thedenverpost--2020-03-23--Tokyo Olympics seem sure to happen — but in 2021, not 2020

TOKYO — The Tokyo Olympics are going to happen — but almost surely in 2021 rather than in four months as planned .
This became clear after the IOC on Sunday announced it was considering a postponement .
Major Olympic nations like Canada and Australia have added pressure by saying they will not go if the games are staged this year .
International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach sent a letter to athletes explaining the decision and why it might take so long , while also acknowledging the extended timeline might not be popular .
“ I know that this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ open , ” he wrote .
“ I also know that this rational approach may not be in line with the emotions many of you have to go through.
” The IOC ’ s move seemed inevitable for a week with pressure mounting from all quarters — athletes , sponsors , broadcasters and more than 200 national Olympic committees , and international sports federations .
Shortly after Bach ’ s statement , the Canadian Olympic Committee said it won ’ t send teams to the Olympics unless the games are postponed by a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was advising its athletes to prepare for an Olympics in 2021 .
World Athletics President Seb Coe sent a letter to Bach saying that holding the Olympics in July “ is neither feasible nor desirable.
” He outlined a number of reasons , including competitive fairness , the likelihood athletes would overtrain if given a compressed schedule and the uncertainty caused by orders in many countries barring people from gyms and other workout venues .
Do you love watching the Olympics ?
Come talk about the Games with us on our exclusive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brazil and Slovenia had also called for postponement until 2021 .
Norway ’ s Olympic body said it did not want athletes going to Tokyo until the global health crisis is under control .
The United States governing bodies of swimming and track — two of the three top-tier Summer Games sports — had called on their national Olympic officials to push for a postponement .
Japan ’ s politicians fell in line quickly on Monday as they awakened to Bach ’ s move .
Japan ’ s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a postponement of the Tokyo Olympics would be unavoidable if the games can not be held in a complete way because of the coronavirus pandemic .
“ If it is difficult to hold ( the Games ) in a complete way , a decision of postponement would be unavoidable as we think the athletes ’ safety is paramount , ” he said .
Abe said he hoped the IOC would make a decision early if it is postponed , because the process would involve a lot of work and should start as soon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fully examine what to do over the next four weeks , and in that process that word ( postponement ) may be included , ” she said .
The IOC holds most of the cards in any rescheduling , spelled out in a Host City Contract signed in 2013 between the IOC , the Japanese Olympic Committee and the city of Tokyo .
Japan is officially spending $ 12.6 billion to organize the Olympics , but a national audit put the figure at more than twice that much .
The bill is sure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the vast majority of the spending if from the public treasury .
The IOC has a reserve fund of about $ 2 billion to tide itself over , and also has insurance against postponement or cancellation .
“ The public is expecting and supports postponement , so it won ’ t be a big deal , ” Jeff Kingston , who studies Japanese politics at Temple University in Tokyo , said in an email to Associated Press .
“ People are way more worried about the economic consequences and their jobs and if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ IOC marketing director Michael Payne said the delay might work to the advantage of the IOC and Japan .
• IOC looking at postponing Tokyo Olympics ; Canada pulls out • U.S. Olympic CEO tells AP why she ’ s not demanding Tokyo games ’ delay • Kiszla : Postpone the Summer Olympics until 2021 and make Games a celebration of world ’ s victory against coronavirus • U.S. Olympic leaders : no need for decision yet on Tokyo Games “ What better platform is there going to be than the Olympic Games @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus , ” Payne told AP in an interview Sunday , just before the IOC announcement .
“ You ’ ve got a dynamic that will be even more powerful for Japan and the rest of the world .
But you are going to have a tough road getting there.
” The Olympic torch arrived Friday in northern Japan .
The torch relay it set to begin on Thursday from that area but is in doubt .
On Sunday , thousands crowed one northern city to view the flame .
Organizers have asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delay the relay or change plans .
As of Sunday , Japan had 1,719 confirmed cases of the virus , including 712 from a cruise ship , with 43 deaths .
While Japan has so far managed to slow the acceleration of the outbreak , experts say they have found a growing number of clusters in urban areas with untraceable infections .
Join our Facebook group for the latest updates on coronavirus in Colorado .

TOKYO — The Tokyo Olympics are probably going to happen, but almost surely in 2021 rather than in four months as planned.
That became clear after the IOC on Sunday announced it was considering a postponement and would make a final decision within four weeks. Major Olympic nations like Canada and Australia have added pressure by saying they will not send teams if the games are staged this year.
International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach sent a letter to athletes explaining the decision, while also acknowledging the extended timeline might not be popular.
“I know that this unprecedented situation leaves many of your questions open,” he wrote. “I also know that this rational approach may not be in line with the emotions many of you have to go through.”
The IOC’s move seemed inevitable for weeks with pressure mounting from all quarters — athletes, sponsors, broadcasters, more than 200 national Olympic committees and international sports federations.
Shortly after Bach’s statement, the Canadian Olympic Committee said it would not send athletes to the Olympics unless the games are postponed by a year. Australia issued a statement saying it was advising its athletes to prepare for an Olympics in 2021.
John Coates is the head of the Australian Olympic Committee and the IOC member who heads the inspection team for Tokyo.
World Athletics President Sebastian Coe sent a letter to Bach saying that holding the Olympics in July “is neither feasible nor desirable.” He outlined a number of reasons, including competitive fairness, the likelihood athletes would overtrain if given a compressed schedule and the uncertainty caused by orders in many countries barring people from gyms and other workout venues.
National Olympic committees in Brazil and Slovenia had also called for postponement until 2021. Norway’s Olympic body said it did not want athletes going to Tokyo until the global health crisis is under control.
The United States governing bodies of swimming and track — two of the three top-tier Summer Games sports — had called on their national Olympic officials to push for a postponement.
Japan’s politicians fell in line quickly on Monday as they awakened to Bach’s move, which was announced at 3 a.m. in Tokyo as most of the city slept.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, speaking at a parliamentary session, said a postponement of the Tokyo Olympics would be necessary if the games cannot be held in a complete way because of the coronavirus pandemic.
“If it is difficult to hold (the games) in a complete way, a decision of postponement would be unavoidable,” he said.
Abe said he hoped the IOC would announce a decision quickly, and Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike echoed him.
The IOC holds most of the cards in any rescheduling, spelled out in a Host City Contract signed in 2013 between the IOC, the Japanese Olympic Committee and the city of Tokyo.
Japan is officially spending $12.6 billion to organize the Olympics, but a national audit put the figure at more than twice that much. The bill is sure to increase with any postponement, and the vast majority of the spending if from the public treasury.
The IOC has a reserve fund of about $2 billion to tide itself over, and also has insurance against postponement or cancellation.
Yoshiro Mori, the president of the organizing committee, said he talked with Bach by teleconference about the delay and was joined by CEO Toshiro Muto.
“Honestly speaking, four weeks is quite a short time to consider all the necessary elements.” Mori said at a Monday news conference. “It requires a tremendous amount of time and we have to hurry to go through this.”
Both were asked about added cost, and who would pay. And both shied away from a direct response.
Mori said cost calculations had to be made, and the availability of venues — presumably for next summer in the northern hemisphere — had to be examined. A decision also has to be made about who pays for the maintenance of venues if the Olympics are postponed.
Similar questions will be asked about the massive Olympic Village, which is to house 11,000 Olympians and 4,400 Paralympians before the high-priced units around Tokyo Bay are sold off by private developers.
“I respect Mr. Bach,” Mori said. “And we trust Mr. Bach. We have been always together walking side by side. I consider Mr. Bach as my best friend.”
The 82-year-old Mori, a former prime minister who has been undergoing treatment for an undisclosed illness, was asked if he could endure more work on the Olympics.
He called it a “rude” question.
“I’ve got about two years left to live,” he replied, half smiling as he said it.
The Olympic torch arrived last Friday in northern Japan from Greece. The torch relay it set to begin on Thursday from Fukushima prefecture, the area devastated by the 2011 earthquake, tsunami and the meltdown of three nuclear reactors. Organizers said the relay is still on, but said plans could change very quickly.
On Sunday, thousands crowded the northern city of Sendai to view the flame, which forced organizers the restrict the entry for viewing.
Jeff Kingston, who studies Japanese politics at Temple University in Tokyo, said postponed Olympics will be a minor worry for most people.
“The public is expecting and supports postponement, so it won’t be a big deal,” Kingston said in an email to The Associated Press. “People are way more worried about the economic consequences and their jobs and if the number of cases ramps up.”
A recent poll by the Japanese news agency Kyodo said 69.9% did not expect the Olympics to open on schedule.
As of Sunday, Japan had 1,719 confirmed cases of the virus, including 712 from a cruise ship, with 43 deaths.
Former IOC marketing director Michael Payne said the delay might work to the advantage of the IOC and Japan.
“What better platform is there going to be than the Olympic Games when the world has pulled through the virus,” Payne told the AP in an interview Sunday, just before the IOC announcement. “You’ve got a dynamic that will be even more powerful for Japan and the rest of the world. But you are going to have a tough road getting there.”


thedenverpost--2020-03-23--IOC looking at postponing Tokyo Olympics; Canada pulls out

