thedenverpost--2020-04-27--Colorado health officials issue new, detailed standards for reopening the state

Colorado officials issued new , detailed guidelines for how the state should operate Monday as it moves into the second phase of its response to the coronavirus pandemic following the expiration of a statewide stay-at-home order .
A 34-page order from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment sets standards for businesses and retailers as they reopen , urges ongoing precautions for individuals , allows some college and vocational classes to resume in person , and establishes some protections for vulnerable workers who can not safely physically return to their workplaces .
The order , which took effect at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t released publicly until the afternoon — will last until May 26 .
It sets specific standards for different industries and activities .
The reopening guidelines and rules do not apply in places where local health orders are more restrictive , including Denver , Adams , Pitkin , Arapahoe , Jefferson and Boulder counties .
Those counties have extended their stay-at-home orders until May 8 .
Gov .
Jared Polis said Monday that the state at large was ready to move on from the stay-at-home order because both new cases of COVID-19 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not spreading as quickly as it was previously , he said .
“ We no longer have the alarming exponential spread we had a month ago , ” he said .
He cited data that shows people with coronavirus are spreading it to slightly more than one person each , on average , versus more than three people just a month or so ago .
But he emphasized that the second phase of the response would not be a return to normal life and said the coronavirus still presented significant danger to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This is not any kind of ‘ mission accomplished ’ moment , ” he said .
“ It just means we avoided a catastrophe .
We ’ ve avoided a breach of our healthcare system , we ’ ve avoided mass loss because we didn ’ t have enough medical capacity , but we are far from back to normal .
In fact , we need to continue even more so to be vigilant , to wear masks when we are outside and in public , so we can move safely through this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus cases Monday — although officials believe the actual number of infections is much higher — and 776 people were currently hospitalized with COVID-19 , the respiratory illness it causes .
By Monday , 706 people in Colorado had died after contracting the novel coronavirus .
Under the new public health order , restaurants , bars , gyms , movie theaters , concert halls , casinos and off-track betting facilities will remain closed .
Restaurants and bars can continue to offer take-out and delivery only .
Retail shops can open for curbside delivery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with strict social distancing and precautions in place for employees , including face coverings and gloves .
But shops are encouraged to continue curbside pickup for as long as possible .
Services done outside of offices , such as real estate showings , can restart , as can elective or voluntarily medical procedures .
Personal services , like hair salons and massage parlors , can open Friday , so long as the provider and the customer wear masks , no more than 10 people are in the business , and the location @ @ @ @ @ @ @ total occupancy .
Services that require a person to remove his or her mask can not be performed , according to the order .
Office-based businesses can allow 50 % of their employees to work in person beginning May 4 , but with restrictions , including posting signs about healthy practices , establishing social distancing , limiting meetings to fewer than 10 people , and screening employees for fever or other COVID-19 symptoms .
Employers with more than 50 people working in any one location must also implement cleaning and disinfection of their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ areas to stop employees from gathering in larger groups .
Employers must also provide “ reasonable work accommodations ” for employees who face a more severe risk from the novel coronavirus , including those over the age of 65 and those with underlying health conditions .
The order encourages employers to allow such workers to telecommute .
Vulnerable workers can not be compelled to go to work during the pandemic , the order says .
Elementary , middle and high schools will continue with remote learning , but colleges , universities and vocational @ @ @ @ @ @ @ learning that can ’ t be done remotely .
Institutions must allow students to opt-out of in-person classes and must follow social distancing guidelines .
Besides maintaining more stringent rules , local governments can seek variances from the state to allow for fewer restrictions than detailed in the statewide order .
Variances will be granted if the localities can show they have a low number of new cases per day or are seeing a 14-day downward trend , along with sign-off from local hospitals and officials .
They must have an early warning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quickly as they emerge , Polis said .
Eagle County has received such a waiver , and Polis said another was forthcoming for the Western Slope ’ s Mesa County .
A Weld County official last week said any business in the county could reopen Monday , with social distancing .
But Polis said any such reopenings would be illegal , and said Weld County is a hotspot for the virus that has not met the criteria for reopening .
Those who violate the new public health order could face fines or even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Monday that there would be greater enforcement of the new public health order than there had been of the stay-at-home order , particularly for businesses and employers .
Businesses that violate the order will be issued cease-and-desist letters and could have their licenses revoked , Polis said .
“ We are moving from a phase of safe at home , where there was no real enforcement of the stay-at-home order — people were not arrested and charged when they were out and about in their neighborhoods — to a phase where enforcement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ At the county level , if needed , but also at the business level.
” Although Polis emphasized Monday that each county and locality within the state is facing a slightly different situation with the pandemic , and that locals should have the flexibility to respond accordingly , he also joined the governors of California , Oregon , Washington and Nevada in the Western States Pact to create a regional approach to battling the novel coronavirus .
The pact of like-minded Democratic governors is intended to help the states slow the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In Colorado , if residents fail to follow the new social distancing guidelines , or if the state sees a large uptick in new cases , officials could tighten the restrictions or reissue a stay-at-home order , Polis said .
“ The bottom line is , our state is counting on us to be smart to save lives and livelihoods , ” he said .

Colorado officials issued new, detailed guidelines for how the state should operate Monday as it moves into the second phase of its response to the coronavirus pandemic following the expiration of a statewide stay-at-home order.
A 34-page order from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment sets standards for businesses and retailers as they reopen, urges ongoing precautions for individuals, allows some college and vocational classes to resume in person, and establishes some protections for vulnerable workers who cannot safely physically return to their workplaces.
The order, which took effect at 6 a.m. Monday — but wasn’t released publicly until the afternoon — will last until May 26. It sets specific standards for different industries and activities.
The reopening guidelines and rules do not apply in places where local health orders are more restrictive, including Denver, Adams, Pitkin, Arapahoe, Jefferson and Boulder counties. Those counties have extended their stay-at-home orders until May 8.
Gov. Jared Polis said Monday that the state at large was ready to move on from the stay-at-home order because both new cases of COVID-19 and hospitalizations were trending down. The virus is not spreading as quickly as it was previously, he said.
“We no longer have the alarming exponential spread we had a month ago,” he said. He cited data that shows people with coronavirus are spreading it to slightly more than one person each, on average, versus more than three people just a month or so ago.
But he emphasized that the second phase of the response would not be a return to normal life and said the coronavirus still presented significant danger to Colorado residents, requiring caution.
“This is not any kind of ‘mission accomplished’ moment,” he said. “It just means we avoided a catastrophe. We’ve avoided a breach of our healthcare system, we’ve avoided mass loss because we didn’t have enough medical capacity, but we are far from back to normal. In fact, we need to continue even more so to be vigilant, to wear masks when we are outside and in public, so we can move safely through this next phase.”
Colorado had 13,879 confirmed coronavirus cases Monday — although officials believe the actual number of infections is much higher — and 776 people were currently hospitalized with COVID-19, the respiratory illness it causes. By Monday, 706 people in Colorado had died after contracting the novel coronavirus.
Under the new public health order, restaurants, bars, gyms, movie theaters, concert halls, casinos and off-track betting facilities will remain closed. Restaurants and bars can continue to offer take-out and delivery only.
Retail shops can open for curbside delivery now and to in-store customers starting Friday, with strict social distancing and precautions in place for employees, including face coverings and gloves. But shops are encouraged to continue curbside pickup for as long as possible. Services done outside of offices, such as real estate showings, can restart, as can elective or voluntarily medical procedures.
Personal services, like hair salons and massage parlors, can open Friday, so long as the provider and the customer wear masks, no more than 10 people are in the business, and the location is not above 50% of its total occupancy. Services that require a person to remove his or her mask cannot be performed, according to the order.
Office-based businesses can allow 50% of their employees to work in person beginning May 4, but with restrictions, including posting signs about healthy practices, establishing social distancing, limiting meetings to fewer than 10 people, and screening employees for fever or other COVID-19 symptoms.
Employers with more than 50 people working in any one location must also implement cleaning and disinfection of their facilities. They also must close common areas to stop employees from gathering in larger groups.
Employers must also provide “reasonable work accommodations” for employees who face a more severe risk from the novel coronavirus, including those over the age of 65 and those with underlying health conditions. The order encourages employers to allow such workers to telecommute. Vulnerable workers cannot be compelled to go to work during the pandemic, the order says.
Elementary, middle and high schools will continue with remote learning, but colleges, universities and vocational schools now can hold in-person classes for learning that can’t be done remotely. Institutions must allow students to opt-out of in-person classes and must follow social distancing guidelines.
Besides maintaining more stringent rules, local governments can seek variances from the state to allow for fewer restrictions than detailed in the statewide order. Variances will be granted if the localities can show they have a low number of new cases per day or are seeing a 14-day downward trend, along with sign-off from local hospitals and officials. They must have an early warning system in place to identify new patients quickly as they emerge, Polis said.
Eagle County has received such a waiver, and Polis said another was forthcoming for the Western Slope’s Mesa County.
A Weld County official last week said any business in the county could reopen Monday, with social distancing. But Polis said any such reopenings would be illegal, and said Weld County is a hotspot for the virus that has not met the criteria for reopening.
Those who violate the new public health order could face fines or even jail time for recurring violations.
Polis said Monday that there would be greater enforcement of the new public health order than there had been of the stay-at-home order, particularly for businesses and employers. Businesses that violate the order will be issued cease-and-desist letters and could have their licenses revoked, Polis said.
“We are moving from a phase of safe at home, where there was no real enforcement of the stay-at-home order — people were not arrested and charged when they were out and about in their neighborhoods — to a phase where enforcement is absolutely critical,” he said. “At the county level, if needed, but also at the business level.”
Although Polis emphasized Monday that each county and locality within the state is facing a slightly different situation with the pandemic, and that locals should have the flexibility to respond accordingly, he also joined the governors of California, Oregon, Washington and Nevada in the Western States Pact to create a regional approach to battling the novel coronavirus.
The pact of like-minded Democratic governors is intended to help the states slow the spread of COVID-19 across state lines.
In Colorado, if residents fail to follow the new social distancing guidelines, or if the state sees a large uptick in new cases, officials could tighten the restrictions or reissue a stay-at-home order, Polis said.
“The bottom line is, our state is counting on us to be smart to save lives and livelihoods,” he said.
Staff writer Jon Murray contributed to this story.


