thedenverpost--2020-03-24--Broncos agree to one-year deal with LB Jeremiah Attaochu

The Broncos agreed to a one-year contract with outside linebacker Jeremiah Attaochu on Monday , according to a source .
@ @ @ @ @ with the Broncos last Oct. 1 after Bradley Chubb sustained a torn ACL .
All @ @ @ @ @ 3 1/2 sacks came in his last six games .
He is expected to be @ @ @ @ @ for Chubb or Von Miller .
For the season , he played 331 of 1,081 @ @ @ @ @ five starts ) and had 11 1/2 pass-rush disruptions ( sacks/knockdowns/pressures ) and 6 1/2 @ @ @ @ @ gain of one or fewer yards ) .
Attaochu , who previously played for the @ @ @ @ @ last year ’ s training camp with Kansas City before being cut .

The Broncos agreed to a one-year contract with outside linebacker Jeremiah Attaochu on Monday, according to a source.
Attaochu, 27, signed with the Broncos last Oct. 1 after Bradley Chubb sustained a torn ACL. All 12 of his tackles and 3 1/2 sacks came in his last six games. He is expected to be a rotational pass-rusher when subbing for Chubb or Von Miller.
For the season, he played 331 of 1,081 snaps in 12 games (five starts) and had 11 1/2 pass-rush disruptions (sacks/knockdowns/pressures) and 6 1/2 run “stuffs” (gain of one or fewer yards).
Attaochu, who previously played for the Chargers and Jets, spent last year’s training camp with Kansas City before being cut.


thedenverpost--2020-03-24--Colorado state corrections adjusting staffing, inmate populations, to battle conronavirus

The number of staffers in state prisons are being temporarily reduced and parolees who have been arrested for low-level infractions are being released as the Colorado Department of Corrections battles the coronavirus .
The CDOC announced on Monday that it has tested nine inmates for coronavirus , and six of the tests were negative and the other three tests are pending .
Additional tests kits are available to the corrections department should inmates show symptoms of COVID-19 .
The corrections department said in a news release that it has been taking proactive steps to stop the virus from spreading in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is critical that we do everything possible to keep COVID-19 out of our corrections system in order to protect our staff , inmates and parolees , ” Dean Williams , CDOC ’ s executive director , said in the release .
“ The introduction of COVID-19 into the corrections system could have devastating results , so we have taken decisive action to try and prevent the introduction of the virus , while still protecting public safety.
” Last week , the Colorado Public Defender ’ s Office announced that one of its staff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday , the CDOC said its additional coronavirus measures will include : • DOC headquarters in Colorado Springs has closed and staff will be working remotely .
• Staff will be limited in prisons and parole offices , staff numbers will vary based on security levels and programs .
• Parole officers will do more remote work while supervising parolees .
A small staff will work at headquarters to “ support critical needs that can not be done remotely.
” The CDOC is working to ensure that jails and correctional institutions are not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ department is “ temporarily suspending arrests of parolees for low level technical parole violations , ” according to the release .
“ This will help alleviate the influx of people into county jails , and reduce the risk of COVID-19 infections coming into jail and prisons.
” House arrests , electronic monitoring , increased parole officer interactions and treatment referrals will be used , instead of incarcerating low-level parole violators , the CDOC said .
Offenders who are deemed a risk to public safety will still face arrest .
The CDOC is reviewing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violations to determine possible releases .
Low-level violations could include not being able to find employment , failure to establish residency , missing in person meetings with parole officers and failing to fulfill restitution orders .
Prison staff numbers will be temporarily reduced while still “ ensuring the safety and continuity of operations , ” the release said .
“ These staffing levels will allow for better social distancing , without creating other safety risks.
” The release did not give specific numbers or estimates on staff reductions or on parole violation releases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to evaluate its management of inmates in seeking further possible ways to make adjustments because of the coronavirus .

The number of staffers in state prisons are being temporarily reduced and parolees who have been arrested for low-level infractions are being released as the Colorado Department of Corrections battles the coronavirus.
The CDOC announced on Monday that it has tested nine inmates for coronavirus, and six of the tests were negative and the other three tests are pending. Additional tests kits are available to the corrections department should inmates show symptoms of COVID-19.
The corrections department said in a news release that it has been taking proactive steps to stop the virus from spreading in facilities and parole offices.
“It is critical that we do everything possible to keep COVID-19 out of our corrections system in order to protect our staff, inmates and parolees,” Dean Williams, CDOC’s executive director, said in the release. “The introduction of COVID-19 into the corrections system could have devastating results, so we have taken decisive action to try and prevent the introduction of the virus, while still protecting public safety.”
Last week, the Colorado Public Defender’s Office announced that one of its staff has tested positive for COVID-19.
On Monday, the CDOC said its additional coronavirus measures will include:
Signing people up for video visitation options including upcoming free video visitations.
DOC headquarters in Colorado Springs has closed and staff will be working remotely.
Staff will be limited in prisons and parole offices, staff numbers will vary based on security levels and programs.
Parole officers will do more remote work while supervising parolees.
A small staff will work at headquarters to “support critical needs that cannot be done remotely.”
The CDOC is working to ensure that jails and correctional institutions are not overloading at this time. The corrections department is “temporarily suspending arrests of parolees for low level technical parole violations,” according to the release. “This will help alleviate the influx of people into county jails, and reduce the risk of COVID-19 infections coming into jail and prisons.”
House arrests, electronic monitoring, increased parole officer interactions and treatment referrals will be used, instead of incarcerating low-level parole violators, the CDOC said.
Offenders who are deemed a risk to public safety will still face arrest. The CDOC is reviewing lists of people incarcerated for low-level parole violations to determine possible releases. Low-level violations could include not being able to find employment, failure to establish residency, missing in person meetings with parole officers and failing to fulfill restitution orders.
Prison staff numbers will be temporarily reduced while still “ensuring the safety and continuity of operations,” the release said. “These staffing levels will allow for better social distancing, without creating other safety risks.”
The release did not give specific numbers or estimates on staff reductions or on parole violation releases.
The CDOC said it will continue to evaluate its management of inmates in seeking further possible ways to make adjustments because of the coronavirus.


thedenverpost--2020-03-24--Their wrestling tournament canceled by COVID-19, Broomfield family starts “helping” by producing fac

Their wrestling tournament canceled by COVID-19, Broomfield family starts “helping” by producing face masks

As the number of people infected with coronavirus spiked nationwide last week , Adam Gutierrez got a nagging feeling .
The Broomfield-area promoter and sports apparel manufacturer had seen his family ’ s biggest event of the year cancelled by COVID-19 just a week earlier .
But he couldn ’ t shake that idea that he could help .
It was while Adam , 33 , saw New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo talk about a lack of face masks for health care workers on the front lines , that it hit him .
“ I have the printers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ … Maybe we can start helping.
” Xtreme Pro Apparel , the sports attire company owned by the Gutierrez family , specializes in producing anti-microbial fabric necessary for wrestling singlets to combat skin disease .
All the Broomfield High graduate had to do was figure out a way to re-configure production to start manufacturing face masks .
By the end of last week , he had his first pattern back .
And , within days of posting the news to the company ’ s social media account , he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ This whole thing is getting a lot bigger than I ever really thought it was , ” Gutierrez said .
“ It turns out it was a much bigger necessity than I thought.
” It ’ s all a sharp turn from where things were for the Gutierrez family March 13 , when their promotional company RMN Events had to cancel the Rocky Mountain Nationals youth wrestling tournament at the National Western Complex in Denver .
The scales were set .
The mats laid out .
And thousands of youth wrestlers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the city .
The 20th edition of the event was hours away when word began circulating that Gov .
Jared Polis would soon urge the cancellation of all events with 250 or more people due to the spread of COVID-19 .
“ At that point , how do you really have a choice ?
” Adam said .
There was none .
An event expected to draw 10,000 spectators and wrestlers over three days was canceled , forcing the Gutierrez family to refund wrestlers who would no longer compete for the tournament ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t even know if I can put a number on ( how much money was lost ) , ” said Adam , who helps run the family business with his father , Ed ; mother , Julie ; and two brothers Josh and Jordon .
Soon , that number took a back seat to the crisis caused by the coronavirus .
And Gutierrez ’ s plan to produce face masks was hatched .
The initial design was a double-layered mask that is 90 % polyester and 10 % spandex .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in order to make the masks medical grade , Gutierrez said .
Once that gets sorted out , his goal is to start mass producing masks as quickly as possible , pledging to donate a portion of the proceeds to hospitals in need .
As for the tournament , Gutierrez said RMN Events will try to reschedule and be as adaptive as possible .
But that can wait .
“ It ’ s a family business , my two parents and me and my other two brothers , ” Gutierrez said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about how much did you win or lose .
… My dad , he says it ’ s about hard work and clean living.
” Join our Facebook group for the latest updates on coronavirus in Colorado .