LAUSANNE , Switzerland — The IOC will take up to four weeks to consider postponing the Tokyo Olympics amid mounting criticism of its handling of the coronavirus crisis that now includes Canada saying it won ’ t send a team to the games this year and the leader of track and field , the biggest sport at the games , also calling for a delay .
The IOC is planning meetings with Japanese public authorities , global sports officials , broadcasters and sponsors that will deal with scenario planning for the Olympics , which are scheduled to start July 24 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consideration .
IOC President Thomas Bach sent a letter to athletes explaining the decision and why it might take so long , while also acknowledging the extended timeline might not be popular .
“ I know that this unprecedented situation leaves many of your questions open , ” he wrote .
“ I also know that this rational approach may not be in line with the emotions many of you have to go through.
” But only hours after the announcement , World Athletics President Seb Coe sent a letter to Bach saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is neither feasible nor desirable.
” He outlined a number of reasons , including competitive fairness , the likelihood athletes would overtrain if given a compressed schedule and the uncertainty caused by orders in many countries barring people from gyms and other workout venues .
“ No one wants to see the Olympic Games postponed but … we can not hold the event at all costs , certainly not at the cost of athlete safety , ” he wrote .
“ A decision on the Olympic Games may become very obvious very quickly.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Canadian Olympic Committee announced it won ’ t send athletes to Tokyo unless the games are postponed by a year , becoming the first country to threaten such a move .
The committee said in a statement that it was unsafe for athletes to continue training .
Do you love watching the Olympics ?
Come talk about the Games with us on our exclusive Facebook group .
“ In fact , it runs counter to the public health advice which we urge all Canadians to follow , ” the committee said .
Japanese @ @ @ @ @ @ @ IOC to make a quick decision , adding that a postponement would be unavoidable if the games can not be held in a complete way .
But a decision probably won ’ t come sooner than next month .
The IOC said the scenarios under consideration “ relate to modifying existing operational plans for the Games to go ahead on July 24 , 2020 , and also for changes to the start date of the Games.
” The change in strategy followed Bach ’ s conference call with executive board members .
Bach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to opening the games on July 24 — despite athlete training , qualifying events and games preparations being disrupted more and more by the virus outbreak causing the COVID-19 disease .
Criticism of the stance grew in recent days from Olympic gold medalists and by an IOC member last Tuesday , before Bach finally acknowledged an alternative plan was possible .
National Olympic committees in Brazil and Slovenia later called for a postponement to 2021 .
Norway ’ s Olympic body said it did not want athletes going to Tokyo until the global @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States governing bodies of swimming and track — two of the three top-tier Summer Games sports — have called on their national Olympic officials to push for a postponement .
“ There is a dramatic increase in cases and new outbreaks of COVID-19 in different countries on different continents , ” the IOC said .
“ This led the ( board ) to the conclusion that the IOC needs to take the next step in its scenario-planning.
” • Tokyo Olympics seem sure to happen — but in 2021 , not 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she ’ s not demanding Tokyo games ’ delay • Kiszla : Postpone the Summer Olympics until 2021 and make Games a celebration of world ’ s victory against coronavirus • U.S. Olympic leaders : no need for decision yet on Tokyo Games The IOC said last week that roughly 4,700 of 11,000 spots in the Olympics have yet to be allocated .
Bach acknowledged the problems that come with a compressed or radically altered qualifying schedule , but also laid out several reasons that the IOC could not rush to a decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that are scheduled for use this summer but might not be available at a later time and the disruption of future events in the individual sports .
“ A decision about a postponement today could not determine a new date for the Olympic Games because of the uncertain developments in both directions : an improvement , as we are seeing in a number of countries thanks to the severe measures being taken , or a deteriorating situation in other countries , ” Bach said .

LAUSANNE, Switzerland — The IOC will take up to four weeks to consider postponing the Tokyo Olympics amid mounting criticism of its handling of the coronavirus crisis that now includes Canada saying it won’t send a team to the games this year and the leader of track and field, the biggest sport at the games, also calling for a delay.
The IOC is planning meetings with Japanese public authorities, global sports officials, broadcasters and sponsors that will deal with scenario planning for the Olympics, which are scheduled to start July 24. Canceling the games is not under consideration.
IOC President Thomas Bach sent a letter to athletes explaining the decision and why it might take so long, while also acknowledging the extended timeline might not be popular.
“I know that this unprecedented situation leaves many of your questions open,” he wrote. “I also know that this rational approach may not be in line with the emotions many of you have to go through.”
But only hours after the announcement, World Athletics President Seb Coe sent a letter to Bach saying that holding the Olympics in July “is neither feasible nor desirable.” He outlined a number of reasons, including competitive fairness, the likelihood athletes would overtrain if given a compressed schedule and the uncertainty caused by orders in many countries barring people from gyms and other workout venues.
“No one wants to see the Olympic Games postponed but … we cannot hold the event at all costs, certainly not at the cost of athlete safety,” he wrote. “A decision on the Olympic Games may become very obvious very quickly.”
Then, late Sunday, the Canadian Olympic Committee announced it won’t send athletes to Tokyo unless the games are postponed by a year, becoming the first country to threaten such a move. The committee said in a statement that it was unsafe for athletes to continue training.
“In fact, it runs counter to the public health advice which we urge all Canadians to follow,” the committee said.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe also urged the IOC to make a quick decision, adding that a postponement would be unavoidable if the games cannot be held in a complete way.
But a decision probably won’t come sooner than next month.
The IOC said the scenarios under consideration “relate to modifying existing operational plans for the Games to go ahead on July 24, 2020, and also for changes to the start date of the Games.”
The change in strategy followed Bach’s conference call with executive board members.
Bach has consistently said organizers are fully committed to opening the games on July 24 — despite athlete training, qualifying events and games preparations being disrupted more and more by the virus outbreak causing the COVID-19 disease.
Criticism of the stance grew in recent days from Olympic gold medalists and by an IOC member last Tuesday, before Bach finally acknowledged an alternative plan was possible.
National Olympic committees in Brazil and Slovenia later called for a postponement to 2021. Norway’s Olympic body said it did not want athletes going to Tokyo until the global health crisis is under control.
The United States governing bodies of swimming and track — two of the three top-tier Summer Games sports — have called on their national Olympic officials to push for a postponement.
“There is a dramatic increase in cases and new outbreaks of COVID-19 in different countries on different continents,” the IOC said. “This led the (board) to the conclusion that the IOC needs to take the next step in its scenario-planning.”
The IOC said last week that roughly 4,700 of 11,000 spots in the Olympics have yet to be allocated.
Bach acknowledged the problems that come with a compressed or radically altered qualifying schedule, but also laid out several reasons that the IOC could not rush to a decision.
It included the availability of venues that are scheduled for use this summer but might not be available at a later time and the disruption of future events in the individual sports.
“A decision about a postponement today could not determine a new date for the Olympic Games because of the uncertain developments in both directions: an improvement, as we are seeing in a number of countries thanks to the severe measures being taken, or a deteriorating situation in other countries,” Bach said.


thedenverpost--2020-03-23--Keeler: Tyler Bey, McKinley Wright might be wise to pass on NBA draft, ESPN analyst says

If they asked him , Fran Fraschilla would offer up two pieces of advice for Tyler Bey and McKinley Wright : 1 .
Go ahead and test the NBA waters .
2 .
But if in doubt , trust CU coach Tad Boyle before your agent .
“ Keep the door open for coming back for your senior year , ” the longtime ESPN analyst told The Post recently when asked about the Buffs ’ two junior basketball standouts .
“ I would guess that , in all honesty , playing at CU as a senior in the Pac-12 would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ League .
“ I know with the G League , there are some good parts about it .
But if you ’ re a player and want to be treated well and you can ’ t get any kind of guaranteed contract from a team , your best option is going back to school.
” With the coronavirus scare wiping much of his March calendar clean , Fraschilla has been doing four hours of prep work a day , minimum , for the upcoming NBA draft .
Nobody ’ s sure if it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the time June rolls around , or whether the players involved will be walking across the stage in hazmat suits , but it ’ s coming .
Which raises the question : Given the chaos and limbo of everything else , should Bey and Wright even be going ?
Fraschilla thinks both should “ definitely test the waters , whenever ( NBA teams ) have workouts.
” And that , sadly , is the rub .
The NBA ’ s early entry deadline is April 26 , while the early entry deadline to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The combine had been slated for May 21-24 in Chicago , but CBS Sports analyst Jon Rothstein reported over the weekend that several NBA teams “ are moving forward with the expectation of no combine , no workouts and no in-person interviews.
” Which means , as a prospect , whatever ’ s already in your file isn ’ t likely to change much between now and June 25 .
For better or for worse .
“ McKinley , right now , is a very good college point guard .
And if I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stay , ” Fraschilla said .
“ My advice to McKinley is , ‘ There ’ s nothing wrong with being the best player to ever play at CU.
’ And in order to do that , he ’ d have to stay another year.
” No workouts would also mean that an athletic monster such as the 6-foot-7 Bey — who boasts a 7-foot wingspan and kangaroo hops — probably won ’ t get a chance this spring blow scouts ’ minds in person .
“ He ’ s unique because he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ position , ” Fraschilla said of the Las Vegas native , who averaged 13.8 points and nine boards per game for the Buffs .
“ He ’ s never going to be a scorer at the next level .
He ’ s going to be a high-energy guy — that would have to be what he hangs hit hat on , being a great wing defender who could also rebound the ball.
” The athleticism fits .
The length ’ s ideal .
The defense ’ s superb .
The vertical ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ideal NBA post , he ’ s too small .
And as an NBA wing , an inconsistent 3-point shot and a “ volume ” jumper makes for a tricky fit .
“ He could be like an Andre Roberson type , possibly , ” Fraschilla said of Bey .
“ And that ’ s who I would model my game after.
” The projections like the ceiling , especially since Bey can practically hop up and reach it with his fingers .
NBADraft.net as of late February had projected him to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SB Nation ’ s March 17 mock slotted him at No .
27 to the New York Knicks .
Fraschilla sees the Buffs swingman as having a shot to go in the middle of the second round , but noted there ’ s “ also a very good chance he doesn ’ t get drafted .
And that ’ s not to denigrate his game .
To me , he doesn ’ t have the profile of an NBA player , based on his skills.
” Which brings us back to the advice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I would advise ( Bey ) , if I were Tad , to ‘ Go ahead and put your name in , but don ’ t do anything silly.
’ I would listen more to what Tad Boyle says than an agent , quite frankly .
”