thedenverpost--2020-04-28--Weather: Fire warning posted for southwest Colorado, Denver high temps in 80s by Thursday

Sunny , dry and windy weather is elevating fire danger across southwestern Colorado as well as areas of the foothills and on the Eastern Plains .
A red flag fire warning was posted by the National Weather Service for Tuesday afternoon and evening for widespread areas in southwestern Colorado including Cortez , Durango , Pagosa Springs and Alamosa .
Strong winds , up to 30 mph , and relative humidity in the 10 % to 15 % range are among factors driving the warning .
The high temperature in Cortez on Tuesday is expected to be 79 degrees .
Fire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Park County , across the foothills and in parts of the Eastern Plains because of gusty northwest winds and low humidity , the weather service said .
Any open burning should be delayed until Wednesday when winds calm down .
Agricultural burns are discouraged on Tuesday as a safety precaution .
In Denver , skies will be sunny Tuesday as the high temperature hits 72 degrees .
Northwest winds will increase as the day progresses , with gusts up to 28 mph , according to the weather service .
On Wednesday sunny skies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at 77 .
Thursday and Friday in Denver will be unseasonably warm with high temperatures in the mid to upper 80s approaching record readings .
A chance of showers and thunderstorms return to the Denver forecast this weekend .

Sunny, dry and windy weather is elevating fire danger across southwestern Colorado as well as areas of the foothills and on the Eastern Plains.
A red flag fire warning was posted by the National Weather Service for Tuesday afternoon and evening for widespread areas in southwestern Colorado including Cortez, Durango, Pagosa Springs and Alamosa.
Strong winds, up to 30 mph, and relative humidity in the 10% to 15% range are among factors driving the warning. The high temperature in Cortez on Tuesday is expected to be 79 degrees.
Fire danger is also a concern Tuesday in Park County, across the foothills and in parts of the Eastern Plains because of gusty northwest winds and low humidity, the weather service said. Any open burning should be delayed until Wednesday when winds calm down. Agricultural burns are discouraged on Tuesday as a safety precaution.
In Denver, skies will be sunny Tuesday as the high temperature hits 72 degrees. Northwest winds will increase as the day progresses, with gusts up to 28 mph, according to the weather service. On Wednesday sunny skies continue as the high temperature tops out at 77.
Thursday and Friday in Denver will be unseasonably warm with high temperatures in the mid to upper 80s approaching record readings.
A chance of showers and thunderstorms return to the Denver forecast this weekend.


thedenverpost--2020-04-28--How the Broncos’ Super Bowl LV odds look after the 2020 NFL draft

Entering the NFL draft on Thursday , the Broncos were listed as having the 24th-best odds to win Super Bowl LV at 66-to-1 , according to Bovada .
After draft weekend , the oddsmaker gave Denver a little boost on Sunday , lifting them two spots to 45/1 odds .
The Chiefs , previously the favorites at 11/2 , fell slightly into a tied with Baltimore , who improved to 13/2 .
Cincinnati , Jacksonville and Washington remained in a tie in the basement , but improved from 150/1 to 100/1 odds .
If you enjoy the Denver Sports Omelette @ @ @ @ @ @ @ easy to sign up here for our daily sports roundup .
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Newman vs. Keeler : Have the Broncos done enough to grab one of those extra AFC playoff spots ?
No matter how you slice it , the Broncos got better , top to bottom .
This might be the franchise ’ s most athletic draft class of recent vintage , with a number of good-value grabs that had national pundits raving about John Elway @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Denver tennis community hit hard by coronavirus pandemic : “ It set us back several years ” When the stay-at-home order failed to keep them out , the city posted no-trespassing signs .
After those went ignored , park officials padlocked entry gates on all public city courts .
Try again .
Read more… NBA targets May 8 for earliest individual player workouts at team facilities The earliest individual player workouts at their respective team facilities can take place is May 8 , the NBA announced , as stay-at-home orders issued by state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The league had previously set a goal of May 1 .
Read more… + DU Pioneers lose another player to an NHL contract + Analyzing MLB ’ s potential plans to save the 2020 season during the coronavirus + How the national media graded the Denver Broncos ’ NFL draft : High marks from everyone but Mel Kiper Jr. + Vail Resorts provides credit to season pass holders for lost days due to coronavirus outbreak + Running industry walloped by COVID-19 , and it may take years to recover + Denver agent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ player exception ” proposal would help teams hang on to superstars If you see something that ’ s cause for question or have a comment , thought or suggestion , email me at dboniface @ denverpost.com or tweet me @ danielboniface .

Entering the NFL draft on Thursday, the Broncos were listed as having the 24th-best odds to win Super Bowl LV at 66-to-1, according to Bovada.
After draft weekend, the oddsmaker gave Denver a little boost on Sunday, lifting them two spots to 45/1 odds.
The Chiefs, previously the favorites at 11/2, fell slightly into a tied with Baltimore, who improved to 13/2.
Cincinnati, Jacksonville and Washington remained in a tie in the basement, but improved from 150/1 to 100/1 odds.
— Joe Nguyen, The Denver Post
If you enjoy the Denver Sports Omelette, tell a friend it’s easy to sign up here for our daily sports roundup. If you have any questions or suggestions, hit me up on Twitter @joenguyen or by email.
A special offer for Sports Omelette readers! Subscribe to The Denver Post’s sports coverage for just 99¢ for the first month and only $6.99/month thereafter. Cancel anytime.
Ask The Experts
+ Broncos Mailbag: Have a question about the team? Ask Ryan O’Halloran here.
+ Nuggets Mailbag: Have a question about the team? Ask Mike Singer here.
+ Avs Mailbag: Have a question about the team? Ask Mike Chambers here.
+ Rockies Mailbag: Have a question about the team? Ask Patrick Saunders here.
Must-Read
No matter how you slice it, the Broncos got better, top to bottom. This might be the franchise’s most athletic draft class of recent vintage, with a number of good-value grabs that had national pundits raving about John Elway’s 2020 haul. Read more…
When the stay-at-home order failed to keep them out, the city posted no-trespassing signs. After those went ignored, park officials padlocked entry gates on all public city courts. Try again. Read more…
The earliest individual player workouts at their respective team facilities can take place is May 8, the NBA announced, as stay-at-home orders issued by state governments are slowly relaxed across the nation. The league had previously set a goal of May 1. Read more…
Quick Hits
+ DU Pioneers lose another player to an NHL contract
+ Analyzing MLB’s potential plans to save the 2020 season during the coronavirus
+ How the national media graded the Denver Broncos’ NFL draft: High marks from everyone but Mel Kiper Jr.
+ Vail Resorts provides credit to season pass holders for lost days due to coronavirus outbreak
+ Broncos waive four players as virtual offseason begins
+ Running industry walloped by COVID-19, and it may take years to recover
+ Denver agent Kurt Overhardt’s voluntary NHL “player exception” proposal would help teams hang on to superstars
Get in Touch
If you see something that’s cause for question or have a comment, thought or suggestion, email me at dboniface@denverpost.com or tweet me @danielboniface.


thedenverpost--2020-04-28--Businesses creak to life as Colorado’s stay-at-home order lifts

CASTLE ROCK — Glimmers of normal life twinkled ever so faintly in parts of Colorado on Monday as the state became one of the first in the country to lift its stay-at-home order .
Douglas County was among the majority of Colorado ’ s 64 counties that shifted to Gov .
Jared Polis ’ less constricting “ safer at home ” approach , a move meant to provide a spark to businesses suffering brutal financial effects from the coronavirus-induced shutdown .
Denver and some suburban counties still have local stay-at-home orders in place , while two mountain counties received waivers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plan .
In the Douglas County town of Castle Rock , some shops began offering curbside pickup of goods while roads and highways , still carrying nowhere near the white-knuckle volume familiar to rush-hour metro area drivers , no longer resembled the almost empty thoroughfares of the last few weeks .
In addition to curbside pickup , surgeries and real estate showings were also allowed to resume Monday .
In-person shopping can resume Friday , with social distancing restrictions .
“ Our customers are ready for it — they ’ ve been asking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Elizabeth Villwock , manager of The Emporium in downtown Castle Rock .
The Emporium , which houses a collection of 60 or so small merchants selling clothes , antiques and furnishings , had been closed since Polis ordered nonessential businesses to go dark on March 26 as part of an effort keep people from spreading the deadly virus that has killed more than 700 in Colorado so far .
Villwock said her Perry Street business has stayed alive by delivering orders to customers , but the drop in revenues during the shutdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every member of her 20-employee staff has been furloughed .
She said there had already been around 30 curbside pickups by mid-afternoon Monday .
A couple of miles away , the Outlets at Castle Rock was far from normal .
The entrance to the shopping center was strictly controlled by security guards , and a sign for curbside pickup was posted near the entrance , informing shoppers to call or text the store for their orders .
Only two stores out of more than 100 at the Outlets has been allowed to provide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s a little bizarre , ” said Gillian Hode , who manages Uniform Destination , which is considered an essential business because it sells medical clothing .
“ Every day , we ’ re taking it day by day.
” As dental offices and other health care providers get ready to reopen , Hode said her store has been getting more orders for scrubs and equipment in recent days .
But the promenade outside her store , normally bustling with shoppers moving from store to store , was bereft of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who manages the nearby Vitamin World store , said he ’ s getting maybe two customer walk-ins a day .
He said he ’ s ready for shoppers to once again get the chance to patronize Colorado retail outlets starting Friday — part of a phased and strictly controlled reopening of businesses per the governor ’ s “ safer at home ” executive order .
Restaurants will remain closed to dine-in service for the time being .
“ I say there is no choice but to dip our toe back in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The virus isn ’ t going anywhere , but our paychecks are.
” Douglas County did not follow the decision of Denver and most of its neighboring counties to stay with the stricter stay-at-home protocol until May 8 , although most are allowing exceptions for retail curbside pickup service .
Shoppers in Jefferson , Adams , Broomfield , Denver , Boulder and Arapahoe counties will have to wait a week and a half before venturing back into shops .
Douglas County Commissioner Abe Laydon said his county is comfortable with the state guidance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the county to reopen — with strict social distancing measures in place — at the end of the week .
“ We are every day — all day — looking at the metrics , ” he said .
“ Compared to our neighbors , we ’ re doing really well.
” According to the latest data from Tri-County Health Department , Douglas County has 451 cases of COVID-19 , the respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus , and 21 deaths .
That ’ s about a quarter of the deaths that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ twice as populous as its southern neighbor .
Laydon said the county will reassess and change course if caseloads spike , but that damage from the virus itself has to be balanced with the damage the response to the virus has already caused .
“ Our businesses are on life support — they need to see a light at the end of the tunnel , ” he said .

