thedenverpost--2020-11-30--Kendall Hinton makes NFL debut with Broncos: How the sports world reacted on social media

Kendall Hinton ’ s NFL debut was probably not what he had in mind .
The Broncos ’ practice-squad-receiver-turned-Week-12-starting-quarterback — @ @ @ @ @ day — finished with 1 of 9 passing for 13 yards and two inceptions in @ @ @ @ @ visiting Saints .
The sports world reacted to his sudden start announcement and game performance @ @ @ @ @ : • Quarterback-less Broncos no match for New Orleans : “ We weren ’ t @ @ @ @ @ Kendall Hinton , Broncos find silver linings in rookie WR ’ s debut as NFL @ @ @ @ @ thought I ’ d be back taking the reins ” • Broncos Report Card : @ @ @ @ @ struggles in loss to Saints • Broncos game balls and gassers : Quarterbacks set Denver @ @ @ @ @ while offensive line couldn ’ t pick up the slack • Broncos up-down drill : @ @ @ @ @ against the Saints

Kendall Hinton’s NFL debut was probably not what he had in mind.
The Broncos’ practice-squad-receiver-turned-Week-12-starting-quarterback — in the span of a day — finished with 1 of 9 passing for 13 yards and two inceptions in a 31-3 loss to the visiting Saints.
The sports world reacted to his sudden start announcement and game performance — many with encouraging words:
Mad respect & props 4 @Kendall_Hinton2… I don’t care stats or score, this young man did nothing but battle w/ the crappy hand he was dealt! Have heart & courage like that – in the world of haters – he deserves more shots to get on field doing what he does best! #TakeHimOnMyTeam — Kurt Warner (@kurt13warner) November 29, 2020
Kendall Hinton 👏👏 Nothing else needs to be said. Good for you man… — Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) November 29, 2020
Nothing but respect to Kendall Hinton. Clearly not going anywhere as a QB but that was an impossible ask. He has now played in the NFL and a sincere congrats to him. — Tyler Polumbus (@Tyler_Polumbus) November 30, 2020
#Broncos WR Kendall Hinton was put in an impossible situation today, having to play QB after all 4 players at the position were ineligible due to CoVID protocols/not wearing masks. @Kendall_Hinton2 hold your head, you stepped to the plate. It's a story for your future grand kids. https://t.co/imNYvLgMIp — IG: JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) November 30, 2020
Respect to Kendall Hinton ✊ Broncos WR got called up from the practice squad with no reps in practice and started vs. the Saints. Undrafted rookie gave it his all @brgridiron pic.twitter.com/saIjNcsc0z — Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 29, 2020
Broncos QB Kendall Hinton deserves respect 👏 @Kendall_Hinton2 ✅ Undrafted WR
✅ Came off the practice squad
✅ Zero practice reps
✅ Competed in his first NFL game pic.twitter.com/KJJvCRTKW1 — ESPN (@espn) November 30, 2020
PLAYER OF THE GAME | Given no time to prepare and the unprecedented circumstances, #Broncos quarterback (on Sunday) Kendall Hinton deserves all the credit in the world for stepping up under center pic.twitter.com/wnlR8ZxpKZ — Sports Radio 104.3 The Fan (@1043TheFan) November 30, 2020
Kendall Hinton was a state championship QB in high school and played some QB in college. Against an NFL defense, he's 1/9 with 2 INTs. Remember this the next time somebody on Twitter says they could accomplish anything in a pro sport other than immediately fall down. — Zach Kram (@zachkram) November 29, 2020
Real talk, I hope Kendall Hinton doesn't end up as a punch line after this game. He was truly set up to fail and it's not his fault. — M.G. (@MarcasG) November 29, 2020
No matter what happens I have mad respect for Kendall Hinton. This ain't easy. — Jeff Asher (@Crimealytics) November 29, 2020
In all my time in this job the two most difficult football situations I've ever seen anyone put into:
–Hey Eric Studesville, you're interim coach to finish out season for mess that was 2010 Broncos.
–Kendall Hinton today. Guy should get 12 game balls for trying to handle this. — Jeff Legwold (@Jeff_Legwold) November 29, 2020
Kendall Hinton didn’t ask for any of this. But why not try and throw him a bone with some screens and slants and not plays where he has to throw the ball 30 yards downfield since ya know, He’s a practice squad receiver — Elle Duncan (@elleduncanESPN) November 29, 2020


thedenverpost--2020-11-30--Broncos up-down drill: Highs and lows for Denver against the Saints

Up : Phillin ’ it .
Let ’ s face it , a never-ending series of Phillip Lindsay “ wildcat ” snaps is pretty much what Broncos fans have been pining for during the past 11 weeks .
That ’ s what we got , for three snaps at least , on the first drive of the game .
The result : 18 yards rushing .
Maybe they were on to something ?
Down : First-game jitters .
Nevermind the fact that Kendall Hinton had yet to start an NFL game before Sunday , let alone at quarterback .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s first pro snap to be a third-and-four near midfield ?
A throwaway incompletion felt like an acceptable outcome .
Up : Coming up strong .
Broncos cornerback Bryce Callahan absolutely drilled Saints receiver Michael Thomas on a short slant — dropping him a yard short of the sticks on third down .
Which would ’ ve been great , but… .
Down : Fourth-down flub .
Then Dre ’ Mont Jones did the one thing you can ’ t do on fourth-and-short on the offense ’ s side of the field — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A huge no-no .
And the spark for a drive that resulted in the Saints ’ first seven points .
In this game , that might as well have been 100 .
Up : DeMarcus Walker .
In the final six games of his rookie contract , the Broncos defensive end ended New Orleans ’ first drive with a third-down sack in 3.22 seconds .
It was one of two sacks for the Denver defense on New Orleans ’ first two drives .
Down : QB keepers .
As much as the Broncos @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — it really hurts when there is zero element of surprise — the Saints had the perfect signal-caller for theirs .
Taysom Hill is right out of the leatherheads mold , as his two goal-line TD runs in the first half illustrated .
Up : Hustle play .
The Broncos were a yard away from their second first down of the game when center Lloyd Cushenberry snapped the ball into the turf — leading to a fumble that Kwon Alexander would ’ ve returned for a touchdown had Garett Bolles not brought him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earning that extension .
Down : Movie rights .
Broncos fans were either going to witness the inspiration for a Disney movie script , or a horror show/nightmare that ’ s the most embarrassing moment of this bizarre COVID season for the NFL .
Sadly , they got the latter .
Up : Dinosaur howl ?
Do dinosaurs howl ?
Scream ?
Roar ?
Whatever you call it , Alexander Johnson did it after a run stuff late in the second quarter and everyone — inside the empty stadium or watching at home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Down : No fans .
The Broncos won ’ t have fans for the final three home games .
Enough said .
Up : Rookie CBs In two plays on the Saints ’ second possession of the second half , rookie defensive backs Michael Ojemudia and Essang Bassey made fantastic plays .
The former broke up a jump ball for tight end Jared Cook on first down , and the latter snapped up a right-time , right-place pass deflection by A.J .
Bouye for an interception that set up the Broncos ’ only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s home non-shutout streak . )
Down : Bad run blitz Between defensive lineman DeMarcus Walker and safety Justin Simmons , someone filled the wrong gap on Latavius Murray ’ s 36-yard touchdown .
Only way to explain him running untouched for a score that essentially put the game away at 24-3 in the third quarter .
• Quarterback-less Broncos no match for New Orleans : “ We weren ’ t given a chance ” • Kendall Hinton , Broncos find silver linings in rookie WR ’ s debut as NFL quarterback : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be back taking the reins ” • Broncos Report Card : No surprises as shorthanded offense struggles in loss to Saints • Broncos game balls and gassers : Quarterbacks set Denver up to get pummeled , while offensive line couldn ’ t pick up the slack • Kendall Hinton makes NFL debut with Broncos : How the sports world reacted on social media Up : Spin-o-rama The biggest offensive highlight of the day for the Broncos ?
A seven-yard third-down run from Royce Freeman that saw him leave a New Orleans defender in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the line of scrimmage .
Yup , that was it .
Down : Vic ’ s challenge In the grand scheme of things , it meant nothing .
But we ’ re not sure what Broncos coach Vic Fangio saw that prompted him to challenge Michael Thomas ’ 20-yard reception against Michael Ojemudia in the fourth quarter .
As receptions go , that one was pretty cut and dry .
Up : Jerry Jeudy .
Give the first-round pick credit for playing through some injuries this year .
Listed as questionable with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ started the game .
Of course , given the neccessarily bizarre game plan , he didn ’ t see much action .
Down : NFL office .
The people running the show on Park Avenue in Manhattan compromised the integrity of a regular-season game by benching all three healthy Broncos quarterbacks .
After Denver bent over backwards to accommodate New England earlier this season — moving its bye week — the franchise deserved better .
So , too , did Kendall Hinton .

