thedenverpost--2020-03-22--Former Denver East star Daylen Kountz opts to leave CU Buffs

Hours after Jakub Dombek entered the NCAA transfer portal , Colorado men ’ s basketball coach Tad Boyle said “ there might be one more ” roster defection from his squad this spring .
That additional player turned out to be Daylen Kountz , and the homestate recruit has indeed opted to leave the Buffaloes .
On Friday night , the sophomore guard announced via his Twitter account his intention to transfer after two seasons at CU .
Kountz ’ s departure , along with Dombek ’ s , gives Boyle two open scholarships to work with during the spring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recruits landed by Boyle during his 10-year tenure at CU , Kountz becomes the first to transfer out of the Buffs program .
The former Denver East standout stirred enthusiasm with a strong finish to his freshman season a year ago , but his announcement Friday night capped a 2019-20 campaign in which Kountz struggled from the opening tip .
“ Sophomore years are sometimes kind of telling , ” Boyle told BuffZone in an interview conducted prior to Kountz ’ s announcement .
“ You ’ ve heard of the sophomore slump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bit of that .
He struggled with his shot .
And he struggled to finish , which is something as a freshman he did a great job of — finishing in the lane and finishing at the rim .
For whatever reason he had trouble doing that this year .
“ Everyone knows that he ’ s capable of playing better than he did this year .
Daylen knows that , I know that .
It was a rough year.
” Kountz enjoyed several clutch performances off the bench down the stretch of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going 3-for-5 with eight points in a low-scoring win against Cal to open the Pac-12 Conference tournament before contributing 10 points in a win against Norfolk State in the second round of the NIT .
Following that late surge , Kountz was expected to be a key piece of the 2019-20 Buffs , and he started the first five games of the season .
But after going 5-for-25 in those five games , Boyle returned Kountz to the bench , and the sophomore guard never got on track .
By the end of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off the bench in spot duty relieving McKinley Wright IV at point guard .
Kountz recorded six double-digit scoring efforts as a freshman but posted just two this past season .
His shooting percentage dipped from .430 as a freshman to .333 this year .
After shooting .308 from 3-point range last year with 46 assists against 41 turnovers , Kountz was just 4-for-26 on 3-pointers this year with 20 assists and 32 turnovers .
After being supplanted by fellow sophomore Eli Parquet in the guard rotation , Kountz was facing the possibility @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wing options with Keeshawn Barthelemy emerging from his redshirt season along with the addition of incoming freshman Dominique Clifford .
Boyle now has the opportunity to replace two minimal contributors — Dombek and Kountz — with fresh options that could bolster the Buffs ’ overall depth .
One of those open scholarships almost assuredly will be used on a frontcourt prospect with immediate eligibility as a possible replacement for junior forward Tyler Bey , who is exploring his pro options .
Assuming Wright returns for his senior season , Boyle might have the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ open spot , regardless of Bey ’ s ultimate decision .

Hours after Jakub Dombek entered the NCAA transfer portal, Colorado men’s basketball coach Tad Boyle said “there might be one more” roster defection from his squad this spring.
That additional player turned out to be Daylen Kountz, and the homestate recruit has indeed opted to leave the Buffaloes.
On Friday night, the sophomore guard announced via his Twitter account his intention to transfer after two seasons at CU. Kountz’s departure, along with Dombek’s, gives Boyle two open scholarships to work with during the spring recruiting period.
Among the many in-state recruits landed by Boyle during his 10-year tenure at CU, Kountz becomes the first to transfer out of the Buffs program. The former Denver East standout stirred enthusiasm with a strong finish to his freshman season a year ago, but his announcement Friday night capped a 2019-20 campaign in which Kountz struggled from the opening tip.
“Sophomore years are sometimes kind of telling,” Boyle told BuffZone in an interview conducted prior to Kountz’s announcement. “You’ve heard of the sophomore slump, and maybe Daylen experienced a little bit of that. He struggled with his shot. And he struggled to finish, which is something as a freshman he did a great job of — finishing in the lane and finishing at the rim. For whatever reason he had trouble doing that this year.
“Everyone knows that he’s capable of playing better than he did this year. Daylen knows that, I know that. It was a rough year.”
Kountz enjoyed several clutch performances off the bench down the stretch of his freshman season a year ago, going 3-for-5 with eight points in a low-scoring win against Cal to open the Pac-12 Conference tournament before contributing 10 points in a win against Norfolk State in the second round of the NIT.
Following that late surge, Kountz was expected to be a key piece of the 2019-20 Buffs, and he started the first five games of the season. But after going 5-for-25 in those five games, Boyle returned Kountz to the bench, and the sophomore guard never got on track. By the end of the season Kountz was logging minimal minutes off the bench in spot duty relieving McKinley Wright IV at point guard.
Kountz recorded six double-digit scoring efforts as a freshman but posted just two this past season. His shooting percentage dipped from .430 as a freshman to .333 this year. After shooting .308 from 3-point range last year with 46 assists against 41 turnovers, Kountz was just 4-for-26 on 3-pointers this year with 20 assists and 32 turnovers.
After being supplanted by fellow sophomore Eli Parquet in the guard rotation, Kountz was facing the possibility of falling further down the list of wing options with Keeshawn Barthelemy emerging from his redshirt season along with the addition of incoming freshman Dominique Clifford.
Boyle now has the opportunity to replace two minimal contributors — Dombek and Kountz — with fresh options that could bolster the Buffs’ overall depth. One of those open scholarships almost assuredly will be used on a frontcourt prospect with immediate eligibility as a possible replacement for junior forward Tyler Bey, who is exploring his pro options. Assuming Wright returns for his senior season, Boyle might have the luxury of being picky with the other open spot, regardless of Bey’s ultimate decision.