If they asked him, Fran Fraschilla would offer up two pieces of advice for Tyler Bey and McKinley Wright:
1. Go ahead and test the NBA waters.
2. But if in doubt, trust CU coach Tad Boyle before your agent.
“Keep the door open for coming back for your senior year,” the longtime ESPN analyst told The Post recently when asked about the Buffs’ two junior basketball standouts. “I would guess that, in all honesty, playing at CU as a senior in the Pac-12 would be better than being in the G League.
“I know with the G League, there are some good parts about it. But if you’re a player and want to be treated well and you can’t get any kind of guaranteed contract from a team, your best option is going back to school.”
With the coronavirus scare wiping much of his March calendar clean, Fraschilla has been doing four hours of prep work a day, minimum, for the upcoming NBA draft. Nobody’s sure if it’ll be held via Skype by the time June rolls around, or whether the players involved will be walking across the stage in hazmat suits, but it’s coming.
Which raises the question: Given the chaos and limbo of everything else, should Bey and Wright even be going?
Fraschilla thinks both should “definitely test the waters, whenever (NBA teams) have workouts.”
And that, sadly, is the rub. The NBA’s early entry deadline is April 26, while the early entry deadline to return to withdraw is June 15. The combine had been slated for May 21-24 in Chicago, but CBS Sports analyst Jon Rothstein reported over the weekend that several NBA teams “are moving forward with the expectation of no combine, no workouts and no in-person interviews.”
Which means, as a prospect, whatever’s already in your file isn’t likely to change much between now and June 25. For better or for worse.
“McKinley, right now, is a very good college point guard. And if I were advising him, I would just stay,” Fraschilla said. “My advice to McKinley is, ‘There’s nothing wrong with being the best player to ever play at CU.’ And in order to do that, he’d have to stay another year.”
No workouts would also mean that an athletic monster such as the 6-foot-7 Bey — who boasts a 7-foot wingspan and kangaroo hops — probably won’t get a chance this spring blow scouts’ minds in person.
“He’s unique because he doesn’t really have an NBA position,” Fraschilla said of the Las Vegas native, who averaged 13.8 points and nine boards per game for the Buffs. “He’s never going to be a scorer at the next level. He’s going to be a high-energy guy — that would have to be what he hangs hit hat on, being a great wing defender who could also rebound the ball.”
The athleticism fits. The length’s ideal. The defense’s superb. The vertical’s through the roof. But as an ideal NBA post, he’s too small. And as an NBA wing, an inconsistent 3-point shot and a “volume” jumper makes for a tricky fit.
“He could be like an Andre Roberson type, possibly,” Fraschilla said of Bey. “And that’s who I would model my game after.”
The projections like the ceiling, especially since Bey can practically hop up and reach it with his fingers. NBADraft.net as of late February had projected him to be taken 39th overall, to Washington. SB Nation’s March 17 mock slotted him at No. 27 to the New York Knicks.
Fraschilla sees the Buffs swingman as having a shot to go in the middle of the second round, but noted there’s “also a very good chance he doesn’t get drafted. And that’s not to denigrate his game. To me, he doesn’t have the profile of an NBA player, based on his skills.”
Which brings us back to the advice. Point No. 2, especially.
“I would advise (Bey), if I were Tad, to ‘Go ahead and put your name in, but don’t do anything silly.’ I would listen more to what Tad Boyle says than an agent, quite frankly.”


thedenverpost--2020-03-23--Americans coping with the coronavirus are clogging toilets

By Michael Levenson , The New York Times Many Americans seem to be following the recommendations of public health officials to clean and sterilize countertops , doorknobs , faucets and other frequently touched surfaces in their homes .
The problem ?
Many are then tossing the disinfectant wipes , paper towels and other paper products they used into the toilet .
The result has been a coast-to-coast surge in backed-up sewer lines and overflowing toilets , according to plumbers and public officials , who have pleaded with Americans to spare the nation ’ s pipes from further strain .
Many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s infrastructure have been compounded by the lack of toilet paper on store shelves , which is leading some to use paper towels , napkins or baby wipes instead .
Across the country — in Charleston , South Carolina ; northeastern Ohio ; Lexington , Kentucky ; Austin , Texas ; and Spokane , Washington — wastewater treatment officials have beseeched residents not to flush wipes down the toilet using the hashtag # WipesClogPipes .
“ Flushable wipes are not truly flushable , ” said Jim Bunsey , chief operating officer of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They might go down the drain , but they do not break up like regular toilet paper.
” The plumbing repair company Roto-Rooter issued a similar plea to its customers , and said that substituting facial tissue for toilet paper was “ another bad idea , ” unless it ’ s used in small amounts and flushed frequently .
The California State Water Resources Control Board warned this week that “ even wipes labeled ‘ flushable ’ will clog pipes and interfere with sewage collection and treatment throughout the state.
” “ Flushing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down toilets will clog sewers and cause backups and overflows at wastewater treatment facilities , creating an additional public health risk in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic , ” it said .
The agency said wastewater treatment plants across California were reporting problems .
It noted that most urban sewage systems depend on gravity and water flow to move toilet paper and waste , and were not designed to accommodate disinfectant wipes and paper towels , which do not break down as easily and clog the system .
The board noted that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a headache for residents cooped up in their homes during a pandemic .
Spills flow into lakes , rivers and oceans , where they can harm public health and the environment , it said .
Plumbers said they were fielding an increase in calls from people working from home and self-quarantining .
“ We have noticed an uptick in the amount of clogged main sewer lines and , when we dispatch our technicians , we are pulling baby wipes out of the line and we ’ re seeing paper towels and Lysol wipes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Russo Brothers & Co. , a plumbing and heating service in East Hanover , New Jersey , said on Saturday .
“ These items are things that should never be flushed down the toilet , ” he said .
Subscribe to bi-weekly newsletter to get health news sent straight to your inbox .

The New York Times News Service Syndicate

By Michael Levenson, The New York Times
Many Americans seem to be following the recommendations of public health officials to clean and sterilize countertops, doorknobs, faucets and other frequently touched surfaces in their homes.
The problem? Many are then tossing the disinfectant wipes, paper towels and other paper products they used into the toilet.
The result has been a coast-to-coast surge in backed-up sewer lines and overflowing toilets, according to plumbers and public officials, who have pleaded with Americans to spare the nation’s pipes from further strain.
Many say the woes besieging the nation’s infrastructure have been compounded by the lack of toilet paper on store shelves, which is leading some to use paper towels, napkins or baby wipes instead.
Across the country — in Charleston, South Carolina; northeastern Ohio; Lexington, Kentucky; Austin, Texas; and Spokane, Washington — wastewater treatment officials have beseeched residents not to flush wipes down the toilet using the hashtag #WipesClogPipes.
“Flushable wipes are not truly flushable,” said Jim Bunsey, chief operating officer of the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District. “They might go down the drain, but they do not break up like regular toilet paper.”
The plumbing repair company Roto-Rooter issued a similar plea to its customers, and said that substituting facial tissue for toilet paper was “another bad idea,” unless it’s used in small amounts and flushed frequently.
The California State Water Resources Control Board warned this week that “even wipes labeled ‘flushable’ will clog pipes and interfere with sewage collection and treatment throughout the state.”
“Flushing wipes, paper towels and similar products down toilets will clog sewers and cause backups and overflows at wastewater treatment facilities, creating an additional public health risk in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic,” it said.
The agency said wastewater treatment plants across California were reporting problems.
It noted that most urban sewage systems depend on gravity and water flow to move toilet paper and waste, and were not designed to accommodate disinfectant wipes and paper towels, which do not break down as easily and clog the system.
The board noted that clogged sewer lines are more than just a headache for residents cooped up in their homes during a pandemic. Spills flow into lakes, rivers and oceans, where they can harm public health and the environment, it said.
Plumbers said they were fielding an increase in calls from people working from home and self-quarantining.
“We have noticed an uptick in the amount of clogged main sewer lines and, when we dispatch our technicians, we are pulling baby wipes out of the line and we’re seeing paper towels and Lysol wipes,” Mark Russo, vice president of Russo Brothers & Co., a plumbing and heating service in East Hanover, New Jersey, said on Saturday.
“These items are things that should never be flushed down the toilet,” he said.
Subscribe to bi-weekly newsletter to get health news sent straight to your inbox.


thedenverpost--2020-03-23--New York quiets as it becomes next coronavirus hot spot

