thedenverpost--2020-12-17--Karl Dorrell: CU Buffs aren’t done shopping after initial national signing day haul

Before you ask — and you have — know this : Karl Dorrell isn ’ t done quarterback shopping .
Or shopping , period .
“ We ’ re going to continue to evaluate everything , ” Dorrell , the Buffs ’ first-year football coach , said of the 17 kids who signed letters of intent with CU on Wednesday , the first day of the early national signing period .
“ I mean there ’ s ( players ) that are in the ( transfer ) portal .
And guys that didn ’ t sign today .
There are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guys that haven ’ t made decisions yet … we ’ re going to continue to scour anything and everything that can help us , at any position .
So we ’ re going to keep our antennae up for anything that might happen between now and February , too.
” The headliner for the Buffs ’ early signing period was tight end Erik Olsen , a 6-foot-5 , 230-pounder out of Heritage High who was the No .
4 in-state Colorado prep prospect among the Class of 2021 in 247Sports.com ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ player ranked among 247Sports ’ top four from an in-state class to sign with the Buffs since former Cherry Creek wideout Dimitri Stanley ( No .
3 ) in 2018 .
Among local standouts , the Buffs also signed another Bruin , Cherry Creek receiver Chase Penry , who was rated No .
7 among the state ’ s top recruits .
If the last CU class for Mel Tucker — remember him ?
— was about sizzle , then Dorrell ’ s initial haul with the Buffs was all about steak .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ away : 247 slotted Dorrell ’ s inaugural class ninth in the Pac-12 , CU ’ s lowest league finish in two cycles , and No .
59 nationally .
“ I think the guys we earmarked in this class have the ability to help us right away , ” Dorell noted .
“ We specifically recruited them for a particular purpose to be here .
So it wasn ’ t just to take numbers , which I think programs do .
“ Every one of these guys has a chance to impact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ little different philosophy .
It ’ s my philosophy .
And I want guys that we think can play and help us right away .
And we feel this class gives us that chance at every position.
” What Dorrell ’ s first gaggle of signees lacked in star power , it made up for in diversity and depth , with 16 out of the 17 being rated by 247 as a 3-star prospect and every position — including kicker and punter — on the field accounted for with at least one targeted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , too : Drew Carter , a dual-threat quarterback out of Tigard , Ore. , High School and Oregon ’ s No .
5 senior prospect , according to 247Sports .
The Buffs lost backup quarterback Tyler Lytle last weekend when the junior announced that he was entering the transfer portal .
Whenever CU plays next , whether that ’ s in Los Angeles this weekend — the equipment trucks left Wednesday morning for the Pac-12 championship — or in a bowl game , senior Sam Noyer ’ s top backup is expected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Given the combination of a new coaching staff , the COVID-19 pandemic and liberated transfer rules , Lytle might only be the first salvo among portal candidates on the Buffs roster , especially as Noyer can — and very well could — return given that he ’ s got another season of eligibility in 2021 .
As Dorrell noted Wednesday , that sword cuts both ways , which is why he and his staff are scouring the country .
FBS football rosters are going to look more like men ’ s basketball rosters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , potentially , a heck of a lot more transfers .
“ There might be guys that are in our program that I ’ m sure might surprise us , that say , “ You know what ?
I want to go somewhere else to play , ’ ” Dorrell said .
“ This is the college version of free agency , so to speak .
”

Before you ask — and you have — know this: Karl Dorrell isn’t done quarterback shopping. Or shopping, period.
“We’re going to continue to evaluate everything,” Dorrell, the Buffs’ first-year football coach, said of the 17 kids who signed letters of intent with CU on Wednesday, the first day of the early national signing period.
“I mean there’s (players) that are in the (transfer) portal. And guys that didn’t sign today. There are a lot of situations out there with guys that haven’t made decisions yet … we’re going to continue to scour anything and everything that can help us, at any position. So we’re going to keep our antennae up for anything that might happen between now and February, too.”
The headliner for the Buffs’ early signing period was tight end Erik Olsen, a 6-foot-5, 230-pounder out of Heritage High who was the No. 4 in-state Colorado prep prospect among the Class of 2021 in 247Sports.com’s composite rankings. Olsen became the first player ranked among 247Sports’ top four from an in-state class to sign with the Buffs since former Cherry Creek wideout Dimitri Stanley (No. 3) in 2018.
Among local standouts, the Buffs also signed another Bruin, Cherry Creek receiver Chase Penry, who was rated No. 7 among the state’s top recruits.
If the last CU class for Mel Tucker — remember him? — was about sizzle, then Dorrell’s initial haul with the Buffs was all about steak.
The pundits haven’t been blown away: 247 slotted Dorrell’s inaugural class ninth in the Pac-12, CU’s lowest league finish in two cycles, and No. 59 nationally.
“I think the guys we earmarked in this class have the ability to help us right away,” Dorell noted. “We specifically recruited them for a particular purpose to be here. So it wasn’t just to take numbers, which I think programs do.
“Every one of these guys has a chance to impact us. It’s probably a little different philosophy. It’s my philosophy. And I want guys that we think can play and help us right away. And we feel this class gives us that chance at every position.”
What Dorrell’s first gaggle of signees lacked in star power, it made up for in diversity and depth, with 16 out of the 17 being rated by 247 as a 3-star prospect and every position — including kicker and punter — on the field accounted for with at least one targeted signing.
CU signed only one quarterback, too: Drew Carter, a dual-threat quarterback out of Tigard, Ore., High School and Oregon’s No. 5 senior prospect, according to 247Sports.
The Buffs lost backup quarterback Tyler Lytle last weekend when the junior announced that he was entering the transfer portal. Whenever CU plays next, whether that’s in Los Angeles this weekend — the equipment trucks left Wednesday morning for the Pac-12 championship — or in a bowl game, senior Sam Noyer’s top backup is expected to be true freshman Brendon Lewis.
Given the combination of a new coaching staff, the COVID-19 pandemic and liberated transfer rules, Lytle might only be the first salvo among portal candidates on the Buffs roster, especially as Noyer can — and very well could — return given that he’s got another season of eligibility in 2021.
As Dorrell noted Wednesday, that sword cuts both ways, which is why he and his staff are scouring the country. FBS football rosters are going to look more like men’s basketball rosters going forward, with increased fluidity and, potentially, a heck of a lot more transfers.
“There might be guys that are in our program that I’m sure might surprise us, that say, “You know what? I want to go somewhere else to play,’” Dorrell said. “This is the college version of free agency, so to speak.”


thedenverpost--2020-12-17--Vail nurse survived COVID-19 to scale a mountain — and get vaccinated

Reaching the top of Mount Sherman , one of Colorado ’ s iconic 14 ’ ers near Leadville , was long a goal for Julie Scales .
She finally made the journey this summer — a trip made sweeter because she had survived COVID-19 just a few months earlier .
Not only had she survived , but she survived after spending 7 days on a ventilator .
Scales , 59 , is the lead respiratory therapist at Vail Health Hospital and this week became the first person at Vail Health Hospital to be administered the COVID-19 vaccine .
“ This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Scales said .
“ The past 10 months have been a very long and personal journey , as it has been for all of our COVID-19 patients , healthcare staff and our entire community.
” Scales was admitted into Vail Health Hospital ’ s emergency department on March 14 and after just 24 hours , was moved to a Denver area hospital where she was put on a ventilator .
“ It was so early in the days of the virus that it never crossed my mind that I might have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I had been working a lot and chalked it up to long hours at the hospital.
” Despite treating thousands of ventilated patients over the years , being a patient herself , often all alone in that room , is something she will never forget .
“ I knew what was coming down the path for me , ” she said .
“ It is not lost on me just how lucky I am.
” Scales recovered fully from the virus and went back to work , helping treat others battling COVID-19 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccine today it shows our community the trust as a healthcare professional that I , and others at Vail Health , have in the safety and effectiveness of this vaccine , ” she said .
“ Once the vaccine is available to you , I encourage everyone to get it , not just for yourself but for your loved ones.
” Subscribe to bi-weekly newsletter to get health news sent straight to your inbox .

Reaching the top of Mount Sherman, one of Colorado’s iconic 14’ers near Leadville, was long a goal for Julie Scales. She finally made the journey this summer — a trip made sweeter because she had survived COVID-19 just a few months earlier. Not only had she survived, but she survived after spending 7 days on a ventilator.
Scales, 59, is the lead respiratory therapist at Vail Health Hospital and this week became the first person at Vail Health Hospital to be administered the COVID-19 vaccine.
“This is a very emotional moment for me,” Scales said. “The past 10 months have been a very long and personal journey, as it has been for all of our COVID-19 patients, healthcare staff and our entire community.”
Scales was admitted into Vail Health Hospital’s emergency department on March 14 and after just 24 hours, was moved to a Denver area hospital where she was put on a ventilator.
“It was so early in the days of the virus that it never crossed my mind that I might have it,” she said. “I had been working a lot and chalked it up to long hours at the hospital.”
Despite treating thousands of ventilated patients over the years, being a patient herself, often all alone in that room, is something she will never forget.
“I knew what was coming down the path for me,” she said. “It is not lost on me just how lucky I am.”
Scales recovered fully from the virus and went back to work, helping treat others battling COVID-19.
“I hope that by getting the vaccine today it shows our community the trust as a healthcare professional that I, and others at Vail Health, have in the safety and effectiveness of this vaccine,” she said. “Once the vaccine is available to you, I encourage everyone to get it, not just for yourself but for your loved ones.”
Subscribe to bi-weekly newsletter to get health news sent straight to your inbox.


thedenverpost--2020-12-17--Kiszla: With 20/20 hindsight, would Broncos trade LB Bradley Chubb for Bills QB Josh Allen?

