sports conversation in June and July due to its bickering. If baseball resumes any later than the middle of next month, it’s going to be jumping onto a moving train with some awfully crowded freight cars.
“I’ve been looking at some of these dates about when they’re going to compete — I just wonder if this is going to be a mess for a couple years,” Earnhardt said.
“Think about it: You could have a case where you could have every season of every (major) sport being played at the same time. How are fans going to cope with the rush of all these sports coming back all at the same time? I just don’t know. I think for some fans, it’s going to be overwhelming. I think you’re also going to have a case where it’s going to fracture attendance and it’s going to fracture (television ratings).”
***
Those ratings — hello, Tiger and Peyton — are why the networks, and leagues themselves, are so eager to get pro sports back onto television. SportBusiness Media estimates that U.S. broadcasters were expected to pay out roughly $22.6 billion in 2020 for the rights to live sports. The cost of those rights fees are passed over to consumers and account for roughly 40% of your monthly cable bill, according to media analyst Rich Greenfield.
Given the scarcity of events in March, April and May, the return of the NHL and NBA in July and August is going to draw a lot of eyeballs. It’s just a question of where they’re watching. And for how long.
Faced with neutral-site games and no home crowds, broadcasters find themselves having to get creative — if not downright funky — in order to make the COVID-era broadcasts feel as “normal” as possible to a salivating audience.
To that end, Stadium/The Athletic NBA reporter Shams Charania reported last week that the NBA and NBA Player Association are considering using crowd sounds from the NBA 2K video-game series as background noise during telecasts — another twist in the ever-blurring lines between reality and simulations.
“I think it’ll add to the game,” television analyst and former Nuggets guard Fat Lever said. “Guys will practice, and they’ll compete, just as hard. I think that’s the key.”
The NHL is expected to reveal some of its broadcast parameters soon, and it’s expected to run along a similar track. The challenge isn’t just replicating a non-COVID game environment to fans back home, but enhancing it. Turning an empty arena from a weakness into a strength.
Do you experiment with new camera angles? Do you use more shots from a drone? Do you set off the horn after every goal, regardless of which team scores? Do you mic up players and coaches, foul language be darned? Will we see CGI people holding CGI beers and CGI boxes of popcorn, howling with CGI joy when the Avs take a two-goal lead? Nothing’s set in stone. If something works, it sticks.
“They don’t want it to be sterile,” an NHL league source told The Post’s Mike Singer.
After all, a playoff game at Pepsi Center is anything but. The NBA playoffs and Stanley Cup playoffs are beloved, in part, because the intensity and ferocity of fans so often feed into the players, and vice versa. It’s not just tribal — it’s communal.
“It’s that experience of turning to a fan in the seat to the left of you and being able to high-five and jump up and down after a goal,” Dubin said. “Things like that. It’s the sitting-on-the-edge-of-your-seat type mentality. Obviously, I get excited from home, but there’s nothing like being there.”
Going back to 2001, the last time the Avs held aloft Lord Stanley’s Cup, Colorado has a home playoff record of 32-26, a winning percentage of .552. Since the 2013-14 postseason, the team boasts an 8-4 playoff record (.667) at Pepsi Center.
“It’s going to be more of an age thing; I think you’ll get the 20-somethings out at the bars (watching),” Dubin said. “They’re more willing to go out and to do that because they don’t have to bring (anything) back with the kids at home. I think your older crowd is going to play it a little more conservative, and be that basement and home-based type of viewing.
“I’m still hesitant to go out to the bar scene. Hopefully, I can have a handful, or one or two of my buddies over to watch it in my basement and still try to stay six feet apart — one guy on the couch, one behind the bar, that type of thing. Hopefully, by the end of August, or the Stanley Cup finals, things are safer. But like everything else these days, it’s hard to know.”


thedenverpost--2020-06-12--As day care centers and preschools reopen, parents face difficult decisions

By Linnea Covington , Special to The Denver Post The first week of June , Christine Bettlach Anderson of Denver sent her 4-month-old son James to his day care for the first time since the pandemic started .
“ Of course we have reservations , but we feel safe with the precautions the day care is taking , ” Bettlach Anderson said last week .
“ We both work and it ’ s impossible to get work done with a baby at home .
Impossible.
” More day care centers are opening up , but just because it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the home can be a weighty decision for parents while coronavirus hangs over us .
Bettlach Anderson said she did her research on how COVID-19 is affecting kids , and follows economist and parenting expert Emily Oster ’ s weekly newsletter .
She feels that being informed has and given her confidence in her family ’ s decision .
“ My emotions this week were more about the general aspect of sending him out of the home and him being gone , ” she said , adding that she ’ s more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safety in the workplace than her son ’ s in his care center , Highlands Academy in Denver .
“ I ’ m choosing to trust that the day care is doing everything in their power to keep him and themselves and us parents safe.
” She ’ s not alone in feeling that day care is a safe and necessary option .
When restrictions lifted on child care facilities on June 1 , our own family also eagerly and nervously decided to admit our 3-year-old back to his home preschool .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , that didn ’ t mean it was business as usual .
The reopening came with a list of rules and precautions , all meant to make us feel safe and keep us healthy .
The first drop-off felt awkward as we abided by the new standard , but by the end of the week it was second nature to slip on a mask , sanitize my son ’ s hands and mine on the preschool ’ s porch where he took off his shoes and I signed in with a clean pen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in with him , and we took his temperature before his teacher would take him inside .
No parents were allowed in the house or backyard , and a mask was mandatory for pick-up and drop-off .
All in all , taking him back felt safe — or , at least , safer than before the COVID-19 cases dwindled .
We knew he would be with kids whose families may or may not be practicing the same level of social distancing , but we choose to hope they are .
In the end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needing stimulation and us needing the care .
After a week of preschool , we have all felt the relief , and don ’ t regret our decision .
Like our preschool , Laura Brewer Hartley ’ s Wheat Ridge Learning Academy put in a huge effort to keep things as clean as possible .
In fact , Brewer Hartley never closed her center , and instead opened it up to the kids of essential workers across the city .
To make the space as sterile as possible , she had everything removed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including stuffed animals , dress-up clothes and pillows .
“ We were nervous when we took in the children who weren ’ t our regular students .
We realized it was an increased risk since their parents were working jobs that were high risk , ” said Brewer Hartley , adding that aside from cleaning all the time it was the uncertainty and the government ’ s changing rules that proved the most challenging .
“ But we were really diligent and the parents were diligent and overall we were really lucky @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But for other families , the benefits of child care don ’ t outweigh the risk of infection , a sentiment that ’ s understandable , given that experts predict the coronavirus will continue to spread , even after Colorado ’ s decline over the month-long stay-at-home order and subsequent safer-at-home status .
“ I am not comfortable sending my daughter back right now , ” said Mary Harman Parks , who has a 4-year-old child who is prone to respiratory illness .
“ I want to see how the Safer at Home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases in the weeks to come before sending her back .
If we can play a small role in keeping the curve semi-flat for as long as possible , then I want to do that , too.
” Many facilities around Denver understand parents ’ fears , even with all the precautions being taken .
All three locations of Tiny Hearts Academy have undergone a thorough cleaning , and have plenty of rules in place .
“ If the kids have any signs in line with COVID we need a note from their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a confirmation it ’ s something else .
Otherwise , they have to stay home until they ’ re symptom-free , ” said Christy Suner , who owns Tiny Hearts Academy with her husband , Omar .
“ We also had our teachers sign an agreement of etiquette to follow the governor ’ s order ( of social distancing ) when not at work.
” The staff also cleans all the time .
When the first stay-at-home order came through in mid-March , Tiny Hearts closed for two weeks for a deep cleaning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the teachers or kids were sick before opening two of their three locations .
The enrollment was much smaller , and the class sizes were cut in half .
Suner said that now when parents drop their children off , it ’ s all done outside with masks and a lot of hand sanitizer .
The staff cleans the rooms and spaces thoroughly two times a day , and the temperatures of students and staff are taken numerous times .
Plus , there is diligent hand-washing of both kids and the teachers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID case , we are going to close , ” said Omar Suner .
“ So far there have been no cases of parents , kids or teachers.
” Now that the day care capacity rules have slackened , the center reports many of the families are coming back .
However , Tiny Hearts Academy used to have a 2 1/2-year waitlist and now has multiple spots open for new kids .
Parents know that wait lists for child care are a big deal in Denver , and Tiny Hearts Academy ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that , finally getting access to child care in the center she really wanted wasn ’ t enough for parent Rosemari Ochoa to send her child .
“ We had our daughter on the wait list since August 2017 and we finally ( got ) a spot in May , but now are postponing indefinitely , ” says Ochoa , whose child is 2 1/2 .
“ I ’ ve been following the research and epidemiology on this closely , and I know that with a lot of infectious disease , it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ While she would welcome the chance to work from home without her daughter , Ochoa ’ s based her decision on her years of experience as an infectious disease researcher and expert .
She reads the daily epidemiology report from the state each night and feels it ’ s not the right time to expose her family .
“ I think we have a lot of unanswered questions about this virus and how it spreads , ” said Ochoa .
“ We know putting her in a day care would increase the risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for others , so that idea has been tabled until the foreseeable future.
” But for parent Allison Woodson , the steps that Mount Saint Vincent day care in Highland took to start up again gave her faith they were doing it right — or , at least , the best they could .
One reason for her decision to send her 4-year-old daughter , Amaryllis , back was how the school is structured .
Mount Saint Vincent is connected to a child trauma treatment facility , and a board of trustees makes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Knowing there were layers of informed people deciding it was good to open made me feel better about sending her back , ” Woodson said , adding it also helped that they sanitize twice a day and don ’ t let anyone but kids and the staff in the building .
“ Also , it seemed they were opening to provide assistance to us as parents , as opposed to opening because they were going broke.
” The later part of Woodson ’ s statement plays a factor in many private @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vincent is run by trustees and gets funding and donations .
So while tuition helps , it ’ s not the sole income .
Woodson also commented on how communicative the staff is , something that gave her confidence in steps the center was taking to keep everyone safe .