Up: Phillin’ it. Let’s face it, a never-ending series of Phillip Lindsay “wildcat” snaps is pretty much what Broncos fans have been pining for during the past 11 weeks. That’s what we got, for three snaps at least, on the first drive of the game. The result: 18 yards rushing. Maybe they were on to something?
Down: First-game jitters. Nevermind the fact that Kendall Hinton had yet to start an NFL game before Sunday, let alone at quarterback. But for the practice squad wide receiver’s first pro snap to be a third-and-four near midfield? A throwaway incompletion felt like an acceptable outcome.
Up: Coming up strong. Broncos cornerback Bryce Callahan absolutely drilled Saints receiver Michael Thomas on a short slant — dropping him a yard short of the sticks on third down. Which would’ve been great, but….
Down: Fourth-down flub. Then Dre’Mont Jones did the one thing you can’t do on fourth-and-short on the offense’s side of the field — jump offside on a hard count. A huge no-no. And the spark for a drive that resulted in the Saints’ first seven points. In this game, that might as well have been 100.
Up: DeMarcus Walker. In the final six games of his rookie contract, the Broncos defensive end ended New Orleans’ first drive with a third-down sack in 3.22 seconds. It was one of two sacks for the Denver defense on New Orleans’ first two drives.
Down: QB keepers. As much as the Broncos struggled with their own designed QB runs — it really hurts when there is zero element of surprise — the Saints had the perfect signal-caller for theirs. Taysom Hill is right out of the leatherheads mold, as his two goal-line TD runs in the first half illustrated.
Up: Hustle play. The Broncos were a yard away from their second first down of the game when center Lloyd Cushenberry snapped the ball into the turf — leading to a fumble that Kwon Alexander would’ve returned for a touchdown had Garett Bolles not brought him down with a shoestring tackle. Already earning that extension.
Down: Movie rights. Broncos fans were either going to witness the inspiration for a Disney movie script, or a horror show/nightmare that’s the most embarrassing moment of this bizarre COVID season for the NFL. Sadly, they got the latter.
Up: Dinosaur howl? Do dinosaurs howl? Scream? Roar? Whatever you call it, Alexander Johnson did it after a run stuff late in the second quarter and everyone — inside the empty stadium or watching at home on TV — could hear it.
Down: No fans. The Broncos won’t have fans for the final three home games. Enough said.
Up: Rookie CBs In two plays on the Saints’ second possession of the second half, rookie defensive backs Michael Ojemudia and Essang Bassey made fantastic plays. The former broke up a jump ball for tight end Jared Cook on first down, and the latter snapped up a right-time, right-place pass deflection by A.J. Bouye for an interception that set up the Broncos’ only points. (Thus preserving Denver’s home non-shutout streak.)
Down: Bad run blitz Between defensive lineman DeMarcus Walker and safety Justin Simmons, someone filled the wrong gap on Latavius Murray’s 36-yard touchdown. Only way to explain him running untouched for a score that essentially put the game away at 24-3 in the third quarter.
Up: Spin-o-rama The biggest offensive highlight of the day for the Broncos? A seven-yard third-down run from Royce Freeman that saw him leave a New Orleans defender in his wake with a masterful spin move at the line of scrimmage. Yup, that was it.
Down: Vic’s challenge In the grand scheme of things, it meant nothing. But we’re not sure what Broncos coach Vic Fangio saw that prompted him to challenge Michael Thomas’ 20-yard reception against Michael Ojemudia in the fourth quarter. As receptions go, that one was pretty cut and dry.
Up: Jerry Jeudy. Give the first-round pick credit for playing through some injuries this year. Listed as questionable with an ankle/Achilles issue, the wide receiver started the game. Of course, given the neccessarily bizarre game plan, he didn’t see much action.
Down: NFL office. The people running the show on Park Avenue in Manhattan compromised the integrity of a regular-season game by benching all three healthy Broncos quarterbacks. After Denver bent over backwards to accommodate New England earlier this season — moving its bye week — the franchise deserved better. So, too, did Kendall Hinton.


thedenverpost--2020-11-29--Saints crush quarterback-less Broncos, 31-3, as Denver’s passing game is non-existent

The final result — New Orleans 31 , Broncos 3 — will be a footnote next week when Drew Lock and Co. return from NFL ineligibility , next year when hopefully things like masks and protocols are no longer necessary and way in the future when Kendall Hinton reflects on going from practice squad receiver to quarterback in a span of 24 hours .
Hinton will remember Sunday at empty Mile High even if he completed more passes to the Saints ( two ) than his teammates ( one ) .
But everything else should be forgotten .
All of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about Kansas City .
The 112 yards of offense , six first downs and three turnovers ?
Forget it .
The defense finally wilting after a strong first quarter and allowing 229 rushing yards ?
Old news .
And the Broncos losing a third game this year by at least 25 points ?
Doesn ’ t matter .
The Broncos had no shot at beating New Orleans after the NFL benched quarterbacks Drew Lock , Brett Rypien and Blake Bortles for violating mask-wearing and social-distancing protocols .
Already minus Jeff Driskel , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Broncos on short notice turned to Hinton and running backs Phillip Lindsay and Royce Freeman to catch/receive center Lloyd Cushenberry ’ s snaps .
“ For me , I ’ m not really disappointed in the quarterbacks , ” safety Kareem Jackson said after the Broncos fell to 4-7 .
“ I know the protocols have picked up a little bit and wearing that mask in a meeting room on a day-to-day basis definitely becomes irritating .
But you have to do what you have to do .
I just felt like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t given a chance.
” And for that , the Broncos should blame the league , who wanted to make an example out of the quarterbacks .
They should certainly hold the quarterbacks accountable , but the punishment didn ’ t fit the crime .
Jackson took the league to task for not being open to moving the game .
The close-contact rule is five days of isolation , but his point is well taken about playing Monday or Tuesday because it would have allowed the coaches and players valuable time to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to continue to play this game and not be given the chance to figure things out with our quarterback situation , that was definitely disappointing , ” he said .
Definitely disappointing , definitely unfortunate and definitely pathetic .
• Kendall Hinton , Broncos find silver linings in rookie WR ’ s debut as NFL quarterback : “ I never thought I ’ d be back taking the reins ” • Broncos Report Card : No surprises as shorthanded offense struggles in loss to Saints • Broncos game balls and gassers : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , while offensive line couldn ’ t pick up the slack • Kendall Hinton makes NFL debut with Broncos : How the sports world reacted on social media • Broncos up-down drill : Highs and lows for Denver against the Saints The seeds of Saturday ’ s madness were planted last Tuesday .
The Broncos were off , but the quarterbacks went to the facility on their off-day to watch video .
“ They got lax with their masks , I guess , and got lax with their distancing from each other , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Just before Saturday ’ s 1 p.m. practice , the quarterbacks were told to scram .
“ I was the last one out of the locker room and Drew came back in and told me the deal and that they possibly wouldn ’ t be able to play , ” Jackson said .
The league made their decision — it still hasn ’ t made a public announcement , selecting their supportive media voices to carry out its words — after a conference call with a group that included Broncos president/CEO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Asked if he was surprised and/or disappointed with the NFL ’ s decision , Fangio veered in an unexpected direction .
“ I was disappointed on a couple of levels in that our quarterbacks put us in this position , our quarterbacks put the league in that position , ” Fangio said .
“ We count on them to be the leaders of this team and leaders of the offense and those guys made a mistake and that ’ s disappointing.
” Whoa .
We didn ’ t expect Fangio to apply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would get him fined … and he was docked $ 100,000 early this season for not regularly wearing his mask .
But it was unexpected for him to put the blame entirely on the quarterbacks and then himself .
“ Obviously , I haven ’ t done a good enough job of selling the protocols to them when they ’ re on their own , ” he said .
“ Part of that can fall on me .
I thought I was.
” Fangio was diplomatic and Jackson matter-of-fact .
The Broncos have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they lost their bye week in October when New England had two positive tests .
That game was moved a week .
Sunday ’ s show went on as scheduled .
The Broncos faced the Saints while knowing Baltimore had its Thanksgiving Night game at Pittsburgh moved to Tuesday because of myriad coronavirus cases .
What was the difference ?
According to a league source , the findings by the league and players ’ union so far have led them to believe a Broncos ’ spread was contained .
Lock , Rypien and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which is why they were placed on the COVID-19/reserve list Sunday morning .
Baltimore had its game moved because the virus is not yet considered contained because positives were contracted outside the building .
The NFL investigates every team that has alleged COVID protocol violations .
The NFLPA works with the league to control the spread of the virus , following a review of the facts and then the NFL office considers discipline for violations .
The Broncos should expect to be fined , especially if the league deems them repeat offenders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( the team was fined $ 500,000 ) .
Before the game , Lock tweeted a statement and said , “ in a controlled and socially-distance area , we let our masking slip for a limited amount of time .
An honest mistake , but one I will own .
… I sincerely apologize and I fully understand why these safety precautions are so important .
Doing the right thing for a majority of the time is not good enough.
” Lock ’ s apology is noble and probably warranted , but what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the game being compromised ?
Don ’ t expect the NFL to issue one .
Also don ’ t expect the Saints to decline the win .
New Orleans took advantage of the Broncos ’ situation , grinding out a dominant win after a slow start .
The Saints opened the scoring with a 13-play drive aided by defensive end Dre ’ Mont Jones ’ fourth-and-1 neutral zone penalty and capped by quarterback Taysom Hill ’ s one-yard touchdown .
The Broncos ’ chances at an improbable win — or making things @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the final three minutes of the first half when the Saints turned a Lindsay fumble ( bad snap by Cushenberry ) and a Hinton interception into 10 points and a 17-0 lead .
The Broncos ’ 112 yards were their fifth-fewest , their six first downs third-fewest , 12 net passing yards seventh-fewest and one completion the fewest in team history .
Fangio , who is hopeful to have his regular quarterbacks back at the facility early this week , saluted the effort of his available players .
“ I have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ players , ” he said .
“ I know the score is what it is , but they played hard , they played physical and I love them and respect them even more .
“ In the final analysis , it was just too big of an ask.
” The Broncos had three players ( Royce Freeman , Kendall Hinton and Phillip Lindsay ) take snaps in Sunday ’ s bizarre 31-3 loss to the Saints .
A look at how the offense fared with each : The Broncos set a franchise record @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with Kendall Hinton connecting on just 1-of-9 passes for 13 yards .
Denver completed two passes in a game three separate times , including a 17-10 win over Kansas City on Nov. 13 , 2011 , that saw Tim Tebow complete 2-of-8 for 68 yards .
Still , Sunday ’ s loss wasn ’ t the worst day Broncos fans have seen in terms of passing yardage thanks to a few games where Denver QBs couldn ’ t stop getting sacked : It took until the final drive of the game , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 100 total yards Sunday against New Orleans .
As bad as things were , Denver has actually had worse offensive performances .