At long last , the truth can be revealed .
And the truth is gon na hurt Drew Lock .
Lock , who fancies himself a jump-shooter with the range of Nuggets guard Jamal Murray , lost a summer basketball contest to rising Buffalo star Josh Allen when the two young NFL quarterbacks took a break from working out together .
“ I think he had ( basketball scholarship ) offers in high school , ” Allen said Wednesday , not bashful about bragging how he took “ care of business ” and beat Lock in a pick-up game this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is also humble and gracious .
Trying to be nice to his buddy Lock , the 24-year-old Bills quarterback said : “ He ’ s a 10 times better dancer than I am.
” Ouch .
A better dancer , eh .
Do you feel that burn ?
Lock wants to win a Super Bowl , not “ Dancing with the Stars.
” On the verge of leading Buffalo to its first AFC East division title since 1995 , Allen is the quarterback that Broncos Country wants Lock to be when he grows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Denver and Buffalo will be hyped as a shootout between brash NFL gunslingers , it ’ s not really about Josh vs Drew .
The real question is : Why didn ’ t John love Josh ?
With the fifth overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft , Broncos personnel chief John Elway selected linebacker Bradley Chubb rather than Allen , who played quarterback 128 miles up the road from Denver at the University of Wyoming .
Before Allen recently out-dueled Pittsburgh ’ s Ben Roethlisberger and led the Bills to their 10th @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this text from one of the stronger talent evaluators in recent NFL history : “ Does Allen look like an Elway clone or what ?
Allen had all the intangibles .
Just needed somebody to coach him up.
” The QBs that caught Elway ’ s fancy in the 2018 draft were Baker Mayfield ( nice ! )
and Sam Darnold ( oops ! )
.
Denver let Allen slide to Buffalo , which grabbed him at No .
7 in the opening round .
Which player would you rather have on your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Allen ?
After recovering from an Achilles injury that brought his 2019 season to an abrupt and early end , Chubb has re-established himself as an edge rusher with Pro Bowl invitations in his future .
“ The first two , three , four games , ( Chubb ) was playing good , but you could see ( his health ) still wasn ’ t all the way back .
Then I think each and every week he ’ s gotten better and better , ” Broncos coach Vic Fangio said .
Praising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ win at Carolina , Fangio added : “ We had to go out there to get the stop at the end of the game to preserve the win .
His pass rush was really good .
He caused the first sack we got , ( then ) applied good pressure on the other plays .
That ’ s what your good players have to do .
They ’ ve got to rise and play great in crunch time.
” The Bills ’ patience as Allen slowly climbed the NFL ’ s steep learning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3 , he is completing nearly 70 percent of his pass attempts and has run for six touchdowns .
Elway-esque ?
A QB who Denver passed on has filled the power vacuum in the AFC East , now that Tom Brady has uprooted his old bones from New England and relocated to Tampa for the 5 o ’ clock early bird dinner special .
In a game where you ain ’ t nothing without a quarterback , it appears the Bills can compete for a championship with Allen .
“ The guy has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quarterbacks in the league , ” Fangio said .
While the outcome of Buffalo vs. Denver won ’ t have a major impact on the standings , beating Allen might be the biggest victory of Lock ’ s young career .
It would provide evidence that patience in him might richly reward the Broncos ’ quest for a return to playoff glory .
Chubb might yet prove to be not only a rock-solid choice , but among the smarter draft picks Elway has made .
But we all know the NFL is ruled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grows up , Lock might not be the equal of Allen , much less Peyton Manning .
After reviewing a breakthrough performance at Carolina , Lock wisely slowed his roll : “ I ’ m not saying I ’ m fully there by any means .
There ’ s still a lot of work that I need to do.
” The real evaluation of whether drafting Chubb instead of Allen was a good idea : As an edge-rusher , does Chubb give Elway the leverage to renegotiate the contract of 31-year-old Von Miller @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be crippled if the team moved on from Super Bowl 50 ’ s MVP ?
Pro football is a bottom-line business .
Denver can afford to be patient with Lock .
Paying a premium price to make Miller a Bronco for life would be a whole different deal .
A more valuable football player than Allen ?
That ’ s not the bottom-line question for Chubb .
Is he good enough to replace Miller ?

At long last, the truth can be revealed. And the truth is gonna hurt Drew Lock.
Lock, who fancies himself a jump-shooter with the range of Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, lost a summer basketball contest to rising Buffalo star Josh Allen when the two young NFL quarterbacks took a break from working out together.
“I think he had (basketball scholarship) offers in high school,” Allen said Wednesday, not bashful about bragging how he took “care of business” and beat Lock in a pick-up game this past summer.
Allen, however, is also humble and gracious. Trying to be nice to his buddy Lock, the 24-year-old Bills quarterback said: “He’s a 10 times better dancer than I am.”
Ouch. A better dancer, eh. Do you feel that burn?
Lock wants to win a Super Bowl, not “Dancing with the Stars.”
On the verge of leading Buffalo to its first AFC East division title since 1995, Allen is the quarterback that Broncos Country wants Lock to be when he grows up. Although this game Saturday between Denver and Buffalo will be hyped as a shootout between brash NFL gunslingers, it’s not really about Josh vs Drew.
The real question is: Why didn’t John love Josh?
With the fifth overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft, Broncos personnel chief John Elway selected linebacker Bradley Chubb rather than Allen, who played quarterback 128 miles up the road from Denver at the University of Wyoming.
Before Allen recently out-dueled Pittsburgh’s Ben Roethlisberger and led the Bills to their 10th win of the season, I got this text from one of the stronger talent evaluators in recent NFL history: “Does Allen look like an Elway clone or what? Allen had all the intangibles. Just needed somebody to coach him up.”
The QBs that caught Elway’s fancy in the 2018 draft were Baker Mayfield (nice!) and Sam Darnold (oops!). Denver let Allen slide to Buffalo, which grabbed him at No. 7 in the opening round.
Which player would you rather have on your team, Broncos Country: Chubb or Allen?
After recovering from a torn ACL injury that brought his 2019 season to an abrupt and early end, Chubb has re-established himself as an edge rusher with Pro Bowl invitations in his future.
“The first two, three, four games, (Chubb) was playing good, but you could see (his health) still wasn’t all the way back. Then I think each and every week he’s gotten better and better,” Broncos coach Vic Fangio said.
Praising Chubb’s work in a 32-27 win at Carolina, Fangio added: “We had to go out there to get the stop at the end of the game to preserve the win. His pass rush was really good. He caused the first sack we got, (then) applied good pressure on the other plays. That’s what your good players have to do. They’ve got to rise and play great in crunch time.”
The Bills’ patience as Allen slowly climbed the NFL’s steep learning curve has been rewarded. In Year 3, he is completing nearly 70 percent of his pass attempts and has run for six touchdowns. Elway-esque? A QB who Denver passed on has filled the power vacuum in the AFC East, now that Tom Brady has uprooted his old bones from New England and relocated to Tampa for the 5 o’clock early bird dinner special.
In a game where you ain’t nothing without a quarterback, it appears the Bills can compete for a championship with Allen. “The guy has really emerged as one of the top quarterbacks in the league,” Fangio said.
While the outcome of Buffalo vs. Denver won’t have a major impact on the standings, beating Allen might be the biggest victory of Lock’s young career. It would provide evidence that patience in him might richly reward the Broncos’ quest for a return to playoff glory.
Chubb might yet prove to be not only a rock-solid choice, but among the smarter draft picks Elway has made. But we all know the NFL is ruled by quarterbacks and money.
When he grows up, Lock might not be the equal of Allen, much less Peyton Manning. After reviewing a breakthrough performance at Carolina, Lock wisely slowed his roll: “I’m not saying I’m fully there by any means. There’s still a lot of work that I need to do.”
The real evaluation of whether drafting Chubb instead of Allen was a good idea: As an edge-rusher, does Chubb give Elway the leverage to renegotiate the contract of 31-year-old Von Miller without apprehension that Denver’s defense would be crippled if the team moved on from Super Bowl 50’s MVP?
Pro football is a bottom-line business. Denver can afford to be patient with Lock. Paying a premium price to make Miller a Bronco for life would be a whole different deal.
A more valuable football player than Allen? That’s not the bottom-line question for Chubb.
Is he good enough to replace Miller?


thedenverpost--2020-12-17--Badminton player Foo Kune banned for 2 years in doping case

LAUSANNE , Switzerland — Four-time African badminton champion Kate Foo Kune was banned for two years on Wednesday in a doping case and will miss the Tokyo Olympics .
Foo Kune was the flag bearer for Mauritius at the opening ceremony for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics .
The Court of Arbitration for Sport rejected her claim that a bottle of water had been spiked with an anabolic steroid at the 2019 African championships in Nigeria .
The appeal was brought by the Badminton World Federation , which challenged its own doping tribunal ’ s ruling that the 27-year-old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ imposed no ban .
Foo Kune had claimed “ she had been the victim of deliberate spiking of her water by an ill-intentioned individual during the event in question , ” CAS said in a statement .
“ The CAS panel found the athlete ’ s assertion of intentional spiking … devoid of supporting evidence thereby falling short of a cogent explanation as to how the prohibited substance entered her body , ” the court said .
The BWF accepted that while Foo Kone did not deliberately ingest the steroid , she could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or no significant fault ” ruling and should be banned .