By Linnea Covington, Special to The Denver Post
The first week of June, Christine Bettlach Anderson of Denver sent her 4-month-old son James to his day care for the first time since the pandemic started.
“Of course we have reservations, but we feel safe with the precautions the day care is taking,” Bettlach Anderson said last week. “We both work and it’s impossible to get work done with a baby at home. Impossible.”
More day care centers are opening up, but just because it’s increasingly available, sending your children out of the home can be a weighty decision for parents while coronavirus hangs over us.
Bettlach Anderson said she did her research on how COVID-19 is affecting kids, and follows economist and parenting expert Emily Oster’s weekly newsletter. She feels that being informed has and given her confidence in her family’s decision.
“My emotions this week were more about the general aspect of sending him out of the home and him being gone,” she said, adding that she’s more concerned with her pharmacist husband’s safety in the workplace than her son’s in his care center, Highlands Academy in Denver. “I’m choosing to trust that the day care is doing everything in their power to keep him and themselves and us parents safe.”
She’s not alone in feeling that day care is a safe and necessary option. When restrictions lifted on child care facilities on June 1, our own family also eagerly and nervously decided to admit our 3-year-old back to his home preschool.
But just because the kids could go back, that didn’t mean it was business as usual. The reopening came with a list of rules and precautions, all meant to make us feel safe and keep us healthy.
The first drop-off felt awkward as we abided by the new standard, but by the end of the week it was second nature to slip on a mask, sanitize my son’s hands and mine on the preschool’s porch where he took off his shoes and I signed in with a clean pen. He couldn’t bring anything in with him, and we took his temperature before his teacher would take him inside. No parents were allowed in the house or backyard, and a mask was mandatory for pick-up and drop-off.
All in all, taking him back felt safe — or, at least, safer than before the COVID-19 cases dwindled. We knew he would be with kids whose families may or may not be practicing the same level of social distancing, but we choose to hope they are. In the end, our decision rested on our son needing stimulation and us needing the care.
After a week of preschool, we have all felt the relief, and don’t regret our decision.
Like our preschool, Laura Brewer Hartley’s Wheat Ridge Learning Academy put in a huge effort to keep things as clean as possible. In fact, Brewer Hartley never closed her center, and instead opened it up to the kids of essential workers across the city. To make the space as sterile as possible, she had everything removed that couldn’t easily be sanitized, including stuffed animals, dress-up clothes and pillows.
“We were nervous when we took in the children who weren’t our regular students. We realized it was an increased risk since their parents were working jobs that were high risk,” said Brewer Hartley, adding that aside from cleaning all the time it was the uncertainty and the government’s changing rules that proved the most challenging. “But we were really diligent and the parents were diligent and overall we were really lucky. Everyone has been super healthy.”
But for other families, the benefits of child care don’t outweigh the risk of infection, a sentiment that’s understandable, given that experts predict the coronavirus will continue to spread, even after Colorado’s decline over the month-long stay-at-home order and subsequent safer-at-home status.
“I am not comfortable sending my daughter back right now,” said Mary Harman Parks, who has a 4-year-old child who is prone to respiratory illness. “I want to see how the Safer at Home order will influence the number of COVID-19 cases in the weeks to come before sending her back. If we can play a small role in keeping the curve semi-flat for as long as possible, then I want to do that, too.”
Many facilities around Denver understand parents’ fears, even with all the precautions being taken. All three locations of Tiny Hearts Academy have undergone a thorough cleaning, and have plenty of rules in place.
“If the kids have any signs in line with COVID we need a note from their doctor saying they are COVID-negative, or a confirmation it’s something else. Otherwise, they have to stay home until they’re symptom-free,” said Christy Suner, who owns Tiny Hearts Academy with her husband, Omar. “We also had our teachers sign an agreement of etiquette to follow the governor’s order (of social distancing) when not at work.”
The staff also cleans all the time. When the first stay-at-home order came through in mid-March, Tiny Hearts closed for two weeks for a deep cleaning, and the Suners made sure none of the teachers or kids were sick before opening two of their three locations. The enrollment was much smaller, and the class sizes were cut in half.
Suner said that now when parents drop their children off, it’s all done outside with masks and a lot of hand sanitizer. The staff cleans the rooms and spaces thoroughly two times a day, and the temperatures of students and staff are taken numerous times. Plus, there is diligent hand-washing of both kids and the teachers.
“If we get even one COVID case, we are going to close,” said Omar Suner. “So far there have been no cases of parents, kids or teachers.”
Now that the day care capacity rules have slackened, the center reports many of the families are coming back. However, Tiny Hearts Academy used to have a 2 1/2-year waitlist and now has multiple spots open for new kids.
Parents know that wait lists for child care are a big deal in Denver, and Tiny Hearts Academy’s years-long one proves common. But despite that, finally getting access to child care in the center she really wanted wasn’t enough for parent Rosemari Ochoa to send her child.
“We had our daughter on the wait list since August 2017 and we finally (got) a spot in May, but now are postponing indefinitely,” says Ochoa, whose child is 2 1/2. “I’ve been following the research and epidemiology on this closely, and I know that with a lot of infectious disease, it’s not solved in one wave.”
While she would welcome the chance to work from home without her daughter, Ochoa’s based her decision on her years of experience as an infectious disease researcher and expert. She reads the daily epidemiology report from the state each night and feels it’s not the right time to expose her family.
“I think we have a lot of unanswered questions about this virus and how it spreads,” said Ochoa. “We know putting her in a day care would increase the risk bubble not only for our family but for others, so that idea has been tabled until the foreseeable future.”
But for parent Allison Woodson, the steps that Mount Saint Vincent day care in Highland took to start up again gave her faith they were doing it right — or, at least, the best they could. One reason for her decision to send her 4-year-old daughter, Amaryllis, back was how the school is structured. Mount Saint Vincent is connected to a child trauma treatment facility, and a board of trustees makes the decisions instead of a sole director.
“Knowing there were layers of informed people deciding it was good to open made me feel better about sending her back,” Woodson said, adding it also helped that they sanitize twice a day and don’t let anyone but kids and the staff in the building. “Also, it seemed they were opening to provide assistance to us as parents, as opposed to opening because they were going broke.”
The later part of Woodson’s statement plays a factor in many private day care operations, but Mount Saint Vincent is run by trustees and gets funding and donations. So while tuition helps, it’s not the sole income. Woodson also commented on how communicative the staff is, something that gave her confidence in steps the center was taking to keep everyone safe.