As the number of people infected with coronavirus spiked nationwide last week, Adam Gutierrez got a nagging feeling.
The Broomfield-area promoter and sports apparel manufacturer had seen his family’s biggest event of the year cancelled by COVID-19 just a week earlier. But he couldn’t shake that idea that he could help.
It was while Adam, 33, saw New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo talk about a lack of face masks for health care workers on the front lines, that it hit him.
“I have the printers, I have the fabric,” Gutierrez said. “… Maybe we can start helping.”
Xtreme Pro Apparel, the sports attire company owned by the Gutierrez family, specializes in producing anti-microbial fabric necessary for wrestling singlets to combat skin disease. All the Broomfield High graduate had to do was figure out a way to re-configure production to start manufacturing face masks. By the end of last week, he had his first pattern back.
And, within days of posting the news to the company’s social media account, he said more than 700 masks have been ordered.
“This whole thing is getting a lot bigger than I ever really thought it was,” Gutierrez said. “It turns out it was a much bigger necessity than I thought.”
It’s all a sharp turn from where things were for the Gutierrez family March 13, when their promotional company RMN Events had to cancel the Rocky Mountain Nationals youth wrestling tournament at the National Western Complex in Denver.
The scales were set. The mats laid out. And thousands of youth wrestlers from around the country were streaming into the city. The 20th edition of the event was hours away when word began circulating that Gov. Jared Polis would soon urge the cancellation of all events with 250 or more people due to the spread of COVID-19.
“At that point, how do you really have a choice?” Adam said.
There was none.
An event expected to draw 10,000 spectators and wrestlers over three days was canceled, forcing the Gutierrez family to refund wrestlers who would no longer compete for the tournament’s famously elaborate awards.
“I don’t even know if I can put a number on (how much money was lost),” said Adam, who helps run the family business with his father, Ed; mother, Julie; and two brothers Josh and Jordon.
Soon, that number took a back seat to the crisis caused by the coronavirus. And Gutierrez’s plan to produce face masks was hatched.
The initial design was a double-layered mask that is 90% polyester and 10% spandex. But certain changes may need to be made in order to make the masks medical grade, Gutierrez said. Once that gets sorted out, his goal is to start mass producing masks as quickly as possible, pledging to donate a portion of the proceeds to hospitals in need.
As for the tournament, Gutierrez said RMN Events will try to reschedule and be as adaptive as possible. But that can wait.
“It’s a family business, my two parents and me and my other two brothers,” Gutierrez said. “For us it’s not really about how much did you win or lose. … My dad, he says it’s about hard work and clean living.”
Join our Facebook group for the latest updates on coronavirus in Colorado.


thedenverpost--2020-03-24--Denver stay-at-home order takes effect — after one final sunny afternoon

Denver residents couldn ’ t have asked for a nicer afternoon Tuesday to get in their final trips to clothing stores , playgrounds and at least one ice cream shop .
At 5 p.m. , mobile phones blared with the city ’ s public safety alert .
It was a notification most knew was coming : The city , for more than two weeks — and possibly longer — is effectively closed down , the result of a stay-at-home order announced Monday by Mayor Michael Hancock .
At Commons Park near downtown , dozens of people walked , threw balls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grassy hill in the sun and filled the air with laughter as they picnicked in groups .
Many of those activities , save for individual exercise , are now banned in parks .
Lauren Danielson , 36 , and her partner , Rossinni Alba , 32 , relished the fresh air just a little over an hour before the order took effect as they kicked a soccer ball .
They live nearby .
“ Before this announcement , we had interactions with maybe one or two of our friends — like a total @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of weeks , ” Danielson said .
“ We ’ re planning on cutting off any interaction with people that isn ’ t 6 feet away .
I ’ m just trusting that they know what they ’ re talking about , ” she said of city officials , “ and that this is going to be what ’ s best .
It ’ s not the worst thing in the world to be ordered to sit on my couch and watch TV.
” While the park was busy , the 16th Street @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already eerily empty .
Office workers and other pedestrians were scarce .
Hancock ’ s order is aimed at slowing the spread of the coronavirus by largely keeping residents home , closing “ nonessential businesses ” and public places .
It will last until April 10 , unless the mayor decides to extend it .
There are a host of exceptions that allow some kinds of businesses to keep their doors open or their employees on site .
But more employers are facing the decision between shifting most of their employees to working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , if that ’ s not an option — particularly for many retail outlets .
Denver ’ s Little Man Ice Cream took a cue from the mayor ’ s order and planned to go on hiatus at 5 p.m. , even if they weren ’ t required to .
Some other ice cream shops are staying open , offering takeout or delivery service .
In Writer Square along the mall downtown , most businesses were closed late Tuesday afternoon except for a couple takeout restaurants and a UPS Store .
For many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the metro area — adds just a few more restrictions to the already drastic changes to their lives since Colorado announced the first confirmed cases of COVID-19 , the respiratory infection caused by the virus , less than three weeks ago .
But for those who have shirked the city ’ s and state ’ s prior guidance , the order means big changes .
They ’ ll still be allowed to venture out to buy groceries and other supplies , to visit doctors , to fill medications and to exercise .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the city ’ s parks drew huge crowds over the weekend .
City parks will still be open , but the order prohibits pretty much any outdoor activity at them except for individual or family exercise .
Playgrounds , tennis and basketball courts , and golf courses will be closed .
“ This isn ’ t a recommendation anymore .
People need to stay at home , ” Hancock said in announcing the new order Monday .
“ We will enforce when and where necessary , ” though authorities are more likely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close their doors than to issue tickets .
Hancock ’ s initial order inadvertently set off a mad rush to liquor stores and marijuana shops Monday afternoon , causing the kinds of lines and crowds he sought to discourage .
Hours later , the mayor reversed the decision to close those places .
Denver issued its stay-at-home order several days after San Miguel County in southwestern Colorado , which was the first in the state .
Hancock ’ s announcement has been followed by similar orders by the city of Boulder , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , home of Aspen and one of the hot spots of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Colorado .
So far , Gov .
Jared Polis has held off on a statewide stay-at-home order .
This story will be updated .
Join our Facebook group for the latest updates on coronavirus in Colorado .

Denver residents couldn’t have asked for a nicer afternoon Tuesday to get in their final trips to clothing stores, playgrounds and at least one ice cream shop.
At 5 p.m., mobile phones blared with the city’s public safety alert. It was a notification most knew was coming: The city is effectively closed down for at least two weeks, the result of a stay-at-home order announced Monday by Mayor Michael Hancock that grants some exceptions. It’s the latest effort aimed at slowing the spread of the coronavirus.
Those final hours allowed small moments of escape before the city retreats inside.
At Commons Park near downtown, dozens of people walked, threw balls for their dogs, lounged on the grassy hill under the sun and filled the air with laughter as they picnicked in groups — largely well-spaced from one another. Many of those activities, save for individual exercise, are now banned in parks.
Lauren Danielson, 36, and her partner, Rossinni Alba, 32, relished the fresh air as they kicked a soccer ball. They live nearby.
“Before this announcement, we had interactions with maybe one or two of our friends — like a total of four people over the last couple of weeks,” Danielson said. “We’re planning on cutting off any interaction with people that isn’t 6 feet away. I’m just trusting that they know what they’re talking about,” she said of city officials, “and that this is going to be what’s best. It’s not the worst thing in the world to be ordered to sit on my couch and watch TV.”
Hancock’s order also closes “nonessential businesses” and some public places. It will last until April 10, unless he decides to extend it.
The order allows residents to venture out to buy groceries, visit doctors, fill medications and exercise. And it includes a host of exemptions that allow some kinds of businesses to keep their doors open or their employees on site. But more Denver employers face a decision between shifting most employees to working from home Wednesday or, if that’s not an option, closing down temporarily.
Little Man Ice Cream took a cue from the city’s order and went on hiatus at 5 Tuesday at all of its Denver locations, though they weren’t required to. Some other ice cream shops are staying open, offering takeout or delivery service, but business has been slow for most, including Little Man.
Michael Pannier was among a half-dozen people in line a few minutes before 5 at its iconic giant milk can in Lower Highland, there to buy pints while his pregnant wife waited in the car.
In Stapleton, Central Park’s playgrounds — now closed — were popular throughout the afternoon, but some other parks, particularly in west Denver, offered quieter respite.
Chad Hadersbeck and Rory Conrad threw a Frisbee on the trail near Paco Sanchez Park. Conrad said they go to the park about twice a month and hope to keep doing so.
“I feel like everything changes day-to-day, but if that’s what we’ve got to do to keep everyone safe, we need to do it,” Hadersbeck said of the city’s new rules.
New restrictions in a new reality
Denver’s stay-at-home order was the first to be announced in the metro area, with Boulder and several other areas beginning to follow suit. So far, Gov. Jared Polis has held off on a statewide stay-at-home order.
Such an edict adds just a few more restrictions to the already-drastic changes many residents have made in just a couple weeks. But for those who have shirked the city’s and state’s prior guidance, the order means big changes.
In his announcement, Hancock lamented that Denver’s city’s parks drew huge crowds over the weekend. City parks will still be open, but the order prohibits pretty much any outdoor activity at them except for individual or family exercise. Playgrounds, dog parks, tennis and basketball courts, and golf courses will be closed.
“This isn’t a recommendation anymore,” Hancock said Monday.
Denver was still adjusting Tuesday evening. On East Colfax Avenue, foot traffic remained consistent as the deadline came and went, though there were fewer people than usual at that time. On the patio at Atomic Cowboy, couples sat and chatted around 5:45 p.m.
A couple hours earlier, Lorenzo Mathis, 36, killed time with his fiancee in front of Union Station downtown while waiting for a bus back home to Stapleton. His job at Walmart will continue feeding his five children, for now. But he was skeptical about Hancock’s action.
“I think it’s too early to make the right call. You’re sending out a big panic to millions of” metro-area residents, he said. “We saw what happened (Monday) as soon as they made the call.”
Hancock’s initial order inadvertently set off a mad rush to liquor stores and marijuana shops — even those outside city limits — causing the kinds of lines and crowds he meant to discourage. Hours later, the mayor reversed the decision to treat those businesses as nonessential.
Retail outlets slim down staffs or close
Other types of businesses aren’t so fortunate.
In Stapleton, the often-bustling streets and sidewalks of Northfield shopping center were unusually quiet at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday and eerily so an hour later, when employees erected large, red A-frame signs at the entrances to make the retail district’s closure official.
Whimsy Studios co-owner Stine Hildre said after seeing little traffic these past two weeks, the stay-at-home order has meant layoffs. The store will keep one full-time employee, plus her. Hildre’s husband and co-owner is a National Guard medic who’s helping with the coronavirus response.
“We’re switching our business model from in-studio painting classes to online painting classes,” Hildre said. “We have these to-go kits that people can take home — and then we have a video on our website, so they can follow along.”
The 16th Street Mall, too, was oddly quiet near Lower Downtown even before the deadline.
On Wazee Street, the iconic store Rockmount Ranch Wear was dark. But the notice in its window was optimistic: “When Papa Jack founded Rockmount in 1946 he weathered all kinds of challenges, same as all businesses over time. This too will pass.”
Even some small businesses that can stay open under the city’s order are struggling. Intermountain Radiator and Muffler on Federal Boulevard at West 25th Avenue has seen business nosedive, with about 10% of normal customer traffic coming through Tuesday, owner Riley Meehan said.
“I think it’s because people are scared,” said Meehan, who has had the shop for 40 years. Still, he feels the measures taken are necessary.
“The small businessman should really understand that they’re there to support society,” he said, “and it’s not the government’s job to support them.”
Join our Facebook group for the latest updates on coronavirus in Colorado.