NEW YORK — No more play dates , no more picnics in the park with friends , no more pickup games of basketball .
No more commuting or using public transport — unless absolutely essential .
New York is implemented dramatic restrictions Sunday in an attempt to slow a pandemic that has swept across the globe and threatened to make the state one of the world ’ s biggest coronavirus hot spots .
As infections soar — or in anticipation that they will — officials worldwide warned of a critical shortage of medical supplies .
Spain was erecting a field @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health workers pleaded for more gear , saying they felt like “ cannon fodder , ” and President Donald Trump ordered mobile hospital centers be sent to Washington , California and New York .
New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo ordered all nonessential businesses in the state to close and nonessential workers to stay home starting Sunday night , tightening even further restrictions put in place earlier .
Cuomo and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio also called for getting everything from masks to ventilators , as well as doctors and other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a mounting death toll might grow more steeply without more federal help .
Dr. Anthony Fauci , director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , promised on CBS ’ “ Face The Nation ” that the medical supplies are about to start pouring in and will be “ clearly directed to those hot spots that need it most.
” Hours later , Trump said he had ordered the Federal Emergency Management Agency to ship mobile hospital centers to Washington , California and New York .
“ No American is alone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Trump said .
But efforts for a quick aid package from Congress faltered .
The U.S. Senate voted against advancing a nearly $ 2 trillion economic rescue package .
Democrats argued it was tilted toward corporations rather than workers and health care providers .
But negotiations continued .
The delay shook investors , as futures for U.S. stocks fell sharply at the start of trading Sunday .
Futures for the S & P 500 fell by 5 % , triggering a halt in trading shortly after opening .
Wall Street is coming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the Dow Jones Industrial Average down 17 % , many restaurants and bars nationwide closed and large swaths of the economy suddenly ground to a halt .
Worldwide , more than 335,000 people have been infected and more than 14,600 have died , according to Johns Hopkins University .
About 150 countries now have confirmed cases .
There were more than 33,000 cases across the U.S. and more than 400 deaths .
New York state accounted for 117 deaths , mostly in New York City .
On Sunday , New York passed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. outbreak , in the number of fatal cases .
Along with the staggering numbers , there were individual reminders Sunday of the reach of the virus .
Republican Rand Paul of Kentucky became the first U.S. senator to announce he was infected .
Opera superstar Plácido Domingo announced he has COVID-19 , and German Chancellor Angela Merkel put herself into quarantine after a doctor who gave her a vaccine tested positive .
For most people , the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever or coughing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia .
Some 97,800 people have recovered , mostly in China .
In anticipation that the worst is yet to come for New York , Cuomo has told hospitals to increase their current bed numbers by at least 50 % .
Predictions from health officials are that COVID-19 cases needing advanced medical care will top 100,000 in the state in the next month or so , potentially overwhelming the state ’ s hospitals that have about 53,000 regular @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hospitals started to feel the crush Sunday , creating emergency room overflows and dedicating COVID-19 wings , with officials in Brooklyn saying a number were becoming overwhelmed .
Health care workers said they were being asked to reuse and ration disposable masks and gloves .
“ The building is on fire , ” said Dr. David J. Ores , describing the chaotic and ever-changing guidance medical professionals have been given .
“ It ’ s a mad scramble.
” But in the face of an invisible threat rather than billowing smoke or blowing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in large groups in parks , playing basketball or having block parties .
Cuomo expressed exasperation Sunday that people were still ignoring orders to stay away from one another .
Under his order , people need to stay at least 6 feet ( 1.8 meters ) apart when they are outside .
Public transit will keep running , but people besides essential workers should only use it when absolutely necessary .
“ It ’ s insensitive .
It ’ s arrogant .
It ’ s self-destructive .
It ’ s disrespectful to other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It has to stop and it has to stop now.
” Similar scenes played out around the country .
Californians headed to beaches and parks on Sunday despite their state ’ s stay-at-home order , prompting officials to close some strands and trails .
Elsewhere in the world , the coronavirus raged on .
Italy and Iran reported soaring new death tolls .
Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte went on live TV to announce that he was tightening the country ’ s lockdown .
Italy now has more than 59,000 cases and 5,476 deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serious crisis that the country has experienced since World War II , ” Conte told Italians during a broadcast at midnight .
Iran ’ s supreme leader refused U.S. assistance Sunday to fight the virus , citing an unfounded conspiracy theory that the outbreak could be an American plot .
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei ’ s comments came as Iran faces crushing U.S. sanctions over its nuclear actions .
Iran says it has 1,685 deaths and 21,638 confirmed cases of the virus — a toll that experts from the World Health Organization say is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the United States , officials were sounding the same not that New York leaders were : Stay away from other people .
Officials called them different things — social distancing , sheltering in place , or in the case of Nashville , Tennessee , a “ safer at home ” order .
“ We ’ re all in quarantine now .
Think about it , ” Cuomo said .
Enforcement of any of these orders is still up in the air .
Most locations simply broke up large gatherings and sent people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health officials wanted was putting people in confined spaces like jails .
Many governments were even releasing nonviolent inmates .
Trump said he was weighing whether to provide early release to elderly nonviolent offenders in federal prisons .
The world kept shutting down , too .
The airline Emirates — a major East-West carrier — said it will suspend all passenger flights beginning Wednesday .
Singapore said it will fully shut its borders beginning Tuesday .
Sunday was Mother ’ s Day in Britain and the government had a stark message for millions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Instead of parties , lunch or tea , Prime Minister Boris Johnson implored Britons to call Mom on a video chat .
Doctors in Britain made urgent pleas for more protective equipment as the number of coronavirus patients in U.K. hospitals soared to more than 5,000 .
Almost 4,000 medical workers signed a letter to the Sunday Times saying front-line staff felt like “ cannon fodder.
” They warned that medics would die if they did not receive better equipment .
In Spain , Europe ’ s hardest-hit country after Italy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close to their limits even before Sunday ’ s new tally of more than 28,500 infections and 1,750 deaths .
A field hospital with 5,500 beds was going up in a convention center in Madrid , and health officials warned more than 10 % of the country ’ s health workers were now infected with coronavirus .
“ We can ’ t just repeat the slogans that we will get through this together , ” said Dr. German Peces-Barba , a lung specialist at Fundación Jiménez Díaz hospital in Madrid .
But there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chinese city of Wuhan — where the global pandemic was first detected and the first city to be locked down — went a fourth consecutive day on Sunday without reporting any new or suspected cases .
Join our Facebook group for the latest updates on coronavirus in Colorado .
Subscribe to bi-weekly newsletter to get health news sent straight to your inbox .

NEW YORK — No more play dates, no more picnics in the park with friends, no more pickup games of basketball. No more commuting or using public transport — unless absolutely essential. New York is implemented dramatic restrictions Sunday in an attempt to slow a pandemic that has swept across the globe and threatened to make the state one of the world’s biggest coronavirus hot spots.
As infections soar — or in anticipation that they will — officials worldwide warned of a critical shortage of medical supplies. Spain was erecting a field hospital in a convention center, British health workers pleaded for more gear, saying they felt like “cannon fodder,” and President Donald Trump ordered mobile hospital centers be sent to Washington, California and New York.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo ordered all nonessential businesses in the state to close and nonessential workers to stay home starting Sunday night, tightening even further restrictions put in place earlier.
Cuomo and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio also called for getting everything from masks to ventilators, as well as doctors and other medical workers to New York, warning a mounting death toll might grow more steeply without more federal help.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, promised on CBS’ “Face The Nation” that the medical supplies are about to start pouring in and will be “clearly directed to those hot spots that need it most.”
Hours later, Trump said he had ordered the Federal Emergency Management Agency to ship mobile hospital centers to Washington, California and New York.
“No American is alone as long as we are united,” Trump said.
But efforts for a quick aid package from Congress faltered. The U.S. Senate voted against advancing a nearly $2 trillion economic rescue package. Democrats argued it was tilted toward corporations rather than workers and health care providers. But negotiations continued.
The delay shook investors, as futures for U.S. stocks fell sharply at the start of trading Sunday. Futures for the S&P 500 fell by 5%, triggering a halt in trading shortly after opening. Wall Street is coming off its worst week since 2008, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average down 17%, many restaurants and bars nationwide closed and large swaths of the economy suddenly ground to a halt.
Worldwide, more than 335,000 people have been infected and more than 14,600 have died, according to Johns Hopkins University. About 150 countries now have confirmed cases.
There were more than 33,000 cases across the U.S. and more than 400 deaths. New York state accounted for 117 deaths, mostly in New York City.
On Sunday, New York passed Washington state, the initial epicenter of the U.S. outbreak, in the number of fatal cases.
Along with the staggering numbers, there were individual reminders Sunday of the reach of the virus. Republican Rand Paul of Kentucky became the first U.S. senator to announce he was infected. Opera superstar Plácido Domingo announced he has COVID-19, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel put herself into quarantine after a doctor who gave her a vaccine tested positive.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever or coughing. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia. Some 97,800 people have recovered, mostly in China.
In anticipation that the worst is yet to come for New York, Cuomo has told hospitals to increase their current bed numbers by at least 50%. Predictions from health officials are that COVID-19 cases needing advanced medical care will top 100,000 in the state in the next month or so, potentially overwhelming the state’s hospitals that have about 53,000 regular beds and 3,000 intensive care beds.
Hospitals started to feel the crush Sunday, creating emergency room overflows and dedicating COVID-19 wings, with officials in Brooklyn saying a number were becoming overwhelmed.
Health care workers said they were being asked to reuse and ration disposable masks and gloves.
“The building is on fire,” said Dr. David J. Ores, describing the chaotic and ever-changing guidance medical professionals have been given. “It’s a mad scramble.”
But in the face of an invisible threat rather than billowing smoke or blowing snow, New Yorkers were still gathering in large groups in parks, playing basketball or having block parties.
Cuomo expressed exasperation Sunday that people were still ignoring orders to stay away from one another. Under his order, people need to stay at least 6 feet (1.8 meters) apart when they are outside. Public transit will keep running, but people besides essential workers should only use it when absolutely necessary.
“It’s insensitive. It’s arrogant. It’s self-destructive. It’s disrespectful to other people,” Cuomo said. “It has to stop and it has to stop now.”
Similar scenes played out around the country. Californians headed to beaches and parks on Sunday despite their state’s stay-at-home order, prompting officials to close some strands and trails.
Elsewhere in the world, the coronavirus raged on. Italy and Iran reported soaring new death tolls.
Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte went on live TV to announce that he was tightening the country’s lockdown. Italy now has more than 59,000 cases and 5,476 deaths.
”We are facing the most serious crisis that the country has experienced since World War II,” Conte told Italians during a broadcast at midnight.
Iran’s supreme leader refused U.S. assistance Sunday to fight the virus, citing an unfounded conspiracy theory that the outbreak could be an American plot. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s comments came as Iran faces crushing U.S. sanctions over its nuclear actions. Iran says it has 1,685 deaths and 21,638 confirmed cases of the virus — a toll that experts from the World Health Organization say is almost certainly under-reported.
In many parts of the United States, officials were sounding the same not that New York leaders were: Stay away from other people. Officials called them different things — social distancing, sheltering in place, or in the case of Nashville, Tennessee, a “safer at home” order.
“We’re all in quarantine now. Think about it,” Cuomo said.
Enforcement of any of these orders is still up in the air. Most locations simply broke up large gatherings and sent people home because one of the last things health officials wanted was putting people in confined spaces like jails.
Many governments were even releasing nonviolent inmates. Trump said he was weighing whether to provide early release to elderly nonviolent offenders in federal prisons.
The world kept shutting down, too. The airline Emirates — a major East-West carrier — said it will suspend all passenger flights beginning Wednesday. Singapore said it will fully shut its borders beginning Tuesday.
Sunday was Mother’s Day in Britain and the government had a stark message for millions: visiting your mother could kill her. Instead of parties, lunch or tea, Prime Minister Boris Johnson implored Britons to call Mom on a video chat.
Doctors in Britain made urgent pleas for more protective equipment as the number of coronavirus patients in U.K. hospitals soared to more than 5,000. Almost 4,000 medical workers signed a letter to the Sunday Times saying front-line staff felt like “cannon fodder.” They warned that medics would die if they did not receive better equipment.
In Spain, Europe’s hardest-hit country after Italy, intensive care units in some areas were close to their limits even before Sunday’s new tally of more than 28,500 infections and 1,750 deaths. A field hospital with 5,500 beds was going up in a convention center in Madrid, and health officials warned more than 10% of the country’s health workers were now infected with coronavirus.
“We can’t just repeat the slogans that we will get through this together,” said Dr. German Peces-Barba, a lung specialist at Fundación Jiménez Díaz hospital in Madrid.
But there were some signs of hope. The Chinese city of Wuhan — where the global pandemic was first detected and the first city to be locked down — went a fourth consecutive day on Sunday without reporting any new or suspected cases.
Join our Facebook group for the latest updates on coronavirus in Colorado.
Subscribe to bi-weekly newsletter to get health news sent straight to your inbox.