thedenverpost--2020-06-12--Denver’s latest snow on record fell 73 years ago today

On Wednesday morning , the temperature plunged down to a chilly 41 degrees in Denver , making it the city ’ s coldest June temperature in seven years .
But at least it didn ’ t snow .
Seventy-three years ago Friday , Denver had its latest snowfall on record .
While it was far from the tree branch-busting snows common in March and April , a trace of snow fell on June 11 and 12 of 1947 .
While the mercury never quite dropped to freezing during the snow event , temperatures did drop to 33 degrees on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that a two-day soaking rain event briefly flipped over to a few wet snowflakes .
In perhaps typical Denver style , four days after the snow fell , the temperature rocketed back up to 88 degrees on June 16 , 1947 .
The snow officially measured as a “ trace , ” meaning snowflakes were recorded flying from the sky , but they didn ’ t stick to the ground .
Denver ’ s latest measurable snowfall on record came on June 2 , 1951 , when 0.3 inches of snow fell .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ official climatological records of the National Weather Service office in Boulder .
It has only snowed in June ( trace or measurable snowfall ) in Denver six times , the most recent of which came in 1974 .
Fortunately , none appears to be the forecast .
And if you ’ re looking ahead , Denver ’ s earliest snowfall on record came on Sept. 3 , 1961 .
That should give us a solid 10 weeks without having to use a snow shovel .

On Wednesday morning, the temperature plunged down to a chilly 41 degrees in Denver, making it the city’s coldest June temperature in seven years.
But at least it didn’t snow.
Seventy-three years ago Friday, Denver had its latest snowfall on record. While it was far from the tree branch-busting snows common in March and April, a trace of snow fell on June 11 and 12 of 1947.
While the mercury never quite dropped to freezing during the snow event, temperatures did drop to 33 degrees on the 12th, making it just cold enough that a two-day soaking rain event briefly flipped over to a few wet snowflakes.
In perhaps typical Denver style, four days after the snow fell, the temperature rocketed back up to 88 degrees on June 16, 1947.
The snow officially measured as a “trace,” meaning snowflakes were recorded flying from the sky, but they didn’t stick to the ground.
Denver’s latest measurable snowfall on record came on June 2, 1951, when 0.3 inches of snow fell. That’s all according to the official climatological records of the National Weather Service office in Boulder.
It has only snowed in June (trace or measurable snowfall) in Denver six times, the most recent of which came in 1974. Fortunately, none appears to be the forecast.
And if you’re looking ahead, Denver’s earliest snowfall on record came on Sept. 3, 1961. That should give us a solid 10 weeks without having to use a snow shovel.


thedenverpost--2020-06-12--John Hickenlooper didn’t do enough on police reform as Denver mayor, advocates say

John Hickenlooper , the Democratic front-runner competing for Republican Sen. Cory Gardner ’ s at-risk seat , faces a new challenge as calls for systemic changes and racial equality embroil the nation : his own track record .
“ We had a chance to do what the world is talking about needing to do now .
We had that chance with Hick , ” said Reginald Holmes , past president of the Greater Metro Denver Ministerial Alliance .
“ His record is atrocious in terms of following through.
” During his tenure as mayor of Denver from 2003 to 2011 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now understood to disproportionately target communities of color , but others say he did little to change a system that was broken when he took office .
But hindsight is 20/20 , said former City Council President Elbra Wedgeworth , who worked with then-Mayor Hickenlooper and defends his efforts .
“ Things evolved from ( Wellington ) Webb to Hickenlooper to ( Bill ) Vidal to ( Michael ) Hancock , and people are always going to say , ‘ They didn ’ t do this , ’ or ‘ He didn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ really feel that he was committed to what he was doing , ” Wedgeworth said .
“ Hickenlooper really stood up for what he believed was right.
” Webb , who preceded Hickenlooper , praised his successor ’ s time at the helm of Denver and his accomplishments .
Both the chief of police and public safety director under Hickenlooper ’ s watch also pushed for strong reform and community policing , Webb told The Denver Post .
The topic arose Wednesday during a debate between Hickenlooper and his Democratic primary opponent , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nationwide and in Denver over George Floyd ’ s death in Minneapolis at the hands of police .
The killing has brought to the fore issues with police use of force in many departments , including Denver ’ s .
Hickenlooper , who also served two terms as Colorado ’ s governor , held fast to some of his accomplishments as mayor , such as partnering with the Ministerial Alliance — which has endorsed him in the Senate race — and creating the Office of the Independent Monitor .
“ But looking back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enough .
We needed to go beyond that , ” he said during the debate .
He defended his record Thursday in a statement to The Post : “ The devastating murder of Paul Childs two weeks before I was inaugurated as mayor spurred many important reforms in Denver .
With the help of groups like the Denver Ministerial Alliance , we worked to improve policing and public safety to prevent Black men and women from being revictimized in their communities .
“ These were good first steps , and I know there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across the country , which is why I continue to fight for measures to end the systemic inequities in our justice system and reform policing , ” he said .
Hickenlooper didn ’ t follow through on his partnership with the alliance and never relinquished any of the city ’ s power to the community , Holmes , who headed the alliance in 2002 and 2003 , told The Post .
And the independent monitor is toothless — just smoke and mirrors , he said .
“ They controlled the office ; they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police , ” Holmes said .
“ They controlled everything , and they were not willing to give it up.
” Hickenlooper ’ s creation of the position was more than anyone before him was able to do , Webb countered : “ I don ’ t think he ’ s getting a fair shake on that.
” Much of the criticism directed at Hickenlooper focuses on his embrace of “ broken windows ” policing — the idea that cracking down on minor offenses like loud parties , public drinking and litter can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pilot program in 2006 in the Capitol Hill and Westwood neighborhoods to quick acclaim and decreased crime rates .
However , experts now say that the policy increases incarceration rates and targets communities of color without making neighborhoods safer .
Many other cities across the country also got on the “ broken windows ” bandwagon , although experts questioned the theory at the time .
Then , too , Denver saw its share of deaths or beatings at the hands of law enforcement , as in the cases of Paul Childs , Frank @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Each ended with high-dollar settlements from the city , but no charges against officers or deputies .
Police shot and killed Childs in 2003 after the mentally disabled teen confronted an officer with a knife .
Childs ’ death sparked some changes , but Holmes said most of them weren ’ t substantial .
The administration partnered with organizations like the Ministerial Alliance and created the Office of the Independent Monitor , meant to offer citizen oversight into the city ’ s law enforcement agencies .
The notion began with good intentions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Denver civil rights attorney .
But “ it ’ s actually been almost worse than before , ” Killmer said .
“ It gives the false impression to our community that there is an agency that has any authority whatsoever to do anything about it.
” Wedgeworth said shortcomings of the monitor ’ s office can ’ t be laid at Hickenlooper ’ s feet because it ’ s up to the community and subsequent administrations to ensure the position evolves with the times .
She also credited the former mayor with creating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The city also eliminated its comparative discipline policy , which Holmes said remains a win .
But otherwise the city saw little substantial change under Hickenlooper ’ s administration .
“ We could have done a lot of work in terms of real reform if Hick had stayed the course , ” he said .