thedenverpost--2020-03-22--Two CU Buffs go from small towns to NFL radar

It ’ s usually not too difficult to get a smile out of Delrick Abrams Jr. , but after working out for NFL scouts at Colorado ’ s pro day earlier this month , the smile was particularly bright .
“ I feel like I had a good day , ” said Abrams , a 6-foot-2 , 191-pound cornerback .
“ I ’ m proud of all the stuff I did .
I have no regrets.
” Walking on the track that surrounds CU ’ s indoor practice field , Davion Taylor matched Abrams ’ enthusiasm that day .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Taylor , a 6-0.5 , 226-pound linebacker , said .
“ I ’ m so satisfied with what I did .
I was smooth when I was running , smooth when I was doing my jumps , so I felt comfortable .
I felt ready to go.
” Abrams and Taylor are among the several Buffs who hope to get their name called during the NFL Draft next month and they ’ ve put themselves in position to do so despite the odds being against them not long ago .
Abrams is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ projected as a late third-round pick in a recent mock draft by CBSSports.com .
“ Whatever happens on draft day is what happens , ” Abrams said .
“ I ’ m just blessed to even have to opportunity to be here .
Most people don ’ t have the opportunity .
God first and I just keep working.
” While they didn ’ t grow up together , Abrams and Taylor have had similar journeys to this point in their football careers .
Both came from small towns in the South , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noticed and then wound up becoming key pieces to the puzzle on the CU defense .
“ I think that makes us real close because we both know where we came from and nobody really makes it out of our two schools , ” Abrams said .
“ Yeah , the odds were against us.
” Abrams was born in Bogalusa , La.
, and played at Varnado High School in Angie , La .
Varnado has less than 180 high school students and , according to pro-football-reference.com , has produced two NFL @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Steve Martin , who each played one season in the late 1980s .
Carter , a fifth-round choice of the New York Giants in 1988 , is the only Varnado alum to get drafted .
“ People thought I went to a small school and there was no good talent , ” Abrams said .
“ They said I didn ’ t play against anybody ; and me going to JUCO , everybody there is from bigger schools .
It ’ s always made me humble at the end of the day.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kan. ) Community College , and was an all-conference performer for the Pirates .
By the end of his time at Indy , he was rated a top-75 junior college prospect and signed with the Buffs .
Although he dealt with some minor injuries at CU , Abrams was a two-year starter at corner , playing in 21 of 24 games .
Overall , he posted 99 tackles and 15 pass breakups .
At pro day , he posted a 4.5-second time in the 40 and a broad jump of 128 inches .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Abrams , in McComb , Miss .
He graduated from South Pike High School , which has an enrollment of fewer than 500 students .
South Pike has produced five NFL players , with guard Tre Stallings being the most recent draft pick , in 2006 .
“ I really am ( amazed ) , ” Taylor said of how far he has come .
“ If you ’ d go back and tell me when I was in high school that I would be in this position ( to go to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believe you at all.
” Of course , for Taylor , that is in part because he wasn ’ t playing football in high school .
Due to his mother ’ s religious beliefs , which prohibited sporting activities from Friday night to Sunday morning , Taylor did not participate in football , but played basketball and ran track .
When Taylor went to Coahoma ( Miss . )
Community College , he got his mother ’ s blessing to play football .
Raw talent helped Taylor excel at Coahoma , where he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the highest-rated JUCO outside linebackers in the country .
Recruited to CU – along with Abrams , in 2018 – by former head coach Mike MacIntyre , Taylor has spent the past two seasons learning about the game , while often flashing his talent .
“ I never thought I was going to be in this position , ” he said .
“ I ’ ve learned so much .
Having two different coaching staffs ( at CU ) , some people probably think that is bad , but having two different coaching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ football .
Coach MacIntyre , he taught me a lot about the basics of how to play football , basically how to take on blocks , how to do different things .
When coach ( Mel ) Tucker came in , it was more just bringing physicality out of me and bringing an extra toughness that I feel like I needed to go to the next level.
” Taylor started 10 games in 2018 at outside linebacker and then started 10 games last season at the Star position in Tucker ’ s defense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up 144 tackles , 20.5 tackles for loss , 2.5 sacks and three fumble recoveries .
With exceptional athleticism and speed , Taylor has impressed scouts this offseason .
At the NFL Combine , he was third among linebackers in the 40-yard dash ( 4.49 seconds ) , tied for fifth on bench press reps of 225 pounds ( 21 ) , fourth in the broad jump ( 127 inches ) , fourth in the 3-cone shuttle ( 6.96 seconds ) and sixth in the shuttle ( 4.26 seconds ) .
He then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CU ’ s pro day .
“ Hopefully it ’ ll raise my draft stock , ” he said .
“ The 4.4 ( at the combine ) was still fast , but I knew I could do it faster .
I ’ m just really excited with my progression throughout the last couple months and I ’ m excited for the future.
” The future is bright for both , whether or not they get drafted .
Both are sure to at least get into training camps with NFL teams and that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or McComb .
“ My school didn ’ t really have D-I ( talent ) , big time D-I , ” Abrams said , “ so it ’ s just a blessing and I ’ m trying to put it on for my city , the village – we call it the village because it ’ s a small town – that anything is possible if you keep moving forward .
“ I ’ m very excited about it .
I ’ m nervous about it , but at the end of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s doing .
”

It’s usually not too difficult to get a smile out of Delrick Abrams Jr., but after working out for NFL scouts at Colorado’s pro day earlier this month, the smile was particularly bright.
“I feel like I had a good day,” said Abrams, a 6-foot-2, 191-pound cornerback. “I’m proud of all the stuff I did. I have no regrets.”
Walking on the track that surrounds CU’s indoor practice field, Davion Taylor matched Abrams’ enthusiasm that day.
“I’m so happy,” Taylor, a 6-0.5, 226-pound linebacker, said. “I’m so satisfied with what I did. I was smooth when I was running, smooth when I was doing my jumps, so I felt comfortable. I felt ready to go.”
Abrams and Taylor are among the several Buffs who hope to get their name called during the NFL Draft next month and they’ve put themselves in position to do so despite the odds being against them not long ago.
Abrams is a potential late-round pick, while Taylor was projected as a late third-round pick in a recent mock draft by CBSSports.com.
“Whatever happens on draft day is what happens,” Abrams said. “I’m just blessed to even have to opportunity to be here. Most people don’t have the opportunity. God first and I just keep working.”
While they didn’t grow up together, Abrams and Taylor have had similar journeys to this point in their football careers. Both came from small towns in the South, went the junior college route to get noticed and then wound up becoming key pieces to the puzzle on the CU defense.
“I think that makes us real close because we both know where we came from and nobody really makes it out of our two schools,” Abrams said. “Yeah, the odds were against us.”
Abrams was born in Bogalusa, La., and played at Varnado High School in Angie, La. Varnado has less than 180 high school students and, according to pro-football-reference.com, has produced two NFL players – defensive linemen Jon Carter and Steve Martin, who each played one season in the late 1980s. Carter, a fifth-round choice of the New York Giants in 1988, is the only Varnado alum to get drafted.
“People thought I went to a small school and there was no good talent,” Abrams said. “They said I didn’t play against anybody; and me going to JUCO, everybody there is from bigger schools. It’s always made me humble at the end of the day.”
Abrams played two seasons at Independence (Kan.) Community College, and was an all-conference performer for the Pirates. By the end of his time at Indy, he was rated a top-75 junior college prospect and signed with the Buffs.
Although he dealt with some minor injuries at CU, Abrams was a two-year starter at corner, playing in 21 of 24 games. Overall, he posted 99 tackles and 15 pass breakups. At pro day, he posted a 4.5-second time in the 40 and a broad jump of 128 inches.
Taylor grew up about an hour away from Abrams, in McComb, Miss. He graduated from South Pike High School, which has an enrollment of fewer than 500 students. South Pike has produced five NFL players, with guard Tre Stallings being the most recent draft pick, in 2006.
“I really am (amazed),” Taylor said of how far he has come. “If you’d go back and tell me when I was in high school that I would be in this position (to go to the NFL), I would not believe you at all.”
Of course, for Taylor, that is in part because he wasn’t playing football in high school. Due to his mother’s religious beliefs, which prohibited sporting activities from Friday night to Sunday morning, Taylor did not participate in football, but played basketball and ran track.
When Taylor went to Coahoma (Miss.) Community College, he got his mother’s blessing to play football. Raw talent helped Taylor excel at Coahoma, where he played two seasons and became one of the highest-rated JUCO outside linebackers in the country.
Recruited to CU – along with Abrams, in 2018 – by former head coach Mike MacIntyre, Taylor has spent the past two seasons learning about the game, while often flashing his talent.
“I never thought I was going to be in this position,” he said. “I’ve learned so much. Having two different coaching staffs (at CU), some people probably think that is bad, but having two different coaching staffs taught me so much more about football. Coach MacIntyre, he taught me a lot about the basics of how to play football, basically how to take on blocks, how to do different things. When coach (Mel) Tucker came in, it was more just bringing physicality out of me and bringing an extra toughness that I feel like I needed to go to the next level.”
Taylor started 10 games in 2018 at outside linebacker and then started 10 games last season at the Star position in Tucker’s defense. In two seasons, he racked up 144 tackles, 20.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and three fumble recoveries.
With exceptional athleticism and speed, Taylor has impressed scouts this offseason. At the NFL Combine, he was third among linebackers in the 40-yard dash (4.49 seconds), tied for fifth on bench press reps of 225 pounds (21), fourth in the broad jump (127 inches), fourth in the 3-cone shuttle (6.96 seconds) and sixth in the shuttle (4.26 seconds). He then posted a 4.39 in the 40 at CU’s pro day.
“Hopefully it’ll raise my draft stock,” he said. “The 4.4 (at the combine) was still fast, but I knew I could do it faster. I’m just really excited with my progression throughout the last couple months and I’m excited for the future.”
The future is bright for both, whether or not they get drafted. Both are sure to at least get into training camps with NFL teams and that’s a long way from Angie or McComb.
“My school didn’t really have D-I (talent), big time D-I,” Abrams said, “so it’s just a blessing and I’m trying to put it on for my city, the village – we call it the village because it’s a small town – that anything is possible if you keep moving forward.
“I’m very excited about it. I’m nervous about it, but at the end of the day, God knows what he’s doing.”


thedenverpost--2020-03-22--Trump says he ordered FEMA to help hard-hit states amid coronavirus pandemic

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump says he ’ s ordered the Federal Emergency Management Agency to ship mobile hospital centers @ @ @ @ @ Washington , California and New York amid the coronavirus pandemic .
For New York , @ @ @ @ @ hospital beds .
Trump is also revealing for the first time the number of respirators @ @ @ @ @ sent to the hard-hit states by the federal government .
It comes as state and @ @ @ @ @ the federal government to provide far more , and as Trump has held off on @ @ @ @ @ the Defense Production Act to marshal the private sector ’ s capabilities .
Trump says @ @ @ @ @ states to try to get the materials first .
He says : “ We ’ @ @ @ @ @ for states.
” Trump says he ’ s also giving governors in those three states @ @ @ @ @ guard , keeping it under local control but providing federal funding .
Subscribe to bi-weekly @ @ @ @ @ sent straight to your inbox .