The final result — New Orleans 31, Broncos 3 — will be a footnote next week when Drew Lock and Co. return from NFL ineligibility, next year when hopefully things like masks and protocols are no longer necessary and way in the future when Kendall Hinton reflects on going from practice squad receiver to quarterback in a span of 24 hours.
Hinton will remember Sunday at empty Mile High even if he completed more passes to the Saints (two) than his teammates (one).
But everything else should be forgotten. All of it. Move on. Start thinking about Kansas City.
The 112 yards of offense, six first downs and three turnovers? Forget it. The defense finally wilting after a strong first quarter and allowing 229 rushing yards? Old news. And the Broncos losing a third game this year by at least 25 points? Doesn’t matter.
The Broncos had no shot at beating New Orleans after the NFL benched quarterbacks Drew Lock, Brett Rypien and Blake Bortles for violating mask-wearing and social-distancing protocols. Already minus Jeff Driskel, who tested positive for COVID-19 last Wednesday, the Broncos on short notice turned to Hinton and running backs Phillip Lindsay and Royce Freeman to catch/receive center Lloyd Cushenberry’s snaps.
“For me, I’m not really disappointed in the quarterbacks,” safety Kareem Jackson said after the Broncos fell to 4-7. “I know the protocols have picked up a little bit and wearing that mask in a meeting room on a day-to-day basis definitely becomes irritating. But you have to do what you have to do. I just felt like going into the game, we weren’t given a chance.”
And for that, the Broncos should blame the league, who wanted to make an example out of the quarterbacks. They should certainly hold the quarterbacks accountable, but the punishment didn’t fit the crime.
Jackson took the league to task for not being open to moving the game. The close-contact rule is five days of isolation, but his point is well taken about playing Monday or Tuesday because it would have allowed the coaches and players valuable time to develop a game plan.
“To have to continue to play this game and not be given the chance to figure things out with our quarterback situation, that was definitely disappointing,” he said.
Definitely disappointing, definitely unfortunate and definitely pathetic.
The seeds of Saturday’s madness were planted last Tuesday. The Broncos were off, but the quarterbacks went to the facility on their off-day to watch video.
“They got lax with their masks, I guess, and got lax with their distancing from each other, I guess,” coach Vic Fangio said.
Just before Saturday’s 1 p.m. practice, the quarterbacks were told to scram.
“I was the last one out of the locker room and Drew came back in and told me the deal and that they possibly wouldn’t be able to play,” Jackson said.
The league made their decision — it still hasn’t made a public announcement, selecting their supportive media voices to carry out its words — after a conference call with a group that included Broncos president/CEO Joe Ellis and general manager John Elway.
Asked if he was surprised and/or disappointed with the NFL’s decision, Fangio veered in an unexpected direction.
“I was disappointed on a couple of levels in that our quarterbacks put us in this position, our quarterbacks put the league in that position,” Fangio said. “We count on them to be the leaders of this team and leaders of the offense and those guys made a mistake and that’s disappointing.”
Whoa. We didn’t expect Fangio to apply a flame-thrower to the league because that would get him fined … and he was docked $100,000 early this season for not regularly wearing his mask. But it was unexpected for him to put the blame entirely on the quarterbacks and then himself.
“Obviously, I haven’t done a good enough job of selling the protocols to them when they’re on their own,” he said. “Part of that can fall on me. I thought I was.”
Fangio was diplomatic and Jackson matter-of-fact. The Broncos have a reason to feel picked on because they lost their bye week in October when New England had two positive tests. That game was moved a week. Sunday’s show went on as scheduled.
The Broncos faced the Saints while knowing Baltimore had its Thanksgiving Night game at Pittsburgh moved to Tuesday because of myriad coronavirus cases.
What was the difference? According to a league source, the findings by the league and players’ union so far have led them to believe a Broncos’ spread was contained. Lock, Rypien and Bortles were found to be close contacts, which is why they were placed on the COVID-19/reserve list Sunday morning. Baltimore had its game moved because the virus is not yet considered contained because positives were contracted outside the building.
The NFL investigates every team that has alleged COVID protocol violations. The NFLPA works with the league to control the spread of the virus, following a review of the facts and then the NFL office considers discipline for violations. The Broncos should expect to be fined, especially if the league deems them repeat offenders because of Fangio’s early-season fine (the team was fined $500,000).
Before the game, Lock tweeted a statement and said, “in a controlled and socially-distance area, we let our masking slip for a limited amount of time. An honest mistake, but one I will own. … I sincerely apologize and I fully understand why these safety precautions are so important. Doing the right thing for a majority of the time is not good enough.”
Lock’s apology is noble and probably warranted, but what about an apology for the competitive integrity of the game being compromised? Don’t expect the NFL to issue one.
Also don’t expect the Saints to decline the win. New Orleans took advantage of the Broncos’ situation, grinding out a dominant win after a slow start. The Saints opened the scoring with a 13-play drive aided by defensive end Dre’Mont Jones’ fourth-and-1 neutral zone penalty and capped by quarterback Taysom Hill’s one-yard touchdown.
The Broncos’ chances at an improbable win — or making things interesting in the second half — disappeared in the final three minutes of the first half when the Saints turned a Lindsay fumble (bad snap by Cushenberry) and a Hinton interception into 10 points and a 17-0 lead.
The Broncos’ 112 yards were their fifth-fewest, their six first downs third-fewest, 12 net passing yards seventh-fewest and one completion the fewest in team history.
Fangio, who is hopeful to have his regular quarterbacks back at the facility early this week, saluted the effort of his available players.
“I have a lot of love and respect for our players,” he said. “I know the score is what it is, but they played hard, they played physical and I love them and respect them even more.
“In the final analysis, it was just too big of an ask.”
Three-headed monster (OR) Snap decision
The Broncos had three players (Royce Freeman, Kendall Hinton and Phillip Lindsay) take snaps in Sunday’s bizarre 31-3 loss to the Saints. A look at how the offense fared with each:
Snaps Runs Passes (C-A) Yards Turnovers Royce Freeman 10 10 0 47 0 Kendall Hinton 24 15 9 (1-9) 36 2 interceptions Phillip Lindsay 9 9 0 29 1 fumbled snap Total 43 34 9 (1-9) 112 3
Err it out
The Broncos set a franchise record for fewest completions in a game Sunday, with Kendall Hinton connecting on just 1-of-9 passes for 13 yards. Denver completed two passes in a game three separate times, including a 17-10 win over Kansas City on Nov. 13, 2011, that saw Tim Tebow complete 2-of-8 for 68 yards. Still, Sunday’s loss wasn’t the worst day Broncos fans have seen in terms of passing yardage thanks to a few games where Denver QBs couldn’t stop getting sacked:
Date Opponent C-A-I Yards Rating Result Sept. 10, 1967 at Oakland 2-16-1 -53 13.5 Loss, 51-0 Sept. 3, 1966 at Houston 2-20-0 -7 39.6 Loss, 45-7 Sept. 4, 1983 at Pittsburgh 5-16-1 1 35.7 Win, 14-10 Nov. 15, 1964 N.Y. Jets 7-21-2 6 18.7 Win, 20-16 Sept. 3, 1978 Oakland 5-13-1 8 40.2 Win, 14-6 Nov. 30, 1975 San Diego 8-20-6 8 25.0 Win, 13-10 (OT) Nov. 29, 2020 New Orleans 1-9-2 13 0.0 Loss, 31-3
Top five worst yardage totals
It took until the final drive of the game, but the Broncos were able to eclipse 100 total yards Sunday against New Orleans. As bad as things were, Denver has actually had worse offensive performances.


thedenverpost--2020-11-30--Biden breaks foot while playing with dog, to wear a boot

WILMINGTON , Del .
— President-elect Joe Biden will likely wear a walking boot for the next several weeks as he recovers from breaking his right foot while playing with one of his dogs , his doctor said .
Biden suffered the injury on Saturday and visited an orthopedist in Newark , Delaware , on Sunday afternoon , his office said .
“ Initial x-rays did not show any obvious fracture , ” but medical staff ordered a more detailed CT scan , his doctor , Kevin O ’ Connor , said in a statement .
The subsequent scan found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the middle of his right foot , O ’ Connor said .
“ It is anticipated that he will likely require a walking boot for several weeks , ” O ’ Connor said .
Fractures are a concern generally as people age , but Biden ’ s appears to be a relatively mild one based on his doctor ’ s statement and the planned treatment .
At 78 he will become the oldest president when he ’ s inaugurated in January ; he often dismissed questions about his age during the campaign .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the opportunity to see Biden enter the doctor ’ s office Sunday , despite multiple requests .
Leaving the doctor ’ s office to head to an imaging center for his CT scan , Biden was visibly limping , though he walked without a crutch or other aid .
Biden sustained the injury playing with Major , one of the Bidens ’ two dogs .
They adopted Major in 2018 , and acquired their first dog , Champ , after the 2008 election .
The Bidens have said they ’ ll be bringing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also plan to get a cat .
Last December he released a doctor ’ s report that disclosed he takes a statin to keep his cholesterol at healthy levels , but his doctor described him as “ healthy , vigorous ” and “ fit to successfully execute the duties of the Presidency.
” Associated Press writer Zeke Miller contributed to this report .

WILMINGTON, Del. — President-elect Joe Biden will likely wear a walking boot for the next several weeks as he recovers from breaking his right foot while playing with one of his dogs, his doctor said.
Biden suffered the injury on Saturday and visited an orthopedist in Newark, Delaware, on Sunday afternoon, his office said.
“Initial x-rays did not show any obvious fracture,” but medical staff ordered a more detailed CT scan, his doctor, Kevin O’Connor, said in a statement. The subsequent scan found tiny fractures of two small bones in the middle of his right foot, O’Connor said.
“It is anticipated that he will likely require a walking boot for several weeks,” O’Connor said.
Fractures are a concern generally as people age, but Biden’s appears to be a relatively mild one based on his doctor’s statement and the planned treatment. At 78 he will become the oldest president when he’s inaugurated in January; he often dismissed questions about his age during the campaign.
Reporters covering the president-elect were not afforded the opportunity to see Biden enter the doctor’s office Sunday, despite multiple requests. Leaving the doctor’s office to head to an imaging center for his CT scan, Biden was visibly limping, though he walked without a crutch or other aid.
Biden sustained the injury playing with Major, one of the Bidens’ two dogs. They adopted Major in 2018, and acquired their first dog, Champ, after the 2008 election. The Bidens have said they’ll be bringing their dogs to the White House and also plan to get a cat.
Last December he released a doctor’s report that disclosed he takes a statin to keep his cholesterol at healthy levels, but his doctor described him as “healthy, vigorous” and “fit to successfully execute the duties of the Presidency.”
Associated Press writer Zeke Miller contributed to this report.


thedenverpost--2020-11-30--Letters: Mayor takes a holiday from his own sound advice (11/30/20)

Mayor takes a holiday from his own sound advice I was disappointed to learn that our mayor chose to travel for Thanksgiving .
I am a pediatrician working on the front lines during this pandemic .
I consider myself lucky because I am not working in a hospital watching people die .
However , like many of us in health care , I am tired .
I am tired of comforting parents who are at their breaking points — asking them to work full time and become teachers because schools and day cares are closed .
I am tired of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emergency room .
Most of all , I am tired of arguing day after day with families who deny that this virus exists , or refuse to wear a mask , or do not believe that quarantine and isolation protocols should apply to them .
So learning about Mayor Michael Hancock ’ s decision to travel was more than disappointing .
It was a slap in the face to everyone who has been doing the right thing .
As a leader , it ’ s his job to lead by example .
How @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home and practice social distancing if our mayor can ’ t follow his own basic advice ?
As a doctor , I have missed countless holidays because I have been working .
We asked him to miss one holiday for the health and safety of the very people he serves , but instead , he made an incredibly selfish decision that undermines everything we as health care workers have been saying for months .
I ’ ve heard his apologies , and it isn ’ t enough .
We should address recycling issues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ article informative and I certainly agree we can do more to encourage individuals and businesses to recycle , and to make it easier to do so .
However , it seems to me the article did not adequately address the supply side of the recycling process , which I think can also be improved and is a critical component of the equation .
According to the article , the report released by Eco-Cycle and the Colorado Public Interest Research Group suggests a transition to a recycling system funded by product and packaging industries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ These industries are also instrumental in generating the supply .
They should be encouraged to use more recyclable materials , especially in product packaging .
Currently , it seems a significant amount of packaging materials can only go in the trash .
All components of the process can be strengthened to make recycling efforts more effective .
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 .