CASTLE ROCK — Glimmers of normal life twinkled ever so faintly in parts of Colorado on Monday as the state became one of the first in the country to lift its stay-at-home order.
Douglas County was among the majority of Colorado’s 64 counties that shifted to Gov. Jared Polis’ less constricting “safer at home” approach, a move meant to provide a spark to businesses suffering brutal financial effects from the coronavirus-induced shutdown. Denver and some suburban counties still have local stay-at-home orders in place, while two mountain counties received waivers to loosen their restrictions beyond the statewide plan.
In the Douglas County town of Castle Rock, some shops began offering curbside pickup of goods while roads and highways, still carrying nowhere near the white-knuckle volume familiar to rush-hour metro area drivers, no longer resembled the almost empty thoroughfares of the last few weeks.
In addition to curbside pickup, surgeries and real estate showings were also allowed to resume Monday. In-person shopping can resume Friday, with social distancing restrictions.
“Our customers are ready for it — they’ve been asking when they can shop again,” said Elizabeth Villwock, manager of The Emporium in downtown Castle Rock.
The Emporium, which houses a collection of 60 or so small merchants selling clothes, antiques and furnishings, had been closed since Polis ordered nonessential businesses to go dark on March 26 as part of an effort keep people from spreading the deadly virus that has killed more than 700 in Colorado so far.
Villwock said her Perry Street business has stayed alive by delivering orders to customers, but the drop in revenues during the shutdown has been “devastating” and almost every member of her 20-employee staff has been furloughed. She said there had already been around 30 curbside pickups by mid-afternoon Monday.
A couple of miles away, the Outlets at Castle Rock was far from normal. The entrance to the shopping center was strictly controlled by security guards, and a sign for curbside pickup was posted near the entrance, informing shoppers to call or text the store for their orders. Only two stores out of more than 100 at the Outlets has been allowed to provide in-person service during the shutdown.
Curbside pickup for retail stores commenced today at the Outlets at Castle Rock after Colorado’s stay at home order expired, but things are still far from getting back to normal. #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/DszUXRbCq0 — John Aguilar (@abuvthefold) April 27, 2020
“It’s a little bizarre,” said Gillian Hode, who manages Uniform Destination, which is considered an essential business because it sells medical clothing. “Every day, we’re taking it day by day.”
As dental offices and other health care providers get ready to reopen, Hode said her store has been getting more orders for scrubs and equipment in recent days. But the promenade outside her store, normally bustling with shoppers moving from store to store, was bereft of a single shopper Monday afternoon.
Pindrop quiet at Castle Rock’s Outlet stores, as most businesses remain shuttered despite start of curbside pickup today #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/2ZaO8qBJVk — John Aguilar (@abuvthefold) April 27, 2020
William Crawford, who manages the nearby Vitamin World store, said he’s getting maybe two customer walk-ins a day. He said he’s ready for shoppers to once again get the chance to patronize Colorado retail outlets starting Friday — part of a phased and strictly controlled reopening of businesses per the governor’s “safer at home” executive order.
Restaurants will remain closed to dine-in service for the time being.
“I say there is no choice but to dip our toe back in the water,” Crawford said. “The virus isn’t going anywhere, but our paychecks are.”
Douglas County did not follow the decision of Denver and most of its neighboring counties to stay with the stricter stay-at-home protocol until May 8, although most are allowing exceptions for retail curbside pickup service. Shoppers in Jefferson, Adams, Broomfield, Denver, Boulder and Arapahoe counties will have to wait a week and a half before venturing back into shops.
Douglas County Commissioner Abe Laydon said his county is comfortable with the state guidance on in-person shopping and will permit businesses in the county to reopen — with strict social distancing measures in place — at the end of the week.
“We are every day — all day — looking at the metrics,” he said. “Compared to our neighbors, we’re doing really well.”
According to the latest data from Tri-County Health Department, Douglas County has 451 cases of COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus, and 21 deaths. That’s about a quarter of the deaths that Arapahoe County has, despite Arapahoe being twice as populous as its southern neighbor.
Laydon said the county will reassess and change course if caseloads spike, but that damage from the virus itself has to be balanced with the damage the response to the virus has already caused.
“Our businesses are on life support — they need to see a light at the end of the tunnel,” he said.


thedenverpost--2020-04-28--Colorado governor says you still can’t go to the mountains during new “safer at home” phase

As Colorado slowly starts to reopen during the “ safer at home ” phase of the coronavirus response , it ’ s natural to start wondering what this means for outdoor recreation .
Surely we can head up to the mountains again , right ?
Unfortunately , the answer is still no .
In fact , the governor doesn ’ t even want you recreating more than 10 miles away from your home .
“ I know the weather ’ s nice , but the coronavirus doesn ’ t care about the weather , ” Gov .
Jared Polis said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ It cares about physical proximity and we need to make sure we stay safe.
” Along with encouraging people to stay away from the mountains , Polis also reminded folks to stay at least 6 feet from others and to wear masks .
“ Colorado is beautiful , that ’ s why we live here , ” Polis said .
“ But our mountains and our rivers and forests will be here long after coronavirus .
Long after any of us .
So give it a break and we look forward to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recreation opportunities in the future.
” Subscribe to our weekly newsletter , The Adventurist , to get outdoors news sent straight to your inbox .

As Colorado slowly starts to reopen during the “safer at home” phase of the coronavirus response, it’s natural to start wondering what this means for outdoor recreation.
Surely we can head up to the mountains again, right? Unfortunately, the answer is still no. In fact, the governor doesn’t even want you recreating more than 10 miles away from your home.
“I know the weather’s nice, but the coronavirus doesn’t care about the weather,” Gov. Jared Polis said during a press conference on Friday. “It cares about physical proximity and we need to make sure we stay safe.”
Along with encouraging people to stay away from the mountains, Polis also reminded folks to stay at least 6 feet from others and to wear masks.
“Colorado is beautiful, that’s why we live here,” Polis said. “But our mountains and our rivers and forests will be here long after coronavirus. Long after any of us. So give it a break and we look forward to being able to have more of those recreation opportunities in the future.”
Subscribe to our weekly newsletter, The Adventurist, to get outdoors news sent straight to your inbox.


thedenverpost--2020-04-28--Denver Water just delivered a pitcher to my home. Why, and what do I do with it?

Water filter pitchers have started to arrive at Denver homes , and tens of thousands more families will receive them in coming months .
Here ’ s why and what residents should do with their new pitchers .
Denver Water recently launched a 15-year plan to replace all lead service pipes connecting homes to water mains , estimating that up to 84,000 homes receive water through lead pipes .
Over the next decade and a half the utility plans to replace those service lines one by one , but in the meantime it will distribute water filters to more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ It ’ ll go into the summer before we get them all out and distributed , ” said Travis Thompson , a Denver Water spokesperson .
The pitchers have nothing to do with the novel coronavirus pandemic , Thompson said .
They should be used for any water that will be consumed in any way , he said , from making drinks like coffee , tea and lemonade to preparing food such as baby formula , pasta , beans and rice .
And , of course , drinking water should be filtered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lines can contain levels of the heavy metal , which has been linked to developmental disabilities and other long-term health problems .
Each pitcher will come with a set of instructions that should be followed closely , Thompson said .
Every six months Denver water will send out replacement cartridges for the filters .
Those deliveries will continue until lead service lines are replaced , and the filters should continue to be used for an additional six months after service lines are replaced .
Residents will know when their service lines are replaced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ll be working with you pretty closely at that point , ” he said .
Additional information on the replacement project and which homes will receive filters is available at denverwater.org/lead .