thedenverpost--2020-03-24--NHL extending isolation period for players and staff to April 6

The NHL is extending its recommendation for players and staff to self-isolate and stay away from team facilities during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic .
Multiple people with knowledge of the recommendation told The Associated Press on Tuesday the NHL has asked that players and staff extend their self-quarantine 10 days beyond the original March 27 timeline to April 6 — further pushing back the earliest team facilities can reopen .
The people spoke to The AP on condition of anonymity because the the NHL hadn ’ t formally announced the change in protocol .
The league over the past two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Board of Governors and general managers to update them on and take questions regarding the current situation .
There is still no clarity on when the NHL might resume its season .
Commissioner Gary Bettman said recently the decision to resume play would be made in accordance with health officials .
He has also said the league is working on various scenarios about what a potential return to play could look like .
The league remains optimistic about resuming this season and awarding the Stanley Cup , even if it means playing games @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The NHL plans to stage a full 2020-21 season , even if it means starting as late as November .
Two Ottawa Senators players tested positive for COVID-19 , and six others were tested with results pending .
The league has said its medical experts do not recommend mass testing for players or staff unless they exhibit symptoms .

The NHL is extending its recommendation for players and staff to self-isolate and stay away from team facilities during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Multiple people with knowledge of the recommendation told The Associated Press on Tuesday the NHL has asked that players and staff extend their self-quarantine 10 days beyond the original March 27 timeline to April 6 — further pushing back the earliest team facilities can reopen. The people spoke to The AP on condition of anonymity because the the NHL hadn’t formally announced the change in protocol.
The league over the past two days has held conference calls with its Board of Governors and general managers to update them on and take questions regarding the current situation. There is still no clarity on when the NHL might resume its season.
Commissioner Gary Bettman said recently the decision to resume play would be made in accordance with health officials. He has also said the league is working on various scenarios about what a potential return to play could look like.
The league remains optimistic about resuming this season and awarding the Stanley Cup, even if it means playing games deep into the summer or early fall.
The NHL plans to stage a full 2020-21 season, even if it means starting as late as November.
Two Ottawa Senators players tested positive for COVID-19, and six others were tested with results pending. The league has said its medical experts do not recommend mass testing for players or staff unless they exhibit symptoms.


thedenverpost--2020-03-24--New right guard Graham Glasgow said Broncos were “definitely my top choice”

New Broncos offensive lineman Graham Glasgow prefers to play right guard but can play center and would even be willing to give tackle a shot .
“ Hopefully not ( tackle ) , ” Glasgow said in a conference call with Denver media Tuesday .
The Broncos would also prefer to keep Glasgow at one place in general and at right guard in particular after signing him to a four-year , $ 44 million contract .
A week before free agency , the Detroit Lions told Glasgow they were moving on , so he had time to prepare for finding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Broncos “ definitely my top choice.
” “ I ’ ve always known that the Broncos have been a winning organization and winning team , and that ’ s something that was important to me , ” he said .
“ Playing in the ( Broncos ’ ) stadium this past season and seeing the energy and intensity of the fans and the atmosphere was very cool for me .
… I ’ m very happy I ended up here.
” Glasgow started 26 games at center , 18 at left guard and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ career in Detroit .
“ I played a lot of center in college ( at Michigan ) , ” he said .
“ Playing guard was something I had to learn , particularly early in my ( NFL ) career .
My rookie year , I was brought in playing center , and they put me at the guard position out of nowhere , it felt like .
I feel like playing guard is something I ’ ve learned to do well.
” The Broncos allowed center Connor McGovern to sign with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Denver wants to keep Glasgow at right guard , where he started in 2019 , and go young at center .
“ Graham is a big , powerful , tough and ascending player who was one of the top interior offensive linemen on the market , ” Broncos general manager John Elway said in a statement .
“ Over the course of his pro and college career , he ’ s shown incredible durability and been very productive .
“ Graham ’ s best football is ahead of him , and he fills @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s notable Elway emphasized durability when describing Glasgow .
The Broncos ’ offensive line needs better availability .
Former right guard Ron Leary ended all three of his seasons with the Broncos on injured reserve .
Glasgow said he has heard glowing stories about Broncos offensive line coach Mike Munchak .
“ I ’ ve heard from multiple and countless sources that he ’ s an awesome coach , ” Glasgow said .
“ I ’ m looking forward to ( working with ) somebody who can help me become the best @ @ @ @ @ @ @ punter .
The Colby Wadman Era with the Broncos is likely over after the team agreed to terms with veteran punter Sam Martin .
A league source said the deal is for three years and $ 7.05 million .
Martin , 30 , joins Glasgow and backup quarterback Jeff Driskel as Broncos additions that played for Detroit last year .
Martin has appeared in 106 regular season games , averaging 46 yards on 473 punts .
He has also attempted 480 kickoffs with 259 touchbacks .
In 2019 , Martin ’ s net @ @ @ @ @ @ @ punters with at least 45 attempts .
Wadman posted a 39.4-yard net last year , which was tied for 27th .
Once Martin signs , the Broncos will have three punters under contract — Wadman , Martin and Trevor Daniel .

New Broncos offensive lineman Graham Glasgow prefers to play right guard but can play center and would even be willing to give tackle a shot.
But …
“Hopefully not (tackle),” Glasgow said in a conference call with Denver media Tuesday.
The Broncos would also prefer to keep Glasgow at one place in general and at right guard in particular after signing him to a four-year, $44 million contract. A week before free agency, the Detroit Lions told Glasgow they were moving on, so he had time to prepare for finding a new team. He called the Broncos “definitely my top choice.”
“I’ve always known that the Broncos have been a winning organization and winning team, and that’s something that was important to me,” he said. “Playing in the (Broncos’) stadium this past season and seeing the energy and intensity of the fans and the atmosphere was very cool for me. … I’m very happy I ended up here.”
Glasgow started 26 games at center, 18 at left guard and 14 at right guard during his four-year career in Detroit.
“I played a lot of center in college (at Michigan),” he said. “Playing guard was something I had to learn, particularly early in my (NFL) career. My rookie year, I was brought in playing center, and they put me at the guard position out of nowhere, it felt like. I feel like playing guard is something I’ve learned to do well.”
The Broncos allowed center Connor McGovern to sign with the New York Jets, but indications are Denver wants to keep Glasgow at right guard, where he started in 2019, and go young at center.
“Graham is a big, powerful, tough and ascending player who was one of the top interior offensive linemen on the market,” Broncos general manager John Elway said in a statement. “Over the course of his pro and college career, he’s shown incredible durability and been very productive.
“Graham’s best football is ahead of him, and he fills a big need for us.”
It’s notable Elway emphasized durability when describing Glasgow. The Broncos’ offensive line needs better availability. Former right guard Ron Leary ended all three of his seasons with the Broncos on injured reserve.
Glasgow said he has heard glowing stories about Broncos offensive line coach Mike Munchak.
“I’ve heard from multiple and countless sources that he’s an awesome coach,” Glasgow said. “I’m looking forward to (working with) somebody who can help me become the best player I can be.”


thedenverpost--2020-03-24--Mets star pitcher Noah Syndergaard needs Tommy John surgery

NEW YORK — Mets right-hander Noah Syndergaard became the latest big-name pitcher to need Tommy John surgery , joining the Yankees ’ Luis Severino and Boston ’ s Chris Sale .
New York said Tuesday that Syndergaard needs reconstruction of his ulnar collateral ligament and will miss the season that ’ s been put on hold because of the coronavirus outbreak .
Mets medical director Dr. David Altchek will operate on the right-hander on Thursday .
“ After experiencing discomfort in his elbow before spring training was suspended due to the pandemic , Noah and our health and performance department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen said in a statement .
“ Based on the persistence of his symptoms , Noah underwent a physical examination and MRI that revealed the ligament tear.
” Syndergaard , the hardest-throwing starting pitcher in the major leagues last season , received a second opinion from Los Angeles Dodgers head team physician Dr. Neal ElAttrache .
“ While this is unfortunate , we have no doubt that Noah will be able to return to full strength and continue to be an integral part of our championship pursuits in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Syndergaard ’ s former agent .
Altchek operated Feb. 25 on the right-handed Severino .
The Red Sox said last Thursday that Sale , their hard-throwing left-handed ace , will have Tommy John surgery .
Since Major League Baseball announced on March 12 that opening day will be delayed because of the virus , San Francisco right-hander Tyler Beede and San Diego right-handed reliever Andrés Muñoz also were told they needed the reconstruction procedure .
Openers have been pushed back until mid-May at the earliest .
Tommy John surgery usually requires a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thor , Syndergaard was projected as the No .
2 starter in a strong rotation behind two-time NL Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom .
New York has for now sufficient starters to make up for Syndergaard ’ s absence , with Marcus Stroman , Michael Wacha , Rick Porcello and Steven Matz .
Syndergaard turns 28 in August and currently is eligible to become a free agent after the 2021 season .
He agreed in January to a $ 9.7 million , one-year contract .
Syndergaard was acquired in the December 2012 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ R.A. Dickey to Toronto .
An All-Star in 2016 when he went 14-9 with a 2.60 ERA , Syndergaard has an ERA that has climbed to 2.97 in 2017 , 3.05 in 2018 and 4.28 last year , when he was 10-8 in 32 starts .
He averaged 98.1 mph for his four-seam fastball last season , tops among qualified pitchers and just ahead of Gerrit Cole ( 97.4 ) and deGrom ( 97.2 ) .
Syndergaard made three spring training starts , the last on March 8 .
He pitched a total @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — three earned — and five hits with 11 strikeouts and no walks .
This is his fourth straight injury-hampered season .
He didn ’ t pitch between April 30 and Sept. 23 in 2017 because of a partially torn right latissimus dorsi muscle ; was sidelined between May 25 and July 13 in 2018 because of a strained ligament in his right index finger ; and was out between June 15-30 last year with a strained right hamstring .
He also missed a start in 2018 because of hand , foot and @ @ @