Mayor takes a holiday from his own sound advice
Re: “Mayor ignores own advice,” Nov. 26 news story
I was disappointed to learn that our mayor chose to travel for Thanksgiving. I am a pediatrician working on the front lines during this pandemic.
I consider myself lucky because I am not working in a hospital watching people die. However, like many of us in health care, I am tired.
I am tired of comforting parents who are at their breaking points — asking them to work full time and become teachers because schools and day cares are closed.
I am tired of sending recently suicidal teenage patients to the emergency room.
Most of all, I am tired of arguing day after day with families who deny that this virus exists, or refuse to wear a mask, or do not believe that quarantine and isolation protocols should apply to them.
So learning about Mayor Michael Hancock’s decision to travel was more than disappointing.
It was a slap in the face to everyone who has been doing the right thing.
As a leader, it’s his job to lead by example. How can we possibly expect people to stay home and practice social distancing if our mayor can’t follow his own basic advice?
As a doctor, I have missed countless holidays because I have been working. We asked him to miss one holiday for the health and safety of the very people he serves, but instead, he made an incredibly selfish decision that undermines everything we as health care workers have been saying for months.
I’ve heard his apologies, and it isn’t enough.
Caitlin Jones-Bamman, Denver
We should address recycling issues from the supply side
Re: “Recycling dropping in state,” Nov. 23 news story
I found this article informative and I certainly agree we can do more to encourage individuals and businesses to recycle, and to make it easier to do so.
However, it seems to me the article did not adequately address the supply side of the recycling process, which I think can also be improved and is a critical component of the equation.
According to the article, the report released by Eco-Cycle and the Colorado Public Interest Research Group suggests a transition to a recycling system
funded by product and packaging industries rather than state and local governments.
These industries are also instrumental in generating the supply.
They should be encouraged to use more recyclable materials, especially in product packaging.
Currently, it seems a significant amount of packaging materials can only go in the trash.
All components of the process can be strengthened to make recycling efforts more effective.
Noreen Keleshian, Denver
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--2020-11-30--Denver weather: Sunny and mild, but snow may be coming back soon

It ’ s going to be a sunny day in the Denver area , but cold and snow may be @ @ @ @ @ temperature will reach a high of 53 degrees with 6-10 mph winds that may gust @ @ @ @ @ according to the National Weather Service in Boulder .
In the evening , skies will @ @ @ @ @ temperature drops to 28 .
Colder weather returns Tuesday with a forecast of partly sunny @ @ @ @ @ 40 degrees .
Breezy winds of 8-17 mph are expected , and may gust as @ @ @ @ @ There is a 20 % chance of snow after 11 a.m .
The low will @ @ @ @ @ It gets even colder on Wednesday as the high is expected to reach just 30 @ @ @ @ @ of snow .
The low is expected to be 19 .
Sunny skies are expected @ @ @ @ @ with highs of 39 for Thursday , 49 for Friday and 52 for Saturday .

It’s going to be a sunny day in the Denver area, but cold and snow may be coming back soon.
The temperature will reach a high of 53 degrees with 6-10 mph winds that may gust up to 16 mph, according to the National Weather Service in Boulder. In the evening, skies will stay mostly clear as the temperature drops to 28.
Colder weather returns Tuesday with a forecast of partly sunny skies and a high of 40 degrees. Breezy winds of 8-17 mph are expected, and may gust as high as 28 mph. There is a 20% chance of snow after 11 a.m. The low will fall to 19 degrees.
It gets even colder on Wednesday as the high is expected to reach just 30 with a 20% chance of snow. The low is expected to be 19.
Sunny skies are expected the rest of the week with highs of 39 for Thursday, 49 for Friday and 52 for Saturday.


thedenverpost--2020-11-30--Here’s how Colorado legislature’s COVID-19 relief special session will work

Regular sessions of the Colorado legislature are , in many ways , carefully choreographed productions with bill language and scheduling and ultimately votes determined mostly in advance of whatever takes place in the public view .
The legislature ’ s upcoming special session , which begins at 10 a.m. Monday , will be even more strictly choreographed .
With the coronavirus spreading uncontrolled throughout the state , lawmakers hope to spend as little time together as possible , and so they enter the special session with a specific and limited game plan .
If all goes as expected , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Capitol in three days — the minimum time it takes to pass a bill — having passed at least seven measures ( and probably no more than 10 ) that ’ ll spread a total of about $ 328 million in COVID-19 relief around the state — $ 228 million in economic stimulus and $ 100 million to protect public health .
“ Our objective is to go in there with precision , focused , with a greater majority on the items we ’ ve already identified and talked about , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ D-Pueblo .
“ There ’ s not time or need for any sorts of shenanigans , and they wont be tolerated by me.
” Everyone seems to be mostly on the same page .
Said state Senate Minority Leader Chris Holbert , R-Parker , “ I don ’ t think there will be a lot of what generically might be referred to as filibustering .
Maybe , but I don ’ t think there ’ s going to be a lot of that , because most of the bills will have bipartisan support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extended arguments.
” Lawmakers and Gov .
Jared Polis , who issued the call for the special session after consultation with the Democrats who run the legislature , also are in general agreement about state relief spending heading into Monday .
The plan , according to several lawmakers , is to allocate : • $ 105 million in tax relief and direct aid for businesses .
• $ 20 million for expanded broadband access , with a focus on helping students .
Lawmakers are hopeful that the Federal Emergency Management Agency will reimburse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , whereas the remainder will simply be one-time General Fund expenditures .
They stressed that the figures attached to the bills are merely starting points , and could be adjusted up or down during the process of passing the bill package .
“ While these are the plans and these are the objectives we ’ re reaching towards , this is a democratic process , ” Garcia said .
Whatever the final amount , it will be but a fraction of the relief money the state received from the federal CARES Act in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , unlike the federal government , and it faces a highly uncertain economic future that limits lawmakers ’ ambitions for new spending .
Democrats and Republicans alike have been clear that this special session will not cure Colorado ’ s many ills , though they do expect it will help .
Lawmakers have been open about the fact that they wouldn ’ t be having this special session if Congress had recently passed a new stimulus .
Without one , though , they say they can ’ t delay .
The legislature is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consider many bills outside of the special session ’ s core half-dozen or so .
There are multiple reasons for this , starting with the limited scope of the governor ’ s order for this session .
Polis identified seven areas of focus — small business relief , child care support , housing and renter assistance , broadband access , food security , utilities assistance and public health — and legislation passed this week must stay on topic .
But many more bills will be introduced than will pass .
As of Sunday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bills — most of which will be dead on arrival .
All bills have been posted online at the legislature ’ s site .
The legislature ’ s regular 2021 session is set to begin Jan. 13 , so lawmakers and the governor recognize that there will be plenty of opportunity soon for more a more wide-ranging and deliberative lawmaking process .
It ’ s likely that some of the bills brought during the special session that almost no chance of passing will serve as previews of legislation to come in January .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1 in 41 Coloradans was contagious with COVID-19 .
It ’ s even worse in certain areas ; the estimate for Pueblo , for example , was 1 in 29 as of Wednesday night .
The state ’ s total coronavirus death toll stands just shy of 3,000 , and state health officials warn it could double by the time the regular legislative session begins .
And so lawmakers will be even more careful this week than they were during the back half of the 2020 regular session , which featured temperature checks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ options , acrylic partitions in the House and a mask rule that was followed mostly by Democrats and only somewhat by Republicans .
( Senate Republicans were much stricter about mask-wearing than House Republicans , who as recently as mid-November convened an indoor caucus meeting in which 23 of 24 members were maskless . )
It ’ s expected that a significant portion of the 100-member legislature will participate from home , voting and speaking by video .
The Senate will only convene two committees and the House will convene four , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to nine members each .
Lawmakers in leadership have told their members to feel especially free to work from home if they do not sit on committees that are meeting .
About 10 % of the legislature worked from home during the spring portion of this year ’ s regular session , and that figure will surely climb this week .
According to a memo that went out to lawmakers , the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment will provide KN95 masks — one mask per person , per day — to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Lawmakers have been asked to get COVID-19 tests ahead of the session , and the memo stated that rapid tests will be available during the week .
Some lawmakers arranged to stay in hotels or otherwise isolate from their family during and after the session .
While legislative leaders have made clear that they do not want crowds at the Capitol , the special session will technically be open to the public , including lobbyists .
Members of the public who do attend in person will be asked to follow public health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House plan to pass resolutions Monday to allow for remote testimony .
Citizens can sign up to speak , or to submit a written comment , through the legislature ’ s site .
As always , committee chairs have the power to limit testimony to a set amount of time , and they may wield that power in the event that a bill draws a long list of speakers , in the interest of keeping the special session short .