John Hickenlooper, the Democratic front-runner competing for Republican Sen. Cory Gardner’s at-risk seat, faces a new challenge as calls for systemic changes and racial equality embroil the nation: his own track record.
“We had a chance to do what the world is talking about needing to do now. We had that chance with Hick,” said Reginald Holmes, past president of the Greater Metro Denver Ministerial Alliance. “His record is atrocious in terms of following through.”
During his tenure as mayor of Denver from 2003 to 2011, Hickenlooper not only embraced policing policies now understood to disproportionately target communities of color, but others say he did little to change a system that was broken when he took office.
But hindsight is 20/20, said former City Council President Elbra Wedgeworth, who worked with then-Mayor Hickenlooper and defends his efforts.
“Things evolved from (Wellington) Webb to Hickenlooper to (Bill) Vidal to (Michael) Hancock, and people are always going to say, ‘They didn’t do this,’ or ‘He didn’t do that,’ but I really feel that he was committed to what he was doing,” Wedgeworth said. “Hickenlooper really stood up for what he believed was right.”
Webb, who preceded Hickenlooper, praised his successor’s time at the helm of Denver and his accomplishments. Both the chief of police and public safety director under Hickenlooper’s watch also pushed for strong reform and community policing, Webb told The Denver Post.
The topic arose Wednesday during a debate between Hickenlooper and his Democratic primary opponent, Andrew Romanoff — a result of protests nationwide and in Denver over George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis at the hands of police. The killing has brought to the fore issues with police use of force in many departments, including Denver’s.
Hickenlooper, who also served two terms as Colorado’s governor, held fast to some of his accomplishments as mayor, such as partnering with the Ministerial Alliance — which has endorsed him in the Senate race — and creating the Office of the Independent Monitor.
“But looking back, we didn’t go far enough. We needed to go beyond that,” he said during the debate.
He defended his record Thursday in a statement to The Post: “The devastating murder of Paul Childs two weeks before I was inaugurated as mayor spurred many important reforms in Denver. With the help of groups like the Denver Ministerial Alliance, we worked to improve policing and public safety to prevent Black men and women from being revictimized in their communities.
“These were good first steps, and I know there is more to do in Colorado and across the country, which is why I continue to fight for measures to end the systemic inequities in our justice system and reform policing,” he said.
Hickenlooper didn’t follow through on his partnership with the alliance and never relinquished any of the city’s power to the community, Holmes, who headed the alliance in 2002 and 2003, told The Post. And the independent monitor is toothless — just smoke and mirrors, he said.
“They controlled the office; they controlled community outreach; they controlled the police,” Holmes said. “They controlled everything, and they were not willing to give it up.”
Hickenlooper’s creation of the position was more than anyone before him was able to do, Webb countered: “I don’t think he’s getting a fair shake on that.”
Much of the criticism directed at Hickenlooper focuses on his embrace of “broken windows” policing — the idea that cracking down on minor offenses like loud parties, public drinking and litter can reduce crime overall. He launched a pilot program in 2006 in the Capitol Hill and Westwood neighborhoods to quick acclaim and decreased crime rates.
However, experts now say that the policy increases incarceration rates and targets communities of color without making neighborhoods safer. Many other cities across the country also got on the “broken windows” bandwagon, although experts questioned the theory at the time.
Then, too, Denver saw its share of deaths or beatings at the hands of law enforcement, as in the cases of Paul Childs, Frank Lobato, Alexander Landau and Marvin Booker. Each ended with high-dollar settlements from the city, but no charges against officers or deputies.
Police shot and killed Childs in 2003 after the mentally disabled teen confronted an officer with a knife. Childs’ death sparked some changes, but Holmes said most of them weren’t substantial.
The administration partnered with organizations like the Ministerial Alliance and created the Office of the Independent Monitor, meant to offer citizen oversight into the city’s law enforcement agencies. The notion began with good intentions, said Darold Killmer, a high-profile Denver civil rights attorney.
But “it’s actually been almost worse than before,” Killmer said. “It gives the false impression to our community that there is an agency that has any authority whatsoever to do anything about it.”
Wedgeworth said shortcomings of the monitor’s office can’t be laid at Hickenlooper’s feet because it’s up to the community and subsequent administrations to ensure the position evolves with the times. She also credited the former mayor with creating the city’s Citizen Oversight Board.
The city also eliminated its comparative discipline policy, which Holmes said remains a win. But otherwise the city saw little substantial change under Hickenlooper’s administration, he said.
“We could have done a lot of work in terms of real reform if Hick had stayed the course,” he said.


thedenverpost--2020-06-12--Rockies Insider: Draft pick Drew Romo has intangibles similar to another alum of The Woodlands, Card

Rockies Insider: Draft pick Drew Romo has intangibles similar to another alum of The Woodlands, Cardinals all-star Paul Goldschmidt

Clearly Drew Romo has the tools to one day be a switch-hitting catcher in the big leagues , or the Rockies wouldn ’ t have picked him Wednesday at No .
35 overall in the MLB draft .
But as Romo ’ s high school coach in Texas explains , it ’ s the catcher ’ s intangibles that truly separate him and could one day put him in the company of the most accomplished ballplayer to ever come out of The Woodlands — Cardinals all-star first baseman Paul Goldschmidt .
“ Just like when Goldschmidt was here , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second base for us a ways back , both those guys had something special just like Drew does , ” Ron Eastman explained .
“ The talent is there , yes , but it ’ s not as much the talent as it is the drive and work ethic to excel .
That ’ s why his chances of becoming a major leaguer are good.
” Eastman describes Romo as “ a premium defender with a plus arm , and his release down to second is very quick.
” Committed to play collegiately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an All-American as a junior , and was the catcher for the U.S. 18-and-under National Team for the past two seasons .
As Eastman said , Romo believes his dedication to the game has him primed for a successful professional career — even if there is no start date yet in sight with the 2020 minor league season likely to be canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic .
“ Grit is a big part of ( my success ) , ” Romo said .
“ I ’ m thankful and blessed to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in order to separate myself , it ’ s taken a lot of hard work .
That doesn ’ t stop now .
This is just the first step toward a long career.
” While scouting director Bill Schmidt acknowledged Romo has room to grow offensively , Eastman said the 18-year-old made strides during this spring ’ s shortened prep season .
“ He was off to a slow start for us this year ( offensively ) because people didn ’ t want to pitch to him , ” Eastman said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disciplined within the strike zone .
He ’ ll carry that momentum to the next level and he ’ ll continue to grow in his power.
” Like what you ’ re reading ?
Share this with a friend and tell them it ’ s easy to sign up for the Rockies Insider here .
NEW 💥 If you enjoy The Denver Post ’ s sports coverage , we have a new subscription offer for you !
Try the first month for just 99¢ The Rockies certainly didn ’ t stick to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In a surprise move Thursday , the club drafted Douglas County High School right-handed pitcher Case Williams in the fourth round .
Read more… Rockies Mailbag : What impact will elimination of minor league teams have on Colorado ?
There are some within baseball who believe that there ’ s the possibility of a “ nuclear option , ” meaning that Major League Baseball could end its long , historic relationship with minor league baseball and set up its own developmental system .
Read more… Kiszla vs. Saunders : Can stupid , greedy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 ?
How about a 64-game season with a crazy , 14-team playoff ?
Read more… + Rockies select Zac Veen in first round of 2020 MLB Draft at No .
9 overall + Texas high school catcher Drew Romo selected by Rockies with No .
35 overall pick of MLB draft + Rockies release slew of minor leaguers amid pandemic , forcing many players to face a new , non-baseball reality + Clock ticking on 2020 MLB season as owners and players remain at odds + MLB players cut proposal to 89-game @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , sources say + Rockies ’ bats go cold , lose to Diamondbacks at Coors Field in MLB The Show 20 simulation Rockies podcast : Breaking down the likelihood of a MLB season as owners , players association are far apart in negotiations In this edition of the On The Rox podcast , Denver Post sportswriter Kyle Newman is joined by Jenny Cavnar .
Newman and Cavnar , a host and reporter for AT & T SportsNet , discuss the likelihood of MLB returning to play after weeks of contentious negotiating .
Listen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a 50-game season , it will come with an asterisk With the 2020 minor league season likely to be canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic , the Rockies have joined the majority of major league teams by releasing players throughout their farm system .
Read more… If you see something that ’ s cause for question or have a comment , thought or suggestion , email me at jbailey @ denverpost.com or tweet me @ beetbailey .