NEW YORK — Mets right-hander Noah Syndergaard became the latest big-name pitcher to need Tommy John surgery, joining the Yankees’ Luis Severino and Boston’s Chris Sale.
New York said Tuesday that Syndergaard needs reconstruction of his ulnar collateral ligament and will miss the season that’s been put on hold because of the coronavirus outbreak. Mets medical director Dr. David Altchek will operate on the right-hander on Thursday.
“After experiencing discomfort in his elbow before spring training was suspended due to the pandemic, Noah and our health and performance department have been in constant contact,” Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen said in a statement. “Based on the persistence of his symptoms, Noah underwent a physical examination and MRI that revealed the ligament tear.”
Syndergaard, the hardest-throwing starting pitcher in the major leagues last season, received a second opinion from Los Angeles Dodgers head team physician Dr. Neal ElAttrache.
“While this is unfortunate, we have no doubt that Noah will be able to return to full strength and continue to be an integral part of our championship pursuits in the future,” said Van Wagenen, Syndergaard’s former agent.
Altchek operated Feb. 25 on the right-handed Severino. The Red Sox said last Thursday that Sale, their hard-throwing left-handed ace, will have Tommy John surgery.
Since Major League Baseball announced on March 12 that opening day will be delayed because of the virus, San Francisco right-hander Tyler Beede and San Diego right-handed reliever Andrés Muñoz also were told they needed the reconstruction procedure.
Openers have been pushed back until mid-May at the earliest. Tommy John surgery usually requires a recuperation period of 12-18 months.
Nicknamed Thor, Syndergaard was projected as the No. 2 starter in a strong rotation behind two-time NL Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom. New York has for now sufficient starters to make up for Syndergaard’s absence, with Marcus Stroman, Michael Wacha, Rick Porcello and Steven Matz.
Syndergaard turns 28 in August and currently is eligible to become a free agent after the 2021 season. He agreed in January to a $9.7 million, one-year contract.
Syndergaard was acquired in the December 2012 trade that sent NL Cy Young winner R.A. Dickey to Toronto. An All-Star in 2016 when he went 14-9 with a 2.60 ERA, Syndergaard has an ERA that has climbed to 2.97 in 2017, 3.05 in 2018 and 4.28 last year, when he was 10-8 in 32 starts.
He averaged 98.1 mph for his four-seam fastball last season, tops among qualified pitchers and just ahead of Gerrit Cole (97.4) and deGrom (97.2).
Syndergaard made three spring training starts, the last on March 8. He pitched a total of eight innings and allowed four runs — three earned — and five hits with 11 strikeouts and no walks.
This is his fourth straight injury-hampered season. He didn’t pitch between April 30 and Sept. 23 in 2017 because of a partially torn right latissimus dorsi muscle; was sidelined between May 25 and July 13 in 2018 because of a strained ligament in his right index finger; and was out between June 15-30 last year with a strained right hamstring. He also missed a start in 2018 because of hand, foot and mouth disease.


thedenverpost--2020-03-24--Six-time Super Bowl champ Tom Brady looking forward, not behind

TAMPA , Fla. — Tom Brady says one day he ’ ll have time to reflect on a historic 20-year stint with the New England Patriots .
Right now , the six-time Super Bowl champion and newest member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is focused on his next challenge .
It ’ s a big one .
“ I don ’ t want to talk about the past because that ’ s not relevant to what ’ s important in my future and what ’ s going on this offseason for me , ” Brady said Tuesday during a 32-minute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discuss specifics about his decision to leave his old team .
The three-time NFL MVP reiterated that while he cherished “ two decades of incredible experience and learning from some of the best players and the best coaches , and the ownership ” of the Patriots , he ’ s excited about moving forward with the Bucs , who have a 12-season playoff drought .
“ I think for all of us , things in life can change and you ’ ve got to be able to adapt and evolve , ” said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fully guaranteed $ 50 million contract with Tampa Bay last week .
He can earn an additional $ 9 million in incentives .
“ The transition , I ’ d say , is very emotional .
… Relationships are what matter most to me .
I ’ m going to be friends with my teammates , my former teammates and coaches , for the rest of my life .
That ’ s not going to leave just because I ’ m wearing a different jersey , ” the 42-year-old quarterback added .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me the next jersey I ’ m wearing , I ’ m prepared to give them every bit of commitment that I ’ ve had my entire career to be the best I can be to help this team be the best it can be.
” The Bucs officially introduced Brady during a conference call instead of a customary news conference , because the NFL has imposed restrictions on travel and access to team facilities because of the coronavirus pandemic .
The four-time Super Bowl MVP said in addition to diving into coach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s eager to get acquainted with his new teammates and tackle the challenge of helping Tampa Bay end the second-longest playoff drought in the league .
Tampa Bay hasn ’ t made the playoffs since 2007 and doesn ’ t have a postseason victory since winning its only Super Bowl championship 17 years ago .
Brady , who ranks second in career passing yards and touchdowns , appeared in nine Super Bowls , 13 AFC championship games and won 17 division titles with New England .
“ Everyone has somewhat different styles and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he ’ s looking forward to mastering a new offense and working with a talented group of young playmakers that include Pro Bowl receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin , tight ends O.J .
Howard and Cameron Brate and running back Ronald Jones .
“ Football to me is about throwing the ball to the guy that ’ s open .
And if he ’ s open deep , that ’ s where you throw .
And if he ’ s open short , you throw it there .
If he ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
If he ’ s open inside , that ’ s where you throw , ” Brady said .
“ You get the ball to the guys who can do something with it .
… There ’ s a lot of ground to make up because I haven ’ t worked with these players , I ’ m going to have to learn what they do , their body language , how they like things .
That ’ s part of the challenge.
” The Bucs finished 7-9 last season , leading the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the 12th straight year largely because former quarterback Jameis Winston paced the league with 30 interceptions — 35 turnovers overall .
Statistically , Brady is coming off one of the worst non-injury seasons of his career in 2019 .
Nevertheless , the Patriots won 12 games before losing to Tennessee at home in the opening round of the playoffs .
Brady was joined on the conference call by Arians and general manager Jason Licht , who was a scout with the Patriots when New England selected the quarterback in the sixth round @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Brady as the greatest quarterback of all time .
“ Not to me because of what he does on the field , but what he does to his teammates , ” Arians said .
“ He makes everyone better who walks into that huddle.
” Brady , who met with Patriots owner Robert Kraft and also spoke with coach Bill Belichick the night before announcing he was leaving New England , said he wishes his old team well .
“ There ’ s nobody who ’ s been a bigger fan of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nothing but total respect and love .
I ’ m so grateful to Mr. Kraft , and the organization , and coach Belichick , and all the coaches — and obviously , all my teammates , ” Brady said .
“ It ’ ll be certainly different .
But at the same time , that ’ s the way life can be at times , ” Brady added .
“ What won ’ t be different is my approach to the game , my approach to what my role and responsibilities are .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and do the best I can every day to put our team in a position to win .
”