Regular sessions of the Colorado legislature are, in many ways, carefully choreographed productions with bill language and scheduling and ultimately votes determined mostly in advance of whatever takes place in the public view.
The legislature’s upcoming special session, which begins at 10 a.m. Monday, will be even more strictly choreographed. With the coronavirus spreading uncontrolled throughout the state, lawmakers hope to spend as little time together as possible, and so they enter the special session with a specific and limited game plan. If all goes as expected, they’ll be in and out of the Capitol in three days — the minimum time it takes to pass a bill — having passed at least seven measures (and probably no more than 10) that’ll spread a total of about $328 million in COVID-19 relief around the state — $228 million in economic stimulus and $100 million to protect public health.
“Our objective is to go in there with precision, focused, with a greater majority on the items we’ve already identified and talked about,” said state Senate President Leroy Garcia, D-Pueblo. “There’s not time or need for any sorts of shenanigans, and they wont be tolerated by me.”
Everyone seems to be mostly on the same page.
Said state Senate Minority Leader Chris Holbert, R-Parker, “I don’t think there will be a lot of what generically might be referred to as filibustering. Maybe, but I don’t think there’s going to be a lot of that, because most of the bills will have bipartisan support. I think that takes away from extended arguments.”
The money
Lawmakers and Gov. Jared Polis, who issued the call for the special session after consultation with the Democrats who run the legislature, also are in general agreement about state relief spending heading into Monday.
The plan, according to several lawmakers, is to allocate:
$105 million in tax relief and direct aid for businesses.
$100 million for public health response.
$50 million for housing relief, including rental assistance.
$45 million for child care providers.
$20 million for expanded broadband access, with a focus on helping students.
$3 million to address food insecurity.
$5 million for utility payment assistance.
Lawmakers are hopeful that the Federal Emergency Management Agency will reimburse the money spent on public health response, whereas the remainder will simply be one-time General Fund expenditures. They stressed that the figures attached to the bills are merely starting points, and could be adjusted up or down during the process of passing the bill package.
“While these are the plans and these are the objectives we’re reaching towards, this is a democratic process,” Garcia said.
Whatever the final amount, it will be but a fraction of the relief money the state received from the federal CARES Act in the spring. Colorado cannot deficit-spend, unlike the federal government, and it faces a highly uncertain economic future that limits lawmakers’ ambitions for new spending. Democrats and Republicans alike have been clear that this special session will not cure Colorado’s many ills, though they do expect it will help.
Lawmakers have been open about the fact that they wouldn’t be having this special session if Congress had recently passed a new stimulus. Without one, though, they say they can’t delay.
The bills
The legislature is not expected to pass or even seriously consider many bills outside of the special session’s core half-dozen or so. There are multiple reasons for this, starting with the limited scope of the governor’s order for this session. Polis identified seven areas of focus — small business relief, child care support, housing and renter assistance, broadband access, food security, utilities assistance and public health — and legislation passed this week must stay on topic.
But many more bills will be introduced than will pass. As of Sunday evening, lawmakers had filed about 30 bills — most of which will be dead on arrival. All bills have been posted online at the legislature’s site.
The legislature’s regular 2021 session is set to begin Jan. 13, so lawmakers and the governor recognize that there will be plenty of opportunity soon for more a more wide-ranging and deliberative lawmaking process. It’s likely that some of the bills brought during the special session that almost no chance of passing will serve as previews of legislation to come in January.
Safety
As of Tuesday, the state estimated 1 in 41 Coloradans was contagious with COVID-19. It’s even worse in certain areas; the estimate for Pueblo, for example, was 1 in 29 as of Wednesday night. The state’s total coronavirus death toll stands just shy of 3,000, and state health officials warn it could double by the time the regular legislative session begins.
And so lawmakers will be even more careful this week than they were during the back half of the 2020 regular session, which featured temperature checks at the front door, remote participation options, acrylic partitions in the House and a mask rule that was followed mostly by Democrats and only somewhat by Republicans. (Senate Republicans were much stricter about mask-wearing than House Republicans, who as recently as mid-November convened an indoor caucus meeting in which 23 of 24 members were maskless.)
It’s expected that a significant portion of the 100-member legislature will participate from home, voting and speaking by video. The Senate will only convene two committees and the House will convene four, and shrink the size of those committees down to nine members each. Lawmakers in leadership have told their members to feel especially free to work from home if they do not sit on committees that are meeting.
About 10% of the legislature worked from home during the spring portion of this year’s regular session, and that figure will surely climb this week.
According to a memo that went out to lawmakers, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment will provide KN95 masks — one mask per person, per day — to lawmakers and staff who participate in person. Lawmakers have been asked to get COVID-19 tests ahead of the session, and the memo stated that rapid tests will be available during the week. Some lawmakers arranged to stay in hotels or otherwise isolate from their family during and after the session.
Public participation
While legislative leaders have made clear that they do not want crowds at the Capitol, the special session will technically be open to the public, including lobbyists. Members of the public who do attend in person will be asked to follow public health guidelines.
But both the Senate and House plan to pass resolutions Monday to allow for remote testimony. Citizens can sign up to speak, or to submit a written comment, through the legislature’s site.
As always, committee chairs have the power to limit testimony to a set amount of time, and they may wield that power in the event that a bill draws a long list of speakers, in the interest of keeping the special session short.


thedenverpost--2020-11-30--Food insecurity on the rise as COVID-19 cases surge and economy sputters

The number of people being served by food banks and food pantries in Colorado swelled as the COVID-19 pandemic spiked heading into the holiday season .
Food bank and pantry operators who serve people in need — those who are battling “ food insecurity ” — were forced to make adjustments to their operational models when COVID-19 struck in March .
Their supply chains were interrupted as restaurants shut down ; food banks and pantries traditionally receive donations from restaurants , a way to minimize waste .
At the same time , grocery store shelves were emptied by consumers preparing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the supply chain .
The start of the pandemic also thinned out the volunteer ranks , especially among COVID-19 vulnerable seniors , as many complied with stay at home orders .
Those initial pandemic-created issues , for the most part , have been solved as food supply donations got back on track and new , younger volunteers stepped up .
Now , the surging number of people depending on food banks and pantries continues to swell , brought on by ongoing COVID-19 related job losses and layoffs .
“ Most of the pantries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 200 ( % ) to 300 % from what they ’ ve experienced in the past ” prior to COVID-19 , said Jane Barnes , executive director of Benefits In Action , a partner of Lakewood ’ s Coalition to End Hunger .
Nationally , in 2018 , an estimated 1 in 9 Americans were described as being food insecure , equaling more than 37 million people , including more than 11 million children , according to Hunger and Health , Feeding America .
Those numbers have gone up during the pandemic .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of available financial resources for food at the household level , ” the HHFA says on its website .
New unemployment filings have increased in Colorado and across the country , fueled by the coronavirus-spurred recession .
Use of food pantries is on the rise , nationally and locally , as a great many jobless people prepare for the upcoming holiday season .
“ This is something being seen statewide , ” said Ellie Agar , director of communications with Hunger Free Colorado .
“ It has changed the way food pantries have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of brick-and-mortar pantries , where clients would choose items from shelves and refrigerators .
Now , food pantries and food banks distribute through mobile , drive-thru models with food in pre-packed boxes being packed into vehicles or delivered to homes .
“ Every organization is trying to figure out how they can best serve those in needs while adhering to current COVID recommendations , ” Agar said .
Since COVID-19 emerged , the Food Bank of the Rockies has been distributing more than 2 million pounds of food weekly across Colorado and Wyoming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people now served report that they had never been assisted before .
FBR ’ s monthly food distribution volume is up , averaging about 59 % more this year , compared to last year , said Erin Pulling , president and CEO of the organization .
One month the increase was as high as 80 % .
As demand has gone up , so to has costs for the Food Bank of the Rockies , Pulling said .
“ We are spending about $ 1 million more per month.
” “ Our concern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rebound more slowly than our economy and that we made see increased food insecurity for up to two years , ” Pulling said .
“ We are here for the long haul , we are committed to doing everything it takes.
” Donations have increased this year , including a recent donation of free , and much needed , warehouse space for seven months , she said .
The volunteer drain first experienced in the pandemic has been corrected as younger people , typically less vulnerable to COVID , have stepped up in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the generosity of the community , ” Pulling said .
“ Volunteers and donors .
”

The number of people being served by food banks and food pantries in Colorado swelled as the COVID-19 pandemic spiked heading into the holiday season.
Food bank and pantry operators who serve people in need — those who are battling “food insecurity” — were forced to make adjustments to their operational models when COVID-19 struck in March. Their supply chains were interrupted as restaurants shut down; food banks and pantries traditionally receive donations from restaurants, a way to minimize waste.
At the same time, grocery store shelves were emptied by consumers preparing for stay-at-home orders, another ding to the supply chain. The start of the pandemic also thinned out the volunteer ranks, especially among COVID-19 vulnerable seniors, as many complied with stay at home orders.
Those initial pandemic-created issues, for the most part, have been solved as food supply donations got back on track and new, younger volunteers stepped up. Now, the surging number of people depending on food banks and pantries continues to swell, brought on by ongoing COVID-19 related job losses and layoffs.
“Most of the pantries are reporting numbers are up anywhere from 200(%) to 300% from what they’ve experienced in the past” prior to COVID-19, said Jane Barnes, executive director of Benefits In Action, a partner of Lakewood’s Coalition to End Hunger.
Nationally, in 2018, an estimated 1 in 9 Americans were described as being food insecure, equaling more than 37 million people, including more than 11 million children, according to Hunger and Health, Feeding America. Those numbers have gone up during the pandemic.
“Food insecurity refers to a lack of available financial resources for food at the household level,” the HHFA says on its website.
New unemployment filings have increased in Colorado and across the country, fueled by the coronavirus-spurred recession. Use of food pantries is on the rise, nationally and locally, as a great many jobless people prepare for the upcoming holiday season.
“This is something being seen statewide,” said Ellie Agar, director of communications with Hunger Free Colorado. “It has changed the way food pantries have to operate.”
Gone are the days of brick-and-mortar pantries, where clients would choose items from shelves and refrigerators. Now, food pantries and food banks distribute through mobile, drive-thru models with food in pre-packed boxes being packed into vehicles or delivered to homes.
“Every organization is trying to figure out how they can best serve those in need while adhering to current COVID recommendations,” Agar said.
Since COVID-19 emerged, the Food Bank of the Rockies has been distributing more than 2 million pounds of food weekly across Colorado and Wyoming. More than 30% of the people now served report that they had never been assisted before.
FBR’s monthly food distribution volume is up, averaging about 59% more this year, compared to last year, said Erin Pulling, president and CEO of the organization. One month the increase was as high as 80%.
As demand has gone up, so to has costs for the Food Bank of the Rockies, Pulling said. “We are spending about $1 million more per month.”
“Our concern is that food insecurity is going to rebound more slowly than our economy and that we may see increased food insecurity for up to two years,” Pulling said. “We are here for the long haul, we are committed to doing everything it takes.”
Donations have increased this year, including a recent donation of free, and much needed, warehouse space for seven months, she said. The volunteer drain first experienced in the pandemic has been corrected as younger people, typically less vulnerable to COVID, have stepped up in great numbers.
“We depend on the generosity of the community,” Pulling said. “Volunteers and donors.”