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump says he’s ordered the Federal Emergency Management Agency to ship mobile hospital centers to the hard-hit states of Washington, California and New York amid the coronavirus pandemic. For New York, that would mean another 1,000 hospital beds.
Trump is also revealing for the first time the number of respirators and other personal protective equipment sent to the hard-hit states by the federal government. It comes as state and local leaders have appealed on the federal government to provide far more, and as Trump has held off on using his fully authorities under the Defense Production Act to marshal the private sector’s capabilities.
Trump says it’s up to states to try to get the materials first. He says: “We’re sort of a backup for states.”
Trump says he’s also giving governors in those three states in calling up their national guard, keeping it under local control but providing federal funding.
Subscribe to bi-weekly newsletter to get health news sent straight to your inbox.


thedenverpost--2020-03-22--Plácido Domingo has coronavirus amid Spain outbreak

MADRID — Plácido Domingo announced Sunday that he has tested positive for the coronavirus .
The 79-year-old opera singer ’ s illness comes after his own glittering career had recently been stained by sexual misconduct revelations .
The Spaniard said in a post on his personal Facebook account that “ I feel it is my moral duty to announce to you that I have tested positive.
” The tenor says he and his family are in self-isolation and that he is feeling well despite having fever and a cough .
“ I beg everyone to be extremely careful , follow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ frequently , keeping at least a 6 foot distance from others , doing everything you can to stop the virus from spreading and please above all stay home if you can !
” he said .
Last year , multiple women accused Domingo of harassment and abusing his power while he held management positions at Los Angeles Opera and Washington National Opera in stories published by The Associated Press .
After first denying any wrongdoing , Domingo issued an apology last month when the American Guild of Musical Artists and LA Opera found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be credible .
He has since had a number of performances canceled .
He also resigned as the director of the LA Opera .
Spain is the third hardest-hit country after China and Italy with 28,572 infections and 1,720 deaths in the virus outbreak .
For most people , the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever or coughing .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia .
Some 93,800 people have recovered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has infected several leading politicians in Spain , and the prime minister ’ s wife , as well as caused the death of former Real Madrid soccer club president Lorenzo Sanz .
Join our Facebook group for the latest updates on coronavirus in Colorado .

MADRID — Plácido Domingo announced Sunday that he has tested positive for the coronavirus.
The 79-year-old opera singer’s illness comes after his own glittering career had recently been stained by sexual misconduct revelations.
The Spaniard said in a post on his personal Facebook account that “I feel it is my moral duty to announce to you that I have tested positive.”
The tenor says he and his family are in self-isolation and that he is feeling well despite having fever and a cough.
“I beg everyone to be extremely careful, follow the basic guidelines by washing your hands frequently, keeping at least a 6 foot distance from others, doing everything you can to stop the virus from spreading and please above all stay home if you can!” he said.
Last year, multiple women accused Domingo of harassment and abusing his power while he held management positions at Los Angeles Opera and Washington National Opera in stories published by The Associated Press.
After first denying any wrongdoing, Domingo issued an apology last month when the American Guild of Musical Artists and LA Opera found the sexual harassment allegations against him to be credible.
He has since had a number of performances canceled. He also resigned as the director of the LA Opera.
Spain is the third hardest-hit country after China and Italy with 28,572 infections and 1,720 deaths in the virus outbreak.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever or coughing. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia. Some 93,800 people have recovered, mostly in China.
The virus has infected several leading politicians in Spain, and the prime minister’s wife, as well as caused the death of former Real Madrid soccer club president Lorenzo Sanz.
Join our Facebook group for the latest updates on coronavirus in Colorado.


thedenverpost--2020-03-22--Polis orders Colorado’s “non-critical” businesses to cut in-person workforce by 50% as coronavirus c

Polis orders Colorado’s “non-critical” businesses to cut in-person workforce by 50% as coronavirus cases near 600

Gov .
Jared Polis on Sunday ordered all “ non-critical workplaces ” in Colorado to reduce their in-person workforce by 50 % , and more if possible , by Tuesday morning in the latest attempt by the state to help halt the person-to-person spread of the new coronavirus .
Colorado employers will be urged to implement telework capabilities “ to the greatest extent possible.
” Workplaces that can ensure six-foot spacing between employees and businesses such as health care , critical retail , public safety and more are exempt .
“ This will help workplaces increase physical distancing so that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ six feet apart if possible , ” Polis said during a Sunday news conference at the state ’ s Emergency Operations Center in Centennial .
Polis stressed the need to slow the spread of the virus in Colorado to buy time for hospitals and medical providers to get ready for the surge in patients .
The state , he said , is estimated to need 7,000 more ventilators for the expected COVID-19 caseload .
“ If we do not do more to slow the spread of the virus , our health care system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t be able to treat every patient who needs it.
” Polis urged Coloradans to stay home , to frequent the grocery store less often , go jogging less often .
He said much of this won ’ t be enforced by rule , but that here ’ s a “ far greater ” enforcement agent who ’ ll punish non-compliant people : “ His name is the grim reaper.
” The governor ’ s announcement came as another 116 people tested positive for the novel coronavirus Sunday , bringing the number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Six people in the state have died and another 58 are hospitalized after becoming infected by the virus , which causes COVID-19 , a highly contagious respiratory disease .
The state has also discovered five outbreaks at residential and non-hospital health care facilities , though officials did not elaborate or identify the locations .
Previously , though , county officials reported that at least six COVID-19 cases have been confirmed at the Laurel Manor Care Center , a senior living center in Colorado Springs , and at least two people — a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ positive for the disease at North Shore Health and Rehab Facility in Loveland .
More than 5,400 people have been tested for the virus in Colorado since early March .
Among those who tested positive Sunday is a health care worker in her 60s at Evans Army Community Hospital in Fort Carson as well as an El Paso County Sheriff ’ s Office deputy .
An attorney who visited multiple courtrooms at the Lindsey-Flanigan Courthouse in Denver also tested positive for COVID-19 over the weekend , according to a statement from Second Judicial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ courthouse will be closed Monday and Tuesday for cleaning , and all hearings in Denver District Court scheduled for the week will be suspended , Martinez said in a statement .
The court will use the week to figure out how to create “ virtual courtrooms ” where everyone can appear remotely in the future , according to the statement .
The attorney who contracted the virus suffered minor symptoms and has been quarantined , according to the statement .
The disease is mild in most cases , but spreads so easily that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health care system won ’ t be able to keep up with the number of infected patients .
Efforts to limit the virus ’ reach have created widespread disruptions to daily life in Colorado and across the nation as officials urge residents to stay home and stay away from others as much as possible .
Colorado health officials have banned gatherings of 10 or more people ; schools and colleges closed or moved classes online ; restaurants and bars are limited to only take-out dining service .
One percent of the state ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last week alone , while many of those who are still working are doing so from home .
On Sunday , Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser joined Gov .
Jared Polis ’ call for evictions to be put on hold during the pandemic .
Ski resorts are shuttered ; national parks closed .
On Monday at noon , Estes Park will close all of its hotels , motels and short-term rentals until April 17 — a decision also made by officials in Gunnison , Summit and San Miguel counties in the fight against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group for the latest updates on coronavirus in Colorado .