TAMPA, Fla. — Tom Brady says one day he’ll have time to reflect on a historic 20-year stint with the New England Patriots.
Right now, the six-time Super Bowl champion and newest member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is focused on his next challenge. It’s a big one.
“I don’t want to talk about the past because that’s not relevant to what’s important in my future and what’s going on this offseason for me,” Brady said Tuesday during a 32-minute conference call in which he declined to discuss specifics about his decision to leave his old team.
The three-time NFL MVP reiterated that while he cherished “two decades of incredible experience and learning from some of the best players and the best coaches, and the ownership” of the Patriots, he’s excited about moving forward with the Bucs, who have a 12-season playoff drought.
“I think for all of us, things in life can change and you’ve got to be able to adapt and evolve,” said Brady, who signed a two-year, fully guaranteed $50 million contract with Tampa Bay last week. He can earn an additional $9 million in incentives.
“The transition, I’d say, is very emotional. … Relationships are what matter most to me. I’m going to be friends with my teammates, my former teammates and coaches, for the rest of my life. That’s not going to leave just because I’m wearing a different jersey,” the 42-year-old quarterback added. “But at the same time, for me the next jersey I’m wearing, I’m prepared to give them every bit of commitment that I’ve had my entire career to be the best I can be to help this team be the best it can be.”
The Bucs officially introduced Brady during a conference call instead of a customary news conference, because the NFL has imposed restrictions on travel and access to team facilities because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The four-time Super Bowl MVP said in addition to diving into coach Bruce Arians’ playbook, he’s eager to get acquainted with his new teammates and tackle the challenge of helping Tampa Bay end the second-longest playoff drought in the league.
Tampa Bay hasn’t made the playoffs since 2007 and doesn’t have a postseason victory since winning its only Super Bowl championship 17 years ago.
Brady, who ranks second in career passing yards and touchdowns, appeared in nine Super Bowls, 13 AFC championship games and won 17 division titles with New England.
“Everyone has somewhat different styles and philosophies,” Brady said, adding he’s looking forward to mastering a new offense and working with a talented group of young playmakers that include Pro Bowl receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, tight ends O.J. Howard and Cameron Brate and running back Ronald Jones.
“Football to me is about throwing the ball to the guy that’s open. And if he’s open deep, that’s where you throw. And if he’s open short, you throw it there. If he’s open outside, you throw it there. If he’s open inside, that’s where you throw,” Brady said. “You get the ball to the guys who can do something with it. … There’s a lot of ground to make up because I haven’t worked with these players, I’m going to have to learn what they do, their body language, how they like things. That’s part of the challenge.”
The Bucs finished 7-9 last season, leading the NFL in passing but missing the playoffs for the 12th straight year largely because former quarterback Jameis Winston paced the league with 30 interceptions — 35 turnovers overall.
Statistically, Brady is coming off one of the worst non-injury seasons of his career in 2019. Nevertheless, the Patriots won 12 games before losing to Tennessee at home in the opening round of the playoffs.
Brady was joined on the conference call by Arians and general manager Jason Licht, who was a scout with the Patriots when New England selected the quarterback in the sixth round of the 2000 draft.
Both referred to Brady as the greatest quarterback of all time.
“Not to me because of what he does on the field, but what he does to his teammates,” Arians said. “He makes everyone better who walks into that huddle.”
Brady, who met with Patriots owner Robert Kraft and also spoke with coach Bill Belichick the night before announcing he was leaving New England, said he wishes his old team well.
“There’s nobody who’s been a bigger fan of the Patriots than me. I have nothing but total respect and love. I’m so grateful to Mr. Kraft, and the organization, and coach Belichick, and all the coaches — and obviously, all my teammates,” Brady said.
“It’ll be certainly different. But at the same time, that’s the way life can be at times,” Brady added. “What won’t be different is my approach to the game, my approach to what my role and responsibilities are. I’m going to go out and do the best I can every day to put our team in a position to win.”


thedenverpost--2020-03-24--Colorado confirms 2 more coronavirus-related deaths and nearly 200 new cases

Colorado public health officials on Tuesday announced two additional deaths related to the novel coronavirus as positive cases surged by nearly 200 to a total of 912 across the state .
The deaths — in which state health officials did not provide details as to location or age — mark the 10th and 11th in Colorado related to COVID-19 , the highly infectious respiratory illness caused the virus .
The 912 cases included 192 new people who tested positive for the virus , while 84 people have been hospitalized .
Officials now say there are seven outbreaks at residential and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still are not providing any details .
Thirty-five Colorado counties have at least one confirmed case , as health officials have brought testing to more remote parts of the state .
Of the 11 deaths , at least three have come from El Paso County .
Officials there have sounded the alarm over a bridge tournament earlier this month that has been connected to at least two of those fatalities .
Teller County health officials clarified Tuesday that a man in his 80s who died of the novel coronavirus on Monday was a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Paso County , as originally had been announced .
The new cases come as Denver residents on Tuesday evening began a new life under stay-at-home orders from the city .
The order , in effect until least April 10 , means nonessential businesses will be shuttered , while people will be allowed to travel outside only for necessary needs such as picking up food and medicine , taking care of a family member or exercising .
Other municipalities such as Boulder have followed suit , while officials with the Tri County Health Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Douglas counties — said in a statement they are working with cities in their jurisdiction on similar measures , which could be unveiled as soon as Wednesday morning .
Gov .
Jared Polis has thus far resisted calls for a statewide stay-at-home order , though he has given his support to local jurisdictions that choose to do so .
State health officials have said necessary hospital resources are in short supply .
The state received supplies such as surgical masks and gowns Monday from the federal government ’ s emergency national stockpile — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a day .
The state is expecting another shipment from the national stockpile later this week , Willis said , although he did not say how much would be included .
Noel Ginsburg , chairman of the state ’ s manufacturing and sourcing task force , also told The Denver Post this week that a shipment of 2 million medical masks is expected to arrive in Denver this weekend .
As people around the country wonder when life will return to normal , President Donald Trump on Tuesday gave Easter as a goal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as health experts say the crisis will be nowhere near over by that time .
While the president ’ s declarations would impact Colorado , Polis still would have considerable say in what he chooses to reopen , Mike Willis , the state ’ s director of the Office of Emergency Management , said in a conference call with reporters .
Updated 4 p.m. March 24 , 2020 This story originally misreported the Teller County death as Colorado ’ s 10th coronavirus-related death .
It has been corrected .
Subscribe to bi-weekly newsletter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your inbox .

Colorado public health officials on Tuesday announced two additional deaths related to the novel coronavirus as positive cases surged by nearly 200 to a total of 912 across the state.
The deaths — in which state health officials did not provide details as to location or age — mark the 10th and 11th in Colorado related to COVID-19, the highly infectious respiratory illness caused the virus.
The 912 cases included 192 new people who tested positive for the virus, while 84 people have been hospitalized. Officials now say there are seven outbreaks at residential and non-hospital health care facilities, though they still are not providing any details.
Thirty-five Colorado counties have at least one confirmed case, as health officials have brought testing to more remote parts of the state.
Of the 11 deaths, at least three have come from El Paso County. Officials there have sounded the alarm over a bridge tournament earlier this month that has been connected to at least two of those fatalities.
Teller County health officials clarified Tuesday that a man in his 80s who died of the novel coronavirus on Monday was a resident of their country and not El Paso County, as originally had been announced.
The new cases come as Denver residents on Tuesday evening began a new life under stay-at-home orders from the city. The order, in effect until least April 10, means nonessential businesses will be shuttered, while people will be allowed to travel outside only for necessary needs such as picking up food and medicine, taking care of a family member or exercising.
Other municipalities such as Boulder have followed suit, while officials with the Tri County Health Department — which encompasses Adams, Arapahoe and Douglas counties — said in a statement they are working with cities in their jurisdiction on similar measures, which could be unveiled as soon as Wednesday morning.
Gov. Jared Polis has thus far resisted calls for a statewide stay-at-home order, though he has given his support to local jurisdictions that choose to do so.
State health officials have said necessary hospital resources are in short supply. The state received supplies such as surgical masks and gowns Monday from the federal government’s emergency national stockpile — but those were expected to only last a day. The state is expecting another shipment from the national stockpile later this week, Willis said, although he did not say how much would be included.
Noel Ginsburg, chairman of the state’s manufacturing and sourcing task force, also told The Denver Post this week that a shipment of 2 million medical masks is expected to arrive in Denver this weekend.
As people around the country wonder when life will return to normal, President Donald Trump on Tuesday gave Easter as a goal for rebooting the American economy — even as health experts say the crisis will be nowhere near over by that time.
While the president’s declarations would impact Colorado, Polis still would have considerable say in what he chooses to reopen, Mike Willis, the state’s director of the Office of Emergency Management, said in a conference call with reporters.
Updated 4 p.m. March 24, 2020 This story originally misreported the Teller County death as Colorado’s 10th coronavirus-related death. It has been corrected.
Subscribe to bi-weekly newsletter to get health news sent straight to your inbox.


thedenverpost--2020-03-24--Colorado labor officials ask people applying for unemployment benefits to do so on certain days base

Colorado labor officials ask people applying for unemployment benefits to do so on certain days based on last name to limit load on system

The state ’ s unemployment insurance application system is so overloaded , state labor officials are asking applicants to only apply on certain days at certain times based on their last name in hopes that will break up the logjam .
As of Monday , the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment is asking people with last names that start with the letters A through M to only log onto the ColoradoUI.gov website on Sundays , Tuesdays , Thursdays , or after 12 p.m. on Saturdays to attempt to file unemployment claims .
People with last names starting with N @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Mondays , Wednesdays , Fridays or before 12 p.m. on Saturdays .
The voluntary request comes as unprecedented traffic floods the state ’ s unemployment insurance website and unprecedented calls volume pours into its customer support line .
The rush is driven by mass business closures and layoffs related to the spread of the novel coronavirus and resulting public health measures .
Between Monday and Friday of last week , the state received an estimated 25,000 unemployment applications , labor department officials said , a more than 14-fold increase over the prior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the total number of people seeking support .
Calls to the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment customer service line increased ten times over to 99,000 .
Meanwhile , applicants have complained of an unreliable system prone to kicking people off as they attempt to file .
The state has had to take the system down for maintenance repeatedly over the last two weeks .
Aside from asking people to only file on certain days , the labor department is staffing up its call center to handle the workload .
Ninety internal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Another 90 call center and document management employees will be added by April 3 , according to a news release .
“ This morning alone , we had 186,000 attempts to contact our call center .
That number a week ago was 9,000 , ” Joe Barela , executive director of the state ’ s labor department said in a statement Monday .
“ All of our systems are overloaded – as are UI systems across the country – and we know frustration and anxiety is high .
We are doing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ times and want claimants to know their benefits will not be reduced due to any filing delays.
” Labor department officials are emphasizing that amid the filing challenges , all applicants will be allowed to backdate their claims to the last day they worked .