thedenverpost--2020-03-23--U.S. Olympic CEO tells AP why she’s not demanding Tokyo games’ delay

DENVER — The CEO of the U.S. Olympic team is well aware of the power her country wields in a situation like this , with the coronavirus raging across the globe and the IOC taking its time before deciding whether to postpone the Tokyo Games .
She ’ s not in a big rush to use it .
“ My role is not to make demands of those making decisions , but to bring forward solutions , ” Sarah Hirshland , the CEO of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee , told The Associated Press on Sunday .
Hirshland and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of criticism for not calling on the IOC to postpone the games — a move being made by a growing number of athletes and organizations , including a couple major ones in America : USA Swimming and USA Track and Field .
She says she can handle the heat , but wants people to know that she ’ s doing her best to make sure that postponing is the correct call and , maybe more important , what the next step should be .
At the heart of that effort is a survey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hopefuls over the weekend , asking them about training conditions and the medical conditions in the places they live , along with their thoughts about when the Olympics should take place .
The IOC has asked the U.S. and every other country for details about conditions in their respective locales .
“ We ’ re hearing from the athletes loud and clear , and I can guarantee you , the IOC is going to hear from us , loud and clear , ” Hirshland said .
Do you love watching the Olympics ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on our exclusive Facebook group .
But , as she ’ s finding out , it might not be practical to decide everything based on majority rule or the loudest voice .
She told of one survey response from an athlete who took a yearlong sabbatical to get ready for the Olympics , whose training hasn ’ t been curtailed much , and who has no wiggle room to push an effort to make the games into 2021 or beyond .
“ These are real scenarios we ’ re facing , ” Hirshland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diversity leads to having to be real thoughtful , and take this almost on a case-by-case basis , and think about how we mitigate these challenges as best we can.
” It could help explain the more tempered statement she put out Sunday , along with Han Xiao , the chair of the athletes ’ advisory council .
They were part of a board meeting held after the IOC said it might need up to four weeks to decide what step to take .
“ We know the difficult obstacles ahead and we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heard our concerns and needs , and is working to address them as quickly as possible , ” the statement said .
• Tokyo Olympics seem sure to happen — but in 2021 , not 2020 • IOC looking at postponing Tokyo Olympics ; Canada pulls out • Kiszla : Postpone the Summer Olympics until 2021 and make Games a celebration of world ’ s victory against coronavirus • U.S. Olympic leaders : no need for decision yet on Tokyo Games Hirshland also pushed back on the idea that the statements from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of which called on her to employ the USOPC ’ s leadership role to ask for a postponement — amounted to a blindside or a crack in unity .
She said she spoke with USA Swimming CEO Tim Hinchey long before he sent the letter that was later made public .
“ Both sports have a very large population , from grassroots to elite athletes , and they need their athletes to know they ’ re being heard , ” she said .
“ They want their athletes to know their concerns are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirm those concerns are being passed on.
” Those concerns will be going , Hirshland said , straight to the IOC .
And though many signs point to an inevitable postponement of the games , it ’ s not part of the message the USOPC is sending there .
“ It ’ s really important for us to understand the totality of the environment our athletes are facing , ” she said .
“ It ’ s a practical reality that there ’ s no easy answer right now .
”

DENVER — The CEO of the U.S. Olympic team is well aware of the power her country wields in a situation like this, with the coronavirus raging across the globe and the IOC taking its time before deciding whether to postpone the Tokyo Games.
She’s not in a big rush to use it.
“My role is not to make demands of those making decisions, but to bring forward solutions,” Sarah Hirshland, the CEO of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee, told The Associated Press on Sunday.
Hirshland and the USOPC leadership have endured their share of criticism for not calling on the IOC to postpone the games — a move being made by a growing number of athletes and organizations, including a couple major ones in America: USA Swimming and USA Track and Field.
She says she can handle the heat, but wants people to know that she’s doing her best to make sure that postponing is the correct call and, maybe more important, what the next step should be. At the heart of that effort is a survey the USOPC sent to around 4,000 Olympic hopefuls over the weekend, asking them about training conditions and the medical conditions in the places they live, along with their thoughts about when the Olympics should take place.
The IOC has asked the U.S. and every other country for details about conditions in their respective locales.
“We’re hearing from the athletes loud and clear, and I can guarantee you, the IOC is going to hear from us, loud and clear,” Hirshland said.
But, as she’s finding out, it might not be practical to decide everything based on majority rule or the loudest voice. She told of one survey response from an athlete who took a yearlong sabbatical to get ready for the Olympics, whose training hasn’t been curtailed much, and who has no wiggle room to push an effort to make the games into 2021 or beyond.
“These are real scenarios we’re facing,” Hirshland said. “The beauty of the diversity leads to having to be real thoughtful, and take this almost on a case-by-case basis, and think about how we mitigate these challenges as best we can.”
It could help explain the more tempered statement she put out Sunday, along with Han Xiao, the chair of the athletes’ advisory council. They were part of a board meeting held after the IOC said it might need up to four weeks to decide what step to take.
“We know the difficult obstacles ahead and we are all appreciative that the IOC has heard our concerns and needs, and is working to address them as quickly as possible,” the statement said.
Hirshland also pushed back on the idea that the statements from the U.S. track and swimming federations — each of which called on her to employ the USOPC’s leadership role to ask for a postponement — amounted to a blindside or a crack in unity. She said she spoke with USA Swimming CEO Tim Hinchey long before he sent the letter that was later made public.
“Both sports have a very large population, from grassroots to elite athletes, and they need their athletes to know they’re being heard,” she said. “They want their athletes to know their concerns are being passed on, and I can confirm those concerns are being passed on.”
Those concerns will be going, Hirshland said, straight to the IOC. And though many signs point to an inevitable postponement of the games, it’s not part of the message the USOPC is sending there.
“It’s really important for us to understand the totality of the environment our athletes are facing,” she said. “It’s a practical reality that there’s no easy answer right now.”


thedenverpost--2020-03-23--Can marijuana dispensaries stay open during Colorado’s coronavirus crisis? It depends.