Facing rising numbers of new coronavirus cases and deaths, Gov. Jared Polis on Sunday ordered employers at non-critical workplaces to cut their in-person workforces by at least 50%, implored residents to go out for groceries and exercise less frequently, and advised the elderly and other vulnerable people to stay put indoors unless they need medical help.
But Polis at the podium in Colorado’s Emergency Operations Center steered clear of issuing an executive shelter-in-place order as governors in California, Illinois and elsewhere have done — because such orders legally cannot be enforced, he said, and because slowing the virus in time to prevent a health system collapse will require greater motivation sustained over weeks than the threat of arrest can instill.
“There is a far greater enforcement authority. His name is the grim reaper,” Polis said.
“We want to articulate this in a way that we get the broadest participation and buy-in.”
Polis urged Colorado residents to adhere to stricter guidelines as the only practical way to stop the intensifying person-to-person spread of the new coronavirus in a pandemic situation where he said a failed federal public health response has put the burden on states to ensure survival and minimize deaths. Colorado currently lacks sufficient hospital beds and 7,000 ventilators that, based on latest projections for the course of the virus, would be necessary during an anticipated surge at the peak.
“If we do not do more to slow the spread of the virus, our hospital system will be overwhelmed,” he said. “We could be forced into a wartime triage situation.”
For elders and those with chronic health conditions, Polis said: “Don’t leave your home at all unless you need medical attention.”
This appeal Sunday evening as key state government officials and private sector partners gathered with Polis marked the most urgent appeal yet to residents for collective action to slow the spread of the virus. The number of new cases increased by 228 over the weekend, including 116 more people announced Sunday, with 591 confirmed cases and 58 hospitalizations. The death Sunday of a woman in her 70s in Weld County brought the state’s death toll to seven.
State health officials said they expect the virus, now infecting residents in more than 20 counties, likely will spread to all 64 counties. They say they think the number of infections is many times higher than the confirmed cases at present. This highly contagious new coronavirus causes COVID-19, a potentially deadly respiratory disease. Colorado officials indicated they recently discovered five person-to-person outbreaks at residential and non-hospital health care facilities. Details weren’t provided.
County health officials have reported at least six COVID-19 cases in the Laurel Manor Care Center, a senior living center in Colorado Springs. A resident and a staffer at North Shore Health and Rehab Facility in Loveland have tested positive.
More than 5,400 people have been tested for the new coronavirus in Colorado since early March. Those who tested positive Sunday included a health care worker in her 60s at the Evans Army Community Hospital in Fort Carson and an El Paso County Sheriff’s deputy.
A lawyer who recently visited multiple courtrooms in the Lindsey-Flanigan Courthouse in Denver also tested positive for COVID-19 over the weekend, according to a statement from Second Judicial District Chief Judge Michael Martinez.
The courthouse will be closed Monday and Tuesday for cleaning, Martinez said, and all hearings scheduled this week in Denver District Court will be suspended. Martinez said court officials will use the week to figure out how to run “virtual courtrooms” where parties participate while not present.
The lawyer apparently has experienced minor symptoms and has been quarantined.
Colorado’s focus on Sunday intensified with an urgent focus on workplaces, the latest attempt to help halt the person-to-person spread of coronavirus by enabling greater social distance between people statewide.
Polis’ executive order directs all employers to “implement tele-work options to the greatest extent possible” — shifting work to homes.
If tele-work isn’t practical or possible, officials said, employers should adjust work schedules to reduce the number of employees, enabling increased distances from other workers, and keep employees on payrolls. The idea was for employers to make sure no employee is closer than 6 feet from another employee.
State agency officials planned to meet this requirement, starting Monday.
Other employers must comply starting Tuesday, continuing through April 10.
Workplaces deemed “critical” in the executive order were exempt, including the following: health care operations, utilities and other essential infrastructure, hotels, organizations that help disadvantaged residents, food supply companies, some manufacturing, grocery stores and other essential retail, news organizations, financial institutions, and some construction and defense operations, police, fire and public safety operations, vendors of critical services and products, child care and some government operations.
Workplaces where employers ensure 6-foot spacing between employees also were to be exempt.
“Anybody who can get to 80% to 90% tele-working, please do that,” Polis said in announcing the order.
Grocery stores increasingly will be stocked, state officials said. And Polis in urging residents to shop less frequently — once a week, ideally once a month — will find the stores “a safer environment several days from now.”
Coloradans compelled to exercise should consider shifting the time of day and location so as to stay away from others. Perhaps jogging twice a week rather than three times a week, he suggested.
Coronavirus symptoms have been mild in most cases. But the virus spreads so easily that authorities increasingly are worried that health care providers won’t be able to keep up with a surge of infected patients.
“We are rapidly scaling up hospital beds,” Polis said Sunday. “We want to give ourselves more time.”
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has arrived in Colorado, as in other states, to help states respond. It was unclear whether the engineers would be deployed in construction of hospital space, as was planned in New York, and staffers couldn’t immediately provide an estimate of how many beds Colorado lacks to be able to deal with a surge.
Across Colorado and the nation, efforts to slow the spread of the virus over the last 10 days have led to wide disruptions as officials urge residents to stay home and away from others as much as possible.
Colorado health officials have banned gatherings of 10 or more people. Schools and universities are scrambling to conduct classes online. Restaurants and bars are limited to only take-out service.
Over the past week, roughly 1% of the workers in Colorado filed for unemployment benefits. Many of those working are doing so from home.
On Sunday, Attorney General Phil Weiser backed Gov. Jared Polis’ call for delaying evictions during the pandemic.
Ski resorts have closed down. Some national parks have closed. Hard-hit resort communities are increasing precautions. Monday at noon, Estes Park officials said the town’s hotels, motels and rental units will close until April 17 — following similar efforts in Gunnison, Summit and San Miguel counties.
On Sunday evening, Polis also launched an “innovation response team” in an effort to ramp up testing for the virus and find new ways to deliver services to residents — such as groceries and Wi-Fi capabilities — to enable better staying put.
Colorado officials were basing their response on actions taken to reduce virus harm in South Korea and Taiwan. Polis pointed to Italy as a disaster.
Due to a failed federal public health response, “the states will be taking on an unprecedented burden,” he said. “The ideal response would have been to have mass testing in place months ago.”
Join our Facebook group for the latest updates on coronavirus in Colorado.
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thedenverpost--2020-03-22--Rand Paul is 1st senator to report positive test for coronavirus