Water filter pitchers have started to arrive at Denver homes, and tens of thousands more families will receive them in coming months.
Here’s why and what residents should do with their new pitchers.
Denver Water recently launched a 15-year plan to replace all lead service pipes connecting homes to water mains, estimating that up to 84,000 homes receive water through lead pipes. Over the next decade and a half the utility plans to replace those service lines one by one, but in the meantime it will distribute water filters to more than 100,000 homes as a safety precaution.
“It’ll go into the summer before we get them all out and distributed,” said Travis Thompson, a Denver Water spokesperson.
The pitchers have nothing to do with the novel coronavirus pandemic, Thompson said.
They should be used for any water that will be consumed in any way, he said, from making drinks like coffee, tea and lemonade to preparing food such as baby formula, pasta, beans and rice. And, of course, drinking water should be filtered.
Water in homes with lead service lines can contain levels of the heavy metal, which has been linked to developmental disabilities and other long-term health problems.
Each pitcher will come with a set of instructions that should be followed closely, Thompson said.
Every six months Denver water will send out replacement cartridges for the filters. Those deliveries will continue until lead service lines are replaced, and the filters should continue to be used for an additional six months after service lines are replaced.
Residents will know when their service lines are replaced, Thompson said.
“We’ll be working with you pretty closely at that point,” he said.
Additional information on the replacement project and which homes will receive filters is available at denverwater.org/lead.


thedenverpost--2020-04-28--Metro Denver apartment rents were on the rise before pandemic

Metro Denver ’ s apartment market was fairly balanced heading into the pandemic , with rents rising and supply increasing .
Given that nearly 280,000 workers have sought unemployment assistance in the state since mid-March , when it refinds its balance is a whole other question .
Average rents during the first quarter in metro Denver increased 2.2 % to $ 1,536 , a $ 33 a month increase , according to a quarterly survey from the Apartment Association of Metro Denver .
The apartment vacancy rate rose to 5.9 % in the first quarter , up from 5.3 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 21,300 empty apartments , according to the survey , which is conducted by the University of Denver ’ s Daniels College of Business and Colorado Economic Management Associates and sponsored by the Colorado Division of Housing .
“ The most important lens through which to view this quarter ’ s report is that the data was collected through March 11 , ” Mark Williams , executive vice president of the Apartment Association , said in the report .
“ This means the data is not reflective of the coronavirus and its subsequent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first quarter are normal , given that landlords and property managers raise rents at the start of a new year , said Teo Nicolais , a Harvard Extension School Instructor specializing in real estate , in the report .
Often those increases are accompanied by concessions or rent breaks .
Concessions averaged $ 88 in the first quarter , their second-highest level in 10 years .
For the last several years , property managers have focused on recruiting tenants to fill empty new apartments or homes .
For the past month , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and setting up payment plans for those who have lost income .
Next month and in the months to follow , they will likely focus on trying to keep units and homes from going empty .
“ We are trying to protect against vacancies , ” said Ryan Boykin , co-founder of Denver-based Atlas Real Estate , which provides property management and brokerage services , on a webinar last week .
“ I ’ m very curious about what May looks like.
” A big question the pandemic has generated is to what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Last year , the metro Denver market absorbed 10,829 new apartments , down from 13,708 in 2018 and the lowest number in four years .
More than 275 apartment communities representing 22,700 new units are under construction in metro Denver .
About 7,500 of those apartments are expected to be completed this year , assuming construction schedules hold up .
“ How quickly those units are built and then absorbed will be a huge indicator of how durable the apartment market is in Denver , ” Williams said .

Metro Denver’s apartment market was fairly balanced heading into the pandemic, with rents rising and supply increasing. Given that nearly 280,000 workers have sought unemployment assistance in the state since mid-March, when it refinds its balance is a whole other question.
Average rents during the first quarter in metro Denver increased 2.2% to $1,536, a $33 a month increase, according to a quarterly survey from the Apartment Association of Metro Denver.
The apartment vacancy rate rose to 5.9% in the first quarter, up from 5.3% in the fourth. That works out to 21,300 empty apartments, according to the survey, which is conducted by the University of Denver’s Daniels College of Business and Colorado Economic Management Associates and sponsored by the Colorado Division of Housing.
“The most important lens through which to view this quarter’s report is that the data was collected through March 11,” Mark Williams, executive vice president of the Apartment Association, said in the report. “This means the data is not reflective of the coronavirus and its subsequent economic impact.”
Rent increases in the first quarter are normal, given that landlords and property managers raise rents at the start of a new year, said Teo Nicolais, a Harvard Extension School Instructor specializing in real estate, in the report.
Often those increases are accompanied by concessions or rent breaks. Concessions averaged $88 in the first quarter, their second-highest level in 10 years.
For the last several years, property managers have focused on recruiting tenants to fill empty new apartments or homes. For the past month, they have focused on reaching out to tenants and setting up payment plans for those who have lost income. Next month and in the months to follow, they will likely focus on trying to keep units and homes from going empty.
“We are trying to protect against vacancies,” said Ryan Boykin, co-founder of Denver-based Atlas Real Estate, which provides property management and brokerage services, on a webinar last week. “I’m very curious about what May looks like.”
A big question the pandemic has generated is to what degree will developers keep pulling back. Last year, the metro Denver market absorbed 10,829 new apartments, down from 13,708 in 2018 and the lowest number in four years.
More than 275 apartment communities representing 22,700 new units are under construction in metro Denver. About 7,500 of those apartments are expected to be completed this year, assuming construction schedules hold up.
“How quickly those units are built and then absorbed will be a huge indicator of how durable the apartment market is in Denver,” Williams said.


thedenverpost--2020-04-28--Denver muralist goes smaller to help friends in a big way during coronavirus pandemic

Artist Patrick Kane McGregor is known for the large , colorful murals he paints on buildings around Denver , but these days he ’ s producing smaller versions of his work to help friends in the restaurant business during the coronavirus crisis .
McGregor is working with Jon and Lindsey Lamb , who own Like Minded Productions in the River North Art District , on the project .
The Lambs are producing posters of McGregor ’ s work .
Proceeds from the sales are going to the employees of some of the businesses that hired McGregor to create art for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the artist began painting in his photo-realistic style on the boarded-up windows of restaurants and other businesses that have closed or curtailed service as part of the statewide restrictions to curb the spread of COVID-19 .
Pony Up , a restaurant and bar near Coors Field , asked him to paint something on the plywood covering the windows .
“ I was painting the window and they were doing an outreach to all the industry people , giving them meals and I thought that was really cool , ” McGregor said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ I do to help ? '
” He painted a dog wearing a mask on the plywood .
McGregor then decided to make prints of a painting he had done years earlier of the owners ’ dog , dressed up to look like a Renaissance-era portrait .
He said he wanted to give the money from sales of the prints to the Pony Up employees .
The Lambs at the Like Minded Productions are working with others in the art community to help during the coronavirus-related business shut-downs .
Jon Lamb said his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for prints and is passing on the savings to artists .
The shop is also printing the first proof for artists for free .
“ We ’ ve seen a lot of success stories .
Our website traffic is up over 4,000 % over the last 30 days , ” Lamb said .
McGregor ’ s prints are among those for sale on Like Minded ’ s site .
They include paintings he did for Meadowlark Kitchen and Atomic Cowboy on South Broadway .
One is a print of a painting McGregor did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for .
The other is a mural of Albert Einstein writing the words “ Question everything.
” While the prints are selling , McGregor said he has lost some work , including an $ 8,000 job .
He said a lot of the outdoor work is on hold .
“ I have a lot of portraits I ’ ve been working on at home that people still want , ” he said .
“ Those commissions are still coming in.
” McGregor , a Wheat Ridge native , said he has always drawn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ making displays at Tower Records when he was living in the San Francisco area .
He started painting murals after seeing an artist paint an advertisement on a building in Portland , Ore. McGregor still free lances for an outdoor advertising company he worked for in New York .
“ They give me the freedom to do my own art .
I kind of pick which jobs I want to do , ” McGregor said .
“ They ’ ll fly me anywhere between ( Los Angeles ) and New York.
” McGregor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bulldog Bouguereau .
The dog , who died three years ago , was named after McGregor ’ s favorite artist , William-Adolphe Bouguereau .
“ As I started to have a presence in the art world , one of my fellow artists told me I needed a gimmick .
I needed something that people know me by .
I went , ‘ It will probably be dog portraits because I like dogs more than most people.
’ The camaraderie and the love that a human has for a dog , it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ And I feel like it puts smiles on people ’ s faces .
”

Artist Patrick Kane McGregor is known for the large, colorful murals he paints on buildings around Denver, but these days he’s producing smaller versions of his work to help friends in the restaurant business during the coronavirus crisis.
McGregor is working with Jon and Lindsey Lamb, who own Like Minded Productions in the River North Art District, on the project. The Lambs are producing posters of McGregor’s work. Proceeds from the sales are going to the employees of some of the businesses that hired McGregor to create art for their buildings.
The plan took shape as the artist began painting in his photo-realistic style on the boarded-up windows of restaurants and other businesses that have closed or curtailed service as part of the statewide restrictions to curb the spread of COVID-19. Pony Up, a restaurant and bar near Coors Field, asked him to paint something on the plywood covering the windows.
“I was painting the window and they were doing an outreach to all the industry people, giving them meals and I thought that was really cool,” McGregor said. “I thought, ‘What could I do to help?'”
He painted a dog wearing a mask on the plywood. McGregor then decided to make prints of a painting he had done years earlier of the owners’ dog, dressed up to look like a Renaissance-era portrait. He said he wanted to give the money from sales of the prints to the Pony Up employees.
The Lambs at the Like Minded Productions are working with others in the art community to help during the coronavirus-related business shut-downs. Jon Lamb said his shop got a discount on high-quality paper for prints and is passing on the savings to artists. The shop is also printing the first proof for artists for free.
“We’ve seen a lot of success stories. Our website traffic is up over 4,000% over the last 30 days,” Lamb said.
McGregor’s prints are among those for sale on Like Minded’s site. They include paintings he did for Meadowlark Kitchen and Atomic Cowboy on South Broadway. One is a print of a painting McGregor did of the hamburger that Meadowlark is known for. The other is a mural of Albert Einstein writing the words “Question everything.”
While the prints are selling, McGregor said he has lost some work, including an $8,000 job. He said a lot of the outdoor work is on hold.
“I have a lot of portraits I’ve been working on at home that people still want,” he said. “Those commissions are still coming in.”
McGregor, a Wheat Ridge native, said he has always drawn. He got his first art job making displays at Tower Records when he was living in the San Francisco area. He started painting murals after seeing an artist paint an advertisement on a building in Portland, Ore. McGregor still free lances for an outdoor advertising company he worked for in New York.
“They give me the freedom to do my own art. I kind of pick which jobs I want to do,” McGregor said. “They’ll fly me anywhere between (Los Angeles) and New York.”
McGregor’s signature subject is his late bulldog Bouguereau. The dog, who died three years ago, was named after McGregor’s favorite artist, William-Adolphe Bouguereau.
“As I started to have a presence in the art world, one of my fellow artists told me I needed a gimmick. I needed something that people know me by. I went, ‘It will probably be dog portraits because I like dogs more than most people.’ The camaraderie and the love that a human has for a dog, it’s just a cool bond,” McGregor said. “And I feel like it puts smiles on people’s faces.”