Clearly Drew Romo has the tools to one day be a switch-hitting catcher in the big leagues, or the Rockies wouldn’t have picked him Wednesday at No. 35 overall in the MLB draft.
But as Romo’s high school coach in Texas explains, it’s the catcher’s intangibles that truly separate him and could one day put him in the company of the most accomplished ballplayer to ever come out of The Woodlands — Cardinals all-star first baseman Paul Goldschmidt.
“Just like when Goldschmidt was here, and (Lions wideout) Danny Amendola played second base for us a ways back, both those guys had something special just like Drew does,” Ron Eastman explained. “The talent is there, yes, but it’s not as much the talent as it is the drive and work ethic to excel. That’s why his chances of becoming a major leaguer are good.”
Eastman describes Romo as “a premium defender with a plus arm, and his release down to second is very quick.”
Committed to play collegiately at LSU, Romo was all-state and an All-American as a junior, and was the catcher for the U.S. 18-and-under National Team for the past two seasons.
As Eastman said, Romo believes his dedication to the game has him primed for a successful professional career — even if there is no start date yet in sight with the 2020 minor league season likely to be canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“Grit is a big part of (my success),” Romo said. “I’m thankful and blessed to have a lot of natural talent, but in order to separate myself, it’s taken a lot of hard work. That doesn’t stop now. This is just the first step toward a long career.”
While scouting director Bill Schmidt acknowledged Romo has room to grow offensively, Eastman said the 18-year-old made strides during this spring’s shortened prep season.
“He was off to a slow start for us this year (offensively) because people didn’t want to pitch to him,” Eastman said. “That really made him focus on being disciplined within the strike zone. He’ll carry that momentum to the next level and he’ll continue to grow in his power.”
— Kyle Newman, The Denver Post
Like what you’re reading? Share this with a friend and tell them it’s easy to sign up for the Rockies Insider here.
NEW 💥 If you enjoy The Denver Post’s sports coverage, we have a new subscription offer for you! Try the first month for just 99¢
Must-Read
The Rockies certainly didn’t stick to the beaten path in the 2020 draft.
In a surprise move Thursday, the club drafted Douglas County High School right-handed pitcher Case Williams in the fourth round. Read more…
There are some within baseball who believe that there’s the possibility of a “nuclear option,” meaning that Major League Baseball could end its long, historic relationship with minor league baseball and set up its own developmental system. Read more…
How about a 64-game season with a crazy, 14-team playoff? Read more…
Quick Hits
+ Rockies select Zac Veen in first round of 2020 MLB Draft at No. 9 overall
+ Texas high school catcher Drew Romo selected by Rockies with No. 35 overall pick of MLB draft
+ Rockies release slew of minor leaguers amid pandemic, forcing many players to face a new, non-baseball reality
+ Clock ticking on 2020 MLB season as owners and players remain at odds
+ MLB players cut proposal to 89-game season, still insist on prorated money, sources say
+ Rockies’ bats go cold, lose to Diamondbacks at Coors Field in MLB The Show 20 simulation
By The Numbers
Ep. 147
In this edition of the On The Rox podcast, Denver Post sportswriter Kyle Newman is joined by Jenny Cavnar. Newman and Cavnar, a host and reporter for AT&T SportsNet, discuss the likelihood of MLB returning to play after weeks of contentious negotiating. Listen here…
Parting Shot
With the 2020 minor league season likely to be canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Rockies have joined the majority of major league teams by releasing players throughout their farm system. Read more…
Get in Touch
If you see something that’s cause for question or have a comment, thought or suggestion, email me at jbailey@denverpost.com or tweet me @beetbailey.


thedenverpost--2020-06-12--Shifting consumer behavior and dying cornerstone retailers already threatened malls. Then coronaviru

Shifting consumer behavior and dying cornerstone retailers already threatened malls. Then coronavirus hit.