WASHINGTON — Sen. Rand Paul , R-Ky. , said Sunday that he had tested positive for the disease caused by the new coronavirus , becoming the first member of the Senate to report a case of COVID-19 .
He said in a tweet that he was feeling fine and was in quarantine .
Paul , an eye surgeon , said he has not had symptoms and was tested out of an abundance of caution due to his extensive travel and events .
He said he was not aware of any direct contact with any infected person .
Paul , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republicans who voted against a House-passed bill last week that provided more than $ 100 billion to boost testing for the coronavirus and guarantee paid sick leave for millions of workers .
He also was only Republican senator who opposed an earlier bill authorizing $ 8.3 billion for initial response to the coronavirus .
The senator was on Capitol Hill this past week , including at a luncheon Friday among GOP senators .
He spoke on the Senate floor on Wednesday afternoon , addressing the cornonavirus and an amendment he sponsored that would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. forces from Afghanistan .
A spokesman for Sen. Jerry Moran , R-Kan. , said Moran briefly saw Paul at the Senate gym Sunday morning and that he shared that information with GOP colleagues at a policy meeting .
Moran “ followed CDC guidelines and kept a safe distance between him and Sen. Paul , ” spokesman Tom Brandt said .
Moran has spoken with the attending physician at the Capitol and has been told he does not need to self-quarantine , Brandt said .
South Dakota Sen. John Thune , the second-ranking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ floor that lawmakers will consult with the attending physician about all senators who have been in contact with Paul .
Sen. Mitt Romney , R-Utah , said he was praying for Paul and noted that Paul ’ s health is compromised .
Paul , 57 , broke several ribs in 2017 when a neighbor assaulted him over a long-standing landscaping dispute .
Paul , who was later awarded $ 580,000 in damages and medical expenses , had surgery last year to remove part of a lung damaged by the assault .
Two House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ R-Fla. , and Ben McAdams , D-Utah , , have tested positive .
The Senate was in session Sunday seeking a bipartisan response to the pandemic .
If approved , the bill would be the third measure Congress has approved in response to the coronavirus this month .
The White House has increasingly emphasized that testing should prioritize the elderly and health care workers who have symptoms of the virus .
While most cases of COVID-19 are mild and tens of thousands of people have recovered , older people and those with underlying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more serious problems , such as pneumonia .
“ We don ’ t want everyone to go out and get a test because there ’ s no reason for it , ” President Donald Trump told reporters in a briefing Friday .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tells people to seek testing if they have certain symptoms of the flu-like illness caused by the coronavirus – fever , cough and trouble breathing – and if they have traveled recently to an outbreak area or have been in close contact with someone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be tested for the flu and other routine infections .
The vast majority of people recover from the new virus .
According to the World Health Organization , people with mild illness recover in about two weeks , while those with more severe illness may take three to six weeks to recover .
Join our Facebook group for the latest updates on coronavirus in Colorado .

WASHINGTON — Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, becoming the first case of COVID-19 in the Senate and raising fears about the further transmission of the virus among Republicans at the Capitol.
Paul, an eye surgeon, went into quarantine Sunday after learning his results. He said he has not had symptoms and was tested out of an abundance of caution due to his extensive travel and events. He said he was not aware of any direct contact with any infected person.
His announcement led Utah’s two GOP senators — Mike Lee and Mitt Romney — to place themselves into quarantine, stepping away from negotiations as the Senate worked on a $1.4 trillion economic rescue package for the coronavirus crisis. At least five senators, including Paul, were in self-quarantine Sunday, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said.
“The coronavirus has hit the Senate today,” said McConnell, R-Ky. “It’s not just back in our states but right here in the Senate.”
Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, a Democrat from Arizona elected in 2018, chastised Paul on Twitter, saying his decision to return to the Capitol after he was tested — but before he learned the results — was “absolutely irresponsible.”
Sinema said she has “never commented about a fellow Senator’s choices/actions. Never once.”
But she added: “This, America, is absolutely irresponsible. You cannot be near other people while waiting for coronavirus test results. It endangers others & likely increases the spread of the virus.”
Other senators, including Ted Cruz of Texas and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, had gone into self-quarantine while they awaited the results of a coronavirus test. Both were negative.
Responding to criticism on Twitter, Paul’s office said, “We want to be clear, Senator Paul left the Senate IMMEDIATELY upon learning of his diagnosis. He had zero contact with anyone & went into quarantine. Insinuations … that he went to the gym after learning of his results are just completely false & irresponsible!”
Paul’s office did not say when he was tested. Representatives of his office could not immediately be reached for comment.
President Donald Trump called Paul “a great friend” and said he’s “always there when we needed him.”
Paul’s diagnosis came after two House members, Reps. Mario Diaz Balart, R-Fla., and Ben McAdams, D-Utah, tested positive for the virus. Trump said the positive test results showed the virus was “hitting quite close to home. It’s a terrible thing that’s going on.”
Paul and other lawmakers “are going to be fine,” Trump said. ”I hope they’ll be fine.”
Paul, a deficit hawk, was among eight Senate Republicans who voted against a House-passed bill last week that provided more than $100 billion to boost testing for the coronavirus and guarantee paid sick leave for millions of workers. He also was only Republican senator who opposed an earlier bill authorizing $8.3 billion for initial response to the coronavirus.
The senator was on Capitol Hill this past week, including at a luncheon Friday among GOP senators. He spoke on the Senate floor on Wednesday afternoon, addressing the cornonavirus and a failed amendment he sponsored that would have paid for virus relief efforts by withdrawing U.S. forces from Afghanistan.
A spokesman for Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., said Moran briefly saw Paul at the Senate gym Sunday morning and that he shared that information with GOP colleagues at a policy meeting. Moran “followed CDC guidelines and kept a safe distance between him and Sen. Paul,” spokesman Tom Brandt said. Moran has spoken with the attending physician at the Capitol and has been told he does not need to self-quarantine, Brandt said.
South Dakota Sen. John Thune, the second-ranking Republican senator, said on the Senate floor that lawmakers will consult with the attending physician about all senators who have been in contact with Paul.
Romney said he was praying for Paul and noted that Paul’s health is compromised. Paul, 57, broke several ribs in 2017 when a neighbor assaulted him over a long-standing landscaping dispute. Paul, who was later awarded $580,000 in damages and medical expenses, had surgery last year to remove part of a lung damaged by the assault.
The Senate was in session Sunday seeking a bipartisan response to the pandemic. If approved, the bill would be the third measure Congress has approved in response to the coronavirus this month.
The White House has increasingly emphasized that testing should prioritize the elderly and health care workers who have symptoms of the virus. While most cases of COVID-19 are mild and tens of thousands of people have recovered, older people and those with underlying health problems are at higher risk for more serious problems, such as pneumonia.
“We don’t want everyone to go out and get a test because there’s no reason for it,” Trump told reporters Friday.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tells people to seek testing if they have certain symptoms of the flu-like illness caused by the coronavirus — fever, cough and trouble breathing — and if they have traveled recently to an outbreak area or have been in close contact with someone who is infected. They should first be tested for the flu and other routine infections.
The vast majority of people recover from the new virus. According to the World Health Organization, people with mild illness recover in about two weeks, while those with more severe illness may take three to six weeks to recover.
Join our Facebook group for the latest updates on coronavirus in Colorado.


thedenverpost--2020-03-22--Barefoot Denny Hamlin wins virtual Homestead as NASCAR races again