thedenverpost--2020-04-28--Denver tennis community hit hard by coronavirus pandemic: “It set us back several years”

When the stay-at-home order failed to keep them out , the city posted no-trespassing signs .
After those went ignored , park officials padlocked entry gates on all public city courts .
Try again .
“ People were climbing fences , ” said Fritz Garger , executive director of the Colorado Tennis Association , “ because they love this sport.
” The coronavirus pandemic halted organized tennis across the globe .
Wimbledon was cancelled for the first time since World War II .
Professional tours internationally have been stuck in limbo for weeks .
The United States Tennis Association instructed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ events through at least May 31 .
Tennis operators across Colorado are only now beginning to loosen restrictions and are hopeful for a limited return by summer .
Denver is home to the largest USTA adult league tennis program in the country , Garger said , and Colorado boasts upward of 40,000 league participants .
While the CTA empathizes with Denver ’ s stir-crazy tennis population , it has strongly supported following the lead of public officials .
Because , if athletes return to play correctly , tennis in Colorado is positioned for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lends itself to accommodate social distancing , and it has attributes that can help pull people out of a situation that is difficult on so many levels , ” Garger said .
“ Tennis can be an incredible release for those who play it.
” Ron Steege is the director of tennis at Club Greenwood , with privately-owned indoor and outdoor courts in Greenwood Village .
Steege has overseen the club ’ s tennis operation for almost 25 years and leads a team of tennis professionals and 18 front desk staff .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ future events eliminated a significant revenue source .
Grassroots efforts have grown to support Colorado tennis clubs , mostly through online fundraising sites .
“ From a financial standpoint , in terms of what we ’ re used to doing , it set us back several years , ” Steege said .
“ But we ’ re very fortunate , at least at our facility , because a lot of clubs across the country are closing .
A good percentage of our members stepped up to continue paying dues , and most of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were able to get our staff through the month of March and April.
” The CTA has provided its member clubs with several contingency plans for tennis policies moving forward in the pandemic ; all based on potential health restrictions given by state agencies .
It should allow for many tennis courts to re-open more quickly once approved by Gov .
Jared Polis .
Tennis facilities partnered with health clubs might face additional restrictions .
“ We ’ ll definitely be able to get things going within a day or two of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Steege said .
“ We ’ ve been constructing probably for two weeks what our reopening plan will be , and what our best practices will be .
We ’ re trying to think of every scenario that we ’ ll need to do .
“ There is some natural social-distancing , but I ’ m trying to learn more about what is involved with the tennis ball itself .
I have heard some good ideas.
” One simple solution for sharing tennis balls in a coronavirus world : Have one set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your own tennis balls and you do not touch incoming serves beyond the racket .
Other players have designated 2020 the “ summer of singles , ” Steege said , as doubles-play further risks contamination from a teammate .
Cindy McLemore , 60 , is a member of The Club at Rolling Hills in Golden , a privately-owned facility with indoor and outdoor tennis courts .
McLemore started tennis at 6 years old , played competitively in college , and has won several championships through league play over decades in Colorado .
Rolling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facility , with additional health/social distance policies enforced , and McLemore was thrilled to get in a match with her husband .
Although it ’ s not the game itself she longs for most in the pandemic — it ’ s the post-match cookouts , dinner shows with tennis foes , and everything else social it brings into her life .
“ All of a sudden , this sport that we love and gain so many benefits from was just gone , ” McLemore said .
“ It really left a void.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ might continue ( in a limited form ) at some point this summer , but any optimism is speculative .
The availability of public courts will coincide with state-mandated health policies .
However , if you own a racket and ball , there are inventive ways to break a tennis-quarantine fever .
The website netgeneration.com , backed by the USTA , provides free resources for players of all abilities to practice tennis with inventive techniques — requiring only the ground and a hard surface — to stay sharp in the pandemic .
For @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thrill and health benefits of a real match .
The rise in fence-jumpers at Denver ’ s public tennis courts led the city to remove nets .
Even that isn ’ t fool-proof , though , as some players have set up their own netting .
The city ’ s last defense is having park rangers assigned to give warnings and citations for tennis rebels .
The tennis world is positioned near the starting line of a marathon-slog to normalcy .
For thousands in Colorado , the tennis court provides salvation , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ ve seen people out playing all along , ” Steege said .
“ I get it .
We ’ re just as anxious to be out there .
”

When the stay-at-home order failed to keep them out, the city posted no-trespassing signs. After those went ignored, park officials padlocked entry gates on all public city courts. Try again.
Denver’s diehard tennis population couldn’t be stopped.
“People were climbing fences,” said Fritz Garger, executive director of the Colorado Tennis Association, “because they love this sport.”
The coronavirus pandemic halted organized tennis across the globe. Wimbledon was cancelled for the first time since World War II. Professional tours internationally have been stuck in limbo for weeks. The United States Tennis Association instructed its members to suspend all play and events through at least May 31.
Tennis operators across Colorado are only now beginning to loosen restrictions and are hopeful for a limited return by summer.
Denver is home to the largest USTA adult league tennis program in the country, Garger said, and Colorado boasts upward of 40,000 league participants. While the CTA empathizes with Denver’s stir-crazy tennis population, it has strongly supported following the lead of public officials. Because, if athletes return to play correctly, tennis in Colorado is positioned for a swift comeback.
“It certainly lends itself to accommodate social distancing, and it has attributes that can help pull people out of a situation that is difficult on so many levels,” Garger said. “Tennis can be an incredible release for those who play it.”
Ron Steege is the director of tennis at Club Greenwood, with privately-owned indoor and outdoor courts in Greenwood Village. Steege has overseen the club’s tennis operation for almost 25 years and leads a team of tennis professionals and 18 front desk staff. The immediate cancellation of in-progress league play and future events eliminated a significant revenue source.
Grassroots efforts have grown to support Colorado tennis clubs, mostly through online fundraising sites.
“From a financial standpoint, in terms of what we’re used to doing, it set us back several years,” Steege said. “But we’re very fortunate, at least at our facility, because a lot of clubs across the country are closing. A good percentage of our members stepped up to continue paying dues, and most of that went toward paying salaries. We were able to get our staff through the month of March and April.”
The CTA has provided its member clubs with several contingency plans for tennis policies moving forward in the pandemic; all based on potential health restrictions given by state agencies. It should allow for many tennis courts to re-open more quickly once approved by Gov. Jared Polis. Tennis facilities partnered with health clubs might face additional restrictions.
“We’ll definitely be able to get things going within a day or two of the governor giving us the green light,” Steege said. “We’ve been constructing probably for two weeks what our reopening plan will be, and what our best practices will be. We’re trying to think of every scenario that we’ll need to do.
“There is some natural social-distancing, but I’m trying to learn more about what is involved with the tennis ball itself. I have heard some good ideas.”
One simple solution for sharing tennis balls in a coronavirus world: Have one set for each person. You only serve your own tennis balls and you do not touch incoming serves beyond the racket. Other players have designated 2020 the “summer of singles,” Steege said, as doubles-play further risks contamination from a teammate.
Cindy McLemore, 60, is a member of The Club at Rolling Hills in Golden, a privately-owned facility with indoor and outdoor tennis courts. McLemore started tennis at 6 years old, played competitively in college, and has won several championships through league play over decades in Colorado. Rolling Hills recently began allowing family-play at its facility, with additional health/social distance policies enforced, and McLemore was thrilled to get in a match with her husband. Although it’s not the game itself she longs for most in the pandemic — it’s the post-match cookouts, dinner shows with tennis foes, and everything else social it brings into her life.
“All of a sudden, this sport that we love and gain so many benefits from was just gone,” McLemore said. “It really left a void.”
Colorado tennis operators are hopeful league play might continue (in a limited form) at some point this summer, but any optimism is speculative. The availability of public courts will coincide with state-mandated health policies. However, if you own a racket and ball, there are inventive ways to break a tennis-quarantine fever.
The website netgeneration.com, backed by the USTA, provides free resources for players of all abilities to practice tennis with inventive techniques — requiring only the ground and a hard surface — to stay sharp in the pandemic. For many, though, nothing replaces the thrill and health benefits of a real match.
The rise in fence-jumpers at Denver’s public tennis courts led the city to remove nets. Even that isn’t fool-proof, though, as some players have set up their own netting. The city’s last defense is having park rangers assigned to give warnings and citations for tennis rebels.
The tennis world is positioned near the starting line of a marathon-slog to normalcy. For thousands in Colorado, the tennis court provides salvation, and many simply cannot wait.
“I’ve seen people out playing all along,” Steege said. “I get it. We’re just as anxious to be out there.”


thedenverpost--2020-04-28--Coronavirus pandemic sabotages sleep worldwide and infects dreams