Between Monday, March 16 and last Thursday, March 19, more than 20,000 people filed claims for unemployment insurance in Colorado, a more than 1,450% increase over filings the Monday-Thursday prior, according to state officials.
Driven by layoffs at bars and restaurants shut down by gubernatorial order, cratering oil prices and other job losses tied to the spread of the new coronavirus, that exponential jump only hinted at the demand. There were 114,000 clicks on the state’s online unemployment insurance application and 99,000 calls made to the state labor department’s customer service line between Monday morning and Friday afternoon last week, both massive surges.
For every applicant that successfully filed last week, there were many more people who were trying to file and not getting through as an overloaded system repeatedly crashed on them or had to be shut down for maintenance.
“I did successfully, finally get through today, which is awesome,” 25-year-old Courtney Kizewski, a now out-of-work restaurant server in Longmont, said Tuesday after seven days of trying to file online. “I probably spent a total of seven hours overall just doing it, doing it, doing it and the website kicking me off.”
Kizewski’s claim may have been aided by a policy change the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment enacted this week seeking to lighten the load of its own website.
Starting Monday, the department has been asking people with last names that start with the letters A through M to only log onto the ColoradoUI.gov website on Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays or after noon on Saturdays to attempt to file unemployment claims. People with last names starting with N through Z are asked to apply only on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays or before noon on Saturdays.
The labor department is also staffing up its call center to handle the increased workload. Ninety internal employees were moved to that role Monday. Another 90 call center and document management employees will be added by April 3, according to a news release. On Monday morning alone, 186,000 calls came into the department’s call center, executive director Joe Barela said in a statement.
“One thing that we hope to implement today is to change the on-hold message that is in our system to address some frequently asked questions,” labor department spokeswoman Cher Haavind said Tuesday.
Two of the most frequent questions Haavind cited were: Are people who are experiencing a temporary decrease in hours or wages but expecting to return to their jobs eligible for benefits? (Yes.) Are gig workers and independent contractors like ride-share drivers who have lost work as a result of the crisis eligible? (“As of now, they are not,” Haavind said.)
Department officials are emphasizing that despite the system issue that kept many applicants from filing last week, people who do file should backdate their application to their last day of work and will receive benefits from that date forward if approved.
That’s a fact that’s likely only to soothe people who finally get through.
Cheryl Swanson, a co-worker of Kizewski’s at the Pumphouse Brewery in Longmont, finally got her application through on Monday night after trying every day since St. Patrick’s Day. It was a stressful process that had the mother of three setting alarms for 3 a.m. to try to file at lower traffic times on the website. Swanson and Kizewski are among 80 Pumphouse employees now in a state of coronavirus limbo while the giant brewery is shut down by the pandemic.
“I feel like the weight lifted,” Swanson said of her successful application. “It just happened super randomly. I went in and got the whole thing done in 15 minutes. I was like. ‘Yes!’ ”
Swanson notes she’s in better shape than many of her coworkers. Her husband can do his retail site design work from home and the couple has a cushion of savings.
On the opposite end of the Front Range, Colorado Springs resident Michelle Evans went though her own ordeal with the state’s portal last week.
After her last shift waiting tables at Front Range Barbecue on March 16, she began spending time each day applying. She followed officials’ advice to save her progress as she went but kept getting the same error message that so many out-of-work Coloradans received last week. Finally, in the wee hours early Friday morning, she tried filing her application with Internet Explorer instead of a Chrome web browser and got through.
“It still had some bugs but finally I got to last certify screen and I think I must have hit that 10 times because I was like I don’t want to keep getting up at 2 in the morning to keep doing this,” Evans said. “It was definitely a pain in the butt it finally went through.”
Like Swanson, Evans counts herself luckier than most. The duplex she shares with her boyfriend is affordable and the couple has savings they were putting aside for a house they can tap into if need be. She also was recently approved for some temporary work in an Amazon warehouse, which, with her unemployment benefits, should tide her over.
Back in Longmont, Kizewski and her fiancé are facing some stark realities. He works at another restaurant in town that is doing takeout service and still providing some income for employees but is staying home for two weeks as a precaution because Kizewski has cold symptoms, she said.
“We definitely did not have anything saved up for this,” she said. “We can luckily pay our bills for this month. We have no idea what we are going to do next month.”
With her unemployment benefits approved, Kizewski is hopeful she’ll be able to make rent and pay for other necessities like food with her credit card.
“Now we are barely going to be able to scrape by,” she said.


thedenverpost--2020-03-24--Safeway and Albertsons adding social distancing floor decals, check stand sneeze guards to combat co

Safeway and Albertsons adding social distancing floor decals, check stand sneeze guards to combat coronavirus

Grocery chains Safeway and Albertsons are putting markers on the floors of their stores to physically remind shoppers of the 6-foot distance they should keep away from one another to adhere to social distancing guidelines aimed at slowing the spread of the new coronavirus .
In Colorado stores including the Safeway at 9229 Lincoln Ave. in Lone Tree , tape markers were put down Tuesday morning .
More permanent decals are expected to replace them soon .
The social distancing markers are being put at designated waiting points throughout the store , especially in busy areas including check stands , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to a news release .
The grocery chains are also asking customers not to put their groceries on the checkout counter until the customer in front of them has collected their bags .
Albertsons Cos. , which operates 100 Albertsons and Safeway stores in Colorado , has more than 2,200 grocery stores nationwide , is also installing plexiglass sneeze guards at all of its checkout counters over the next two weeks , company officials announced .
The company ’ s expanded efforts are aimed at protecting shoppers and employees as the number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 continues to climb around the globe .
As of Tuesday afternoon , there were 720 confirmed cases of the disease in Colorado .
Nine people have died .
Albertsons Cos. has been proactive in changing policies around the crisis .
Last week , it joined several other grocers in reserving shopping time for shoppers most at-risk from the virus , including seniors , pregnant women and people with compromised immune systems .
At Safeway stores , those reserved times are from 7- 9 a.m. every Tuesday and Thursday .

Safeway and King Soopers are putting markers on the floors of their stores to physically remind shoppers of the 6-foot distance they should keep away from one another to adhere to social distancing guidelines aimed at slowing the spread of the new coronavirus.
The state’s two dominant grocers are also installing Plexiglas sneeze guards at check stands and, in the case of King Soopers, at other in-store cash registers such as at pharmacy counters and in-store Starbucks locations, to protect employees and customers from the spread of germs.
In Colorado Safeway stores, including at 9229 Lincoln Ave. in Lone Tree, tape physical distancing markers were put down Tuesday morning. More permanent decals are expected to replace them soon.
The markers are being put at designated waiting points throughout stores, especially in busy areas including check stands, deli counters, bakeries and pharmacies, according to a news release Tuesday. The company is also asking customers not to put their groceries on the checkout counter until the customer in front of them has collected their bags.
As noted on signs in stores, the safe distances between people to limit the spread of the new coronavirus is 6 feet, roughly two shopping cart lengths.
“We have seen our customers begin to implement social distancing on their own with our ‘two carts apart’ reminders as they shop our stores, so we think our floor markers will increase awareness,” said Vivek Sankaran, president and CEO of the Boise, Idaho-based Albertsons Cos., Safeway’s parent company. “We know that with our customers’ help, along with other safety measures have implemented in our stores, we can create safer environments and help our communities contain the spread of this contagious disease.”
Safeway began installing the clear partitions last week. King Soopers announced on Tuesday that the installation of partitions and floor decals started in its stores this week.
The companies’ expanded efforts are aimed at protecting shoppers and employees as the number of confirmed cases of the respiratory infection COVID-19 continues to climb around the globe. As of Tuesday evening, there were more than 900 confirmed cases of the disease in Colorado. Eleven people have died so far.
That changes were also announced on the same day Gov. Jared Polis sent a letter to Albertsons Cos. and the local offices of King Soopers parent Kroger pushing for enhanced safety measures in stores in the state. The letter suggests expanding grocery delivery services, providing masks and gloves and other personal protective equipment for workers and limiting the number of people allowed in stores at a given time as measures that could help fight the spread of COVID-19. The letter also referenced social distancing floor decals being used by a grocery store in Demark.
Albertsons Cos. operates 100 Albertsons and Safeway stores in Colorado and has more than 2,200 grocery stores nationwide. Last week, it joined several other grocers in reserving shopping time for shoppers most at-risk from the virus, including seniors, pregnant women and people with compromised immune systems. At Safeway stores, those reserved times are from 7 to 9 a.m. every Tuesday and Thursday.
King Soopers has enacted new emergency leave rules for workers who are diagnosed with COVID-19 or dealing with symptoms as verified by a doctor, granting them pay for up to two weeks.
An employee at the store at 1950 Chestnut Place in Denver tested positive for the virus earlier this month. The employee had last worked in the store on March 6 prior to the positive test.
King Soopers has told employees they can wear gloves and masks while on the job, according to company spokeswoman Jessica Trowbridge, but like medical professionals and first responders across the country, the company is dealing with a short supply of protective gear.
“We are advocating to government officials at all levels for help securing a priority place in line for all grocery workers — after health care workers — to have access to protective masks and gloves,” Trowbridge wrote in a media statement Tuesday.
Colorado-founded Natural Grocers, which operates 157 stores in 20 states, has also implemented changes to deal the pandemic’s impact, including a $2 per hour pay increase for hourly employees, new store hours, a special shopping hour for vulnerable populations and an updated return policy.


thedenverpost--2020-03-24--And the Broncos select … : ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. releases latest 2020 NFL mock draft

A week after the free agency opened , ESPN ’ s Mel Kiper Jr. on Tuesday unveiled his third and latest 2020 NFL mock draft and there ’ s a change for who ’ s going to the Broncos at No .
15 .
Kiper returned to his original pick for the Broncos in Alabama wide receiver Henry Ruggs III , switching from his previous choice of Houston offensive tackle Josh Jones .
“ The Broncos have made a few solid additions this offseason , ” Kiper writes .
“ … They haven ’ t addressed left tackle — former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his way out after a disappointing tenure — or wide receiver , where they have Courtland Sutton but not much else .
Ruggs , who ran a 4.27 40 at the combine , would be a great complement to Sutton ’ s size , as he could run crossers and catch deep balls from second-year signal-caller Drew Lock.
” Jones , meanwhile , fell to No .
26 to the Dolphins in the mock draft .
Ruggs is ranked No .
13 overall on Kiper ’ s latest big board rankings , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the third-rated wide receiver behind Alabama ’ s Jerry Jeudy and Oklahoma ’ s CeeDee Lamb .