CHARLOTTE , N.C. — The stands were packed , Jimmie Johnson caused several wrecks , Denny Hamlin raced barefoot and damaged cars were repaired with the push of a button — a few virtual signs that NASCAR backed quite an unreal race .
NASCAR eased off the brake in the real sports world brought to a sudden halt by the coronavirus and introduced the country to iRacing with some of the sports biggest stars .
Hamlin , the three-time Daytona 500 winner , beat Dale Earnhardt Jr. off the final corner Sunday at virtual Homestead-Miami Speedway to win the bizarre @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the racing community , the NASCAR drivers to come together and put drivers on the racetrack with such short notice , everyone is buying up simulation rigs this week and last week getting ready for the event , and for it all to come together and have a great finish , I think it was definitely a success , ” Hamlin said .
“ iRacing got involved and emailed everyone , said , ‘ Hey , this is what we ’ re thinking about.
’ NASCAR got involved , television got involved and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But no one really talked to the drivers about unifying and participating .
It was all free will , and that ’ s what ’ s exciting is you had full-time Cup guys out there willing to spend their time doing this.
” It was Hamlin ’ s 31st victory in iRacing , which is where he was first discovered by Earnhardt long before he made it to NASCAR .
Hamlin was heavily involved in putting together Sunday ’ s pretend race , which was broadcast live on Fox Sports 1 and called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon .
NASCAR has suspended racing until at least May 9 , and with literally nothing else to do , series executives and iRacing put together the inaugural eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series in roughly one week .
The first event was at Homestead , where NASCAR was supposed to be racing Sunday before COVID-19 brought sports to a halt .
This was a one-of-a-kind competition for most watching at home , and ended up with a familiar winner .
It could serve as a petri dish for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thing .
The classic games aired across TV over the weekend will get old in a hurry , and networks are desperate for something fresh until sports resume .
Drivers showed immediate interest — even those with little to no simulator racing experience .
Some rushed to purchase “ rigs ” to get into the 35-driver field , and the show-and-tell on social media of the setups provided an entertaining build-up to the event .
Hamlin , racing barefoot on an elaborate rig in the living room of his North Carolina home , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ d donate $ 5,000 to Miami families affected by COVID-19 if he won the race and Kevin Harvick said he ’ d match Hamlin ’ s pledge .
Hamlin also set odds for the race and was instrumental in a group chat among the participants .
Truck Series driver Ty Majeski , ranked one of the best iRacers in the world , competed from a computer propped on a wooden desk with a steering wheel attached .
Kyle Larson said he spent $ 6,800 building his rig , while many of the less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their skills can build a setup for a few hundred dollars .
A competitor needs only a chair , computer , steering wheel and pedals , but NASCAR ’ s superstars shelled out much more to trick out their simulators .
Hamlin estimated his rig cost over $ 40,000 — but defended the price because his simulator has motion features — and said better equipment makes no difference .
He also said he raced barefoot because “ I like to feel the pedals.
” Seven-time NASCAR champion Johnson , who has been practicing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ simulator in his garage , competed from a rig that appeared more suited for one of those cars than his virtual No .
48 Chevrolet .
But Johnson proved to be a less-than-elite iRacer early with a comical crash in which his car appeared to be a ping-pong ball off the wall and several other cars .
“ I hope everyone enjoyed that today .
I clearly have a ton to learn , ” Johnson said .
Among those hit by Johnson was Alex Bowman , Johnson ’ s teammate at Hendrick Motorsports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ racers .
But drivers can hit a reset to “ fix ” the damage and continue .
“ No worries my virtual crew used a fast repair and it ’ s good as new .
Also I ’ m eating an uncrustable , ” Bowman tweeted after Johnson wrecked him .
“ And yeah I ’ m still tweeting and fake driving.
” Drivers took the event seriously , with most using the opportunity to showcase their sponsor — Landon Cassill even signed a sponsor specifically for the event — and fill fans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ real spotters and crew chiefs to help .
Bowman ’ s real crew chief Greg Ives and spotter Kevin Hamlin both watched the event from home in team shirts giving Bowman advice .
Many of the younger NASCAR drivers are world-ranked iRacers and use the game to work on their craft .
The iRacing game is as close to reality as any professional sport can get because of the granular detail and precise rendering of each NASCAR track .
The venues are laser-scanned to capture the bumps and imperfections in the asphalt , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ billboards and pit lane .
The race , called the Dixie Vodka 150 , was 100 laps around the virtual 1.5-mile Homestead oval .
Dixie Vodka said it would donate $ 10,000 to The NASCAR Foundation , which is centralizing charitable donations in the NASCAR industry to support those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic .
Professional iRacing drivers — NASCAR hosts a league — can create their own setups but for Sunday ’ s event a fixed setup was installed .
The event gave NASCAR a chance to showcase its esports offering on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a time when most of the world is locked down over fears of spreading the coronavirus .

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The stands were packed, Jimmie Johnson caused several wrecks, Denny Hamlin raced barefoot and damaged cars were repaired with the push of a button — a few virtual signs that NASCAR backed quite an unreal race.
NASCAR eased off the brake in the real sports world brought to a sudden halt by the coronavirus and introduced the country to iRacing with some of the sports biggest stars. Hamlin, the three-time Daytona 500 winner, beat Dale Earnhardt Jr. off the final corner Sunday at virtual Homestead-Miami Speedway to win the bizarre spectacle.
“For the community, the racing community, the NASCAR drivers to come together and put drivers on the racetrack with such short notice, everyone is buying up simulation rigs this week and last week getting ready for the event, and for it all to come together and have a great finish, I think it was definitely a success,” Hamlin said.
“iRacing got involved and emailed everyone, said, ‘Hey, this is what we’re thinking about.’ NASCAR got involved, television got involved and said they’d be interested. But no one really talked to the drivers about unifying and participating. It was all free will, and that’s what’s exciting is you had full-time Cup guys out there willing to spend their time doing this.”
It was Hamlin’s 31st victory in iRacing, which is where he was first discovered by Earnhardt long before he made it to NASCAR. Hamlin was heavily involved in putting together Sunday’s pretend race, which was broadcast live on Fox Sports 1 and called by its regular team of Mike Joy and Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon.
NASCAR has suspended racing until at least May 9, and with literally nothing else to do, series executives and iRacing put together the inaugural eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series in roughly one week. The first event was at Homestead, where NASCAR was supposed to be racing Sunday before COVID-19 brought sports to a halt.
This was a one-of-a-kind competition for most watching at home, and ended up with a familiar winner.
It could serve as a petri dish for other sports to try the whole gamer thing. The classic games aired across TV over the weekend will get old in a hurry, and networks are desperate for something fresh until sports resume.
Drivers showed immediate interest — even those with little to no simulator racing experience. Some rushed to purchase “rigs” to get into the 35-driver field, and the show-and-tell on social media of the setups provided an entertaining build-up to the event.
Hamlin, racing barefoot on an elaborate rig in the living room of his North Carolina home, had said earlier this week he’d donate $5,000 to Miami families affected by COVID-19 if he won the race and Kevin Harvick said he’d match Hamlin’s pledge. Hamlin also set odds for the race and was instrumental in a group chat among the participants.
Truck Series driver Ty Majeski, ranked one of the best iRacers in the world, competed from a computer propped on a wooden desk with a steering wheel attached. Kyle Larson said he spent $6,800 building his rig, while many of the less heralded drivers who use iRacing to hone their skills can build a setup for a few hundred dollars. A competitor needs only a chair, computer, steering wheel and pedals, but NASCAR’s superstars shelled out much more to trick out their simulators.
Hamlin estimated his rig cost over $40,000 — but defended the price because his simulator has motion features — and said better equipment makes no difference. He also said he raced barefoot because “I like to feel the pedals.”
Seven-time NASCAR champion Johnson, who has been practicing sports car and IndyCar racing on the simulator in his garage, competed from a rig that appeared more suited for one of those cars than his virtual No. 48 Chevrolet. But Johnson proved to be a less-than-elite iRacer early with a comical crash in which his car appeared to be a ping-pong ball off the wall and several other cars.
“I hope everyone enjoyed that today. I clearly have a ton to learn,” Johnson said.
Among those hit by Johnson was Alex Bowman, Johnson’s teammate at Hendrick Motorsports and one of the highly rated computer racers. But drivers can hit a reset to “fix” the damage and continue.
“No worries my virtual crew used a fast repair and it’s good as new. Also I’m eating an uncrustable,” Bowman tweeted after Johnson wrecked him. “And yeah I’m still tweeting and fake driving.”
Drivers took the event seriously, with most using the opportunity to showcase their sponsor — Landon Cassill even signed a sponsor specifically for the event — and fill fans hunger for racing. Many recruited their real spotters and crew chiefs to help. Bowman’s real crew chief Greg Ives and spotter Kevin Hamlin both watched the event from home in team shirts giving Bowman advice.
Many of the younger NASCAR drivers are world-ranked iRacers and use the game to work on their craft. The iRacing game is as close to reality as any professional sport can get because of the granular detail and precise rendering of each NASCAR track. The venues are laser-scanned to capture the bumps and imperfections in the asphalt, as well as duplicate the grandstands and billboards and pit lane.
The race, called the Dixie Vodka 150, was 100 laps around the virtual 1.5-mile Homestead oval. Dixie Vodka said it would donate $10,000 to The NASCAR Foundation, which is centralizing charitable donations in the NASCAR industry to support those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Professional iRacing drivers — NASCAR hosts a league — can create their own setups but for Sunday’s event a fixed setup was installed.
The event gave NASCAR a chance to showcase its esports offering on live television while also providing entertainment during a time when most of the world is locked down over fears of spreading the coronavirus.