LAUSANNE, Switzerland — Four-time African badminton champion Kate Foo Kune was banned for two years on Wednesday in a doping case and will miss the Tokyo Olympics.
Foo Kune was the flag bearer for Mauritius at the opening ceremony for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport rejected her claim that a bottle of water had been spiked with an anabolic steroid at the 2019 African championships in Nigeria.
The appeal was brought by the Badminton World Federation, which challenged its own doping tribunal’s ruling that the 27-year-old Foo Kune was not at fault and imposed no ban.
Foo Kune had claimed “she had been the victim of deliberate spiking of her water by an ill-intentioned individual during the event in question,” CAS said in a statement.
“The CAS panel found the athlete’s assertion of intentional spiking … devoid of supporting evidence thereby falling short of a cogent explanation as to how the prohibited substance entered her body,” the court said.
The BWF accepted that while Foo Kone did not deliberately ingest the steroid, she could not benefit from a “no fault or no significant fault” ruling and should be banned.


thedenverpost--2020-12-17--More than half of Colorado nursing homes now have COVID-19 outbreaks

More than half of Colorado ’ s nursing homes now have active outbreaks of COVID-19 , and nearly 400 people in those facilities have died from the virus .
As of Wednesday , 118 of Colorado ’ s 235 nursing homes had outbreaks of the novel coronavirus .
An outbreak is at least two cases linked to the same location or event , and isn ’ t over until four weeks have passed with no new cases .
Those outbreaks are linked to 392 deaths , all but two of them nursing home residents .
The Colorado Department of Public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases in residents and 2,609 in nursing home staff among these outbreaks .
The state also has outbreaks in 140 assisted living facilities , four memory care units and nine facilities offering multiple levels of care for older people and those with disabilities .
Those facilities have a combined 3,384 cases and 160 deaths .
This comes as nursing home residents and staff are included in the first phase of Colorado ’ s COVID-19 statewide vaccination program , which got underway this week with the arrival of the first doses from Pfizer .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the death toll from the state ’ s spring wave .
Between March and May 27 , 437 nursing home residents , 290 assisted-living residents and two people who worked at an Aurora nursing home died of the virus .
The odds of dying from COVID-19 increase with age .
Only 0.02 % of Coloradans younger than 20 who had the coronavirus have died from it , while more than one in five people older than 80 who were infected have lost their lives .
It ’ s not completely clear why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for older people , but some research suggests changes in the immune system could be partly responsible .
Colorado set a new record for outbreaks for the 11th week in a row , with 1,312 active clusters .
The largest increases were in long-term care facilities and retail outlets .
The number of active outbreaks decreased in schools , offices and restaurants .
In mid-November , Colorado ’ s most-populous counties moved into Level Red on the state ’ s COVID-19 dial framework , where indoor dining was prohibited and offices were encouraged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state ’ s largest school districts also moved to online learning in recent weeks , decreasing opportunities for the virus to spread .
Some facilities don ’ t have the option of closing their doors , though .
The number of outbreaks increased in correctional facilities , where 58 have reported clusters of infections .
The number of hospital units reporting outbreaks also grew , to 14 .
Some of the units care for people with suppressed immune systems , who would be at a high risk of complications .
In most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff members — some of whom may also be at an elevated risk .

More than half of Colorado’s nursing homes now have active outbreaks of COVID-19, and nearly 400 people in those facilities have died from the virus.
As of Wednesday, 118 of Colorado’s 235 nursing homes had outbreaks of the novel coronavirus. An outbreak is at least two cases linked to the same location or event, and isn’t over until four weeks have passed with no new cases.
Those outbreaks are linked to 392 deaths, all but two of them nursing home residents. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has reported 3,166 COVID-19 cases in residents and 2,609 in nursing home staff among these outbreaks.
The state also has outbreaks in 140 assisted living facilities, four memory care units and nine facilities offering multiple levels of care for older people and those with disabilities. Those facilities have a combined 3,384 cases and 160 deaths.
This comes as nursing home residents and staff are included in the first phase of Colorado’s COVID-19 statewide vaccination program, which got underway this week with the arrival of the first doses from Pfizer.
Outbreaks in long-term care facilities drove much of the death toll from the state’s spring wave. Between March and May 27, 437 nursing home residents, 290 assisted-living residents and two people who worked at an Aurora nursing home died of the virus.
The odds of dying from COVID-19 increase with age. Only 0.02% of Coloradans younger than 20 who had the coronavirus have died from it, while more than one in five people older than 80 who were infected have lost their lives. It’s not completely clear why the virus is so much more deadly for older people, but some research suggests changes in the immune system could be partly responsible.
Colorado set a new record for outbreaks for the 11th week in a row, with 1,312 active clusters. The largest increases were in long-term care facilities and retail outlets.
The number of active outbreaks decreased in schools, offices and restaurants. In mid-November, Colorado’s most-populous counties moved into Level Red on the state’s COVID-19 dial framework, where indoor dining was prohibited and offices were encouraged to have workers telecommute. Some of the state’s largest school districts also moved to online learning in recent weeks, decreasing opportunities for the virus to spread.
Some facilities don’t have the option of closing their doors, though. The number of outbreaks increased in correctional facilities, where 58 have reported clusters of infections.
The number of hospital units reporting outbreaks also grew, to 14. Some of the units care for people with suppressed immune systems, who would be at a high risk of complications. In most units, the only cases were in staff members — some of whom may also be at an elevated risk.


thedenverpost--2020-12-17--Bud Black expects Nolan Arenado, Trevor Story to play for Rockies in 2021

Ever the optimist , manager Bud Black believes it ’ s possible for the Rockies to be a playoff contender in 2021 , saying “ I ’ d like to think we are still in that window .
A lot of key players that we have had , are still with us.
” That means that Black , despite the persistent trade rumors swirling around third baseman Nolan Arenado and shortstop Trevor Story , expects both stars to be in a Rockies uniform on opening day .
“ I anticipate them being on the team , ” Black said Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from his home near San Diego .
“ In most cases , what we hear and what we read , I think are 90 % rumors .
“ As far as anything , right now , that I know , for me they are Rockies and they are a big part of our team .
I ’ ve always said that the core group now , of Trevor , Nolan and Chuck ( right fielder Charlie Blackmon ) , those three guys fit right in the middle of our order and they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The latest trade rumor regarding Arenado , who ’ s scheduled to make $ 35 million , suggests that the New York Mets are a trade partner .
Jon Morosi of MLB Network reported that the Colorado Rockies “ want to engage ” with the Mets on an Arenado trade .
One source told The Denver Post , however , that while there might be a connection between the Rockies and Mets , the latest rumor was used to “ affect another player or another team ’ s position.
” In other words @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the baseball industry ’ s hot stove gamesmanship .
Arenado has repeatedly said that his biggest desire is to play for a perennial playoff contender .
But the Rockies , despite Black ’ s optimism , need a lot to go right for them to turn things around .
After back-to-back playoff seasons in 2017-18 , the Rockies finished 71-91 in 2019 and were 26-34 in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season .
Their offense ranked near the bottom of the majors in a number of categories and their bullpen was one of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dick Monfort and general manager Jeff Bridich have made it clear that a season without revenue coming from fans in the stands means the team will be forced to make some difficult financial decisions this offseason .
Arenado , 29 , who signed an eight-year , $ 260 million contract prior to the 2019 season , can opt out of his deal and become a free agent after the 2021 season .
His very public feud with Bridich continues to fuel speculation Arenado will be dealt this offseason .
Story , 28 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contract and is scheduled to become a free agent after the 2021 season in which he ’ ll make $ 18.5 million .
Monfort had repeatedly said that he wanted to sign Story to a long-term deal , but the coronavirus pandemic might have changed things .
Earlier this month , the Rockies decided not to tender a contract to oft-injured outfielder David Dahl , who became a free agent and on Monday officially signed a one-year , $ 3 million deal with the Texas Rangers .
Black said saying goodbye to Dahl @ @ @ @ @ @ @ difficult decision.
” Black , who ’ s entering his fifth season with Colorado , said that questions about the team ’ s financial situation are better addressed by Monfort , but added : “ We can contend — if we play to our potential ; if we play like we are capable.
” Regarding other topics , Black said : * The entire coaching staff from the 2020 season will return in 2021 .
* He expects veteran outfielder Ian Desmond to play again .
Desmond , 35 , opted out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t quite sure what role Desmond will play next season .
“ It depends on his performance and production , ” Black said .
“ We ’ re going to have to see where ‘ Desi ’ is , physically , and how he ’ s moving , how he ’ s playing and how he ’ s swinging the bat .
We ’ ll see that in spring training .
“ He ’ s shown the ability to hit left-handed pitching recently , so that gives us a great option.
” * @ @ @ @ @ @ @ add a bat to boost the offense , possibly in the outfield or on the right side of the infield .
He would also like to add a left-handed reliever to the bullpen , though he acknowledged that quality lefty relievers are difficult to obtain .
* The Rockies are relatively healthy and the sore shoulder that landed Arenado on the injured list to finish the season is a “ non-issue.
” Right-handed starter Jon Gray , who was shut down at the end of the season with shoulder pain , has begun @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a candidate to be the closer , missed the entire 2020 season when he underwent surgery to fix a problem that was causing reoccurring blood clots in his arm .
But he ’ s progressing well and Black is encouraged .
“ My gut tells me that Oberg is going to be fine , ” Black said .
“ From talking to him , he feels real confident about where he is .
He started to throw again but hasn ’ t thrown off the mound yet .
But he ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ picking up the intensity .
”