Colorado Gov .
Jared Polis deemed marijuana dispensaries “ critical ” retail businesses in an executive order Sunday urging employers to reduce their in-person workforces , meaning they would stay open if other industries were forced to shutter to mitigate the spread of coronavirus .
The governor ’ s order , however , will change how dispensaries do business .
In-person sales are limited to medical patients only ; recreational customers must order in advance for curbside pickup .
The order is in effect from 8 p.m. on Tuesday until April 11 , unless extended by the governor .
Some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to remain open during the pandemic independent of the governor ’ s order .
For example , in San Miguel County , which mandated residents shelter in place on March 18 , dispensaries are open to fill pickup orders only .
In Summit County , brick and mortar marijuana stores were allowed to remain open per city ordinance until the governor imposed stricter guidelines .
If there ’ s conflict between state and local rules , the more restrictive ones are enforced , said public information officer Julie Sutor .
On Monday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at home ” order that initially classified medical dispensaries as essential businesses , but not recreational , essentially ending adult-use sales until April 11 .
But Denver walked back that decision by late afternoon , however , exempting pot shops that implement “ extreme social distancing by limiting how many customers can be inside at one time.
” Advocates such as Cindy Sovine worry moratoriums like this could restrict some residents from obtaining their medicine .
Sovine , a Denver-based lobbyist and consultant , said since adult-use became legal in 2012 , many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because most products are widely available on the recreational level .
“ Cities like Aurora don ’ t even have medical , ” Sovine said , adding restrictions could lead to an increase in illicit market activity that could be difficult to combat once circumstances settle down .
Not only that , but marijuana businesses do not currently qualify for federal stimulus relief and Denver ’ s order may put dispensaries out of business , Sovine said .
While dispensaries are exempt from cutting 50 % of their staff like other “ non-critical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order , many are changing operating procedures to limit the potential for person-to-person spread of respiratory illness COVID-19 .
Seed and Smith in Commerce City plans to reduce the number of hours employees working in its cultivation , manufacturing and packaging facility to avoid having too many people in the same room at the same time , said Mike Lempert , director of logistics .
Starting this week , the dispensary is closing its storefront and requiring all sales to be made online or by phone for pickup .
Seed and Smith plans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coming weeks , too .
“ Everything is meant to limit everyone ’ s exposure to another human , ” Lempert said of those moves .
Online ordering has already proven a popular option for cannabis consumers looking to limit their interaction at retail stores , and industry personnel think the trend could reshape buying habits long-term .
Still , some don ’ t think it ’ s enough .
Truman Bradley , president of the Marijuana Industry Group , would like to see the state allow marijuana delivery to prevent in-person gatherings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immune systems .
Colorado legalized medical marijuana delivery in 2019 , but it has yet to be adopted by many municipalities .
Boulder , where the first delivery license was issued to The Dandelion dispensary , is a notable exception .
“ We ’ ve already got the legal infrastructure that allows for this , so all it requires are these local municipalities to allow for delivery during times of crisis and they can come back and revisit it , ” Sovine said .
“ That is the safest pathway to keep access @ @ @

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis deemed marijuana dispensaries “critical” retail businesses in an executive order March 22 urging employers to reduce their in-person workforces, meaning they would stay open if other industries were forced to shutter to mitigate the spread of coronavirus.
However, rules regarding how and where customers can buy cannabis have changed frequently since the governor issued the order, which is in effect until April 11 unless extended.
As of March 31, both medical and recreational marijuana customers are allowed to enter brick and mortar stores as long as dispensaries are employing social distancing practices. Stores can also accept debit and credit cards, cash and checks for in-store purchases if they have the systems to do so.
Customers may also order ahead online and pick up their purchases curbside, if dispensaries have that capability. Those who opt for curbside pickup, however, must use a check, debit or credit card for purchases, as the Marijuana Enforcement Division is prohibiting cash transactions to take place outside an establishment.
The bottom line: Check with your local dispensary to see what they offer before making any purchasing decisions.
Many have already changed operating procedures to limit the potential for person-to-person spread of respiratory illness COVID-19.
Seed and Smith in Commerce City plans to reduce the number of hours employees working in its cultivation, manufacturing and packaging facility to avoid having too many people in the same room at the same time, said Mike Lempert, director of logistics. Last week, the dispensary closed its storefront and required all sales to be made online or by phone for pickup. Seed and Smith plans to launch text message ordering in the coming weeks, too.
“Everything is meant to limit everyone’s exposure to another human,” Lempert said of those moves.
Online ordering has already proven a popular option for cannabis consumers looking to limit their interaction at retail stores, and industry personnel think the trend could reshape buying habits long-term.
Some counties classified dispensaries among essential services allowed to remain open during the pandemic independent of the governor’s order. For example, in San Miguel County, which mandated residents shelter in place on March 18, dispensaries are open to fill pickup orders only.
In Summit County, brick and mortar marijuana stores were allowed to remain open per city ordinance until the governor imposed stricter guidelines. If there’s conflict between state and local rules, the more restrictive ones are enforced, said public information officer Julie Sutor.
On March 23, Denver Mayor Michael Hancock issued “stay at home” order that initially classified medical dispensaries as essential businesses, but not recreational, essentially ending adult-use sales until April 11. But Denver walked back that decision by late afternoon, however, exempting pot shops that implement “extreme social distancing by limiting how many customers can be inside at one time.”
Advocates such as Cindy Sovine worry moratoriums like this could restrict some residents from obtaining their medicine. Sovine, a Denver-based lobbyist and consultant, said since adult-use became legal in 2012, many patients allowed their medical cards to lapse because most products are widely available on the recreational level.
“Cities like Aurora don’t even have medical,” Sovine said, adding restrictions could lead to an increase in illicit market activity that could be difficult to combat once circumstances settle down.
Not only that, but marijuana businesses do not currently qualify for federal stimulus relief and Denver’s order may put dispensaries out of business, Sovine said.
The coronavirus pandemic has led some in the industry to call for widespread adoption of marijuana delivery, saying it would prevent in-person gatherings and protect patients who might have compromised immune systems. Colorado legalized medical marijuana delivery in 2019, but it has yet to be adopted by many municipalities. Boulder, where the first delivery license was issued to The Dandelion dispensary, is a notable exception.
“We’ve already got the legal infrastructure that allows for this, so all it requires are these local municipalities to allow for delivery during times of crisis and they can come back and revisit it,” Sovine said. “That is the safest pathway to keep access open.”


thedenverpost--2020-03-23--All signs point to Tokyo Olympics being postponed

IOC members , national Olympic committees and athletes were all racing toward the same conclusion Monday : The Tokyo Olympics are not going to take place this summer .
Craig Reedie , a longtime member of the International Olympic Committee , told The Associated Press that everyone can see where things are headed , with the coronavirus pandemic spreading and Olympic hopefuls around the world unable to train .
“ In the balance of probabilities , the information known about conditions in Japan and the COVID-19 ’ s effect on the rest of world clearly indicates the likelihood of postponement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ length of postponement is the major challenge for the IOC.
” Earlier in the day , IOC member Dick Pound told USA Today that he had reached the same conclusion about the games , which are scheduled to start July 24 .
A tweet put out by the newspaper read : “ The 2020 Summer Olympics Have Been Postponed Over Coronavirus Concerns.
” The IOC said no decision had been made , and Reedie was quick to acknowledge that he was speaking only for himself and not because of any insight provided to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who will guide the final decision .
Pound did not return a message left by AP .
Earlier in the day , after Pound ’ s pronouncement , an IOC spokesman said , “ It is the right of every IOC member to interpret the decision of the IOC ( executive board ) from Sunday.
” Indeed , the interpretations and opinions are just that and haven ’ t always been spot-on .
Last month , Pound told AP that cancellation , not postponement , was the only real option if the Tokyo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But a lot has changed since then , and the rapid momentum of the “ postpone ” movement among athletes and nations seemed to diminish the likelihood that it will take all of four weeks for the IOC to reach a conclusion .
That was the timeline the IOC ’ s executive committee decided on Sunday when it announced it was putting together working groups to study the massive logistical issues involved in postponing the games .
Among those issues include the availability of venues in Japan , the disruption to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is chosen , the resetting of qualifying procedures , and insurance considerations ; both the IOC and the Japanese organizing committee hold massive policies , the legalese of which will take time to unwind .
After that IOC announcement , however , both Canada and Australia — whose senior Olympic official is IOC member John Coates , the leader of the Tokyo inspection team — sent word that they would not or could not send teams to Japan for an Olympics that start in July .
“ I know this is heartbreaking for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , staff and fans — but this was absolutely the right call , and everyone should follow their lead , ” Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said .
Other key delegations that have pushed for a postponement include World Athletics , the international federation for the centerpiece sport of the Olympics , along with Olympic committees in Brazil , Slovenia and Germany .
USA Swimming and USA Track and Field , which combine to form about a third of the U.S. team , also want a new date .
Athletes also grew louder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ track group called The Athletics Association joined another athlete group , Global Athlete , in pressing the IOC to act .
The track group is led by two-time Olympic champion Christian Taylor of the U.S. , who said more than 4,000 track and field athletes responded to a survey , and 87 % said their training had been adversely affected by the coronavirus .
Individual athletes continued to speak out as well .
“ Although I am upset that the Olympics will not be happening this year , I agree that this is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the athletes and spectators healthy and to prevent the virus from spreading further , ” U.S. gymnast Morgan Hurd said in a tweet , reacting to Pound ’ s comments .
And while saying it ’ s a done deal might be jumping the gun , it feels inevitable the announcement will come .