In the plodding march back to some level or pre-coronavirus normalcy in Colorado , enclosed shopping malls are one bastion of American consumerism that has remained under the thumb of the virus and government shutdown orders the longest .
With room for hordes of shoppers and common areas designed as places for people to lounge and congregate , roofed-in malls have had to seek special permission from health officials to reopen their doors while shops in their open-air and strip center counterparts have been able to welcome customers in limited numbers for weeks .
In Jefferson County , the Southwest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department of Public Health & Environment granted a variance request last weekend .
Arapahoe County filed a variance request on Wednesday that would allow malls like the Town Center at Aurora to operate at 50 % capacity if approved .
Of all the major metro malls , only Park Meadows in Douglas County has been open a significant amount of time since the pandemic hit .
It reopened on May 24 .
So far 90 stores , around half of the mall ’ s roster , are open , Park Meadows senior general @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She ’ s hoping the mall will be back to 100 % by August .
“ We think the response has been very positive , ” Kelly said of early shopping activity .
The challenges of operating an enclosed shopping centers in the age of COVID-19 were enough for retail real estate giant Simon Property Group ( owner of the Colorado Mills and Denver Premium Outlets shopping centers ) to file paperwork this week to cancel its acquisition of rival Taubman Centers Inc. , owner of Denver ’ s Cherry Creek mall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before the virus hit , however , malls were beset by challenges that have analysts and consumers alike predicting the end is nigh for the concept .
Shifting consumer preferences including a spike in online shopping –boosted by stay-at-home orders– have been siphoning off customers for years .
The slow collapse of core mall retailers like J.C. Penny , Macy ’ s and Nordstrom are leaving many malls with empty anchor spaces and pushing owners to consider redeveloping portions of their properties .
Even Cherry Creek is eyeing a pivot away from retail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
J.C. Penney just over a week ago released a store closure list that included three Colorado locations , including in the Greeley Mall and the Durango Mall .
The working theory is coronavirus may just be providing the final shove off the cliff .
“ We don ’ t expect that we are going be heading back to all the same malls that we ’ re used to going to , ” Michael Petrivelli , of real estate data analytics firm CoStar Group , said of the national landscape .
“ Probably @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of repurposing of retail property for office , multi-family ( housing ) or even last-mile distribution.
” CoStar estimates U.S. retailers missed $ 7.43 billion in rent payments in April , more than 45 % of the total rent due .
Only 25 % of stores in malls paid rent that month , per CoStar ’ s analysis , the worst rate in the retail industry .
The three-quarters of stores that did not pay owed a combined $ 1.34 billion for the month .
Petrivelli did not have Denver-specific rental delinquency statistics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as one of the most exposed markets in the country when it comes to how much space is occupied by “ high-risk ” retail and dining chains .
CoStar ’ s list of 64 high-risk companies includes retailers already in bankruptcy like J.Crew , J.C. Penney and Neiman Marcus and struggling brands such as Foot Locker , Dillard ’ s and Denny ’ s .
Those companies take up 6.4 % of all retail floor space in the Denver area excluding Boulder .
Frist-quarter occupancy rates are still exceedingly high at Denver malls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ count , Petrivelli said , but that statistic could be misleading .
“ It ’ s hard to account for the fact that a lot of these leases are ongoing , ” he said .
“ Even if they are not open , we still have then in the system as leased and occupied.
” Seven stores that appear on the CoStar ’ s high-risk list have locations in Park Meadows .
That doesn ’ t include mall anchor Nordstrom , which has declared bankruptcy and has shut down its location in Broomfield @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked if she was worried about anchor stores like J.C. Penney and Nordstrom folding in the mall , Park Meadows ’ Kelly said , “ Not even in the least bit.
” Kelly doesn ’ t see the doom and gloom .
She ’ s been in a lead role at the 2-million sqaure-foot mall at the junction of Interstate 25 and C-470 for all 24 years it ’ s been open .
Alongside Cherry Creek ( still closed under government shutdown orders ) , Park Meadows has emerged as the metro area @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in first-to-market retailers and generating tens of millions of dollars in sales tax revenue for the city of Lone Tree .
“ Our traffic levels are a small percentage of what they typically would but that is what we intended , a gradual opening , ” Kelly said earlier this month .
“ We ’ re seeing more customers get more comfortable with shopping as they become more comfortable with our protocols.
” The litany of changes management has made to make the mall as coronavirus-safe as possible , including removing furniture from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , making entrances and bathrooms touchless and dramatically increasing the frequency of disinfectant cleaning .
Peak Meadows doesn ’ t mandate visitors wear masks but some stores do , Kelly said .
The mall offers masks to shoppers who don ’ t bring face coverings of their own .
It was a general lack of mask-wearing among the sparse groups of shoppers he saw that turned Jake Yergert off during his visit to Park Meadows a few weeks ago .
Yergert , a 28-year-old teacher who lives in Greenwood Village , went to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so she could use a gift card at Alter ’ d State women ’ s clothing store and was in the building for 30 to 45 minutes .
“ Unless they are a little stricter about ‘ you need to have a mask on in here , ’ I don ’ t think I will be doing many public things , at least not for a very long time , ” Yergert said .
Tanner Fujii , 26 , of Highlands Ranch , wore a mask when he visited Park Meadows on June @ @ @ @ @ @ @ half of other shoppers were wearing them , he said , comparable to what he sees at the grocery store .
He found some stores , including J.C. Penney , to be busy and saw about 15 people waiting in line to get into the Lululemon Athletica location there .
“ It was an extremely enjoyable experience .
I could tell that all the employees at the mall that I interacted with were excited to get back at it , to be making sales , ” he said , noting he got some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ felt a good energy.
” Fujii predicted that even if some regional malls are redeveloped in the near future , Park Meadows and Cherry Creek will continue to thrive .
Gallup polling conducted since the beginning of the pandemic has produced a recent bright spot for retailers .
Over the last two weeks of May , 25 % of respondents said they have visited a store other than a grocery store over the prior 24 hours , a highwater mark since the pandemic began .
Part of that is availability .
Many states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in May .
The rollback could not come soon enough for the country ’ s retail sector .
Industry sales fell by a record 16.4 % from March to April , according to the U.S. Census Bureau .
That comes after an 8.7 % drop from February to March , the previous record .
Lakewood resident Lindsey McGuirk , 30 , has now been to a brewery , golf course and done curbside pickup from a store since restrictions have been relaxed .
The public relations professional and mother of 10-moOne nth old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the Cyclebar indoor cycling studio inside the Southwest Plaza in recent days .
The studio opened before the mall because it has a separate entrance .
“ I think it ’ s just all about what the precautions are and what the guidelines for guests are and making sure they fall within what makes me feel comfortable as a guest , ” McGuirk said of going back into malls .
Nate Cole , 27 , of Denver , has also been golfing a few times since government regulations allowed it and been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no intention of going back to a mall again any time soon .
It has nothing to do with coronavirus and more to with the underlying problems that threatened many malls before the pandemic set in .
It ’ s just easier to shop online , he said .
“ There ’ s a not a lot a mall can offer from an in-person experience standpoint that makes it worth it for the parking and crowds and traffic , ” he said .
That ’ s not to say that Cole wouldn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He said he ’ s a huge fan of the metro area ’ s food and market halls , the smaller , trendier , food-and-beverage focused multi-retailer businesses that have been proliferating on the Front Range as a steady clip that last few years .
Cole feels they offer a more adult-oriented experience than traditional malls .
Stanley Marketplace in Aurora quietly reopened May 27 and most of the market hall ’ s 50-plus retailers and restaurants are open with limited hours , spokesman Bryant Palmer said .
One business , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , finding its business model unworkable under health safety guidelines , Palmer said .
But Stanley welcomed two new tenants earlier this month , a bakery and a combination butcher shop-grocer .
At 140,000 square feet , Stanley is a fraction of the size of the Park Meadows mall but blessed with adaptable outdoor space .
It has put up tents on the west side of its property to allow more room for customers to hang out and even painted social distancing markers on its grass lawn so people can safely space .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ instituted a number of other safety protocols .
Masks are required .
Stanley ’ s ownership worked with each tenant on their lease arrangements and provided significant concessions to offset the damage done by 73 days of locked doors .
Co-founder Mark Shaker , in an emailed statement , said his team is “ committed to these businesses that we brought here and spent years building as a community.
” It ’ s the way that pandemic has changed consumer behavior that is likely to do the most lasting damage to malls , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ordered online have now found that their clothing and even groceries can be delivered to their homes .
The convenience and time saved has real value that Petrivelli expects to extend beyond when shutdown orders expire .
Non-store retailers , the segment of the economy that includes e-commerce business like Amazon , have set all-time highs for sales for three straight months , according to Census Bureau data , reaching nearly $ 78.4 billion in April .
“ I think some people are still going to want to browse in brick-and-mortar retailers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happen for the masses until there ’ s a vaccine , ” Patrivelli said .
“ We just don ’ t know how many of those brick and mortar retailers are going to survive until that happens.
” The Associated Press contributed to this report .