thedenverpost--2020-11-30--Brazen killings expose Iran’s vulnerabilities as it struggles to respond

By David D. Kirkpatrick , Ronen Bergman and Farnaz Fassihi , The New York Times The raid alone was brazen enough .
A team of Israeli commandos with high-powered torches blasted their way into a vault of a heavily guarded warehouse deep in Iran and made off before dawn with 5,000 pages of top secret papers on the country ’ s nuclear program .
Then in a television broadcast a few weeks later , in April 2018 , Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cited the contents of the pilfered documents and coyly hinted at equally bold operations still to come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said , singling out scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh as the captain of Iran ’ s covert attempts to assemble a nuclear weapon .
Now Fakhrizadeh has become the latest casualty in a campaign of audacious covert attacks seemingly designed to torment Iranian leaders with reminders of their weakness .
The operations are confronting Iran with an agonizing choice between embracing the demands of hard-liners for swift retaliation , or attempting to make a fresh start with the less implacably hostile administration of President-elect Joe Biden .
Trailed by a carload of bodyguards , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ circuitous route to the home of his in-laws in the city of Absard , Iran , according to witnesses and the Iranian news media .
An empty Nissan parked at a roundabout exploded , knocking down a power line .
Gunmen leapt from a parked Hyundai Santa Fe , others arrived on motorcycles , and waiting snipers filled out a hit team of 12 assassins , according to a detailed account posted online by Javad Mogouyi , a documentary filmmaker for Iran ’ s Revolutionary Guard .
Fakhrizadeh , hit with at least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and fell bleeding on the ground .
The nearest medical clinic had lost electrical power .
Roadside cameras were disabled .
All 12 assassins escaped unharmed , and Fakhrizadeh was pronounced dead by the time a rescue helicopter was able to transport him to a Tehran hospital .
“ It was like a Hollywood action movie , ” Mogouyi wrote in his account .
It was the latest in a decadelong pattern of mysterious poisonings , car bombings , shootings , thefts and sabotage that has afflicted the Islamic Republic .
Most have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believed to be linked to its nuclear program , and almost all have been attributed by both U.S. and Iranian officials to Tehran ’ s great nemesis , Israel , whose officials — without formally acknowledging responsibility — have all but openly gloated over the repeated success of their spies .
Never , however , has the Islamic Republic endured a spate of covert attacks quite like in 2020 .
In January , a U.S. drone strike killed the revered Gen. Qasem Soleimani as he was in a car leaving the Baghdad airport @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s intelligence , officials say ) .
And Iran was humiliated in August by an Israeli hit team ’ s fatal shooting of a senior al-Qaida leader on the streets of Tehran ( this time at the behest of the United States , its officials have said ) .
Seldom has any country demonstrated a similar ability to strike with apparent impunity inside the territory of its fiercest enemy , said Bruce Riedel , a researcher at the Brookings Institution and a former CIA official with experience in Israel .
“ It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ And it shows no sign of being effectively countered by the Iranians.
” With the killing of their top nuclear scientist as well , Iranians are now grappling with a new sense of vulnerability and demands to purge suspected collaborators .
Most of all , they are debating how to respond at a delicate moment .
Iran has endured years of devastating economic sanctions under a campaign of “ maximum pressure ” from President Donald Trump , and many Iranian leaders are desperately hoping for some measure of relief .
Biden has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agreement that lifted sanctions in exchange for a halt to nuclear research that might produce a weapon .
To pragmatic Iranians , that possibility makes Trump ’ s last months in office no time to lash back and risk renewed hostilities .
But Iranians also know that their enemies in the United States and Israel may take advantage of this period to attack Tehran further .
It is a chance to squeeze its leaders between domestic demands for revenge and a pragmatic desire for better relations .
“ From today until Trump leaves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ period for Iran , ” Mohammad-Hossein Khoshvaght , a former official at the Ministry of Culture and Guidance , wrote in a message on Twitter .
Retaliation against Israel or Netanyahu ’ s main ally , the United States , would play into the hands of Iran ’ s enemies in the region , Khoshvaght argued .
They are seeking “ to create a difficult situation , ” so the new administration can not revive that nuclear agreement , he added .
Iranian hard-liners argued that the killing of Fakhrizadeh proved that holding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was only emboldening the country ’ s foes .
“ If you don ’ t respond to this level of terrorism , they may repeat it , because now they know Iran won ’ t react , ” conservative political analyst Foad Izadi said in an interview from Tehran .
“ There is obviously a problem when you see these types of things repeating.
” Underscoring Fakhrizadeh ’ s stature , Iranian authorities announced plans Saturday to give him the burial of a national hero at one of the country ’ s holiest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cleric who heads the judiciary praying with the scientist ’ s family over his body shrouded in an Iranian flag and his face uncovered — an extraordinary and unexplained departure from the Islamic tradition of wrapping the dead in a white cloth from head to toe .
Israel for decades has embraced a strategy of targeted assassinations in trying to slow down potential progress toward the development of a nuclear weapon among its hostile neighbors .
Israeli intelligence agencies have been linked to the killings of scientists working for Egypt in the 1960s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same reason , historians say .
Iran first accused Israel of killing one of its scientists when he dropped dead in his laboratory after a poisoning in 2007 , and a series of more violent attacks on Iranian scientists between 2010 and 2012 have been widely attributed to Israel as well .
In one , a bomb in a parked motorcycle blew up a particle physicist as he was lowering a garage door at his home in Tehran .
In three others , motorcyclists speeding past the moving cars of other scientists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , killing two and wounding a third .
And in a fifth attack , gunmen on motorcycles sprayed a scientist with bullets while his car was stopped at a traffic light with his wife sitting beside him .
Israel has developed a singularly successful track record in part by concentrating the considerable resources of its spy agencies mainly on Iran , its greatest nemesis , said Riedel of the Brookings Institution .
Israel , he said , has also carefully cultivated ties within countries neighboring Iran as “ platforms ” for surveillance and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Azerbaijan .
Its recent conflict with Armenia has called attention to drones and other weaponry that Israel has furnished to Azerbaijan as part of that relationship Israel recruits native Farsi speakers from among Iranian immigrants to make contacts or analyze intercepted communications , he added , and Israel has managed to enlist a steady stream of Iranian collaborators .
Now , Riedel argued , the attack on Fakhrizadeh may be an indication that Israel plans other killings .
After an eight-year “ hiatus ” since the wave of assassinations from 2010 to 2012 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is a signal that the game is afoot , or coming.
” Speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss covert operations , a senior Israeli official involved for years in tracking Fakhrizadeh for Israel said it would continue to act against the Iranian nuclear program as necessary .
Iran ’ s aspirations to nuclear weapons , promoted by Fakhrizadeh , posed such a menace that the world should thank Israel , the official insisted .
In Iran , the killing has already elicited new demands to root out such spies , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Ayatollah Ali Khamenei .
In his first public response to the killing , Khamenei declared that the first priority was “ investigating this crime and definitive punishment of its perpetrators.
” Hard-liners blamed the administration of Iran ’ s president , Hassan Rouhani — a pragmatist who had bet heavily on negotiations with Washington — for the security failures that allowed the attack .
“ The night is long , and we are awake , ” said Hossein Dehghan , a recently announced candidate in next year ’ s presidential election who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Guard and the defense adviser to Khamenei .
“ We will come down like thunder on the heads of those responsible for the murder of this martyr and make them regret it , ” he continued in a message on Twitter .
Rouhani , for his part , suggested in a televised speech that Iran would continue what he has called a policy of “ strategic patience , ” or what his critics call waiting for Biden .
“ We will answer at the right time , ” Rouhani said .
“ All @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iranian people are more courageous and honorable to not respond to this criminal act.
” But within Iranian politics , analysts said , the hard-liners stood to gain the most politically from the attack .
Any renewed conflict with Israel bolsters their case against negotiation with its allies in the West , said Sanam Vakil at Chatham House in London .
Since Biden won the November election , the hard-liners have begun pushing against Rouhani to defer any negotiations with the new U.S. administration for as long as possible , Vakil said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ weakens more pragmatic factions in the Iranian election coming next year .
“ So an event like this plays in the hands of the hard-liners , ” she said , “ because they can push out negotiations until after the Iranian election — and that is what they are gunning for .
”