Ever the optimist, manager Bud Black believes it’s possible for the Rockies to be a playoff contender in 2021, saying “I’d like to think we are still in that window. A lot of key players that we have had, are still with us.”
That means that Black, despite the persistent trade rumors swirling around third baseman Nolan Arenado and shortstop Trevor Story, expects both stars to be in a Rockies uniform on opening day.
“I anticipate them being on the team,” Black said Wednesday during a Zoom call with the media from his home near San Diego. “In most cases, what we hear and what we read, I think are 90% rumors.
“As far as anything, right now, that I know, for me they are Rockies and they are a big part of our team. I’ve always said that the core group now, of Trevor, Nolan and Chuck (right fielder Charlie Blackmon), those three guys fit right in the middle of our order and they are the guys that make us go.”
The latest trade rumor regarding Arenado, who’s scheduled to make $35 million, suggests that the New York Mets are a trade partner. Jon Morosi of MLB Network reported that the Colorado Rockies “want to engage” with the Mets on an Arenado trade.
One source told The Denver Post, however, that while there might be a connection between the Rockies and Mets, the latest rumor was used to “affect another player or another team’s position.” In other words, the Arenado rumor mill is part of the baseball industry’s hot stove gamesmanship.
Arenado has repeatedly said that his biggest desire is to play for a perennial playoff contender. But the Rockies, despite Black’s optimism, need a lot to go right for them to turn things around.
After back-to-back playoff seasons in 2017-18, the Rockies finished 71-91 in 2019 and were 26-34 in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. Their offense ranked near the bottom of the majors in a number of categories and their bullpen was one of the worst in team history.
Both owner Dick Monfort and general manager Jeff Bridich have made it clear that a season without revenue coming from fans in the stands means the team will be forced to make some difficult financial decisions this offseason.
Arenado, 29, who signed an eight-year, $260 million contract prior to the 2019 season, can opt out of his deal and become a free agent after the 2021 season. His very public feud with Bridich continues to fuel speculation Arenado will be dealt this offseason.
Story, 28, is in the final year of his contract and is scheduled to become a free agent after the 2021 season in which he’ll make $18.5 million. Monfort had repeatedly said that he wanted to sign Story to a long-term deal, but the coronavirus pandemic might have changed things.
Earlier this month, the Rockies decided not to tender a contract to oft-injured outfielder David Dahl, who became a free agent and on Monday officially signed a one-year, $3 million deal with the Texas Rangers. Black said saying goodbye to Dahl, just 26, was “a difficult decision.”
Black, who’s entering his fifth season with Colorado, said that questions about the team’s financial situation are better addressed by Monfort, but added: “We can contend — if we play to our potential; if we play like we are capable.”
Regarding other topics, Black said:
* The entire coaching staff from the 2020 season will return in 2021.
* He expects veteran outfielder Ian Desmond to play again. Desmond, 35, opted out of the 2020 season. Black isn’t quite sure what role Desmond will play next season.
“It depends on his performance and production,” Black said. “We’re going to have to see where ‘Desi’ is, physically, and how he’s moving, how he’s playing and how he’s swinging the bat. We’ll see that in spring training.
“He’s shown the ability to hit left-handed pitching recently, so that gives us a great option.”
* He would like to see the club add a bat to boost the offense, possibly in the outfield or on the right side of the infield. He would also like to add a left-handed reliever to the bullpen, though he acknowledged that quality lefty relievers are difficult to obtain.
* The Rockies are relatively healthy and the sore shoulder that landed Arenado on the injured list to finish the season is a “non-issue.”
Right-handed starter Jon Gray, who was shut down at the end of the season with shoulder pain, has begun playing catch.
Righty reliever Scott Oberg, a candidate to be the closer, missed the entire 2020 season when he underwent surgery to fix a problem that was causing reoccurring blood clots in his arm. But he’s progressing well and Black is encouraged.
“My gut tells me that Oberg is going to be fine,” Black said. “From talking to him, he feels real confident about where he is. He started to throw again but hasn’t thrown off the mound yet. But he’s playing catch … He’s slowly picking up the intensity.”


thedenverpost--2020-12-17--Hot start pushes CU Buffs men’s basketball past Omaha

If the Colorado Buffaloes continue to play this well at home when they return to the CU Events Center in January for Pac-12 Conference play , it will be a memorable season indeed .
The Buffs quickly dispatched their second overmatched opponent in less than 48 hours on Wednesday afternoon , burying Omaha with a hot start before cruising the rest of the way to a 91-49 victory .
Two days after topping Northern Colorado by 36 points , the Buffs took control with an early 10-0 run and were never threatened by the Mavericks .
CU added a 14-0 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also scored 11 consecutive points early in the second half .
“ I told the team in the locker room , for the rest of the season the price of poker is going up from the standpoint of our opponents are going to be more formidable in terms of their size and strength and athleticism , ” said CU head coach Tad Boyle , offering a fitting metaphor for a team whose next two games are in Las Vegas .
“ We ’ ve got to be ready for that .
It starts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in practice.
” CU dominated in all facets , shooting an even 50 percent from the field ( 31-for-62 ) while limiting Omaha to a .311 mark .
Playing at full strength this week for the first time this season , the Buffs took advantage of a pair of overmatched opponents at home to start playing the way they envisioned at the outset of the year .
In the wins against UNC and Omaha , the Buffs shot a combined .516 from the field ( 63-for-122 ) while shooting .436 on 3-pointers .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ holding the Bears and Omaha to a combined .301 mark ( 34-for-113 ) overall and a .314 mark ( 11-for-34 ) on 3-pointers .
CU forced 36 turnovers in the two wins while posting 34 assists against 23 turnovers .
The Buffs committed just nine turnovers against Omaha .
“ This was a good week for us .
We kind of needed it , ” Boyle said .
“ These games are behind us now .
We don ’ t have any ( gimmies ) left .
We have 21 Pac-12 schools , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Hopefully we can get them all in and stay healthy .
But it is good to have everybody on deck like we did the last two games.
” Four players scored in double figures in a balanced CU offense , led by another standout all-around performance from senior point guard McKinley Wright IV .
Wright went 6-for-8 from the field and finished with 17 points , eight assists , and five rebounds .
For the first time in his career , 7-footer Dallas Walton reached double-figure points in consecutive games , going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ posting 14 points .
CU freshman Jabari Walker came off the bench to contribute 15 points and nine rebounds .
“ It feels great to have all our players back , ” Wright said .
“ We were missing Eli ( Parquet ) at Tennessee , and Eli ’ s a huge part of our team .
Especially on the defensive end and what he brings to our team .
It felt good to have everybody back .
It felt good to be back at ( the Events Center ) the last two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ game here for 2020 and it felt good to go out with a win .
We ’ ll be back here in January.
” What went right : CU shot 50 percent , held Omaha to a .311 mark , and outrebounded the Mavericks 45-32 .
What went wrong : Nothing .
The Buffs shot well from the floor and free throw line ( 18-for-22 ) while committing only nine turnovers .
Star of the game : It was a balanced attack for CU , but once again it all began with McKinley @ @ @ @ @ @ @ went 6-for-8 and finished with 17 points , eight assists , five rebounds , and no turnovers .
In the two home games this week , Wright recorded 15 assist with only one turnover .
What ’ s next : The Buffs will play two games early next week in Las Vegas , beginning with a Sunday date against Pac-12 rival Washington in a game that will be played as a nonconference contest ( 8 p.m. MT , Pac-12 Networks ) .

If the Colorado Buffaloes continue to play this well at home when they return to the CU Events Center in January for Pac-12 Conference play, it will be a memorable season indeed.
The Buffs quickly dispatched their second overmatched opponent in less than 48 hours on Wednesday afternoon, burying Omaha with a hot start before cruising the rest of the way to a 91-49 victory.
Two days after topping Northern Colorado by 36 points, the Buffs took control with an early 10-0 run and were never threatened by the Mavericks. CU added a 14-0 run later in the first half and also scored 11 consecutive points early in the second half.
“I told the team in the locker room, for the rest of the season the price of poker is going up from the standpoint of our opponents are going to be more formidable in terms of their size and strength and athleticism,” said CU head coach Tad Boyle, offering a fitting metaphor for a team whose next two games are in Las Vegas. “We’ve got to be ready for that. It starts Sunday in Vegas. Actually, Friday in practice.”
CU dominated in all facets, shooting an even 50 percent from the field (31-for-62) while limiting Omaha to a .311 mark.
Playing at full strength this week for the first time this season, the Buffs took advantage of a pair of overmatched opponents at home to start playing the way they envisioned at the outset of the year. In the wins against UNC and Omaha, the Buffs shot a combined .516 from the field (63-for-122) while shooting .436 on 3-pointers. Defensively, CU was equally efficient, holding the Bears and Omaha to a combined .301 mark (34-for-113) overall and a .314 mark (11-for-34) on 3-pointers.
CU forced 36 turnovers in the two wins while posting 34 assists against 23 turnovers. The Buffs committed just nine turnovers against Omaha.
“This was a good week for us. We kind of needed it,” Boyle said. “These games are behind us now. We don’t have any (gimmies) left. We have 21 Pac-12 schools, and we’ve got Grand Canyon. Hopefully we can get them all in and stay healthy. But it is good to have everybody on deck like we did the last two games.”
Four players scored in double figures in a balanced CU offense, led by another standout all-around performance from senior point guard McKinley Wright IV. Wright went 6-for-8 from the field and finished with 17 points, eight assists, and five rebounds.
For the first time in his career, 7-footer Dallas Walton reached double-figure points in consecutive games, going 4-for-5 overall and 2-for-2 on 3-pointers while posting 14 points. CU freshman Jabari Walker came off the bench to contribute 15 points and nine rebounds.
“It feels great to have all our players back,” Wright said. “We were missing Eli (Parquet) at Tennessee, and Eli’s a huge part of our team. Especially on the defensive end and what he brings to our team. It felt good to have everybody back. It felt good to be back at (the Events Center) the last two games. It’s our last game here for 2020 and it felt good to go out with a win. We’ll be back here in January.”
Fast Break
What went right: CU shot 50 percent, held Omaha to a .311 mark, and outrebounded the Mavericks 45-32.
What went wrong: Nothing. The Buffs shot well from the floor and free throw line (18-for-22) while committing only nine turnovers.
Star of the game: It was a balanced attack for CU, but once again it all began with McKinley Wright IV. The senior point guard went 6-for-8 and finished with 17 points, eight assists, five rebounds, and no turnovers. In the two home games this week, Wright recorded 15 assist with only one turnover.
What’s next: The Buffs will play two games early next week in Las Vegas, beginning with a Sunday date against Pac-12 rival Washington in a game that will be played as a nonconference contest (8 p.m. MT, Pac-12 Networks).
Colorado 91, Nebraska-Omaha 49
NEBRASKA-OMAHA (2-6)
Pile 3-8 0-0 6, Tut 3-5 0-0 6, Akinwole 1-5 0-0 3, Roe 3-6 0-0 7, Ruffin 1-11 1-2 4, Booth 3-9 0-0 8, Hughes 1-4 0-0 2, Robinson 3-10 5-6 11, Luedtke 0-1 0-0 0, Brusseau 0-0 0-0 0, Brougham 1-1 0-1 2, Ferrarini 0-1 0-0 0, Evans 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 19-61 6-9 49.
COLORADO (4-1)
Battey 4-8 1-2 9, Walton 4-5 4-6 14, Parquet 2-3 0-0 5, Wright 6-8 4-4 17, Schwartz 4-8 1-1 11, Barthelemy 2-6 0-0 4, Horne 3-7 0-0 8, Daniels 1-8 0-0 3, Walker 4-8 6-7 15, Clifford 1-1 2-2 5, O’Brien 0-0 0-0 0, Strating 0-0 0-0 0, Jessup 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 31-62 18-22 91.
Halftime – Colorado 47-25. 3-Point Goals – Nebraska-Omaha 5-17 (Booth 2-5, Akinwole 1-3, Roe 1-3, Ruffin 1-4, Ferrarini 0-1, Luedtke 0-1), Colorado 11-26 (Schwartz 2-2, Walton 2-2, Horne 2-4, Clifford 1-1, Parquet 1-2, Wright 1-2, Walker 1-3, Daniels 1-5, Barthelemy 0-2, Battey 0-3). Rebounds – Nebraska-Omaha 32 (Pile 11), Colorado 45 (Walker 9). Assists – Nebraska-Omaha 14 (Akinwole 5), Colorado 18 (Wright 8). Total Fouls – Nebraska-Omaha 22, Colorado 15.