thedenverpost--2020-03-22--Colorado provides guidance to those with COVID-19 symptoms, including when to call health care provi

Colorado provides guidance to those with COVID-19 symptoms, including when to call health care providers and 911

The following is the text of the Colorado Department of Public Health Environment ’ s guidance to those with COVID-19 symptoms issued on March 21 .
Read the order in English and Spanish on CDPHE ’ s website .
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment ( CDPHE ) asks the public to preserve critical health care resources , especially emergency medical services and personal protective equipment ( PPE ) .
With the increased concern over COVID-19 , people are calling 911 for reasons other than a medical emergency , including asking for general information about COVID-19 .
People @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emergency .
Do not call 911 if you are seeking general medical advice or wish to be tested for COVID-19 .
If you have COVID-19 symptoms ( fever , cough , shortness of breath ) , consider a telehealth visit or nurseline advice before seeking in-person care .
Ask your primary care provider if they offer telehealth visits , or call one of Colorado ’ s nurselines .
You can find a list of nurselines on the state health department ’ s website : covid19.colorado.gov/telehealth-nurselines-directory .
People can visit covid19.colorado.gov or call 303-389-1687 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is providing the following guidance to people experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 : Early on , symptoms may feel like a common cold , including a combination of cough , body aches , fatigue , and chest tightness .
• People who are not at high risk of severe illness may not need to be evaluated in-person or tested for COVID-19 .
Not everyone with symptoms or who may have been exposed to COVID-19 will be tested right away .
• If you have mild symptoms including a fever , cough , shortness of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exposed but are not able to be immediately tested , please stay home and avoid contact with others .
\ • Isolate yourself until : You have had no fever for at least 72 hours ( that ’ s 3 days of no fever without the use of medicine that reduces fevers ) AND other symptoms have improved ( for example , when your cough or shortness of breath have improved ) AND at least 7 days have passed since your symptoms first appeared .
• Use over-the-counter medication to treat mild symptoms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for COVID-19 .
• The 911 system is not intended for minor injuries or general medical questions .
Do not call 911 if you are seeking general medical advice or wish to be tested for COVID-19 .
For people with more serious symptoms , especially if you are experiencing shortness of breath : • Call your health care provider if your illness becomes more severe , especially if you are experiencing shortness of breath .
Your provider may recommend you be tested for COVID-19 .
• Consider a telehealth visit or nurseline advice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ primary care provider if they offer telehealth visits , or call one of Colorado ’ s nurselines .
You can find a list at covid19.colorado.gov/telehealth-and-nurselines .
For people with severe symptoms : ( severe shortness of breath or difficulty breathing ) • Call 911 and tell the dispatcher your symptoms .
• Do not wait for a COVID-19 test to call 911 in the event of an emergency .
• Call 911 for : Symptoms of heart attack or stroke ; difficulty breathing ; choking ; difficulty speaking , walking , or seeing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dizziness , or disorientation ; sudden/severe pain • For those whose symptoms are severe enough to require hospitalization , a positive or negative test result is important to determine which unit of the hospital should oversee the patient ’ s care .
The state lab is prioritizing test results for high-risk individuals .
Some Colorado hospitals have the capability or are building the capability to test for COVID-19 in-house .
This will allow hospitals to test patients and have results without having to send the samples to the state lab or a private @ @ @ @ @ @ @ results on patients who are exhibiting extreme respiratory symptoms that could be attributed to COVID-19 , hospitals will follow CDC guidance to keep those patients isolated from the general population .
Join our Facebook group for the latest updates on coronavirus in Colorado .

The following is the text of the Colorado Department of Public Health Environment’s guidance to those with COVID-19 symptoms issued on March 21.
Read the order in English and Spanish on CDPHE’s website.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) asks the public to preserve critical health care resources, especially emergency medical services and personal protective equipment (PPE).
With the increased concern over COVID-19, people are calling 911 for reasons other than a medical emergency, including asking for general information about COVID-19. People should call 911 ONLY with a medical emergency.
Do not call 911 if you are seeking general medical advice or wish to be tested for COVID-19. If you have COVID-19 symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath), consider a telehealth visit or nurseline advice before seeking in-person care. Ask your primary care provider if they offer telehealth visits, or call one of Colorado’s nurselines. You can find a list of nurselines on the state health department’s website: covid19.colorado.gov/telehealth-nurselines-directory. People can visit covid19.colorado.gov or call 303-389-1687 for general questions about COVID.
CDPHE is providing the following guidance to people experiencing symptoms of COVID-19:
For people with mild symptoms:
Early on, symptoms may feel like a common cold, including a combination of cough, body aches, fatigue, and chest tightness.
People who are not at high risk of severe illness may not need to be evaluated in-person or tested for COVID-19. Not everyone with symptoms or who may have been exposed to COVID-19 will be tested right away.
If you have mild symptoms including a fever, cough, shortness of breath, or suspect that you were exposed but are not able to be immediately tested, please stay home and avoid contact with others. \
Isolate yourself until: You have had no fever for at least 72 hours (that’s 3 days of no fever without the use of medicine that reduces fevers) AND other symptoms have improved (for example, when your cough or shortness of breath have improved) AND at least 7 days have passed since your symptoms first appeared.
Use over-the-counter medication to treat mild symptoms. There is currently no specific treatment for COVID-19.
The 911 system is not intended for minor injuries or general medical questions. Do not call 911 if you are seeking general medical advice or wish to be tested for COVID-19.
For people with more serious symptoms, especially if you are experiencing shortness of breath:
Continue to self-isolate.
Call your health care provider if your illness becomes more severe, especially if you are experiencing shortness of breath. Your provider may recommend you be tested for COVID-19.
Consider a telehealth visit or nurseline advice before seeking in-person care. Ask your primary care provider if they offer telehealth visits, or call one of Colorado’s nurselines. You can find a list at covid19.colorado.gov/telehealth-and-nurselines.
For people with severe symptoms: (severe shortness of breath or difficulty breathing)
Call 911 and tell the dispatcher your symptoms.
Do not wait for a COVID-19 test to call 911 in the event of an emergency.
Call 911 for: Symptoms of heart attack or stroke; difficulty breathing; choking; difficulty speaking, walking, or seeing; severe allergic reactions; confusion, dizziness, or disorientation; sudden/severe pain
For those whose symptoms are severe enough to require hospitalization, a positive or negative test result is important to determine which unit of the hospital should oversee the patient’s care. The state lab is prioritizing test results for high-risk individuals. Some Colorado hospitals have the capability or are building the capability to test for COVID-19 in-house. This will allow hospitals to test patients and have results without having to send the samples to the state lab or a private lab.
While waiting for test results on patients who are exhibiting extreme respiratory symptoms that could be attributed to COVID-19, hospitals will follow CDC guidance to keep those patients isolated from the general population.
Join our Facebook group for the latest updates on coronavirus in Colorado.


thedenverpost--2020-03-22--Global athletes group calls for postponement of Tokyo Olympics