In the plodding march back to some level or pre-coronavirus normalcy in Colorado, enclosed shopping malls are one bastion of American consumerism that has remained under the thumb of the virus and government shutdown orders the longest.
With room for hordes of shoppers and common areas designed as places for people to lounge and congregate, roofed-in malls have had to seek special permission from health officials to reopen their doors while shops in their open-air and strip center counterparts have been able to welcome customers in limited numbers for weeks.
In Jefferson County, the Southwest Plaza mall reopened Wednesday after the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment granted a variance request last weekend. Arapahoe County filed a variance request on Wednesday that would allow malls like the Town Center at Aurora to operate at 50% capacity if approved.
Of all the major metro malls, only Park Meadows in Douglas County has been open a significant amount of time since the pandemic hit. It reopened on May 24. So far 90 stores, around half of the mall’s roster, are open, Park Meadows senior general manager Pamela Kelly said earlier this month. She’s hoping the mall will be back to 100% by August.
“We think the response has been very positive,” Kelly said of early shopping activity.
The challenges of operating an enclosed shopping centers in the age of COVID-19 were enough for retail real estate giant Simon Property Group (owner of the Colorado Mills and Denver Premium Outlets shopping centers) to file paperwork this week to cancel its acquisition of rival Taubman Centers Inc., owner of Denver’s Cherry Creek mall among other enclosed shopping centers.
Even before the virus hit, however, malls were beset by challenges that have analysts and consumers alike predicting the end is nigh for the concept.
Shifting consumer preferences including a spike in online shopping –boosted by stay-at-home orders– have been siphoning off customers for years. The slow collapse of core mall retailers like J.C. Penny, Macy’s and Nordstrom are leaving many malls with empty anchor spaces and pushing owners to consider redeveloping portions of their properties. Even Cherry Creek is eyeing a pivot away from retail on the western side of its property. J.C. Penney just over a week ago released a store closure list that included three Colorado locations, including in the Greeley Mall and the Durango Mall.
The working theory is coronavirus may just be providing the final shove off the cliff.
“We don’t expect that we are going be heading back to all the same malls that we’re used to going to,” Michael Petrivelli, of real estate data analytics firm CoStar Group, said of the national landscape. “Probably there is going to be a lot of repurposing of retail property for office, multi-family (housing) or even last-mile distribution.”
CoStar estimates U.S. retailers missed $7.43 billion in rent payments in April, more than 45% of the total rent due. Only 25% of stores in malls paid rent that month, per CoStar’s analysis, the worst rate in the retail industry. The three-quarters of stores that did not pay owed a combined $1.34 billion for the month.
Petrivelli did not have Denver-specific rental delinquency statistics but CoStar counts the Mile High metro as one of the most exposed markets in the country when it comes to how much space is occupied by “high-risk” retail and dining chains. CoStar’s list of 64 high-risk companies includes retailers already in bankruptcy like J.Crew, J.C. Penney and Neiman Marcus and struggling brands such as Foot Locker, Dillard’s and Denny’s. Those companies take up 6.4% of all retail floor space in the Denver area excluding Boulder.
Frist-quarter occupancy rates are still exceedingly high at Denver malls, 96.9% by CoStar’s count, Petrivelli said, but that statistic could be misleading.
“It’s hard to account for the fact that a lot of these leases are ongoing,” he said. “Even if they are not open, we still have then in the system as leased and occupied.”
Seven stores that appear on the CoStar’s high-risk list have locations in Park Meadows. That doesn’t include mall anchor Nordstrom which announced in May it was permanently shutting down its location in Broomfield’s Flatiron Crossing mall as it shrinks its footprint amid shifting consumer demand.
When asked if she was worried about anchor stores like J.C. Penney and Nordstrom folding in the mall, Park Meadows’ Kelly said, “Not even in the least bit.”
Kelly doesn’t see the doom and gloom. She’s been in a lead role at the 2-million sqaure-foot mall at the junction of Interstate 25 and C-470 for all 24 years it’s been open. Alongside Cherry Creek (still closed under government shutdown orders), Park Meadows has emerged as the metro area’s preeminent enclosed shopping center bringing in first-to-market retailers and generating tens of millions of dollars in sales tax revenue for the city of Lone Tree.
“Our traffic levels are a small percentage of what they typically would but that is what we intended, a gradual opening,” Kelly said earlier this month. “We’re seeing more customers get more comfortable with shopping as they become more comfortable with our protocols.”
The litany of changes management has made to make the mall as coronavirus-safe as possible, including removing furniture from common areas outside of the food court, making entrances and bathrooms touchless and dramatically increasing the frequency of disinfectant cleaning.
Peak Meadows doesn’t mandate visitors wear masks but some stores do, Kelly said. The mall offers masks to shoppers who don’t bring face coverings of their own.
It was a general lack of mask-wearing among the sparse groups of shoppers he saw that turned Jake Yergert off during his visit to Park Meadows a few weeks ago. Yergert, a 28-year-old teacher who lives in Greenwood Village, went to the mall June 1 with his wife so she could use a gift card at Alter’d State women’s clothing store and was in the building for 30 to 45 minutes.
“Unless they are a little stricter about ‘you need to have a mask on in here,’ I don’t think I will be doing many public things, at least not for a very long time,” Yergert said.
Tanner Fujii, 26, of Highlands Ranch, wore a mask when he visited Park Meadows on June 3 assuming they were mandatory. About half of other shoppers were wearing them, he said, comparable to what he sees at the grocery store. He found some stores, including J.C. Penney, to be busy and saw about 15 people waiting in line to get into the Lululemon Athletica location there.
“It was an extremely enjoyable experience. I could tell that all the employees at the mall that I interacted with were excited to get back at it, to be making sales,” he said, noting he got some great deals on watches. “I felt a good energy.”
Fujii predicted that even if some regional malls are redeveloped in the near future, Park Meadows and Cherry Creek will continue to thrive.
Gallup polling conducted since the beginning of the pandemic has produced a recent bright spot for retailers. Over the last two weeks of May, 25% of respondents said they have visited a store other than a grocery store over the prior 24 hours, a highwater mark since the pandemic began. Part of that is availability. Many states including Colorado began rolling back business shutdowns in May.
The rollback could not come soon enough for the country’s retail sector. Industry sales fell by a record 16.4% from March to April, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That comes after an 8.7% drop from February to March, the previous record.
Lakewood resident Lindsey McGuirk, 30, has now been to a brewery, golf course and done curbside pickup from a store since restrictions have been relaxed. The public relations professional and mother of 10-moOne nth old twins has even taken a few classes at the Cyclebar indoor cycling studio inside the Southwest Plaza in recent days. The studio opened before the mall because it has a separate entrance.
“I think it’s just all about what the precautions are and what the guidelines for guests are and making sure they fall within what makes me feel comfortable as a guest,” McGuirk said of going back into malls.
Nate Cole, 27, of Denver, has also been golfing a few times since government regulations allowed it and been out to eat twice but he has no intention of going back to a mall again any time soon. It has nothing to do with coronavirus and more to with the underlying problems that threatened many malls before the pandemic set in. It’s just easier to shop online, he said.
“There’s a not a lot a mall can offer from an in-person experience standpoint that makes it worth it for the parking and crowds and traffic,” he said.
That’s not to say that Cole wouldn’t go into an enclosed shopping center. He said he’s a huge fan of the metro area’s food and market halls, the smaller, trendier, food-and-beverage focused multi-retailer businesses that have been proliferating on the Front Range as a steady clip that last few years. Cole feels they offer a more adult-oriented experience than traditional malls.
Stanley Marketplace in Aurora quietly reopened May 27 and most of the market hall’s 50-plus retailers and restaurants are open with limited hours, spokesman Bryant Palmer said. One business, the short-lived Stanely Arcade, will not reopen, finding its business model unworkable under health safety guidelines, Palmer said. But Stanley welcomed two new tenants earlier this month, a bakery and a combination butcher shop-grocer.
At 140,000 square feet, Stanley is a fraction of the size of the Park Meadows mall but blessed with adaptable outdoor space. It has put up tents on the west side of its property to allow more room for customers to hang out and even painted social distancing markers on its grass lawn so people can safely space. Staff have removed all indoor furniture and instituted a number of other safety protocols. Masks are required.
Stanley’s ownership worked with each tenant on their lease arrangements and provided significant concessions to offset the damage done by 73 days of locked doors. Co-founder Mark Shaker, in an emailed statement, said his team is “committed to these businesses that we brought here and spent years building as a community.”
It’s the way that pandemic has changed consumer behavior that is likely to do the most lasting damage to malls, Petrivelli said. Consumers that never before ordered online have now found that their clothing and even groceries can be delivered to their homes. The convenience and time saved has real value that Petrivelli expects to extend beyond when shutdown orders expire. Non-store retailers, the segment of the economy that includes e-commerce business like Amazon, have set all-time highs for sales for three straight months, according to Census Bureau data, reaching nearly $78.4 billion in April.
“I think some people are still going to want to browse in brick-and-mortar retailers, but that’s not gonna happen for the masses until there’s a vaccine,” Petrivelli said. “We just don’t know how many of those brick and mortar retailers are going to survive until that happens.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Updated June 12, 2020 at 11:36 a.m. Because of an error by a reporter, the original version of this story incorrectly characterized the financial condition of Nordstrom department stores.