For millions of people around the world dealing with the coronavirus pandemic , sleep brings no relief .
The horrors of COVID-19 , and the surreal and frightening ways it has upended daily life , are infecting dreams and exposing feelings of fear , loss , isolation and grief that transcend culture , language and national boundaries .
Everyone from a college teacher in Pakistan to a mall cashier in Canada to an Episcopalian priest in Florida is confronting the same daytime demon .
Each is waking up in a sweat in the dead of night .
Experts say humanity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on such a broad scale in recorded history — and certainly never while also being able to share those nightmares in real time .
“ It ’ s that alarming feeling of when you wake up and think , ‘ Thank heavens I woke up , ’ ” said Holly Smith , an elementary school librarian in Detroit .
“ Once it hits your dreams , you think , ‘ Great , now I can ’ t even escape there.
’ ” The psychological toll is staggering , particularly for health care workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ combat veterans and 9/11 responders , said Deirdre Barrett , a Harvard University professor who is surveying COVID dreamers worldwide .
She has collected 6,000 dream samples from about 2,400 people .
So many people are sharing accounts of dreams online that there ’ s a Twitter account dedicated to gathering them in a virtual library under the handle “ I Dream of COVID.
” “ As far as I know , no one has dream samples from the flu pandemic of 1918 — and that would probably be the most comparable thing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ studied the dreams of 9/11 survivors and British prisoners of war in World War II .
“ Now we just all have our smartphones by our bed , so you can just reach over and speak it or type it down .
Recording our dreams has never been easier.
” The dreams are also exposing what is bothering us the most about the pandemic .
The themes seem universal .
Dreams of a safe place suddenly overtaken by the virus speak to contagion ’ s terrifying invisibility , says Cathy Caruth , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trauma for 30 years .
Pandemic dreams , she says , are reminiscent of the experience of Hiroshima survivors , who worried about invisible radiation exposure , and also of some nightmares described by Vietnam veterans .
“ They seem to be in part about things that are hard to grasp , what it means that anybody can be a threat and you can be a threat to everybody , ” Caruth said .
Episcopalian priest Mary Alice Mathison dreamed 500 people showed up for a funeral in her church and wouldn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that no one knows how the pandemic will end .
In those , the dreamer wakes with a start before learning how it turned out .
Ashley Trevino is still trying to process one terrifying dream .
The 24-year-old barista is out of work due to the pandemic and was spooked when officials announced the first COVID-19 death in her central Texas county .
A few days later , she dreamed she and her girlfriend were in line to enter a dark , metal warehouse where they ’ d be injected with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suits .
Fluorescent lights in the parking lot cast an eerie glow as she watched her partner get the shot and gasp for breath .
Then she got the shot , too .
“ I watched her kind of collapse against the wall and while I was trying to fight the effects of it and not pass out myself , I was like … ‘ Is she dead now ?
’ ” Trevino woke up whimpering .
She immediately felt an impulse to share her nightmare with someone — anyone — and tweeted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In Pakistan ’ s Punjab province , a college literature teacher described dreaming she was one of only 100 people left on the planet who didn ’ t have COVID-19 .
The infected population had gained political control and was chasing the uninfected “ so the world would become the same for everyone , ” said Roha Rafiq , 28 .
Rafiq is terrified for her elderly father , who insists on going to prayers every day despite a cough and a stay-at-home order .
“ I think , ” she said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this anxiety has given me this dream.
” According to Barrett , many people dream they are sick with COVID-19 or of being overcome by what seem to be stand-ins for the virus : swarms of bugs , slithering worms , witches , grasshoppers with fangs .
Others dream of being in crowded public places without a mask or proper social distancing .
Still others dream of losing control .
In one such dream , the dreamer was held down by infected people who coughed on her .
In another , the dreamer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ random strangers .
Most are lower-level anxiety dreams , not trauma-induced nightmares .
But that changes dramatically for frontline health workers , Barrett says .
“ The health care providers are the ones who look like a trauma population .
They are having flat-out nightmares that reenact the things they ’ re experiencing and … they all have the theme that ‘ I am responsible for saving this person ’ s life and I ’ m not succeeding and this person is about to die , ’ ” she said .
“ And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parent getting it , for the care providers there ’ s always the next step in the dream where they realize … ‘ I gave it to them.
’ ” Even the simple , unadorned dreams — far from the drama of the ICU — seem poignant right now .
Some people dream of getting a hug , attending a party , getting a haircut , going to the library .
Lauren Nickols , 30 , an avid reader , stocked up on library books before Ohio ’ s stay-at-home order .
Now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recently dreamed her dresser was piled with books .
She found the dream reassuring , but a reminder of the mundane things that have been lost .
“ I guess it ’ s a bit of a sense of shared community , but it ’ s also really sad that we ’ re all missing things .
It really shows you all the things you do without realizing it , ” she says .
“ And now that you can ’ t , it ’ s a shock to the system.
” Join @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on coronavirus in Colorado .

For millions of people around the world dealing with the coronavirus pandemic, sleep brings no relief.
The horrors of COVID-19, and the surreal and frightening ways it has upended daily life, are infecting dreams and exposing feelings of fear, loss, isolation and grief that transcend culture, language and national boundaries.
Everyone from a college teacher in Pakistan to a mall cashier in Canada to an Episcopalian priest in Florida is confronting the same daytime demon. Each is waking up in a sweat in the dead of night.
Experts say humanity has rarely experienced “collective dreaming” on such a broad scale in recorded history — and certainly never while also being able to share those nightmares in real time.
“It’s that alarming feeling of when you wake up and think, ‘Thank heavens I woke up,’” said Holly Smith, an elementary school librarian in Detroit. “Once it hits your dreams, you think, ‘Great, now I can’t even escape there.’”
The psychological toll is staggering, particularly for health care workers whose dreams show similarities to those of combat veterans and 9/11 responders, said Deirdre Barrett, a Harvard University professor who is surveying COVID dreamers worldwide. She has collected 6,000 dream samples from about 2,400 people.
So many people are sharing accounts of dreams online that there’s a Twitter account dedicated to gathering them in a virtual library under the handle “I Dream of COVID.”
“As far as I know, no one has dream samples from the flu pandemic of 1918 — and that would probably be the most comparable thing,” said Barrett, who has studied the dreams of 9/11 survivors and British prisoners of war in World War II. “Now we just all have our smartphones by our bed, so you can just reach over and speak it or type it down. Recording our dreams has never been easier.”
The dreams are also exposing what is bothering us the most about the pandemic. The themes seem universal.
Dreams of a safe place suddenly overtaken by the virus speak to contagion’s terrifying invisibility, says Cathy Caruth, a professor at Cornell University who has studied trauma for 30 years. Pandemic dreams, she says, are reminiscent of the experience of Hiroshima survivors, who worried about invisible radiation exposure, and also of some nightmares described by Vietnam veterans.
“They seem to be in part about things that are hard to grasp, what it means that anybody can be a threat and you can be a threat to everybody,” Caruth said.
Episcopalian priest Mary Alice Mathison dreamed 500 people showed up for a funeral in her church and wouldn’t go home. Other dreams underscore that no one knows how the pandemic will end. In those, the dreamer wakes with a start before learning how it turned out.
Ashley Trevino is still trying to process one terrifying dream. The 24-year-old barista is out of work due to the pandemic and was spooked when officials announced the first COVID-19 death in her central Texas county.
A few days later, she dreamed she and her girlfriend were in line to enter a dark, metal warehouse where they’d be injected with the new coronavirus by government workers wearing Hazmat suits. Fluorescent lights in the parking lot cast an eerie glow as she watched her partner get the shot and gasp for breath. Then she got the shot, too.
“I watched her kind of collapse against the wall and while I was trying to fight the effects of it and not pass out myself, I was like … ‘Is she dead now?’”
Trevino woke up whimpering. She immediately felt an impulse to share her nightmare with someone — anyone — and tweeted it to the world from her bed.
In Pakistan’s Punjab province, a college literature teacher described dreaming she was one of only 100 people left on the planet who didn’t have COVID-19. The infected population had gained political control and was chasing the uninfected “so the world would become the same for everyone,” said Roha Rafiq, 28.
Rafiq is terrified for her elderly father, who insists on going to prayers every day despite a cough and a stay-at-home order. “I think,” she said in a Twitter direct message, “this anxiety has given me this dream.”
According to Barrett, many people dream they are sick with COVID-19 or of being overcome by what seem to be stand-ins for the virus: swarms of bugs, slithering worms, witches, grasshoppers with fangs. Others dream of being in crowded public places without a mask or proper social distancing.
Still others dream of losing control. In one such dream, the dreamer was held down by infected people who coughed on her. In another, the dreamer came across bands of people shooting at random strangers.
Most are lower-level anxiety dreams, not trauma-induced nightmares. But that changes dramatically for frontline health workers, Barrett says.
“The health care providers are the ones who look like a trauma population. They are having flat-out nightmares that reenact the things they’re experiencing and … they all have the theme that ‘I am responsible for saving this person’s life and I’m not succeeding and this person is about to die,’” she said.
“And when they dream about their child or parent getting it, for the care providers there’s always the next step in the dream where they realize … ‘I gave it to them.’”
Even the simple, unadorned dreams — far from the drama of the ICU — seem poignant right now. Some people dream of getting a hug, attending a party, getting a haircut, going to the library.
Lauren Nickols, 30, an avid reader, stocked up on library books before Ohio’s stay-at-home order. Now her supply is running low. She recently dreamed her dresser was piled with books. She found the dream reassuring, but a reminder of the mundane things that have been lost.
“I guess it’s a bit of a sense of shared community, but it’s also really sad that we’re all missing things. It really shows you all the things you do without realizing it,” she says. “And now that you can’t, it’s a shock to the system.”
___
Follow Gillian Flaccus on Twitter at http://twitter.com/gflaccus
Join our Facebook group for the latest updates on coronavirus in Colorado.


thedenverpost--2020-04-28--Fears of virus seem far away as stores reopen in rural America