thedenverpost--2020-12-16--Colorado State football signs three quarterbacks as Steve Addazio seeks “it” factor he once saw in T

Colorado State football signs three quarterbacks as Steve Addazio seeks “it” factor he once saw in Tim Tebow

Ask Colorado State football coach Steve Addazio for the most important traits in a starting quarterback and he ’ ll take you back to the 2000s while on staff at Florida and the sidelines of heated SEC rivalry games .
Adazzio ’ s quarterback in those days ?
Tim Tebow requires no introduction .
“ The guy would stare a bear down , I promise you , and I ’ ve never been around a guy like him before , ” Addazio said .
“ I could remember playing Tennessee one year , it ’ s fourth-and-1 , and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tebow ) comes to the sideline screaming : ‘ Give me the ball !
’ We ’ re like : ‘ Woah , Tim , settle down a little bit.
’ “ But what did we do ?
Q-Power .
Let him run the ball .
He never got stopped one time.
” Addazio reminisced about football glory days during a virtual news conference Wednesday after CSU wrapped up the first day of the early signing period with the signing of three high school quarterbacks : Luke McAllister , Chance Harris and Evan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ learned early in his coaching career “ to take as many quarterbacks as you can and hope that you get lucky and you find that one that can be that elite guy .
How much success you have and how much you win is going to correlate heavily.
” It sets up for an intriguing QB room in 2021 as the Rams have potentially three scholarship passers returning on their roster .
Senior Patrick O ’ Brien is eligible for another season under revised NCAA rules , but his decision is unknown , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are also in the mix .
Addazio can ’ t tell you who will start at quarterback at CSU next season .
But he ’ s seeking the kind of fire Tebow once provided the Gators .
“ You ’ re trying to find a guy who has got ‘ it , ’ ” Addazio said .
“ He ’ s just a freaking competitor and he can put the team on his back .
His mentality and attitude ( are ) relentless , and he lifts everybody up , including the coaches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you find one of those guys , you ’ re going to win a lot of football games .
… It comes in a lot of different sizes and a lot of different styles — throwers , runners , a combination .
I never worry about that.
” Here ’ s what you need to know about Colorado State ’ s QB newcomers : — Chance Harris / 6-0 , 200 / Clovis HS ( New Mexico ) : A three-star prospect , per 24/7 Sports , with 3,829 passing yards and 56 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not play his senior year after New Mexico canceled its football season due to COVID-19 concerns .
— Luke McAllister / 6-4 , 190 / Palmer Ridge HS ( Monument ) : The top-rated quarterback in Colorado for this recruiting cycle , he reached the Class 4A state championship game .
McAllister accounted for more than 4,500 career passing yards with 50-plus touchdowns .
— Evan Olaes / 6-0 , 205 / Legacy HS ( North Las Vegas ) : A dual-threat quarterback with 2,853 yards passing and 1,109 yards rushing as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s cancelation of a fall football season also led Olaes to miss his senior year .
Not done yet .
CSU finished the early period with 19 players signed ( 10 offense and nine defense ) from a collection of eight states — Colorado ( six ) , Florida ( three ) , Texas ( three ) , California ( two ) , Nevada ( two ) , Arizona ( one ) , Massachusetts ( one ) and New Mexico ( one ) .
But Addazio and his staff will continue recruiting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We ’ re saving five or six spots either for the second signing period , possible grad transfers , and a couple of deals like that , ” Addazio said .
“ We ’ re expecting at least 10 Colorado kids via the walk-on program .
”

Ask Colorado State football coach Steve Addazio for the most important traits in a starting quarterback and he’ll take you back to the 2000s while on staff at Florida and the sidelines of heated SEC rivalry games.
Adazzio’s quarterback in those days? Tim Tebow requires no introduction.
“The guy would stare a bear down, I promise you, and I’ve never been around a guy like him before,” Addazio said. “I could remember playing Tennessee one year, it’s fourth-and-1, and the game is on the line. (Tebow) comes to the sideline screaming: ‘Give me the ball!’ We’re like: ‘Woah, Tim, settle down a little bit.’
“But what did we do? Q-Power. Let him run the ball. He never got stopped one time.”
Addazio reminisced about football glory days during a virtual news conference Wednesday after CSU wrapped up the first day of the early signing period with the signing of three high school quarterbacks: Luke McAllister, Chance Harris and Evan Olaes.
Addazio told reporters that he learned early in his coaching career “to take as many quarterbacks as you can and hope that you get lucky and you find that one that can be that elite guy. How much success you have and how much you win is going to correlate heavily.”
It sets up for an intriguing QB room in 2021 as the Rams have potentially three scholarship passers returning on their roster. Senior Patrick O’Brien is eligible for another season under revised NCAA rules, but his decision is unknown, and backups Todd Centeio and Justice McCoy are also in the mix.
Addazio can’t tell you who will start at quarterback at CSU next season. But he’s seeking the kind of fire Tebow once provided the Gators.
“You’re trying to find a guy who has got ‘it,’” Addazio said. “He’s just a freaking competitor and he can put the team on his back. His mentality and attitude (are) relentless, and he lifts everybody up, including the coaches, on the football field. If you find one of those guys, you’re going to win a lot of football games. … It comes in a lot of different sizes and a lot of different styles — throwers, runners, a combination. I never worry about that.”
Here’s what you need to know about Colorado State’s QB newcomers:
— Chance Harris / 6-0, 200 / Clovis HS (New Mexico): A three-star prospect, per 24/7 Sports, with 3,829 passing yards and 56 touchdowns over three seasons. Harris did not play his senior year after New Mexico canceled its football season due to COVID-19 concerns.
— Luke McAllister / 6-4, 190 / Palmer Ridge HS (Monument): The top-rated quarterback in Colorado for this recruiting cycle, he reached the Class 4A state championship game. McAllister accounted for more than 4,500 career passing yards with 50-plus touchdowns.
— Evan Olaes / 6-0, 205 / Legacy HS (North Las Vegas): A dual-threat quarterback with 2,853 yards passing and 1,109 yards rushing as a junior and 36 total touchdowns. Nevada’s cancelation of a fall football season also led Olaes to miss his senior year.
Not done yet. CSU finished the early period with 19 players signed (10 offense and nine defense) from a collection of eight states — Colorado (six), Florida (three), Texas (three), California (two), Nevada (two), Arizona (one), Massachusetts (one) and New Mexico (one).
But Addazio and his staff will continue recruiting until the traditional February signing day.
“We’re saving five or six spots either for the second signing period, possible grad transfers, and a couple of deals like that,” Addazio said. “We’re expecting at least 10 Colorado kids via the walk-on program.”


thedenverpost--2020-12-16--Feds won’t cite King Soopers for safety violations at Denver store where 3 workers died from COVID-1

Feds won’t cite King Soopers for safety violations at Denver store where 3 workers died from COVID-19

The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration will not cite a Denver King Soopers store after a months-long investigation into working conditions that was triggered by the deaths of three workers from COVID-19 .
OSHA issued a letter Dec. 2 to King Soopers store # 29 on Ninth Avenue in Capitol Hill to recommend safety precautions , but the agency did not levy any citations .
Melissa McCollister , political liaison for the United Food & Commercial Workers Local 7 , the union that represents King Soopers employees in Colorado , called the probe a “ farce , ” saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evaluate safety measures because they didn ’ t want them to be exposed to the novel coronavirus .
“ The stores our workers work in every day were too dangerous to investigate , ” McCollister said .
Store management was not enforcing a mask mandate , and inspectors raised concerns that proper cleaning was not happening inside the store , according to a copy of OSHA ’ s letter provided to The Denver Post by the union .
The agency also recommended the store ’ s management limit occupancy , designate six-foot separation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hand sanitizer and provide N95 masks to employees who must work in the narrow back room/deliveries area , the letter said .
“ OSHA will not issue a citation to the King Sooper ( sic ) Store # 29 in Denver Colorado at this time , ” the letter said .
“ However , improvements could be made to improve your approach to protecting employees from SARS-CoV-2.
” A King Soopers spokeswoman did not respond to a request for comment .
In September , OSHA announced a $ 15,000 fine of JBS USA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Greeley meatpacking plant after six workers died and hundreds were infected .
That penalty was criticized by the same union as being far too lenient given the loss of life .
McCollister ’ s criticism of OSHA ’ s King Soopers investigation came during a Wednesday news conference at which workers , union officials and religious leaders asked the King Soopers and Safeway grocery chains to restore a hazard pay that was in place during the early days of the pandemic .
Kroger , the parent company of King Soopers and City Market @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hour raise — called a “ Heroes Bonus ” — between March 31 and May 17 .
Safeway gave a $ 2 per hour pay increase between March 20 and June 14 , McCollister said .
Since the hazard pay was dropped , COVID-19 cases have continued to rise inside the two chains ’ stores across Colorado , she said .
Nikki Trujillo , whose brother Randy Narvaez died after contracting COVID-19 at King Soopers ’ Capitol Hill store , said it was too late to help her brother but called on Kroger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ While King Soopers was quick to call workers like my brother a hero with a fancy video announcing ‘ hero pay , ’ they were just as quick to take it away as infection rates rose , ” Trujillo said .
Narvaez , a 30-year employee of the supermarket chain , died of COVID-19 on May 17 .
Karen Haws , a courtesy clerk , was the first store employee to die , on April 10 .
She had worked for the store since 2019 .
James McKay had worked for King Soopers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ May 23 .
On Wednesday , King Soopers employees expressed fear over catching the virus as they described customers without face coverings , hazardous conditions in stockrooms caused by overworked employees and bathrooms without soap and paper towels .
Marlon Johnson , a King Soopers deli worker , said he must work because everyone else in his family has been laid off .
He cried when talking about missing his granddaughters because he ’ s afraid he could contract the virus and spread it to them .
Johnson called on King Soopers managers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ describing what happened recently when he asked a security guard to talk to a customer about it .
“ He said , ‘ What do you want me to do about it ? '
” Johnson said .
“ Let that sink in for a minute .
”