thedenverpost--2020-06-12--Ask Amy: Distance and disease rattle relationship

Dear Amy : I ’ m gay and in a long-distance relationship with my partner/boyfriend .
I live in a city on the East Coast and he lives in a city on the West Coast .
I visit as often as I can , but until we can live together , we ’ re not monogamous .
I don ’ t hook up much , but I believe and accept that my boyfriend does .
However — this creates a problem these days : I suspect he ’ s still hooking up even during this pandemic .
( I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t ever talk with me about his “ other ” sex life ( he does discuss this with his local friends , however ) .
I don ’ t know where or how to begin , because I know I ’ ll only get denial from him .
What can I do about him staying safe these days , given I don ’ t really know what he is doing , and he won ’ t say ?
To me , staying safe means not hooking up at all , and I don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do that .
Dear Worried : Your relationship is imbalanced .
From what you write , it sounds as if you ’ re the guy who gets on a plane to travel across the country .
You are the partner who discloses honestly what you are doing , how you are feeling and who you are hanging out with ( at this point , nobody ) .
Your guy doesn ’ t sound compliant — to any particular social , ethical or relationship construct .
If he wanted to be emotionally intimate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ questions honestly , risking a conversation he obviously does not want to have .
Instead , he would rather communicate with his local friends and keep you in the dark .
You can not keep him safe .
You can only try your hardest to keep yourself safe .
The coronavirus is not the only virus you risk contracting if you physically reunite with your boyfriend .
( Always practice safe sex and get tested for STDs . )
I hope you will find someone geographically and ethically closer to you .
Your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a good bet for a long-term , serious , loving and monogamous relationship , which sounds like what you ultimately want .
Dear Amy : My in-laws want to see my 2-year-old daughter .
Due to COVID-19 , my husband and I said we would bring her to their house if the visit was outside .
My mother-in-law is in poor health , has dialysis and was recently in the hospital and rehab .
We want to keep her — and us — safe .
She declined this option and said maybe another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said no to her during the 16 years we ’ ve been together .
This is weighing on him .
She is not a mother/mother-in-law who interferes much in our lives .
She just wants to see her youngest grandchild — but online visits seem to be fine for the other grandchildren .
My parents ( who are in their mid-70s and in good health ) now watch our child sometimes .
Daycare in our state has been closed for more than two months , and my husband and I have both been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for help was my husband ’ s idea , but I worry that allowing one set of grandparents to see her while the other set doesn ’ t will have repercussions for some time to come .
What do you think we should do ?
Dear Klueless : It sounds as if you live nearby your in-laws .
I think you should take your daughter to their home .
Your husband should call and ask his mother to come to the front door at a specific time .
He can tell her , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a drive-by visit , because we miss you.
” Bring a sign ( “ love you , Nana ” ) that your daughter can hold as she waves to her grandmother from a safe distance away .
This is the best you can do right now .
You could also send your mother-in-law a care package containing photos and your daughter ’ s handprint — little mementos that she can touch and keep , as reminders that you care and that you hope to be together soon .
Dear Amy : You were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” whose future in-laws were challenging , high-maintenance types .
I would have told her to quit being an obnoxious brat and learn some people skills .
It ’ s been said , “ A woman marries a man thinking he ’ ll change .
A man marries a woman thinking she won ’ t change .
They ’ re both wrong.
” I don ’ t even want to think about what this gal will become once she ’ s married .
Dear Disgusted : Hopefully — if she follows my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to that .

Dear Amy: I’m gay and in a long-distance relationship with my partner/boyfriend. I live in a city on the East Coast and he lives in a city on the West Coast.
I visit as often as I can, but until we can live together, we’re not monogamous.
I don’t hook up much, but I believe and accept that my boyfriend does. However — this creates a problem these days: I suspect he’s still hooking up even during this pandemic. (I’m not).
He won’t ever talk with me about his “other” sex life (he does discuss this with his local friends, however). I don’t know where or how to begin, because I know I’ll only get denial from him.
What can I do about him staying safe these days, given I don’t really know what he is doing, and he won’t say?
To me, staying safe means not hooking up at all, and I don’t think he’s willing to do that.
— Worried
Dear Worried: Your relationship is imbalanced. From what you write, it sounds as if you’re the guy who gets on a plane to travel across the country. You are the partner who discloses honestly what you are doing, how you are feeling and who you are hanging out with (at this point, nobody).
Your guy doesn’t sound compliant — to any particular social, ethical or relationship construct.
If he wanted to be emotionally intimate with you, he would answer your questions honestly, risking a conversation he obviously does not want to have. Instead, he would rather communicate with his local friends and keep you in the dark.
You cannot keep him safe. You can only try your hardest to keep yourself safe. The coronavirus is not the only virus you risk contracting if you physically reunite with your boyfriend. (Always practice safe sex and get tested for STDs.)
I hope you will find someone geographically and ethically closer to you. Your West Coast guy does not sound like a good bet for a long-term, serious, loving and monogamous relationship, which sounds like what you ultimately want.
Dear Amy: My in-laws want to see my 2-year-old daughter.
Due to COVID-19, my husband and I said we would bring her to their house if the visit was outside.
My mother-in-law is in poor health, has dialysis and was recently in the hospital and rehab. We want to keep her — and us — safe.
She declined this option and said maybe another time.
My husband has never really said no to her during the 16 years we’ve been together. This is weighing on him.
She is not a mother/mother-in-law who interferes much in our lives. She just wants to see her youngest grandchild — but online visits seem to be fine for the other grandchildren.
My parents (who are in their mid-70s and in good health) now watch our child sometimes. Daycare in our state has been closed for more than two months, and my husband and I have both been working from home.
Asking my parents for help was my husband’s idea, but I worry that allowing one set of grandparents to see her while the other set doesn’t will have repercussions for some time to come. What do you think we should do?
— Klueless in Kentucky
Dear Klueless: It sounds as if you live nearby your in-laws. I think you should take your daughter to their home. Your husband should call and ask his mother to come to the front door at a specific time. He can tell her, “We’re going to do a drive-by visit, because we miss you.”
Bring a sign (“love you, Nana”) that your daughter can hold as she waves to her grandmother from a safe distance away.
This is the best you can do right now.
You could also send your mother-in-law a care package containing photos and your daughter’s handprint — little mementos that she can touch and keep, as reminders that you care and that you hope to be together soon.
Dear Amy: You were WAY too nice to “Cold Feet,” whose future in-laws were challenging, high-maintenance types.
I would have told her to quit being an obnoxious brat and learn some people skills.
It’s been said, “A woman marries a man thinking he’ll change. A man marries a woman thinking she won’t change. They’re both wrong.”
I don’t even want to think about what this gal will become once she’s married.
— Disgusted
Dear Disgusted: Hopefully — if she follows my advice — it won’t come to that.
(You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or Facebook.)