IOC members, national Olympic committees and athletes were all racing toward the same conclusion Monday: The Tokyo Olympics are not going to take place this summer.
Craig Reedie, a longtime member of the International Olympic Committee, told The Associated Press that everyone can see where things are headed, with the coronavirus pandemic spreading and Olympic hopefuls around the world unable to train.
“In the balance of probabilities, the information known about conditions in Japan and the COVID-19’s effect on the rest of world clearly indicates the likelihood of postponement,” Reedie said. “The length of postponement is the major challenge for the IOC.”
Earlier in the day, IOC member Dick Pound told USA Today that he had reached the same conclusion about the games, which are scheduled to start July 24. A tweet put out by the newspaper read: “The 2020 Summer Olympics Have Been Postponed Over Coronavirus Concerns.”
The IOC said no decision had been made, and Reedie was quick to acknowledge that he was speaking only for himself and not because of any insight provided to him by IOC president Thomas Bach, who will guide the final decision. Pound did not return a message left by AP. Earlier in the day, after Pound’s pronouncement, an IOC spokesman said, “It is the right of every IOC member to interpret the decision of the IOC (executive board) from Sunday.”
Indeed, the interpretations and opinions are just that and haven’t always been spot-on. Last month, Pound told AP that cancellation, not postponement, was the only real option if the Tokyo Games couldn’t start on time.
But a lot has changed since then, and the rapid momentum of the “postpone” movement among athletes and nations seemed to diminish the likelihood that it will take all of four weeks for the IOC to reach a conclusion. That was the timeline the IOC’s executive committee decided on Sunday when it announced it was putting together working groups to study the massive logistical issues involved in postponing the games.
Among those issues include the availability of venues in Japan, the disruption to the international sports calendar during whatever new date is chosen, the resetting of qualifying procedures, and insurance considerations; both the IOC and the Japanese organizing committee hold massive policies, the legalese of which will take time to unwind.
After that IOC announcement, however, both Canada and Australia — whose senior Olympic official is IOC member John Coates, the leader of the Tokyo inspection team — sent word that they would not or could not send teams to Japan for an Olympics that start in July.
“I know this is heartbreaking for so many people — athletes, coaches, staff and fans — but this was absolutely the right call, and everyone should follow their lead,” Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said.
Other key delegations that have pushed for a postponement include World Athletics, the international federation for the centerpiece sport of the Olympics, along with Olympic committees in Brazil, Slovenia and Germany. USA Swimming and USA Track and Field, which combine to form about a third of the U.S. team, also want a new date.
Athletes also grew louder in their request for postponement. A track group called The Athletics Association joined another athlete group, Global Athlete, in pressing the IOC to act.
The track group is led by two-time Olympic champion Christian Taylor of the U.S., who said more than 4,000 track and field athletes responded to a survey, and 87% said their training had been adversely affected by the coronavirus.
Individual athletes continued to speak out as well.
“Although I am upset that the Olympics will not be happening this year, I agree that this is the best decision in order to keep the athletes and spectators healthy and to prevent the virus from spreading further,” U.S. gymnast Morgan Hurd said in a tweet, reacting to Pound’s comments.
And while saying it’s a done deal might be jumping the gun, it feels inevitable the announcement will come.
___
More AP sports: https://apnews.com/apf-sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports


thedenverpost--2020-03-23--Editorial: Stay at home during the coronavirus epidemic even if your mayor, governor or president ha

Editorial: Stay at home during the coronavirus epidemic even if your mayor, governor or president hasn’t ordered it yet

Coloradans must take this virus seriously or the government will step in and do it for us .
Mayor Michael Hancock said he was moved to issue his stay-at-home order Monday in part by the sea of humanity that hit Denver ’ s parks , streets and sidewalks to enjoy Sunday ’ s beautiful afternoon .
Fresh air and sunny skies offered Coloradans a false sense of safety even as leading health experts across the nation warn the novel coronavirus , SARS-CoV-2 , is highly contagious and that social distancing is the only way to slow the spread and avoid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by people arriving in respiratory distress unable to receive life-saving care .
The rest of the state should heed Denver ’ s warning — stay home voluntarily when you can .
Gov .
Jared Polis has so far avoided issuing a statewide stay-at-home order , sometimes referred to as shelter-in-place , in favor of ordering businesses to reduce their non-essential workforce by half .
Hopefully , a state-wide order can be avoided if we voluntarily take it upon ourselves to stay home unless it ’ s a critical need like groceries , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s still open under the order ) and yes , exercise .
Hancock emphasized that the order was more about underscoring the importance of staying at home unless absolutely necessary than it was about actually being able to enforce the rule .
We suspect some of those out in the parks over the weekend simply did not realize they were putting themselves and others in danger or they wouldn ’ t have started “ pick up volleyball and basketball games , ” as Hancock said .
America ’ s economy isn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we are voluntarily slowing it to the point of intense pain in some sectors to save lives .
Americans must take that seriously .
Thousands of Coloradans are being put out of work to reduce the spread of this virus ; the least we can do is stay home and do our part .
“ The trends are not going in the right direction and the incremental steps that we have taken are not really beginning to move the needles as fast as we need them to move in order to protect our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The reality is that public health professionals have been advising us that this is the right direction to move for several days now … The bolder and quicker we move the faster we can end this economic trauma in our community .
We don ’ t want to extend the economic pain of the people of Denver.
” We think Hancock and Polis are pushing in the right direction — toward greater controls during this unprecedented time — and we are concerned that the president is sending signals of heading in the opposite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from some that the cure can not be worse than the disease , and there are very real fears that shuttering a large portion of our economy now will result in a lasting depression in the years to come .
We share those concerns .
However , so unprepared was this nation for this particular calamity , that drastic action is the only way to save lives .
Once our medical providers are able to acquire the equipment they need to keep themselves safe while treating COVID-19 patients and the equipment they need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at survival , the social distancing measures will be loosened .
By that time , we expect testing will be more readily available allowing for much more targeted isolation and quarantines to take place .
This virus likely isn ’ t going away anytime soon , so , for now , we must buy our medical professionals the time they need to keep themselves safe and to treat our friends , family , and neighbors who may need urgent care to stay alive .
The order in Denver goes into effect Tuesday at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to start behaving now , whether they live in Denver or not , as though the order effects them too .
To send a letter to the editor about this article , submit online or check out our guidelines for how to submit by email or mail .

Coloradans must take this virus seriously or the government will step in and do it for us.
Mayor Michael Hancock said he was moved to issue his stay-at-home order Monday in part by the sea of humanity that hit Denver’s parks, streets and sidewalks to enjoy Sunday’s beautiful afternoon. Fresh air and sunny skies offered Coloradans a false sense of safety even as leading health experts across the nation warn the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, is highly contagious and that social distancing is the only way to slow the spread and avoid a scenario where our hospitals are overwhelmed by people arriving in respiratory distress unable to receive life-saving care.
The rest of the state should heed Denver’s warning — stay home voluntarily when you can. Gov. Jared Polis has so far avoided issuing a statewide stay-at-home order, sometimes referred to as shelter-in-place, in favor of ordering businesses to reduce their non-essential workforce by half. Hopefully, a state-wide order can be avoided if we voluntarily take it upon ourselves to stay home unless it’s a critical need like groceries, the drug store, work (if it’s still open under the order) and yes, exercise.
Hancock emphasized that the order was more about underscoring the importance of staying at home unless absolutely necessary than it was about actually being able to enforce the rule. We suspect some of those out in the parks over the weekend simply did not realize they were putting themselves and others in danger or they wouldn’t have started “pick up volleyball and basketball games,” as Hancock said.
America’s economy isn’t grinding to a halt, but we are voluntarily slowing it to the point of intense pain in some sectors to save lives. Americans must take that seriously. Thousands of Coloradans are being put out of work to reduce the spread of this virus; the least we can do is stay home and do our part.
“The trends are not going in the right direction and the incremental steps that we have taken are not really beginning to move the needles as fast as we need them to move in order to protect our cities,” Hancock said. “The reality is that public health professionals have been advising us that this is the right direction to move for several days now … The bolder and quicker we move the faster we can end this economic trauma in our community. We don’t want to extend the economic pain of the people of Denver.”
We think Hancock and Polis are pushing in the right direction — toward greater controls during this unprecedented time — and we are concerned that the president is sending signals of heading in the opposite direction. There is a general sentiment from some that the cure cannot be worse than the disease, and there are very real fears that shuttering a large portion of our economy now will result in a lasting depression in the years to come. We share those concerns.
However, so unprepared was this nation for this particular calamity, that drastic action is the only way to save lives. Once our medical providers are able to acquire the equipment they need to keep themselves safe while treating COVID-19 patients and the equipment they need to give those patients a fighting chance at survival, the social distancing measures will be loosened. By that time, we expect testing will be more readily available allowing for much more targeted isolation and quarantines to take place. This virus likely isn’t going away anytime soon, so, for now, we must buy our medical professionals the time they need to keep themselves safe and to treat our friends, family, and neighbors who may need urgent care to stay alive.
The order in Denver goes into effect Tuesday at 5 p.m., but we advise everyone to start behaving now, whether they live in Denver or not, as though the order affects them too.
To send a letter to the editor about this article, submit online or check out our guidelines for how to submit by email or mail.


thedenverpost--2020-03-23--Malaria drugs’ promise for coronavirus spurs hope, shortages