The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration will not cite a Denver King Soopers store after a months-long investigation into working conditions that was triggered by the deaths of two workers from COVID-19.
OSHA issued a letter Dec. 2 to King Soopers store #29 on Ninth Avenue in Capitol Hill to recommend safety precautions, but the agency did not levy any citations.
Melissa McCollister, political liaison for the United Food & Commercial Workers Local 7, the union that represents King Soopers employees in Colorado, called the probe a “farce,” saying OSHA never sent investigators on site to evaluate safety measures because they didn’t want them to be exposed to the novel coronavirus.
“The stores our workers work in every day were too dangerous to investigate,” McCollister said.
Store management was not enforcing a mask mandate, and inspectors raised concerns that proper cleaning was not happening inside the store, according to a copy of OSHA’s letter provided to The Denver Post by the union. The agency also recommended the store’s management limit occupancy, designate six-foot separation zones throughout the store, add more hand sanitizer and provide N95 masks to employees who must work in the narrow back room/deliveries area, the letter said.
“OSHA will not issue a citation to the King Sooper (sic) Store #29 in Denver Colorado at this time,” the letter said. “However, improvements could be made to improve your approach to protecting employees from SARS-CoV-2.”
Jessica Trowbridge, a King Soopers spokeswoman, would not comment on the OSHA letter because there was an investigation involved. But she ran down a list of safety precautions that the company implemented since the start of the pandemic to keep stores clean and to prevent COVID-19 infections among employees and customers.
“We don’t take safety lightly in our stores,” she said.
In September, OSHA announced a $15,000 fine of JBS USA for failing to protect employees at its Greeley meatpacking plant after six workers died and hundreds were infected. That penalty was criticized by the same union as being far too lenient given the loss of life.
McCollister’s criticism of OSHA’s King Soopers investigation came during a Wednesday news conference at which workers, union officials and religious leaders asked the King Soopers and Safeway grocery chains to restore a hazard pay that was in place during the early days of the pandemic. Kroger, the parent company of King Soopers and City Market, gave employees a $2 per hour raise — called a “Heroes Bonus” — between March 31 and May 17. Safeway gave a $2 per hour pay increase between March 20 and June 14, McCollister said.
Since the hazard pay was dropped, COVID-19 cases have continued to rise inside the two chains’ stores across Colorado, she said.
Nikki Trujillo, whose brother Randy Narvaez died after contracting COVID-19 at King Soopers’ Capitol Hill store, said it was too late to help her brother but called on Kroger to reinstate the extra pay.
“While King Soopers was quick to call workers like my brother a hero with a fancy video announcing ‘hero pay,’ they were just as quick to take it away as infection rates rose,” Trujillo said.
Narvaez, a 30-year employee of the supermarket chain, died of COVID-19 on May 17. He and James McKay had worked for King Soopers since 2009 and he died on May 23, worked at the Capitol Hill store. Karen Haws, a courtesy clerk, was the first Colorado King Soopers employee to die, on April 10.
Trowbridge said the company has spent $1.3 billion on extra pay for employees since the pandemic began. It’s also awarded them gift cards and 1,000 fuel points, she said. The company also stabilized its employee pension plan in November with a $1 billion investment and created a $15 million hardship for employees who are hit especially hard by the pandemic, she said.
“We are very proud of the work our associates have done,” she said.
On Wednesday, King Soopers employees expressed fear over catching the virus as they described customers without face coverings, hazardous conditions in stockrooms caused by overworked employees and bathrooms without soap and paper towels.
Marlon Johnson, a King Soopers deli worker, said he must work because everyone else in his family has been laid off. He cried when talking about missing his granddaughters because he’s afraid he could contract the virus and spread it to them. Johnson called on King Soopers managers to enforce mask-wearing at his store, describing what happened recently when he asked a security guard to talk to a customer about it.
“He said, ‘What do you want me to do about it?'” Johnson said. “Let that sink in for a minute.”
This story was updated at 4:30 p.m., Dec. 17, 2020, after a King Soopers spokeswoman responded to questions about the OSHA investigation and employees’ request for more pay. It also clarifies that two people employed at the Capitol Hill store died of COVID-19. A third King Soopers employee who died worked at another store.


thedenverpost--2020-12-17--Fatal crash on 6th Avenue near Wadsworth Boulevard leaves one dead

A man was killed after leaving his car on 6th Avenue Freeway in Lakewood Wednesday night .
The deceased was @ @ @ @ @ between Wadsworth and Sheridan Boulevards when he crashed his white pickup truck into the median @ @ @ @ @ crash spurred the man to get on the westbound side of the road , witnesses @ @ @ @ @ and killed by another vehicle on the west side of the highway .
Lakewood Police @ @ @ @ @ , but he was declared dead at the scene .
His identity has not been @ @ @ @ @ not said if alcohol was a factor .
Both the initial crash and the second @ @ @ @ @ the death , are under investigation .

A man was killed after leaving his car on 6th Avenue Freeway in Lakewood Wednesday night.
The deceased was driving east on the road between Wadsworth and Sheridan Boulevards when he crashed his white pickup truck into the median around 10 p.m.. The single-vehicle crash spurred the man to get on the westbound side of the road, witnesses said. He was struck and killed by another vehicle on the west side of the highway.
Lakewood Police attempted to save the man, but he was declared dead at the scene. His identity has not been released, and police have not said if alcohol was a factor.
Both the initial crash and the second incident, which resulted in the death, are under investigation.


thedenverpost--2020-12-17--U.S. unemployment claims rise to 885,000 amid resurgence of coronavirus

WASHINGTON — The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits rose again last week to 885,000 as a resurgence of coronavirus cases threatens the economy ’ s recovery from its springtime collapse .
The Labor Department said Thursday that the number of applications increased from 862,000 the previous week .
It showed that nine months after the viral pandemic paralyzed the economy , many employers are still slashing jobs as the pandemic forces more business restrictions and leads many consumers to stay home .
Before the coronavirus erupted in March , weekly jobless claims had typically numbered only about 225,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reflects an employment market under stress and diminished job security for many .
The total number of people who are receiving traditional state unemployment benefits fell to 5.5 million from 5.8 million .
That figure is down sharply from its peak of nearly 23 million in May .
It means that some jobless Americans are finding jobs and no longer receiving aid .
But it also indicates that many of the unemployed have used up their state benefits , which typically expire after six months .
With layoffs still elevated and new confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exceeding 200,000 a day on average , the economy ’ s modest recovery is increasingly in danger .
States and cities are issuing mask mandates , limiting the size of gatherings , restricting restaurant dining , closing gyms or reducing the hours and capacity of bars , stores and other businesses .
On Wednesday , the Federal Reserve signaled that it expects the economy to rebound at a healthy pace next year as viral vaccines become widely distributed .
But Chair Jerome Powell warned that the next three to six months will likely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ businesses as pandemic cases spike .
The Fed made clear that it ’ s prepared to keep interest rates ultra-low for the long run to help the economy withstand those threats .

WASHINGTON — The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits rose again last week to 885,000 as a resurgence of coronavirus cases threatens the economy’s recovery from its springtime collapse.
The Labor Department said Thursday that the number of applications increased from 862,000 the previous week. It showed that nine months after the viral pandemic paralyzed the economy, many employers are still slashing jobs as the pandemic forces more business restrictions and leads many consumers to stay home.
Before the coronavirus erupted in March, weekly jobless claims had typically numbered only about 225,000. The far-higher current pace of claims reflects an employment market under stress and diminished job security for many.
The total number of people who are receiving traditional state unemployment benefits fell to 5.5 million from 5.8 million. That figure is down sharply from its peak of nearly 23 million in May. It means that some jobless Americans are finding jobs and no longer receiving aid. But it also indicates that many of the unemployed have used up their state benefits, which typically expire after six months.
With layoffs still elevated and new confirmed viral cases in the United States now exceeding 200,000 a day on average, the economy’s modest recovery is increasingly in danger. States and cities are issuing mask mandates, limiting the size of gatherings, restricting restaurant dining, closing gyms or reducing the hours and capacity of bars, stores and other businesses.
On Wednesday, the Federal Reserve signaled that it expects the economy to rebound at a healthy pace next year as viral vaccines become widely distributed. But Chair Jerome Powell warned that the next three to six months will likely be painful for the unemployed and small businesses as pandemic cases spike. The Fed made clear that it’s prepared to keep interest rates ultra-low for the long run to help the economy withstand those threats.


thedenverpost--2020-12-17--Denver weather: Snowy Friday before a gorgeous weekend

Warmth is on the way and so too is a beautiful weekend .
But before you relax , there ’ s another round of snow coming on Friday .
According to the National Weather Service in Boulder , Thursday ’ s high will be 48 degrees under mostly cloudy skies .
Winds will pick up to a small breeze in the afternoon , blowing in a slightly warmer evening of 26 degrees under a still overcast sky .
Snow will begin to develop in the mountains late Thursday night .
Snow near Rabbit ’ s Ears Pass will total up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the high country is expected no more than four inches .
Most of this snow will fall on Friday morning .
The metro area should see flurries that accumulate less than an inch of fresh snow .
Friday ’ s high-temperature downtown will be 38 degrees .
The weather will clear for a mostly sunny Saturday with a 45 degree high ; overnight , the low will only drop into the 20s .
Sunday is looking even better , with sun and a 50-degree high temperature .
It ’ s the beginning of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week in the 50s .