The New York Times News Service Syndicate

By David D. Kirkpatrick, Ronen Bergman and Farnaz Fassihi, The New York Times
The raid alone was brazen enough. A team of Israeli commandos with high-powered torches blasted their way into a vault of a heavily guarded warehouse deep in Iran and made off before dawn with 5,000 pages of top secret papers on the country’s nuclear program.
Then in a television broadcast a few weeks later, in April 2018, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cited the contents of the pilfered documents and coyly hinted at equally bold operations still to come.
“Remember that name,” he said, singling out scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh as the captain of Iran’s covert attempts to assemble a nuclear weapon.
Now Fakhrizadeh has become the latest casualty in a campaign of audacious covert attacks seemingly designed to torment Iranian leaders with reminders of their weakness. The operations are confronting Iran with an agonizing choice between embracing the demands of hard-liners for swift retaliation, or attempting to make a fresh start with the less implacably hostile administration of President-elect Joe Biden.
Trailed by a carload of bodyguards, Fakhrizadeh on Friday was driving a carefully circuitous route to the home of his in-laws in the city of Absard, Iran, according to witnesses and the Iranian news media.
An empty Nissan parked at a roundabout exploded, knocking down a power line. Gunmen leapt from a parked Hyundai Santa Fe, others arrived on motorcycles, and waiting snipers filled out a hit team of 12 assassins, according to a detailed account posted online by Javad Mogouyi, a documentary filmmaker for Iran’s Revolutionary Guard.
Fakhrizadeh, hit with at least three bullets, tumbled from his car and fell bleeding on the ground. The nearest medical clinic had lost electrical power. Roadside cameras were disabled. All 12 assassins escaped unharmed, and Fakhrizadeh was pronounced dead by the time a rescue helicopter was able to transport him to a Tehran hospital.
“It was like a Hollywood action movie,” Mogouyi wrote in his account.
It was the latest in a decadelong pattern of mysterious poisonings, car bombings, shootings, thefts and sabotage that has afflicted the Islamic Republic. Most have hit largely anonymous scientists or secretive facilities believed to be linked to its nuclear program, and almost all have been attributed by both U.S. and Iranian officials to Tehran’s great nemesis, Israel, whose officials — without formally acknowledging responsibility — have all but openly gloated over the repeated success of their spies.
Never, however, has the Islamic Republic endured a spate of covert attacks quite like in 2020. In January, a U.S. drone strike killed the revered Gen. Qasem Soleimani as he was in a car leaving the Baghdad airport (an attack facilitated by Israel’s intelligence, officials say). And Iran was humiliated in August by an Israeli hit team’s fatal shooting of a senior al-Qaida leader on the streets of Tehran (this time at the behest of the United States, its officials have said).
Seldom has any country demonstrated a similar ability to strike with apparent impunity inside the territory of its fiercest enemy, said Bruce Riedel, a researcher at the Brookings Institution and a former CIA official with experience in Israel.
“It’s unprecedented,” he said. “And it shows no sign of being effectively countered by the Iranians.”
With the killing of their top nuclear scientist as well, Iranians are now grappling with a new sense of vulnerability and demands to purge suspected collaborators. Most of all, they are debating how to respond at a delicate moment.
Iran has endured years of devastating economic sanctions under a campaign of “maximum pressure” from President Donald Trump, and many Iranian leaders are desperately hoping for some measure of relief. Biden has pledged to seek to revive a lapsed agreement that lifted sanctions in exchange for a halt to nuclear research that might produce a weapon.
To pragmatic Iranians, that possibility makes Trump’s last months in office no time to lash back and risk renewed hostilities.
But Iranians also know that their enemies in the United States and Israel may take advantage of this period to attack Tehran further. It is a chance to squeeze its leaders between domestic demands for revenge and a pragmatic desire for better relations.
“From today until Trump leaves the White House is the most dangerous period for Iran,” Mohammad-Hossein Khoshvaght, a former official at the Ministry of Culture and Guidance, wrote in a message on Twitter.
Retaliation against Israel or Netanyahu’s main ally, the United States, would play into the hands of Iran’s enemies in the region, Khoshvaght argued. They are seeking “to create a difficult situation,” so the new administration cannot revive that nuclear agreement, he added.
Iranian hard-liners argued that the killing of Fakhrizadeh proved that holding out for a new start with Biden was only emboldening the country’s foes.
“If you don’t respond to this level of terrorism, they may repeat it, because now they know Iran won’t react,” conservative political analyst Foad Izadi said in an interview from Tehran. “There is obviously a problem when you see these types of things repeating.”
Underscoring Fakhrizadeh’s stature, Iranian authorities announced plans Saturday to give him the burial of a national hero at one of the country’s holiest shrines.
Videos circulated of a senior cleric who heads the judiciary praying with the scientist’s family over his body shrouded in an Iranian flag and his face uncovered — an extraordinary and unexplained departure from the Islamic tradition of wrapping the dead in a white cloth from head to toe.
Israel for decades has embraced a strategy of targeted assassinations in trying to slow down potential progress toward the development of a nuclear weapon among its hostile neighbors. Israeli intelligence agencies have been linked to the killings of scientists working for Egypt in the 1960s and for Iraq in the 1970s for the same reason, historians say.
Iran first accused Israel of killing one of its scientists when he dropped dead in his laboratory after a poisoning in 2007, and a series of more violent attacks on Iranian scientists between 2010 and 2012 have been widely attributed to Israel as well.
In one, a bomb in a parked motorcycle blew up a particle physicist as he was lowering a garage door at his home in Tehran. In three others, motorcyclists speeding past the moving cars of other scientists slapped magnetic bombs to their car doors, killing two and wounding a third. And in a fifth attack, gunmen on motorcycles sprayed a scientist with bullets while his car was stopped at a traffic light with his wife sitting beside him.
Israel has developed a singularly successful track record in part by concentrating the considerable resources of its spy agencies mainly on Iran, its greatest nemesis, said Riedel of the Brookings Institution.
Israel, he said, has also carefully cultivated ties within countries neighboring Iran as “platforms” for surveillance and recruitment — most notably in Baku, Azerbaijan. Its recent conflict with Armenia has called attention to drones and other weaponry that Israel has furnished to Azerbaijan as part of that relationship
Israel recruits native Farsi speakers from among Iranian immigrants to make contacts or analyze intercepted communications, he added, and Israel has managed to enlist a steady stream of Iranian collaborators.
Now, Riedel argued, the attack on Fakhrizadeh may be an indication that Israel plans other killings. After an eight-year “hiatus” since the wave of assassinations from 2010 to 2012, he said, “I think it is a signal that the game is afoot, or coming.”
Speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss covert operations, a senior Israeli official involved for years in tracking Fakhrizadeh for Israel said it would continue to act against the Iranian nuclear program as necessary. Iran’s aspirations to nuclear weapons, promoted by Fakhrizadeh, posed such a menace that the world should thank Israel, the official insisted.
In Iran, the killing has already elicited new demands to root out such spies, including from the country’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
In his first public response to the killing, Khamenei declared that the first priority was “investigating this crime and definitive punishment of its perpetrators.”
Hard-liners blamed the administration of Iran’s president, Hassan Rouhani — a pragmatist who had bet heavily on negotiations with Washington — for the security failures that allowed the attack.
“The night is long, and we are awake,” said Hossein Dehghan, a recently announced candidate in next year’s presidential election who is a senior commander of the Revolutionary Guard and the defense adviser to Khamenei.
“We will come down like thunder on the heads of those responsible for the murder of this martyr and make them regret it,” he continued in a message on Twitter.
Rouhani, for his part, suggested in a televised speech that Iran would continue what he has called a policy of “strategic patience,” or what his critics call waiting for Biden.
“We will answer at the right time,” Rouhani said. “All the enemies should know that the great Iranian people are more courageous and honorable to not respond to this criminal act.”
But within Iranian politics, analysts said, the hard-liners stood to gain the most politically from the attack. Any renewed conflict with Israel bolsters their case against negotiation with its allies in the West, said Sanam Vakil at Chatham House in London.
Since Biden won the November election, the hard-liners have begun pushing against Rouhani to defer any negotiations with the new U.S. administration for as long as possible, Vakil said. Conflict with Washington strengthens their appeal and weakens more pragmatic factions in the Iranian election coming next year.
“So an event like this plays in the hands of the hard-liners,” she said, “because they can push out negotiations until after the Iranian election — and that is what they are gunning for.”


thedenverpost--2020-11-30--People are the weakest link for apps tracking coronavirus exposure