Excitement about treating the new coronavirus with malaria drugs is raising hopes , including with President Donald Trump .
But the evidence that they may help is thin , and a run on the drugs is complicating access for people who need them for rheumatoid arthritis or lupus .
Chloroquine and a similar drug , hydroxychloroquine , showed encouraging signs in small , early tests against the coronavirus .
But the drugs have major side effects , one reason scientists don ’ t want to give them without evidence of their value , even in this emergency .
Yet those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tweeted that hydroxychloroquine plus an antibiotic could be “ one of the biggest game changers in the history of medicine ” and should “ be put in use immediately.
” He cited a French study that gave the combo to six patients .
Some French doctors and politicians also are pushing to expand hydroxychloroquine ’ s use .
The mayor of the French city of Nice , Christian Estrosi , said on television Monday that he was on his sixth day of treatment and has “ the sense I ’ ve been cured.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ raising false hopes and say major studies are needed to prove the drugs are safe and effective against coronavirus , and to show that people would not have recovered just as well on their own .
One such study starts Tuesday in New York .
“ Right now , there is no drug that looks like it ’ s proven so overwhelming in early-stage clinical trials that we can say it ’ s highly promising , ” former Food and Drug Administration commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb said Sunday on CBS ’ “ Face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to treat malaria since the 1930s .
Hydroxychloroquine came along a decade later and has fewer side effects .
The latter is sold in generic form and under the brand name Plaquenil for use against several diseases .
The drugs can cause heart rhythm problems , severely low blood pressure and muscle or nerve damage .
Plaquenil ’ s label warns of possible damage to the retina , especially when used at higher doses , for longer times and with certain other medicines such as the breast cancer drug tamoxifen .
“ Chloroquine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ terrible side effect profile .
Hydroxychloroquine is far safer , but its side effects are still significant , ” Meghan May , a microbiologist at the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine in Biddeford , Maine , wrote in an email .
“ If it is not abundantly clear that it is beneficial , giving this drug to a critically ill patient feels risky.
” That ’ s where the evidence comes in — and , so far , there is not much .
Hydroxychloroquine curbed coronavirus ’ ability to enter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last week in the journal Nature Medicine .
That doesn ’ t mean it would do the same in people or that they could tolerate the doses tested in the lab .
A report from China claimed chloroquine helped more than 100 patients at 10 hospitals , but they had various degrees of illness and were treated with various doses for different lengths of time .
They also might have recovered without the drug — there was no comparison group .
The French study has attracted the most attention .
Doctors gave hydroxychloroquine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including some with no symptoms .
Six also were given the antibiotic azithromycin .
Some of the 26 were not counted in the final results because they didn ’ t complete the study — what ’ s known as “ lost to followup ” — but that included three who worsened and were sent to intensive care , one who died a day after later testing negative for the virus , and one who stopped treatment because of nausea .
After six days , no patients given hydroxychloroquine plus azithromycin had virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the nose , versus 57 % of those given the malaria drug alone and 12.5 % of some other patients who received neither drug .
That ’ s encouraging , but many things could have affected the outcome , such as how sick people were , when they were treated , what other treatments they received , as well as their age , gender and underlying health conditions .
“ It is a very weak study … leaving us in suspension of whether the combination strategy has any merit , ” said Dr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Scripps Research Translational Institute in San Diego .
Its biggest limitation : A drop in detected virus doesn ’ t mean the drugs will improve survival or shorten illness .
“ It could very well be that the drug is reducing viral shedding but having no impact on the clinical course of those patients , ” Gottlieb said .
The supply already is pinched for patients who need the drugs for other reasons .
A University of Utah service that tracks shortages says four of the seven companies that make generic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ generic drugmakers previously stopped making the tablets .
Five manufacturers have stopped making chloroquine , but three others still do .
Erin Fox , senior director of the Utah service , wrote in an email that the university ’ s health system has detected that some doctors are writing prescriptions for hydroxychloroquine “ for themselves and family friends to have on hand or hoard just in case.
” The university refuses to fill those prescriptions , and at least one state has banned hoarding : The Ohio Board of Pharmacy says pharmacists can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for lupus or rheumatoid arthritis or a confirmed COVID-19 case .
Patients already are feeling pinched .
Toni Grimes , 47 , has been taking hydroxychloroquine for 13 years for lupus and said Monday that , for the first time , her standard 90-day refill order is being delayed until March 30 .
Grimes , who runs a Phoenix-area Lupus Foundation support group , said another member also hasn ’ t received her refill .
“ This is our mainstay ” treatment , she said .
Among the studies underway is one led @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. to see if hydroxychloroquine can prevent people exposed to the virus from getting sick or reduce the severity of illness if they do .
It ’ s aimed at health care workers and people with someone in their home who has tested positive .
People can email covid19 @ umn.edu if they think they ’ re eligible .
Subscribe to bi-weekly newsletter to get health news sent straight to your inbox .

Excitement about treating the new coronavirus with malaria drugs is raising hopes, including with President Donald Trump. But the evidence that they may help is thin, and a run on the drugs is complicating access for people who need them for rheumatoid arthritis or lupus.
Chloroquine and a similar drug, hydroxychloroquine, showed encouraging signs in small, early tests against the coronavirus. But the drugs have major side effects, one reason scientists don’t want to give them without evidence of their value, even in this emergency.
Yet those preliminary studies sparked intense interest after Trump tweeted that hydroxychloroquine plus an antibiotic could be “one of the biggest game changers in the history of medicine” and should “be put in use immediately.” He cited a French study that gave the combo to six patients.
Some French doctors and politicians also are pushing to expand hydroxychloroquine’s use. The mayor of the French city of Nice, Christian Estrosi, said on television Monday that he was on his sixth day of treatment and has “the sense I’ve been cured.”
Scientists, however, warn about raising false hopes and say major studies are needed to prove the drugs are safe and effective against coronavirus, and to show that people would not have recovered just as well on their own. One such study starts Tuesday in New York.
“Right now, there is no drug that looks like it’s proven so overwhelming in early-stage clinical trials that we can say it’s highly promising,” former Food and Drug Administration commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb said Sunday on CBS’ “Face the Nation.”
THE DRUGS AND SIDE EFFECTS
Chloroquine has been used to treat malaria since the 1930s. Hydroxychloroquine came along a decade later and has fewer side effects. The latter is sold in generic form and under the brand name Plaquenil for use against several diseases.
The drugs can cause heart rhythm problems, severely low blood pressure and muscle or nerve damage. Plaquenil’s label warns of possible damage to the retina, especially when used at higher doses, for longer times and with certain other medicines such as the breast cancer drug tamoxifen.
“Chloroquine is an extremely toxic drug with a terrible side effect profile. Hydroxychloroquine is far safer, but its side effects are still significant,” Meghan May, a microbiologist at the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine in Biddeford, Maine, wrote in an email. “If it is not abundantly clear that it is beneficial, giving this drug to a critically ill patient feels risky.”
THE EVIDENCE
That’s where the evidence comes in — and, so far, there is not much. Hydroxychloroquine curbed coronavirus’ ability to enter cells in lab tests, researchers reported last week in the journal Nature Medicine. That doesn’t mean it would do the same in people or that they could tolerate the doses tested in the lab.
A report from China claimed chloroquine helped more than 100 patients at 10 hospitals, but they had various degrees of illness and were treated with various doses for different lengths of time. They also might have recovered without the drug — there was no comparison group.
The French study has attracted the most attention. Doctors gave hydroxychloroquine to 26 people with confirmed coronavirus infections, including some with no symptoms. Six also were given the antibiotic azithromycin.
Some of the 26 were not counted in the final results because they didn’t complete the study — what’s known as “lost to followup” — but that included three who worsened and were sent to intensive care, one who died a day after later testing negative for the virus, and one who stopped treatment because of nausea.
After six days, no patients given hydroxychloroquine plus azithromycin had virus detected in swabs from the back of the nose, versus 57% of those given the malaria drug alone and 12.5% of some other patients who received neither drug.
That’s encouraging, but many things could have affected the outcome, such as how sick people were, when they were treated, what other treatments they received, as well as their age, gender and underlying health conditions.
“It is a very weak study … leaving us in suspension of whether the combination strategy has any merit,” said Dr. Eric Topol, a cardiologist and head of the Scripps Research Translational Institute in San Diego.
Its biggest limitation: A drop in detected virus doesn’t mean the drugs will improve survival or shorten illness.
“It could very well be that the drug is reducing viral shedding but having no impact on the clinical course of those patients,” Gottlieb said.
A STRAINED SUPPLY
The supply already is pinched for patients who need the drugs for other reasons. A University of Utah service that tracks shortages says four of the seven companies that make generic hydroxychloroquine have reported them. Three other generic drugmakers previously stopped making the tablets.
Five manufacturers have stopped making chloroquine, but three others still do.
Erin Fox, senior director of the Utah service, wrote in an email that the university’s health system has detected that some doctors are writing prescriptions for hydroxychloroquine “for themselves and family friends to have on hand or hoard just in case.”
The university refuses to fill those prescriptions, and at least one state has banned hoarding: The Ohio Board of Pharmacy says pharmacists can’t dispense hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine unless for lupus or rheumatoid arthritis or a confirmed COVID-19 case.
Patients already are feeling pinched. Toni Grimes, 47, has been taking hydroxychloroquine for 13 years for lupus and said Monday that, for the first time, her standard 90-day refill order is being delayed until March 30. Grimes, who runs a Phoenix-area Lupus Foundation support group, said another member also hasn’t received her refill.
“This is our mainstay” treatment, she said.
STUDIES HAVE STARTED
Among the studies underway is one led by the University of Minnesota throughout the U.S. to see if hydroxychloroquine can prevent people exposed to the virus from getting sick or reduce the severity of illness if they do. It’s aimed at health care workers and people with someone in their home who has tested positive. People can email covid19@umn.edu if they think they’re eligible.
Subscribe to bi-weekly newsletter to get health news sent straight to your inbox.