By Matthew Brown and Amy Beth Hanson , The Associated Press ROUNDUP , Mont .
— Traffic got a little busier along Main Street , but otherwise , it was hard to tell that coronavirus restrictions were ending in the tiny Montana town of Roundup .
That ’ s because it ’ s largely business as usual in the town of 1,800 people .
Nonessential stores could reopen as a statewide shutdown ended this week , but most shops in Roundup — the pharmacy , the hardware store , two small grocers — were essential and never closed .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , apparently two of the only stores that had to shut down at all .
Bars and restaurants remain shuttered and getting takeout is still the only option until May 4 , when they can open with restrictions .
Parts of the U.S. are starting to lift closures , and some of the quickest to do so have been rural states like Montana , Vermont and Alaska .
The effects of the pandemic in small towns can seem a world away from cities grappling with overwhelmed hospitals , packed morgues and economies pushed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ easing restrictions in rural communities won ’ t be fully known for some time , and health officials said they will be watching closely for a resurgence of infections .
But for now , there ’ s little doubt in places like Roundup that it was the right thing to do after weekslong stay-at-home orders .
“ We don ’ t have the fear of the virus .
It ’ s been more concern about our shut-ins and older people who can ’ t come out , ” said Shannon Thompson , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus is largely a distant threat that so far has touched few people here directly .
Face masks are a novelty , and greetings often still come with a handshake .
Despite some grumbling that the lockdown was too harsh , most people cooperated , county commissioner Adam Carlson said .
Thompson said she practices social distancing and “ we ’ re all doing what we ’ re supposed to do.
” By contrast , in some rural parts of states where stay-at-home orders remain in place , local leaders have pledged defiance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mexico , population 9,000 , led a rally Monday attended by dozens of people urging nonessential businesses to reopen .
Only a fraction of people in the state have been infected by COVID-19 , and it doesn ’ t make sense to keep small businesses closed , Mayor Martin “ Modey ” Hicks said .
New Mexico has more than 2,800 confirmed cases of the virus and 104 deaths .
“ The governor is killing the state over a little bug , ” he said before heading to the city-owned golf course , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a warning by state police for the facility to close .
For most , the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia and death .
In small Alaska towns , some restaurants resumed dine-in service on Friday , while shops , personal care services and other nonessential businesses reopened with limits .
Rules still restrict how many people can be in a shop at once @ @ @ @ @ @ @ salons .
In Vermont , people can shop at outdoor retailers , and five people can work at the same outdoor worksite .
Manufacturing and indoor construction also can expand .
Mike MacLeod , who owns a garden center just south of the resort town of Stowe , said the phone began ringing within minutes of the governor ’ s announcement Friday loosening the restrictions .
“ People are getting into their gardens , ” he said .
“ One of the things they can do is work on the gardens and beautify @ @ @ @ @ @ @ populated helps towns avoid infections , said Dr. Marc Mentel , president of the Montana Medical Association .
Yet a rural ZIP code is no magic shield and carries its own disadvantage : fewer medical resources .
That can make outbreaks difficult to contain , such as the infections that swept through an assisted living facility in recent weeks in another remote Montana area , Toole County , that has led to six deaths .
“ No matter where you are , this is a dangerous virus , ” Mentel said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ something takes off in rural America , it could be devastating.
” Gov .
Steve Bullock credits the lockdown with pushing down Montana ’ s infection rate and helping it reopen before other states .
“ That ’ s what got us to this point , more than the rural nature of our state , ” the Democratic governor said Monday .
Confirmed cases have declined since peaking at 124 new infections in the last full week of March .
The state had just 15 new cases last week , health officials said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ open its doors .
In Montana ’ s capital of Helena , the Lasso the Moon toy store was open , but its doors were locked .
Customers had to knock to be let in , up to four at a time , as long as they were wearing masks .
Owner Amy Barrett said the door is locked to give employees a chance to don masks .
Her wariness reflected the uncertainty of many small-business owners who have been allowed to reopen .
“ We ’ re still unsure quite how open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I don ’ t know how many people are going to want to come in.
” Hanson reported from Helena .
Associated Press writers Wilson Ring in Montpelier , Vermont , and Russell Contreras in Grants , New Mexico , contributed to this report .
Join our Facebook group for the latest updates on coronavirus in Colorado .

By Matthew Brown and Amy Beth Hanson, The Associated Press
ROUNDUP, Mont. — Traffic got a little busier along Main Street, but otherwise, it was hard to tell that coronavirus restrictions were ending in the tiny Montana town of Roundup.
That’s because it’s largely business as usual in the town of 1,800 people. Nonessential stores could reopen as a statewide shutdown ended this week, but most shops in Roundup — the pharmacy, the hardware store, two small grocers — were essential and never closed.
A florist and a thrift shop reopened Monday, apparently two of the only stores that had to shut down at all. Bars and restaurants remain shuttered and getting takeout is still the only option until May 4, when they can open with restrictions.
Parts of the U.S. are starting to lift closures, and some of the quickest to do so have been rural states like Montana, Vermont and Alaska. The effects of the pandemic in small towns can seem a world away from cities grappling with overwhelmed hospitals, packed morgues and economies pushed to the brink.
The consequences of easing restrictions in rural communities won’t be fully known for some time, and health officials said they will be watching closely for a resurgence of infections.
But for now, there’s little doubt in places like Roundup that it was the right thing to do after weekslong stay-at-home orders.
“We don’t have the fear of the virus. It’s been more concern about our shut-ins and older people who can’t come out,” said Shannon Thompson, who works at the IGA supermarket.
The coronavirus is largely a distant threat that so far has touched few people here directly. Face masks are a novelty, and greetings often still come with a handshake.
Despite some grumbling that the lockdown was too harsh, most people cooperated, county commissioner Adam Carlson said.
Thompson said she practices social distancing and “we’re all doing what we’re supposed to do.”
By contrast, in some rural parts of states where stay-at-home orders remain in place, local leaders have pledged defiance. The mayor of Grants, New Mexico, population 9,000, led a rally Monday attended by dozens of people urging nonessential businesses to reopen.
Only a fraction of people in the state have been infected by COVID-19, and it doesn’t make sense to keep small businesses closed, Mayor Martin “Modey” Hicks said. New Mexico has more than 2,800 confirmed cases of the virus and 104 deaths.
“The governor is killing the state over a little bug,” he said before heading to the city-owned golf course, where about 20 people were playing despite a warning by state police for the facility to close.
For most, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.
In small Alaska towns, some restaurants resumed dine-in service on Friday, while shops, personal care services and other nonessential businesses reopened with limits. Rules still restrict how many people can be in a shop at once, and no waiting is allowed in salons.
In Vermont, people can shop at outdoor retailers, and five people can work at the same outdoor worksite. Manufacturing and indoor construction also can expand.
Mike MacLeod, who owns a garden center just south of the resort town of Stowe, said the phone began ringing within minutes of the governor’s announcement Friday loosening the restrictions.
“People are getting into their gardens,” he said. “One of the things they can do is work on the gardens and beautify their houses.”
Being remote and sparsely populated helps towns avoid infections, said Dr. Marc Mentel, president of the Montana Medical Association.
Yet a rural ZIP code is no magic shield and carries its own disadvantage: fewer medical resources. That can make outbreaks difficult to contain, such as the infections that swept through an assisted living facility in recent weeks in another remote Montana area, Toole County, that has led to six deaths.
“No matter where you are, this is a dangerous virus,” Mentel said. “The risk is low, but if something takes off in rural America, it could be devastating.”
Gov. Steve Bullock credits the lockdown with pushing down Montana’s infection rate and helping it reopen before other states.
“That’s what got us to this point, more than the rural nature of our state,” the Democratic governor said Monday.
Confirmed cases have declined since peaking at 124 new infections in the last full week of March. The state had just 15 new cases last week, health officials said.
But not every business is throwing open its doors.
In Montana’s capital of Helena, the Lasso the Moon toy store was open, but its doors were locked. Customers had to knock to be let in, up to four at a time, as long as they were wearing masks.
Owner Amy Barrett said the door is locked to give employees a chance to don masks. Her wariness reflected the uncertainty of many small-business owners who have been allowed to reopen.
“We’re still unsure quite how open to be,” Barrett said. “I don’t know how many people are going to want to come in.”
___
Hanson reported from Helena. Associated Press writers Wilson Ring in Montpelier, Vermont, and Russell Contreras in Grants, New Mexico, contributed to this report.
Join our Facebook group for the latest updates on coronavirus in Colorado.


thedenverpost--2020-04-29--Nebraska backup quarterback Noah Vedral planning to transfer

LINCOLN , Neb .
— Nebraska quarterback Noah Vedral has entered the transfer portal and plans to play his final @ @ @ @ @ , an athletic department spokesman confirmed Tuesday .
Vedral has been backup to Adrian Martinez @ @ @ @ @ be a junior in the fall .
He transferred to Nebraska from Central Florida after @ @ @ @ @ from UCF in December 2017 .
With Martinez out because of injury , Vedral started @ @ @ @ @ season .
The native of Wahoo , Nebraska , appeared in four other games and @ @ @ @ @ yards with no touchdowns or interceptions .
He rushed for 106 yards and three TDs @ @ @ @ @ be a junior in the fall , and Luke McCaffrey , who ’ ll be @ @ @ @ @ the Cornhuskers ’ only returning scholarship quarterbacks .