Warmth is on the way and so too is a beautiful weekend. But before you relax, there’s another round of snow coming on Friday.
According to the National Weather Service in Boulder, Thursday’s high will be 48 degrees under mostly cloudy skies. Winds will pick up to a small breeze in the afternoon, blowing in a slightly warmer evening of 26 degrees under a still overcast sky.
Snow will begin to develop in the mountains late Thursday night. Snow near Rabbit’s Ears Pass will total up to eight inches, while most of the high country is expected no more than four inches.
Most of this snow will fall on Friday morning. The metro area should see flurries that accumulate less than an inch of fresh snow. Friday’s high-temperature downtown will be 38 degrees.
The weather will clear for a mostly sunny Saturday with a 45 degree high; overnight, the low will only drop into the 20s.
Sunday is looking even better, with sun and a 50-degree high temperature. It’s the beginning of a pattern that will kick off next week in the 50s.


thedenverpost--2020-12-17--Emmanuel Macron is the latest world leader to catch COVID-19

French President Emmanuel Macron is the latest world leader to test positive for COVID-19 , joining a growing list of others just as inoculation drives against the illness are beginning in a number of countries .
Macron , 42 , has repeatedly said he is sticking to strict sanitary protocols during the pandemic , including not shaking hands , wearing a mask and keeping distance from other people .
The Elysee Palace announced on Thursday that Macron would be isolating for seven days .
President Donald Trump announced in October that he and his wife , first lady Melania Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ For months , Trump was accused of downplaying the virus that has killed more than 300,000 Americans .
At 74 , the U.S. president was the oldest head of state to become infected with the virus to date , and his age put him at higher risk of serious complications from COVID-19 .
Trump was hospitalized for three days , and after staging a dramatic return to the White House , he continued to minimize the severity of the virus .
The British prime minister was the first major world leader confirmed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ downplaying the pandemic .
He was moved to intensive care in April after his symptoms dramatically worsened a day after he was hospitalized for what were called routine tests .
He was given oxygen but did not need a ventilator , officials said .
He later expressed his gratitude to National Health Service staff for saving his life when his condition could have “ gone either way.
” Prince Charles , the heir to the British throne , also tested positive in March and showed mild symptoms .
The Brazilian president announced his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ publicly extol hydroxychloroquine , the unproven malaria drug that he ’ d been promoting as a treatment for COVID-19 and was taking himself .
For months he had flirted with the virus , calling it a “ little flu , ” as he flouted social distancing at lively demonstrations and encouraged crowds during outings from the presidential residence , often without a mask .
The Honduras president announced in June that he had tested positive , along with two other people who worked closely with him .
Hernández said he had started what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” an experimental and unproven combination of microdacyn , azithromycin , ivermectin and zinc .
He was briefly hospitalized and released .
He has added his voice to growing pleas for equitable access to any COVID-19 vaccine , asking the recent U.N. gathering of world leaders , “ Are people to be left to die ?
” The president of Belarus , who dismissed concerns about the virus as “ psychosis ” and recommended drinking vodka to stay healthy , said in July he had contracted it himself but was asymptomatic .
Belarus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ took no comprehensive measures against the virus .
Other top officials in former Soviet states who were infected include Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin .
The palace of Monaco in March said the ruler of the tiny Mediterranean principality tested positive but his health was not worrying .
He was the first head of state to publicly say he was infected .
The Guatemalan president said he tested positive for the virus in September .
“ My symptoms are very mild .
Up to now , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yesterday than today , like a bad cold , ” he said during a televised address .
“ I don ’ t have a fever , I have a bit of a cough.
” He said he ’ d be working from home .
The virus drove the Bolivian interim president into isolation in July , but she said she was feeling well .
The newly elected president of the Dominican Republic contracted and recovered from COVID-19 during his campaign .
He spent weeks in isolation before the country ’ s July election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mideast ’ s initial coronavirus outbreak , has seen several top officials test positive .
Among them are senior Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri and Vice President Massoumeh Ebtekar .
Cabinet members have tested positive , too .
Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu , 71 , recently tested positive but his office said he had no symptoms and was quarantined at home .
Home Minister Amit Shah , the No .
2 man in Prime Minister Narendra Modi ’ s government , was hospitalized for COVID-19 last month and has recovered .
Junior Railways @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first federal minister to die from COVID-19 .
Then-Health Minister Yaakov Litzman tested positive in April and recovered .
Litzman is a leader in Israel ’ s ultra-Orthodox community , which has seen a high rate of infection as many have defied restrictions on religious gatherings .
The minister for Jerusalem affairs , Rafi Peretz , tested positive over the summer as cases surged nationwide and recovered .
The country ’ s defense minister , Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula , mineral resources and energy minister , Gwede Mantashe , and labor minister , Thulas Nxesi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ June and July .
Vice President Riek Machar was among several Cabinet ministers infected .
Vice President Isatou Touray tested positive in July along with the ministers of finance , energy and agriculture .
Prime Minister Nuno Gomes Nabiam in April said he tested positive .

French President Emmanuel Macron is the latest world leader to test positive for COVID-19, joining a growing list of others just as inoculation drives against the illness are beginning in a number of countries.
Macron, 42, has repeatedly said he is sticking to strict sanitary protocols during the pandemic, including not shaking hands, wearing a mask and keeping distance from other people. The Elysee Palace announced on Thursday that Macron would be isolating for seven days.
DONALD TRUMP
President Donald Trump announced in October that he and his wife, first lady Melania Trump, tested positive for the coronavirus. For months, Trump was accused of downplaying the virus that has killed more than 300,000 Americans. At 74, the U.S. president was the oldest head of state to become infected with the virus to date, and his age put him at higher risk of serious complications from COVID-19. Trump was hospitalized for three days, and after staging a dramatic return to the White House, he continued to minimize the severity of the virus.
BORIS JOHNSON
The British prime minister was the first major world leader confirmed to have COVID-19, after facing criticism for downplaying the pandemic. He was moved to intensive care in April after his symptoms dramatically worsened a day after he was hospitalized for what were called routine tests. He was given oxygen but did not need a ventilator, officials said. He later expressed his gratitude to National Health Service staff for saving his life when his condition could have “gone either way.” Prince Charles, the heir to the British throne, also tested positive in March and showed mild symptoms.
JAIR BOLSONARO
The Brazilian president announced his illness in July and used it to publicly extol hydroxychloroquine, the unproven malaria drug that he’d been promoting as a treatment for COVID-19 and was taking himself. For months he had flirted with the virus, calling it a “little flu,” as he flouted social distancing at lively demonstrations and encouraged crowds during outings from the presidential residence, often without a mask.
JUAN ORLANDO HERNANDEZ
The Honduras president announced in June that he had tested positive, along with two other people who worked closely with him. Hernández said he had started what he called the “MAIZ treatment,” an experimental and unproven combination of microdacyn, azithromycin, ivermectin and zinc. He was briefly hospitalized and released. He has added his voice to growing pleas for equitable access to any COVID-19 vaccine, asking the recent U.N. gathering of world leaders, “Are people to be left to die?”
ALEXANDER LUKASHENKO
The president of Belarus, who dismissed concerns about the virus as “psychosis” and recommended drinking vodka to stay healthy, said in July he had contracted it himself but was asymptomatic. Belarus is one of the few countries that took no comprehensive measures against the virus. Other top officials in former Soviet states who were infected include Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin.
PRINCE ALBERT II OF MONACO
The palace of Monaco in March said the ruler of the tiny Mediterranean principality tested positive but his health was not worrying. He was the first head of state to publicly say he was infected.
ALEJANDRO GIAMMATTEI
The Guatemalan president said he tested positive for the virus in September. “My symptoms are very mild. Up to now, I have body aches, it hurt more yesterday than today, like a bad cold,” he said during a televised address. “I don’t have a fever, I have a bit of a cough.” He said he’d be working from home.
JEANINE ANEZ
The virus drove the Bolivian interim president into isolation in July, but she said she was feeling well.
LUIS ABINADER
The newly elected president of the Dominican Republic contracted and recovered from COVID-19 during his campaign. He spent weeks in isolation before the country’s July election.
IRAN
Iran, the epicenter of the Mideast’s initial coronavirus outbreak, has seen several top officials test positive. Among them are senior Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri and Vice President Massoumeh Ebtekar. Cabinet members have tested positive, too.
INDIA
Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu, 71, recently tested positive but his office said he had no symptoms and was quarantined at home. Home Minister Amit Shah, the No. 2 man in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, was hospitalized for COVID-19 last month and has recovered. Junior Railways Minister Suresh Angadi last week was the first federal minister to die from COVID-19.
ISRAEL
Then-Health Minister Yaakov Litzman tested positive in April and recovered. Litzman is a leader in Israel’s ultra-Orthodox community, which has seen a high rate of infection as many have defied restrictions on religious gatherings. The minister for Jerusalem affairs, Rafi Peretz, tested positive over the summer as cases surged nationwide and recovered.
SOUTH AFRICA
The country’s defense minister, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, mineral resources and energy minister, Gwede Mantashe, and labor minister, Thulas Nxesi, were infected as cases surged in June and July.
SOUTH SUDAN
Vice President Riek Machar was among several Cabinet ministers infected.
GAMBIA
Vice President Isatou Touray tested positive in July along with the ministers of finance, energy and agriculture.
GUINEA-BISSAU
Prime Minister Nuno Gomes Nabiam in April said he tested positive.


thedenverpost--2020-12-17--Close but not yet: Congress nearing deal on COVID-19 economic aid bill