The app builders had planned for pranksters , ensuring that only people with verified COVID-19 cases could trigger an alert .
They ’ d planned for heavy criticism about privacy , in many cases making the features as bare-bones as possible .
But , as more states roll out smartphone contact-tracing technology , other challenges are emerging .
Namely , human nature .
The problem starts with downloads .
Stefano Tessaro calls it the “ chicken-and-egg ” issue : The system works only if a lot of people buy into it , but people will buy into it only if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the system ends up increasing trust , but it is trust that increases adoptions , which in turn increases accuracy , ” Tessaro , a computer scientist at the University of Washington who was involved in creating that state ’ s forthcoming contact-tracing app , said in a lecture in October .
In other parts of the world , people are taking that necessary leap of faith .
Ireland and Switzerland , touting some of the highest uptake rates , report more than 20 % of their populations use a contact-tracing app @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seem not so hot on the idea .
As with much of the U.S. response to the pandemic , this country hasn ’ t had a national strategy .
So it ’ s up to states .
And only about a dozen , including the recent addition of Colorado , have launched the smartphone feature , which sends users a notification if they ’ ve crossed paths with another app user who later tests positive for COVID-19 .
Within those few states , enthusiasm appears dim .
In Wyoming , Alabama and North @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with usage data beyond initial downloads , under 3 % of the population is using the app .
The service , built by Google and Apple and adapted by individual countries , states or territories , either appears as a downloadable app or as a setting , depending on the state and the device .
It uses Bluetooth to identify other phones using the app within about 6 feet for more than 15 minutes .
If a user tests positive for COVID-19 , they ’ re given a verification code to input so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were potentially exposed .
The person ’ s identity is shielded , as are those of the people notified .
“ The more people who add their phone to the fight against COVID , the more protection we all get .
Everyone should do it , ” Sarah Tuneberg , who leads Colorado ’ s test and containment effort , told reporters on Oct. 29 .
“ The sky ’ s the limit .
Or the population is the limit , really.
” But the population could prove to be quite a limit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those who download the app and use it might not follow directions at the most critical juncture .
According to the Virginia Health Department , from August to November , about 613 app users tested positive and received a code to alert their contacts that they may have exposed them to the virus .
About 60 % of them actually activated it .
In North Dakota , where the outbreak is so big that human contact tracers can ’ t keep up , the data is even more dire .
In October , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the codes required to alert their contacts .
Only about 30 % did so .
Researchers in Dublin tracking app usage in 33 regions around the world have encountered echoes of the same issue .
In October , they wrote that in parts of Europe fewer people were alerting their contacts than expected , given the scale of the outbreaks and the number of active app users .
Italy and Poland ranked lowest .
There , they estimated , just 10 % of the app users they ’ d expect were submitting the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ m not sure that anybody working in this field had foreseen that that could be a problem , ” said Lucie Abeler-Dörner , part of a team at the Big Data Institute at Oxford studying COVID-19 interventions , including digital contact tracing .
“ Everybody just assumed that if you sign up for a voluntary app … why would you then not push that button ?
” So far , people in the field only have guesses .
Abeler-Dörner wonders how much of it has to do with people going into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re positive .
Tessaro , the University of Washington computer scientist , asks if the health officials who provide the code need more training on how to provide clear instructions to users .
Elissa Redmiles , a faculty member at the Max Planck Institute for Software Systems who is studying what drives people to install contact-tracing apps , worries that people may have difficulty inputting their test results .
But Tim Brookins , a Microsoft engineer who developed North Dakota ’ s contact-tracing app as a volunteer , has a bleaker outlook @ @ @ @ @ @ @ belief that some people want to load the app so that they can be notified if someone else was positive , in a self-serving way , ” he said .
“ But if they ’ re positive , they don ’ t want to take the time.
” Abeler-Dörner called the voluntary notification a design flaw and said the alerts should instead be automatically triggered .
Even with the limitations of the apps , the technology can help identify new COVID cases .
In Switzerland , researchers looked at data from two studies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a not-yet-peer-reviewed paper that while only 13 % of people with confirmed cases in Switzerland used the app to alert their contacts from July to September , that prompted about 1,700 people who had potentially been exposed to call a dedicated hotline for help .
And of those , at least 41 people discovered they were , indeed , positive for COVID-19 .
In the U.S. , another non-peer-reviewed modeling study from Google and Oxford University looking at three Washington state counties found that even if only 15 % of the population @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lead to a drop in COVID-19 infections and deaths .
Abeler-Dörner , a study co-author , said the findings could be applicable elsewhere , in broad strokes .
“ It will avert infections , ” she said .
“ If it ’ s 200 or 1,000 and it prevents 10 deaths , it ’ s probably worth it.
” That may be true even at low adoption rates if the app users are clustered in certain communities , as opposed to being scattered evenly across the state .
But prioritizing privacy has required @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that would let them know if users are near one another .
While an app in the United Kingdom asks users for the first few digits of their postal code , very few U.S. states can tell if users are in the same community .
Some exceptions include North Dakota , Wyoming and Arizona , which allow app users to select an affiliation with a college or university .
At the University of Arizona , enough people are using the app that about 27 % of people contacted by campus contact tracers said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a possible exposure .
Brookins of Microsoft , who created Care19 Alert , the app used in Wyoming and North Dakota , said that offering an affiliation option also allows people who ’ ve been exposed to get campus-specific instructions on where to get tested and what to do next .
“ In theory , we can add businesses , ” he said .
“ It ’ s so polarizing , no businesses have wanted to sign up , honestly.
” The privacy-focused design also means researchers don ’ t have what they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and therefore encourage higher adoption .
“ Here there is actually some irony because the fact that we are designing this solution with privacy in mind somehow prevents us from accurately assessing whether the system works as it should , ” Tessaro said .
In some states , including Colorado , Virginia and Nevada , the embedded privacy protections mean no one knows who has enabled the contact-tracing technology .
Are they people who barely interact with anyone , or are they essential workers , interacting regularly with many people that human contact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Are they crossing paths and trading signals with other app users or , if they test positive , will their warning fall silently like a tree in an empty forest ?
Will they choose to notify people at all ?
Colorado ’ s health department said it ’ s issuing thousands of COVID codes a day .
As of Wednesday , 3,400 people had used the codes to notify their contacts , it said .
An automated system issues codes for positive COVID-19 tests even if the infected people don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to know how many users are acting on the codes .
“ I have hope that the vast majority of Coloradans will take this opportunity to give this gift of exposure notification to other people , ” Tuneberg said .
“ I believe Coloradans will do it .
”

By Rae Ellen Bichell, Kaiser Health News
The app builders had planned for pranksters, ensuring that only people with verified COVID-19 cases could trigger an alert. They’d planned for heavy criticism about privacy, in many cases making the features as bare-bones as possible. But, as more states roll out smartphone contact-tracing technology, other challenges are emerging. Namely, human nature.
The problem starts with downloads. Stefano Tessaro calls it the “chicken-and-egg” issue: The system works only if a lot of people buy into it, but people will buy into it only if they know it works.
“Accuracy of the system ends up increasing trust, but it is trust that increases adoptions, which in turn increases accuracy,” Tessaro, a computer scientist at the University of Washington who was involved in creating that state’s forthcoming contact-tracing app, said in a lecture in October.
In other parts of the world, people are taking that necessary leap of faith. Ireland and Switzerland, touting some of the highest uptake rates, report more than 20% of their populations use a contact-tracing app, Kaiser Health News reports.
Americans seem not so hot on the idea. As with much of the U.S. response to the pandemic, this country hasn’t had a national strategy. So it’s up to states. And only about a dozen, including the recent addition of Colorado, have launched the smartphone feature, which sends users a notification if they’ve crossed paths with another app user who later tests positive for COVID-19.
Within those few states, enthusiasm appears dim. In Wyoming, Alabama and North Dakota, some of the few states with usage data beyond initial downloads, under 3% of the population is using the app.
The service, built by Google and Apple and adapted by individual countries, states or territories, either appears as a downloadable app or as a setting, depending on the state and the device. It uses Bluetooth to identify other phones using the app within about 6 feet for more than 15 minutes. If a user tests positive for COVID-19, they’re given a verification code to input so that each contact can be notified they were potentially exposed. The person’s identity is shielded, as are those of the people notified.
“The more people who add their phone to the fight against COVID, the more protection we all get. Everyone should do it,” Sarah Tuneberg, who leads Colorado’s test and containment effort, told reporters on Oct. 29. “The sky’s the limit. Or the population is the limit, really.”
But the population could prove to be quite a limit. Data from early-adopter governments suggests even those who download the app and use it might not follow directions at the most critical juncture.
According to the Virginia Health Department, from August to November, about 613 app users tested positive and received a code to alert their contacts that they may have exposed them to the virus. About 60% of them actually activated it.
In North Dakota, where the outbreak is so big that human contact tracers can’t keep up, the data is even more dire. In October, about 90 people tested positive and received the codes required to alert their contacts. Only about 30% did so.
Researchers in Dublin tracking app usage in 33 regions around the world have encountered echoes of the same issue. In October, they wrote that in parts of Europe fewer people were alerting their contacts than expected, given the scale of the outbreaks and the number of active app users. Italy and Poland ranked lowest. There, they estimated, just 10% of the app users they’d expect were submitting the codes necessary to warn others.
“I’m not sure that anybody working in this field had foreseen that that could be a problem,” said Lucie Abeler-Dörner, part of a team at the Big Data Institute at Oxford studying COVID-19 interventions, including digital contact tracing. “Everybody just assumed that if you sign up for a voluntary app … why would you then not push that button?”
So far, people in the field only have guesses. Abeler-Dörner wonders how much of it has to do with people going into panic mode when they find out they’re positive.
Tessaro, the University of Washington computer scientist, asks if the health officials who provide the code need more training on how to provide clear instructions to users.
Elissa Redmiles, a faculty member at the Max Planck Institute for Software Systems who is studying what drives people to install contact-tracing apps, worries that people may have difficulty inputting their test results.
But Tim Brookins, a Microsoft engineer who developed North Dakota’s contact-tracing app as a volunteer, has a bleaker outlook.
“There’s a general belief that some people want to load the app so that they can be notified if someone else was positive, in a self-serving way,” he said. “But if they’re positive, they don’t want to take the time.”
Abeler-Dörner called the voluntary notification a design flaw and said the alerts should instead be automatically triggered.
Even with the limitations of the apps, the technology can help identify new COVID cases. In Switzerland, researchers looked at data from two studies of contact-tracing app users. They wrote in a not-yet-peer-reviewed paper that while only 13% of people with confirmed cases in Switzerland used the app to alert their contacts from July to September, that prompted about 1,700 people who had potentially been exposed to call a dedicated hotline for help. And of those, at least 41 people discovered they were, indeed, positive for COVID-19.
In the U.S., another non-peer-reviewed modeling study from Google and Oxford University looking at three Washington state counties found that even if only 15% of the population uses a contact-tracing app, it could lead to a drop in COVID-19 infections and deaths. Abeler-Dörner, a study co-author, said the findings could be applicable elsewhere, in broad strokes.
“It will avert infections,” she said. “If it’s 200 or 1,000 and it prevents 10 deaths, it’s probably worth it.”
That may be true even at low adoption rates if the app users are clustered in certain communities, as opposed to being scattered evenly across the state. But prioritizing privacy has required health departments to forgo the very data that would let them know if users are near one another. While an app in the United Kingdom asks users for the first few digits of their postal code, very few U.S. states can tell if users are in the same community.
Some exceptions include North Dakota, Wyoming and Arizona, which allow app users to select an affiliation with a college or university. At the University of Arizona, enough people are using the app that about 27% of people contacted by campus contact tracers said they’d already been notified of a possible exposure. Brookins of Microsoft, who created Care19 Alert, the app used in Wyoming and North Dakota, said that offering an affiliation option also allows people who’ve been exposed to get campus-specific instructions on where to get tested and what to do next.
“In theory, we can add businesses,” he said. “It’s so polarizing, no businesses have wanted to sign up, honestly.”
The privacy-focused design also means researchers don’t have what they need to prove the apps’ usefulness and therefore encourage higher adoption.
“Here there is actually some irony because the fact that we are designing this solution with privacy in mind somehow prevents us from accurately assessing whether the system works as it should,” Tessaro said.
In some states, including Colorado, Virginia and Nevada, the embedded privacy protections mean no one knows who has enabled the contact-tracing technology. Are they people who barely interact with anyone, or are they essential workers, interacting regularly with many people that human contact tracers would never be able to reach? Are they crossing paths and trading signals with other app users or, if they test positive, will their warning fall silently like a tree in an empty forest? Will they choose to notify people at all?
Colorado’s health department said it’s issuing thousands of COVID codes a day. As of Wednesday, 3,400 people had used the codes to notify their contacts, it said. An automated system issues codes for positive COVID-19 tests even if the infected people don’t have the app, making it impossible to know how many users are acting on the codes.
“I have hope that the vast majority of Coloradans will take this opportunity to give this gift of exposure notification to other people,” Tuneberg said. “I believe Coloradans will do it.”