A week after the free agency opened, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. on Tuesday unveiled his third and latest 2020 NFL mock draft and there’s a change for who’s going to the Broncos at No. 15.
Kiper returned to his original pick for the Broncos in Alabama wide receiver Henry Ruggs III, switching from his previous choice of Houston offensive tackle Josh Jones.
“The Broncos have made a few solid additions this offseason,” Kiper writes. “… They haven’t addressed left tackle — former first-round pick Garett Bolles could be on his way out after a disappointing tenure — or wide receiver, where they have Courtland Sutton but not much else. Ruggs, who ran a 4.27 40 at the combine, would be a great complement to Sutton’s size, as he could run crossers and catch deep balls from second-year signal-caller Drew Lock.”
Jones, meanwhile, fell to No. 26 to the Dolphins in the mock draft.
Ruggs is ranked No. 13 overall on Kiper’s latest big board rankings, which was also unveiled Tuesday, and is the third-rated wide receiver behind Alabama’s Jerry Jeudy and Oklahoma’s CeeDee Lamb.


thedenverpost--2020-03-24--ICE agents can no longer make civil arrests at courthouses in Colorado

Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents will no longer be allowed to arrest people for civil immigration violations in or around courthouses in Colorado .
Gov .
Jared Polis signed Senate Bill 83 into law Monday .
It prohibits agents from making civil arrests while a person is in the courthouse or on its property or if the person is going to or from a court proceeding .
The bill excludes civil arrests related to a judge ’ s contempt-of-court order or other judicially issued process .
A violation of the law could lead to a judge finding the agent in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could be subject to civil penalties from the attorney general .
Rep. Leslie Herod , D-Denver , said the bill sends a message that everyone deserves protections , particularly at a time when immigrants are fearful of accessing services .
That includes witnesses , defendants and victims of crime .
The new law would allow immigrants who came to the country illegally to participate in the judicial process without worry about being deported .
“ No one should feel like they can ’ t access justice through the courts because of their immigration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think it makes it very clear to ICE that we want people to feel safe in our communities .
An ICE spokesperson previously told The Denver Post that the agency could continue the practice , which is “ often necessitated by local policies that prevent law enforcement from cooperating with ICE efforts to arrange for a safe and orderly transfer of custody in the setting of a state or county prison or jail .
”

Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers will no longer be allowed to arrest people for civil immigration violations in or around courthouses in Colorado.
Gov. Jared Polis signed Senate Bill 83 into law Monday. It prohibits ICE from making civil arrests while a person is in the courthouse or on its property or if the person is going to or from a court proceeding.
The bill excludes civil arrests related to a judge’s contempt-of-court order or other judicially issued process. A violation of the law could lead to a judge finding the agent in contempt of court, or the person could be subject to civil penalties from the attorney general.
Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver, said the bill sends a message that everyone deserves protections, particularly at a time when immigrants are fearful of accessing services. That includes witnesses, defendants and victims of crime.
The new law would allow immigrants who came to the country illegally to participate in the judicial process without worry about being deported.
“No one should feel like they can’t access justice through the courts because of their immigration status,” she said. “I think it makes it very clear to ICE that we want people to feel safe in our communities.
Acting Field Office Director of ICE’s Denver office John Fabbricatore said in a statement Tuesday night that restricting ICE from arresting people at courthouses increases risks to public safety and forces the agency to make arrests in the community rather than in courthouses or jails.
“Across the country, ICE carries out arrests at courthouses in a professional manner against specific, targeted aliens with a final removal order or those who pose a public safety threat, some of whom have multiple criminal convictions,” Fabbricatore said.


thedenverpost--2020-03-25--Ask Amy: Twentysomething struggles with work-life balance

Dear Amy : My boyfriend and I are in our early 20s .
We have been in a long-distance relationship for 18 months .
He is my first major love and relationship .
Now our current ( yet tentative ) plan is to move in together after my Ph.D. is done and his business settles .
He is very supportive and I ’ m happy being with him .
However , I ’ m not sure if I ’ m ready .
I ’ ve lost myself as I put so much energy , time and effort to our relationship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I became emotional and I ’ m not as productive or disciplined as I was .
I don ’ t know how to balance myself , as this is my first relationship .
I ’ m not sure if a relationship is good for me or I ’ m ready to be in one .
I want to focus and invest in myself without his influence because I ’ m scared of losing myself even more .
My boyfriend wants to be supportive , but we are both so clueless .
Should we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Is there a way to be in a relationship and still be your most productive/career-driven self in your 20s ?
Dear Unsure : Regardless of the plans you two have made , you should dial in to that feeling in your gut .
Your early-20s is a time of emotional development and exploration , and in that sense , your concern about this demonstrates that you are right on track .
The ideal — for you , for your guy , and for everyone — is to find a healthy balance , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not unusual to feel like you ’ ve “ lost ” yourself when you first fall in love .
It ’ s called “ falling ” for a reason .
That sensation of tumbling through space is thrilling , but it is frightening , too .
And yes , obsessively feeding one relationship will curtail your own personal and career progress .
Remember , the primary relationship in your life will always be the one you have with yourself .
You should choose to live wherever your Ph.D. takes you , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ field , and no — given how you are feeling , you should not cohabit until you are absolutely certain .
If you move to his city , renting a room in a group house ( instead of cohabiting ) might be a good idea for you .
Dear Amy : Why is there a stigma about living with your parents ?
In many cultures around the world multi-generational households are considered the norm .
No stigma exists .
My home is in a very high rent area where people pay as much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I decided to rent out two bedrooms .
My renters each have their own area in the house , as do I .
My tenants are my adult children .
All expenses are split equally , as are household duties as defined in our tenant contract .
The advantages of this arrangement allow for each of us to pay far less than we would living on our own .
We all get to live in a well-maintained , nice home in a part of the country we love .
We take care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ someone is away .
We live with people we know and trust .
So far , this is working well for us .
Dear Lea : This arrangement sounds ideal .
I agree with you that the North American concept of rugged individualism may have created a stigma about adults living with their folks , but this same concept also allows you to ignore the stigma , and live as you please .
Dear Amy : Your advice to “ Hair Today , Gone Tomorrow ” was off base .
This girls ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her arm pits and legs .
She wears a “ uniform , ” as in , the coach wants his team to look “ uniform.
” If this young woman wants to play volleyball that badly , then she should follow the coaches ’ rules .
Sure , there is gender discrimination in the world , but this smacks of too much micro-feedback , and to call it discrimination goes way too far .
Instead of supporting the coach and his idea of how to be proud of his team , you rule @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now learns that she can go over his head to the school administrator for stupid stuff .
Dear Margie : In my mind , demanding that this young athlete shave her body is the essence of “ micro-feedback.
” As I said in my response , unless male volleyball players are also asked to shave , I think this girl should be left alone .

Dear Amy: My boyfriend and I are in our early 20s. We have been in a long-distance relationship for 18 months.
He is my first major love and relationship. Now our current (yet tentative) plan is to move in together after my Ph.D. is done and his business settles. He is very supportive and I’m happy being with him. However, I’m not sure if I’m ready.
I’ve lost myself as I put so much energy, time and effort to our relationship, instead of investing in myself. I became emotional and I’m not as productive or disciplined as I was. I don’t know how to balance myself, as this is my first relationship. I’m not sure if a relationship is good for me or I’m ready to be in one. I want to focus and invest in myself without his influence because I’m scared of losing myself even more.
My boyfriend wants to be supportive, but we are both so clueless. Should we break up, or find a balance?
Is there a way to be in a relationship and still be your most productive/career-driven self in your 20s?
— Unsure
Dear Unsure: Regardless of the plans you two have made, you should dial in to that feeling in your gut. Your early-20s is a time of emotional development and exploration, and in that sense, your concern about this demonstrates that you are right on track.
The ideal — for you, for your guy, and for everyone — is to find a healthy balance, in your life and relationships. It is not unusual to feel like you’ve “lost” yourself when you first fall in love. It’s called “falling” for a reason. That sensation of tumbling through space is thrilling, but it is frightening, too. And yes, obsessively feeding one relationship will curtail your own personal and career progress. Remember, the primary relationship in your life will always be the one you have with yourself.
You should choose to live wherever your Ph.D. takes you, in order to build a career in your field, and no — given how you are feeling, you should not cohabit until you are absolutely certain.
If you move to his city, renting a room in a group house (instead of cohabiting) might be a good idea for you.
Dear Amy: Why is there a stigma about living with your parents?
In many cultures around the world multi-generational households are considered the norm. No stigma exists.
My home is in a very high rent area where people pay as much as two-thirds of their income for housing.
I decided to rent out two bedrooms. My renters each have their own area in the house, as do I. My tenants are my adult children. All expenses are split equally, as are household duties as defined in our tenant contract.
We respect each other’s privacy.
The advantages of this arrangement allow for each of us to pay far less than we would living on our own. We all get to live in a well-maintained, nice home in a part of the country we love.
We take care of each other’s pets when someone is away.
We live with people we know and trust.
So far, this is working well for us.
— Lea, in Santa Cruz, Calif.
Dear Lea: This arrangement sounds ideal. I agree with you that the North American concept of rugged individualism may have created a stigma about adults living with their folks, but this same concept also allows you to ignore the stigma, and live as you please.
Dear Amy: Your advice to “Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow” was off base.
This girls’ volleyball coach had insisted that she shave her arm pits and legs.
She wears a “uniform,” as in, the coach wants his team to look “uniform.”
If this young woman wants to play volleyball that badly, then she should follow the coaches’ rules.
Sure, there is gender discrimination in the world, but this smacks of too much micro-feedback, and to call it discrimination goes way too far.
Instead of supporting the coach and his idea of how to be proud of his team, you rule in favor of a young teenager who now learns that she can go over his head to the school administrator for stupid stuff.
— Margie
Dear Margie: In my mind, demanding that this young athlete shave her body is the essence of “micro-feedback.” As I said in my response, unless male volleyball players are also asked to shave, I think this girl should be left alone.
(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.)


thedenverpost--2020-03-25--Federal officials reach deal on $2 trillion coronavirus aid package

WASHINGTON — The White House and Senate leaders of both parties have struck an agreement on a sweeping $ 2 @ @ @ @ @ , businesses and a health care system strained by the rapidly spreading coronavirus outbreak .
@ @ @ @ @ Ueland announced the agreement in a Capitol hallway shortly after midnight .
The agreement came @ @ @ @ @ haggling and mounting pressure and still needs to be finalized in detailed legislative language .
@ @ @ @ @ we are done .
We have a deal , ” Ueland said .
The unprecedented @ @ @ @ @ direct payments to most Americans , expand unemployment benefits and provide a $ 367 billion @ @ @ @ @ keep making payroll while workers are forced to stay home .
One of the last @ @ @ @ @ 500 billion for guaranteed , subsidized loans to larger industries , including a fight over @ @ @ @ @ the airlines .
Hospitals would get significant help as well .