WASHINGTON — Congressional negotiators are closing in on a $ 900 billion COVID-19 economic relief package that would deliver additional help to businesses , $ 300-per-week jobless checks and $ 600 stimulus payments to most Americans .
But there was no deal quite yet .
The long-delayed measure was coming together as Capitol Hill combatants finally fashioned difficult compromises , often at the expense of more ambitious Democratic wishes for the legislation , to complete the second major relief package of the coronavirus pandemic .
A hoped-for announcement Wednesday failed to materialize as lawmakers across the spectrum hammered out details @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continued to trade offers .
But lawmakers briefed on the outlines of the aid bill freely shared them .
It ’ s the first significant legislative response to the pandemic since the landmark CARES Act in March , which delivered $ 1.8 trillion in aid and more generous jobless benefits and direct payments to individuals .
Since then , Democrats have repeatedly called for ambitious further federal steps to provide relief and battle the pandemic , while Republicans have sought to more fully reopen the economy and to avoid padding the government ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Joe Biden is eager for an aid package to prop up the economy and deliver direct aid to the jobless and hungry , even though the package falls short of what Democrats want .
He called the emerging version “ an important down payment ” and promised more help next year .
Republicans , too , are anxious to approve some aid before going home for the year .
“ We ’ re still close and we ’ re gon na get there , ” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Capitol .
And during a Senate GOP lunchtime call a day earlier , party leaders stressed the importance of reaching an agreement before the upcoming Georgia Senate runoff election .
The details were still being worked out , but lawmakers in both parties said leaders had agreed on a top-line total of about $ 900 billion , with direct payments of perhaps $ 600 to most Americans and a $ 300-per-week bonus federal unemployment benefit to partially replace a $ 600-per-week benefit that expired this summer .
It also includes the renewal of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the long-term jobless .
More than $ 300 billion in subsidies for business , including a second round of “ paycheck protection ” payments to especially hard-hit businesses , are locked in , as is $ 25 billion to help struggling renters with their payments and provide food aid and farm subsidies , and a $ 10 billion bailout for the Postal Service .
Democrats acknowledged that the removal of a $ 160 billion-or-so aid package for state and local governments whose budgets have been thrown out of balance by the pandemic was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s heartbreaking for us , ” said Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois , whose state has big fiscal problems .
The emerging package was serving as a magnet for adding on other items , and the two sides continued to swap offers .
It was apparent that another temporary spending bill would be needed to prevent a government shutdown at midnight on Friday .
That was likely to easily pass .
House lawmakers returned to Washington on Wednesday in hopes of a vote soon on the broader package , which would combine the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ governmentwide funding bill and a host of other remaining congressional business , including extending expiring tax breaks and passing other unfinished legislation .
Negotiations intensified on Tuesday after months of futility .
Before the election , with Democrats riding high in the polls , House Speaker Nancy Pelosi took a hard line for more aid .
Now , McConnell is playing a strong hand after a better-than-expected performance in the elections limited GOP losses in Senate races .
The frightening , record surge in COVID caseloads and deaths , combined with troubling economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agreement , though the emerging package contains less economic stimulus than the March aid bill .
“ The case for fiscal policy right now is very , very strong , ” Federal Reserve Board Chairman Jerome Powell said Wednesday .
“ I think that is widely understood now .
It ’ s a very positive thing that we may finally be getting that.
” McConnell successfully pushed to get Democrats to drop their much-sought $ 160 billion state and local government aid package while giving up a key priority of his own — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ institutions like universities fearing COVID-19 lawsuits .
Democrats cited other gains for states and localities in the emerging deal such as help for transit systems , schools and vaccine distribution .
The addition of the $ 600 direct payments came after recent endorsements from both President Donald Trump and progressives including Sen. Bernie Sanders , I-Vt. , who remains dissatisfied about the overall package .
“ Everything that is in that package is vitally needed , ” Sanders said Wednesday on MSNBC .
“ The problem is that it is a much smaller @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moment of economic desperation.
” A poisonous dynamic has long infected the negotiations , but the mood was businesslike in two meetings in Pelosi ’ s Capitol suite Tuesday that resulted in a burst of progress .
Pressure for a deal is intense .
Unemployment benefits run out Dec. 26 for more than 10 million people .
Many businesses are barely hanging on after nine months of the pandemic .
And money is needed to distribute new vaccines that are finally offering hope for returning the country to a semblance of normalcy .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ bipartisan group of rank-and-file lawmakers to find middle ground between a $ 2.4 trillion House bill and a $ 500 billion GOP measure fashioned by McConnell .
Their $ 908 billion proposal has served as a template for the talks , although the bipartisan group , led by Sens .
Joe Manchin , D-W.Va. , and Susan Collins , R-Maine , favored aid to states and localities instead of another round of stimulus payments .
The CARES Act provided for $ 1,200 payments per individual and $ 500 per child .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group did really helped to stimulate this , ” Collins said .
With Congress otherwise getting ready to close up shop , lawmakers are eager to use the relief package to carry other unfinished business .
A leading candidate is a 369-page water resources bill that targets $ 10 billion for 46 Army Corps of Engineers flood control , environmental , and coastal protection projects .
Another potential addition would extend favorable tax treatment for “ look through ” entities of offshore subsidiaries of U.S. corporations .
Meanwhile , thousands of craft brewers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ higher taxes in April if their tax break isn ’ t extended .
The end-of-session rush also promises relief for victims of shockingly steep surprise medical bills , a phenomenon that often occurs when providers drop out of insurance company networks .
That measure , combined with an assortment of other health policy provisions , generates savings for federal funding for community health centers .

WASHINGTON — Congressional negotiators are closing in on a $900 billion COVID-19 economic relief package that would deliver additional help to businesses, $300-per-week jobless checks and $600 stimulus payments to most Americans. But there was no deal quite yet.
The long-delayed measure was coming together as Capitol Hill combatants finally fashioned difficult compromises, often at the expense of more ambitious Democratic wishes for the legislation, to complete the second major relief package of the coronavirus pandemic.
A hoped-for announcement Wednesday failed to materialize as lawmakers across the spectrum hammered out details of the sprawling legislation and top negotiators continued to trade offers. But lawmakers briefed on the outlines of the aid bill freely shared them.
It’s the first significant legislative response to the pandemic since the landmark CARES Act in March, which delivered $1.8 trillion in aid and more generous jobless benefits and direct payments to individuals. Since then, Democrats have repeatedly called for ambitious further federal steps to provide relief and battle the pandemic, while Republicans have sought to more fully reopen the economy and to avoid padding the government’s $27 trillion debt.
President-elect Joe Biden is eager for an aid package to prop up the economy and deliver direct aid to the jobless and hungry, even though the package falls short of what Democrats want. He called the emerging version “an important down payment” and promised more help next year.
Republicans, too, are anxious to approve some aid before going home for the year.
“We’re still close and we’re gonna get there,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky told reporters Wednesday evening as he left the Capitol. And during a Senate GOP lunchtime call a day earlier, party leaders stressed the importance of reaching an agreement before the upcoming Georgia Senate runoff election.
The details were still being worked out, but lawmakers in both parties said leaders had agreed on a top-line total of about $900 billion, with direct payments of perhaps $600 to most Americans and a $300-per-week bonus federal unemployment benefit to partially replace a $600-per-week benefit that expired this summer. It also includes the renewal of extra weeks of state unemployment benefits for the long-term jobless. More than $300 billion in subsidies for business, including a second round of “paycheck protection” payments to especially hard-hit businesses, are locked in, as is $25 billion to help struggling renters with their payments and provide food aid and farm subsidies, and a $10 billion bailout for the Postal Service.
Democrats acknowledged that the removal of a $160 billion-or-so aid package for state and local governments whose budgets have been thrown out of balance by the pandemic was a bitter loss.
“It’s heartbreaking for us,” said Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, whose state has big fiscal problems.
The emerging package was serving as a magnet for adding on other items, and the two sides continued to swap offers. It was apparent that another temporary spending bill would be needed to prevent a government shutdown at midnight on Friday. That was likely to easily pass.
House lawmakers returned to Washington on Wednesday in hopes of a vote soon on the broader package, which would combine the COVID-19 relief with a $1.4 trillion governmentwide funding bill and a host of other remaining congressional business, including extending expiring tax breaks and passing other unfinished legislation.
Negotiations intensified on Tuesday after months of futility. Before the election, with Democrats riding high in the polls, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi took a hard line for more aid. Now, McConnell is playing a strong hand after a better-than-expected performance in the elections limited GOP losses in Senate races.
The frightening, record surge in COVID caseloads and deaths, combined with troubling economic indicators, however, is mandating an agreement, though the emerging package contains less economic stimulus than the March aid bill.
“The case for fiscal policy right now is very, very strong,” Federal Reserve Board Chairman Jerome Powell said Wednesday. “I think that is widely understood now. It’s a very positive thing that we may finally be getting that.”
McConnell successfully pushed to get Democrats to drop their much-sought $160 billion state and local government aid package while giving up a key priority of his own — a liability shield for businesses and other institutions like universities fearing COVID-19 lawsuits. Democrats cited other gains for states and localities in the emerging deal such as help for transit systems, schools and vaccine distribution.
The addition of the $600 direct payments came after recent endorsements from both President Donald Trump and progressives including Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., who remains dissatisfied about the overall package.
“Everything that is in that package is vitally needed,” Sanders said Wednesday on MSNBC. “The problem is that it is a much smaller package than the country needs in this moment of economic desperation.”
A poisonous dynamic has long infected the negotiations, but the mood was businesslike in two meetings in Pelosi’s Capitol suite Tuesday that resulted in a burst of progress.
Pressure for a deal is intense. Unemployment benefits run out Dec. 26 for more than 10 million people. Many businesses are barely hanging on after nine months of the pandemic. And money is needed to distribute new vaccines that are finally offering hope for returning the country to a semblance of normalcy.
The looming agreement follows efforts by a bipartisan group of rank-and-file lawmakers to find middle ground between a $2.4 trillion House bill and a $500 billion GOP measure fashioned by McConnell.
Their $908 billion proposal has served as a template for the talks, although the bipartisan group, led by Sens. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and Susan Collins, R-Maine, favored aid to states and localities instead of another round of stimulus payments. The CARES Act provided for $1,200 payments per individual and $500 per child.
“I think that the work that our bipartisan group did really helped to stimulate this,” Collins said.
With Congress otherwise getting ready to close up shop, lawmakers are eager to use the relief package to carry other unfinished business.
A leading candidate is a 369-page water resources bill that targets $10 billion for 46 Army Corps of Engineers flood control, environmental, and coastal protection projects. Another potential addition would extend favorable tax treatment for “look through” entities of offshore subsidiaries of U.S. corporations. Meanwhile, thousands of craft brewers, wineries, and distillers are facing higher taxes in April if their tax break isn’t extended.
The end-of-session rush also promises relief for victims of shockingly steep surprise medical bills, a phenomenon that often occurs when providers drop out of insurance company networks. That measure, combined with an assortment of other health policy provisions, generates savings for federal funding for community health centers.