LINCOLN, Neb. — Nebraska quarterback Noah Vedral has entered the transfer portal and plans to play his final two seasons at another school, an athletic department spokesman confirmed Tuesday.
Vedral has been backup to Adrian Martinez for two years and will be a junior in the fall. He transferred to Nebraska from Central Florida after Scott Frost was hired away from UCF in December 2017.
With Martinez out because of injury, Vedral started against Minnesota and Indiana last season. The native of Wahoo, Nebraska, appeared in four other games and finished 34-of-52 passing for 418 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. He rushed for 106 yards and three TDs.
Martinez, who will be a junior in the fall, and Luke McCaffrey, who’ll be a redshirt freshman, are the Cornhuskers’ only returning scholarship quarterbacks.


thedenverpost--2020-04-28--238 inmates test positive for coronavirus at Sterling prison, the largest known outbreak in Colorado

A Colorado prison is now the site of the state ’ s largest confirmed COVID-19 outbreak as mass testing confirms that 238 inmates at Sterling Correctional Facility have the virus .
The number of positive cases at the facility spiked as more results from the 472 tests administered last week became available .
Of those tested , half were positive .
Sixteen tests were inconclusive , 216 were negative and two were still pending Tuesday afternoon , Colorado Department of Corrections spokeswoman Annie Skinner said in an email .
Four of the sick inmates were in the hospital Tuesday afternoon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the Sterling prison is the largest known in the state , according to data collected by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment .
The existence of large outbreaks in prisons across the country are coming to light as more states conduct mass testing in their facilities .
Thousands of prisoners have tested positive nationwide , including many who showed no symptoms .
The round of testing last week is the first time the Colorado Department of Corrections has completed mass testing in one of its facilities .
The broad testing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus at the Sterling prison , which is the largest in the state system .
Outside of the mass testing conducted last week , the Department of Corrections has tested 38 inmates .
Of those , only one inmate outside of the Sterling prison tested positive and has since recovered .
The department is now working with state health officials to determine next steps regarding further testing , Skinner said .
Families of the men incarcerated at the facility have watched with anxiety as the testing results became public .
Some have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one has the coronavirus .
Restrictions on inmates ’ movements have made it difficult for them to communicate with the outside world .
Before the pandemic , Kim White talked to her 22-year-old son , Dustin Logan , at least once a day and visited him at the prison every two or three weeks .
In March , the Department of Corrections canceled visitation in an effort to prevent the introduction of the coronavirus into state prisons .
Then , even calls between inmates and their families ceased as the facility was put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from her son for a week and a half before receiving a call from him Monday .
When the news broke Friday that 138 inmates at the prison had tested positive for COVID-19 , White frantically called the Department of Corrections to see if her son was one of the positive cases .
They wouldn ’ t give her an answer , she said .
“ It ’ s very heartbreaking , ” she said .
“ I can ’ t hear his voice .
I can ’ t see him .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or three weeks when we go see him.
” Monday night , Logan called White to tell her that he had tested positive for COVID-19 .
White said her son had been experiencing body aches and piercing migraines , but he thought the issues were connected to being locked in his cell for 23 hours a day with little room to move .
She worries about him and whether he ’ ll receive adequate care in the prison .
He had pneumonia less than six months ago and has other underlying health issues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experienced the same lack of answers when calling for information on her boyfriend who is incarcerated at Sterling .
For two weeks , the couple was only able to communicate through letters .
“ It ’ s torture .
It ’ s physical , emotional torture , ” she said .
“ Only being in contact through mail — I ’ m grateful for that — but it ’ s hard not being able to hear their voice and knowing the day to day , or how they ’ re being treated.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him on Monday afternoon .
He told her that he still hadn ’ t received the results of the COVID-19 test administered to him on Wednesday .
He said that while correctional officers were required to wear masks , not all of them were doing so .
She feels helpless .
She can ’ t keep him safe .
“ My back ’ s against a wall , there ’ s nothing I can do to help him , ” she said .
“ These men are already in a compromised position , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get away from it .
If they get it , you just have to pray that they ’ ll be okay.
” That stress is also felt by the correctional officers who work in the prisons , said Hilary Glasgow , executive director of Colorado Workers for Innovative and New Solutions , the union that represents state workers , including those at the Department of Corrections .
The department was understaffed before the coronavirus pandemic , she said .
“ It ’ s just so exhausting , ” Glasgow said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your coworkers who are freaked out about the virus , they ’ re working with freaked out inmates too.
” The union has communicated with corrections unions across the nation to talk about best practices for preventing coronavirus in prisons , Glasgow said .
“ We ’ re kind of on the cutting edge of addressing it before it became a massive problem , ” Glasgow said .
So far , the staff at Sterling Correctional Facility have been minimally impacted by COVID-19 , said Michelle Pemberton of the Northeast Colorado Health Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Correctional Facility have been effective in protecting staff members thus far , ” Pemberton said in an email .
“ Sterling Regional MedCenter has a Surge Plan in place but have had no unusual concern about the effects they may see as a result of the outbreak at the Sterling Correctional Facility.
” The testing at the prison has caused rural Logan County ’ s rate of coronavirus cases to skyrocket to the top of the list of worst-hit counties .
Logan County has 266 cases amid its 21,854 residents and its rate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rate seen in Denver , according to state health data .
The Department of Corrections needs to conduct more mass testing across the prison system before it can adequately prevent more spread , attorney Gail Johnson , whose clients include incarcerated people , said .
“ It ’ s impossible to address the problem until they know the scale of the problem , ” she said .
Medical care in Colorado ’ s prisons were substandard even outside the pressures of a pandemic , Johnson said .
More releases from the system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for social distancing and so those released can access better health care outside prison walls .
“ There ’ s no reason to expect things to get better , ” she said of prison health care .
“ On the contrary , there ’ s reason to believe deaths will occur.
” Join our Facebook group for the latest updates on coronavirus in Colorado .

A Colorado prison is now the site of the state’s largest confirmed COVID-19 outbreak as mass testing confirms that 238 inmates at Sterling Correctional Facility have the virus.
The number of positive cases at the facility spiked as more results from the 472 tests administered last week became available. Of those tested, half were positive. Sixteen tests were inconclusive, 216 were negative and two were still pending Tuesday afternoon, Colorado Department of Corrections spokeswoman Annie Skinner said in an email.
Four of the sick inmates were in the hospital Tuesday afternoon, Skinner said.
The coronavirus outbreak at the Sterling prison is the largest known in the state, according to data collected by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. The existence of large outbreaks in prisons across the country are coming to light as more states conduct mass testing in their facilities. Thousands of prisoners have tested positive nationwide, including many who showed no symptoms.
The round of testing last week is the first time the Colorado Department of Corrections has completed mass testing in one of its facilities. The broad testing began after eight inmates tested positive for the coronavirus at the Sterling prison, which is the largest in the state system. Outside of the mass testing conducted last week, the Department of Corrections has tested 38 inmates. Of those, only one inmate outside of the Sterling prison tested positive and has since recovered.
The department is now working with state health officials to determine next steps regarding further testing, Skinner said.
Families of the men incarcerated at the facility have watched with anxiety as the testing results became public. Some have struggled to find out whether their loved one has the coronavirus. Restrictions on inmates’ movements have made it difficult for them to communicate with the outside world.
Before the pandemic, Kim White talked to her 22-year-old son, Dustin Logan, at least once a day and visited him at the prison every two or three weeks. In March, the Department of Corrections canceled visitation in an effort to prevent the introduction of the coronavirus into state prisons. Then, even calls between inmates and their families ceased as the facility was put on lockdown. She had no communication from her son for a week and a half before receiving a call from him Monday.
When the news broke Friday that 138 inmates at the prison had tested positive for COVID-19, White frantically called the Department of Corrections to see if her son was one of the positive cases. They wouldn’t give her an answer, she said.
“It’s very heartbreaking,” she said. “I can’t hear his voice. I can’t see him. I can’t hug him every two or three weeks when we go see him.”
Monday night, Logan called White to tell her that he had tested positive for COVID-19. White said her son had been experiencing body aches and piercing migraines, but he thought the issues were connected to being locked in his cell for 23 hours a day with little room to move.
She worries about him and whether he’ll receive adequate care in the prison. He had pneumonia less than six months ago and has other underlying health issues, White said.
Carmen Covert has experienced the same lack of answers when calling for information on her boyfriend who is incarcerated at Sterling. For two weeks, the couple was only able to communicate through letters.
“It’s torture. It’s physical, emotional torture,” she said. “Only being in contact through mail — I’m grateful for that — but it’s hard not being able to hear their voice and knowing the day to day, or how they’re being treated.”
Covert finally received a phone call from him on Monday afternoon. He told her that he still hadn’t received the results of the COVID-19 test administered to him on Wednesday. He said that while correctional officers were required to wear masks, not all of them were doing so.
She feels helpless. She can’t keep him safe.
“My back’s against a wall, there’s nothing I can do to help him,” she said. “These men are already in a compromised position, there’s nothing they can do to get away from it. If they get it, you just have to pray that they’ll be okay.”
That stress is also felt by the correctional officers who work in the prisons, said Hilary Glasgow, executive director of Colorado Workers for Innovative and New Solutions, the union that represents state workers, including those at the Department of Corrections. The department was understaffed before the coronavirus pandemic, she said.
“It’s just so exhausting,” Glasgow said. “You’re not just working with your coworkers who are freaked out about the virus, they’re working with freaked out inmates too.”
The union has communicated with corrections unions across the nation to talk about best practices for preventing coronavirus in prisons, Glasgow said.
“We’re kind of on the cutting edge of addressing it before it became a massive problem,” Glasgow said.
So far, the staff at Sterling Correctional Facility have been minimally impacted by COVID-19, said Michelle Pemberton of the Northeast Colorado Health Department.
“Steps taken by the Sterling Correctional Facility have been effective in protecting staff members thus far,” Pemberton said in an email. “Sterling Regional MedCenter has a Surge Plan in place but have had no unusual concern about the effects they may see as a result of the outbreak at the Sterling Correctional Facility.”
The testing at the prison has caused rural Logan County’s rate of coronavirus cases to skyrocket to the top of the list of worst-hit counties. Logan County has 266 cases amid its 21,854 residents and its rate of 1,217 cases per 100,000 residents triples the rate seen in Denver, according to state health data.
The Department of Corrections needs to conduct more mass testing across the prison system before it can adequately prevent more spread, attorney Gail Johnson, whose clients include incarcerated people, said.
“It’s impossible to address the problem until they know the scale of the problem,” she said.
Medical care in Colorado’s prisons were substandard even outside the pressures of a pandemic, Johnson said. More releases from the system are necessary both to allow more space for social distancing and so those released can access better health care outside prison walls.
“There’s no reason to expect things to get better,” she said of prison health care. “On the contrary, there’s reason to believe deaths will occur.”
Join our Facebook group for the latest updates on coronavirus in Colorado.