Lisa Mascaro, Andrew Taylor, Jonathan Lemire

WASHINGTON — The White House and Senate leaders of both parties announced agreement early Wednesday on an unprecedented $2 trillion emergency bill to rush sweeping aid to businesses, workers and a health care system slammed by the coronavirus pandemic.
The urgently needed pandemic response measure is the largest economic rescue measure in history and is intended as a weekslong or monthslong patch for an economy spiraling into recession and a nation facing a potentially ghastly toll.
“To the American people, we say, big help, quick help is on the way,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said Wednesday morning on CNN.
Schumer said he expected approval by the Republican-led Senate later in the day. That would leave final congressional approval up to the Democratic-controlled House, where the timetable for votes is unclear and whose members are mostly scattered around the country.
Top White House aide Eric Ueland announced the agreement in a Capitol hallway shortly after midnight, capping days of often intense haggling and mounting pressure. Some final pieces of the agreement need to be finalized in detailed legislative language.
The Senate is likely to pass the measure Wednesday afternoon. In the House, both Democratic and Republican leaders hope to clear the measure for President Donald Trump’s signature by a voice vote without having to call lawmakers back to Washington, but that may prove challenging, as the bill is sure to be opposed by some conservatives upset at its cost and scope. Ardent liberals were restless as well.
The economic rescue package would give direct payments to most Americans, expand unemployment benefits and provide a $367 billion program for small businesses to keep making payroll while workers are forced to stay home.
One of the last issues to close concerned $500 billion for guaranteed, subsidized loans to larger industries, including a fight over how generous to be with the airlines. Hospitals would get significant help as well.
“After days of intense discussions, the Senate has reached a bipartisan agreement on a historic relief package for this pandemic,” said Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., a key negotiator. “It will rush new resources onto the front lines of our nation’s health care fight. And it will inject trillions of dollars of cash into the economy as fast as possible to help Americans workers, families, small businesses and industries make it through this disruption and emerge on the other side ready to soar.”
At the White House on Tuesday, even as the public health crisis deepened, President Donald Trump expressed eagerness to nudge many people back to work in the coming weeks and held out a prospect, based more on hope than science, that the country could be returning to normal in less than a month.
“We have to go back to work, much sooner than people thought,” Trump told a Fox News town hall. He said he’d like to have the country “opened up and just raring to go” by Easter, April 12. But in a White House briefing later, Trump said that “our decision will be based on hard facts and data.”
Medical professionals say social distancing needs to be stepped up, not relaxed, to slow the spread of infections. At the White House briefing, the public health authorities said it was particularly important for people in the hard-hit New York City metropolitan area to quarantine themselves for 14 days and for those who have recently left the city to do the same.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the government’s top infectious disease expert, said pointedly at the briefing, “No one is going to want to tone down anything when you see what is going on in a place like New York City.”
On Capitol Hill, five days of arduous talks produced the bill, creating tensions among Congress’ top leaders, who each took care to tend to party politics as they maneuvered and battled over crafting the legislation. But failure was never an option, which permitted both sides to mark big wins.
Even before the deal was reached, news of the likely but elusive agreement had sent the stock market rocketing on Tuesday. The rescue package would be larger than the 2008 bank bailout and 2009 recovery act combined.
The package would give one-time direct payments to Americans — $1,200 per adult making up to $75,000 a year, and $2,400 to a married couple making up to $150,000, with $500 payments per child.
A huge cash infusion for hospitals expecting a flood of COVID-19 patients grew during the talks at the insistence of Sen. Chuck Schumer, the Democratic leader, while Republicans pressed for tens of billions of dollars for additional relief to be delivered through the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the lead federal disaster agency.
Democrats said the package would help replace the salaries of furloughed workers for four months, rather than the three months first proposed. Furloughed workers would get whatever amount a state usually provides for unemployment, plus a $600 per week add-on, with gig workers like Uber drivers covered for the first time.
“It ensures that all workers are protected whether they work for businesses small, medium or large, along with self-employed and workers in the gig economy,” Schumer said.
Schumer also announced that businesses controlled by members of Congress and top administration officials — including Trump and his immediate family members — would be ineligible for assistance from receiving loans or investments from new Treasury programs. The New York Democrat immediately sent out a roster of negotiating wins for transit systems, hospital, and cash-hungry state governments that were cemented after Democrats blocked the measure in votes held Sunday and Monday to maneuver for such gains.
Republicans won inclusion of an “employee retention” tax credit that’s estimated to provide $50 billion to companies that retain employees on payroll and cover 50% of workers’ paychecks. Companies would also be able to defer payment of the 6.2% Social Security payroll tax.
Democrats pointed to gains for hospitals, additional oversight of the huge industry stabilization fund and money for cash-strapped states. A companion appropriations package ballooned as well, growing from a $46 billion White House proposal to more than $300 billion, which dwarfs earlier disasters — including Hurricane Katrina and Superstorm Sandy combined.
To provide transparency, the package is expected to create a new inspector general and oversight board for the corporate dollars, much as was done during the 2008 Troubled Asset Relief Program bank rescue, officials said.
Trump in recent days has sounded a note of frustration about the unprecedented modern-day effort to halt the virus’ march by essentially shutting down public activities in ways that now threaten the U.S. economy.
Even though Trump’s administration recommended Americans curtail activities for 15 days, starting just over a week ago, the Republican president said he may soon allow parts of the economy, in regions less badly hit by the virus, to begin reopening.
He continued on that theme Tuesday as he weighed a relaxation of social distancing guidelines after the 15-day period is up. His suggestion that the pandemic could ease and allow a return to normalcy in a mere few weeks is not supported by public health officials or many others in government.
On Tuesday, top defense and military leaders warned department personnel that the virus problems could extend for eight to 10 weeks or longer. Army Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said during a Defense Department town hall meeting that the crisis could even extend into July.
Trump has balked at using his authority under the recently invoked Defense Protection Act to compel the private sector to manufacture needed medical supplies like masks and ventilators, even as he encourages them to spur production. “We are a country not based on nationalizing our business,” said Trump, who has repeatedly railed against socialism overseas and among Democrats.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death. The vast majority of people recover.
The virus has caused a global pandemic that has sickened more than 425,000 people and killed about 19,000 worldwide. In the United States, more than 55,000 people have been sickened and more than 800 have died.
Join our Facebook group for the latest updates on coronavirus in Colorado.


thedenverpost--2020-03-25--Adams, Arapahoe, Douglas counties expect coronavirus stay-at-home orders

The Tri-County Health Department , which serves over 1.5 million people in Adams , Arapahoe and Douglas Counties , is @ @ @ @ @ order , likely to go into effect on Thursday .
At 5 p.m. Tuesday , @ @ @ @ @ which effectively shuts down the city for at least two weeks , with some exceptions @ @ @ @ @ slow the spread of the coronavirus .
Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman , whose city is @ @ @ @ @ said Tuesday night on Twitter that he expects the upcoming order to be “ similar @ @ @ @ @ , “ but not identical.
” Coffman said he expects the Tri-County order to go @ @ @ @ @ Thursday and that it will likely run until April 17 .
Denver ’ s order @ @ @ @ @ April 10 , it could , however , be extended .
Subscribe to bi-weekly newsletter @ @ @ @ @ straight to your inbox .

The Tri-County Health Department, which serves over 1.5 million people in Adams, Arapahoe and Douglas Counties, is preparing a “stay-at-home” order, likely to go into effect on Thursday.
At 5 p.m. Tuesday, Denver started a stay-at-home order which effectively shuts down the city for at least two weeks, with some exceptions, in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
.@TCHDHealth preparing "stay-at-home" order similar, but not identical, to Denver. Difference will be that Denver's order expires on April 10 while TCHD order will go until April 17. Details of final order still being drafted. Expected to go into effect at 8 am on Thursday. — AuroraMayorMike (@AuroraMayorMike) March 25, 2020
The Tri-County order would encompass a 3,000-square-mile area including 26 municipalities.
Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman, whose city is in the Tri-County network, said Tuesday night on Twitter that he expects the upcoming order to be “similar” to Denver’s, “but not identical.”
Coffman said he expects the Tri-County order to go into effect at 8 a.m. Thursday and that it will likely run until April 17. Denver’s order is set to expire on April 10, it could, however, be extended.
Tri-County Health held a COVID-19 telephone town hall meeting on Tuesday night.
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