A worldwide group representing Olympic hopefuls is calling on the IOC to postpone the Tokyo Olympics until the coronavirus pandemic is under control — a decision the IOC says could be as much as four weeks away .
“ As the world unites to limit the spread of Covid-19 virus , the IOC … must do the same , ” Global Athlete said in a news release Sunday .
The statement came out a few hours before an IOC announcement that said the committee was considering several scenarios and would finalize a decision within four weeks .
The Games are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lack of action is frustrating a number of athletes who have spoken up on social media and elsewhere .
“ It ’ s bizarre the IOC hasn ’ t shown any real leadership , ” said Caradh O ’ Donovan , a Global Athlete founder from Ireland whose karate training has been put on hold due to restrictions in her country .
“ They ’ re acting as though it ’ s business as usual and it just seems very strange.
” O ’ Donovan said the unevenness around the globe regarding training @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among her key concerns — thoughts echoed by a number of athletes on social media and in interviews with The Associated Press over the past few days .
“ Athletes want to be part of a solution to ensure the Games are a success , ” the Global Athlete statement said .
“ But under the current global restrictions that are limiting public gatherings as well as closing training facilities and borders , athletes do not have the ability to appropriately prepare for these Games , and their health and safety must come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Olympics ?
Come talk about the Games with us on our exclusive Facebook group .
The group also called on broadcasters , specifically NBC , and sponsors “ to adopt the same level of duty of care toward athletes by supporting the IOC and ( International Paralympic Committee ) with flexibility and understanding during these uncharted times.
” On Saturday night , U.S. athletes took part in a conference call to share their feelings about the crisis and the possibility of a postponed Olympics .
The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee is distributing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of sharing some of the responses at an IOC meeting next week .
• Kiszla : Postpone the Summer Olympics until 2021 and make Games a celebration of world ’ s victory against coronavirus • U.S. Olympic leaders : no need for decision yet on Tokyo Games • IOC official says no deadline for decision on Tokyo Olympics • Tentacles of Tokyo Olympic cancellation would reach around globe • What ’ s next for the Tokyo Olympics as coronavirus spreads ?
One of America ’ s best-known Olympians , hurdler and bobsledder Lolo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hoping the IOC would respond with a postponement .
“ If our job as Olympians and Olympic hopefuls is to inspire society and be healthy , we ’ re going in direct conflict with that by going out in public to find gyms and tracks and pools that are still open to train for the Games , ” Jones said .
“ Some people are doing that because the IOC is telling us to stay ready , to keep training.
” It ’ s a thought being echoed by the Global Athlete group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Olympics this year but it ’ s an impossible task from my perspective and it ’ s the same for a huge number of athletes , ” O ’ Donovan said .
“ I ’ d be absolutely stunned if they go on in July , as planned .
”

A worldwide group representing Olympic hopefuls is calling on the IOC to postpone the Tokyo Olympics until the coronavirus pandemic is under control — a decision the IOC says could be as much as four weeks away.
“As the world unites to limit the spread of Covid-19 virus, the IOC … must do the same,” Global Athlete said in a news release Sunday.
The statement came out a few hours before an IOC announcement that said the committee was considering several scenarios and would finalize a decision within four weeks. The Games are scheduled to start July 24.
The lack of action is frustrating a number of athletes who have spoken up on social media and elsewhere.
“It’s bizarre the IOC hasn’t shown any real leadership,” said Caradh O’Donovan, a Global Athlete founder from Ireland whose karate training has been put on hold due to restrictions in her country. “They’re acting as though it’s business as usual and it just seems very strange.”
O’Donovan said the unevenness around the globe regarding training, doping control and qualifying standards are among her key concerns — thoughts echoed by a number of athletes on social media and in interviews with The Associated Press over the past few days.
“Athletes want to be part of a solution to ensure the Games are a success,” the Global Athlete statement said. “But under the current global restrictions that are limiting public gatherings as well as closing training facilities and borders, athletes do not have the ability to appropriately prepare for these Games, and their health and safety must come first.”
The group also called on broadcasters, specifically NBC, and sponsors “to adopt the same level of duty of care toward athletes by supporting the IOC and (International Paralympic Committee) with flexibility and understanding during these uncharted times.”
On Saturday night, U.S. athletes took part in a conference call to share their feelings about the crisis and the possibility of a postponed Olympics. The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee is distributing a survey to athletes, with hopes of sharing some of the responses at an IOC meeting next week.
One of America’s best-known Olympians, hurdler and bobsledder Lolo Jones, told the AP she was hoping the IOC would respond with a postponement.
“If our job as Olympians and Olympic hopefuls is to inspire society and be healthy, we’re going in direct conflict with that by going out in public to find gyms and tracks and pools that are still open to train for the Games,” Jones said. “Some people are doing that because the IOC is telling us to stay ready, to keep training.”
It’s a thought being echoed by the Global Athlete group.
“My dream is to go to the Olympics this year but it’s an impossible task from my perspective and it’s the same for a huge number of athletes,” O’Donovan said. “I’d be absolutely stunned if they go on in July, as planned.”


thedenverpost--2020-03-22--Missing Colorado man found dead, another rescued alive from Dinosaur National Monument

A missing Colorado man was found dead and a second man rescued alive inside a remote area of Dinosaur National Monument in Utah on Saturday .
The pair of snowmobilers were “ inexperienced riders ” who previously had been rescued from the same area by the Unitah County Search and Rescue team on Feb. 29 , according to the Unitah County Sheriff ’ s Office .
During that incident , the pair had been unprepared for the weather , the sheriff ’ s office said .
The pair , a 65-year-old Thornton man who survived , and a 58-year-old Deer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ missing on Thursday and were believed to have been snowmobiling in the Wild Mountain area near the northwest boundary of Dinosaur National Monument , near the Utah and Colorado border , according to a statement from the National Park Service .
Search and rescue teams found the pair ’ s truck on Friday and found the snowmobiles that they had been riding on Saturday morning but saw no sign of the men , according to the sheriff ’ s office .
On Saturday afternoon , searchers on foot spotted the 65-year-old man waving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rescued with a helicopter and taken to a hospital .
The 58-year-old man was dead when rescuers arrived , according to the sheriff ’ s office .
Both men had been previously rescued on Feb. 29 while riding snowmobiles on Wild Mountain , according to the sheriff ’ s office .
“ Please , if you are going into the backcountry , expect cold , wet , muddy snowy conditions , ” Sheriff Steve Labrum said in a statement Sunday .
“ Tell someone where you are going and take something like a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” The search and rescue team received two other calls for help during the search for the snowmobilers , according to the statement , but both of those callers were able to get themselves to safety .
“ Be prepared with food , water , several ways to build fire , a shelter , tire chains and a shovel , ” Labrum said in the statement .
“ Be in physical shape for the outing and have proper clothing .
A two- or three-hour hike could turn into a several-day ordeal that you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the right gear.
” The men have not been publicly identified pending the notification of their families .

A missing Colorado man was found dead and a second man rescued alive inside a remote area of Dinosaur National Monument in Utah on Saturday.
The pair of snowmobilers were “inexperienced riders” who previously had been rescued from the same area by the Uintah County Search and Rescue team on Feb. 29, according to the Uintah County Sheriff’s Office. During that incident, the pair had been unprepared for the weather, the sheriff’s office said.
The pair, a 65-year-old Thornton man who survived, and a 58-year-old Deer Trail man who died, were reported missing on Thursday and were believed to have been snowmobiling in the Wild Mountain area near the northwest boundary of Dinosaur National Monument, near the Utah and Colorado border, according to a statement from the National Park Service.
Search and rescue teams found the pair’s truck on Friday and found the snowmobiles that they had been riding on Saturday morning but saw no sign of the men, according to the sheriff’s office.
On Saturday afternoon, searchers on foot spotted the 65-year-old man waving an orange sled. He was then rescued with a helicopter and taken to a hospital. The 58-year-old man was dead when rescuers arrived, according to the sheriff’s office.
Both men had been previously rescued on Feb. 29 while riding snowmobiles on Wild Mountain, according to the sheriff’s office.
“Please, if you are going into the backcountry, expect cold, wet, muddy snowy conditions,” Sheriff Steve Labrum said in a statement Sunday. “Tell someone where you are going and take something like a bright orange hunting vest for emergency flagging.”
The search and rescue team received two other calls for help during the search for the snowmobilers, according to the statement, but both of those callers were able to get themselves to safety.
“Be prepared with food, water, several ways to build fire, a shelter, tire chains and a shovel,” Labrum said in the statement. “Be in physical shape for the outing and have proper clothing. A two- or three-hour hike could turn into a several-day ordeal that you will be lucky to live through with the right gear.”
The men have not been publicly identified pending the notification of their families.


thedenverpost--2020-03-23--Ask Amy: Pandemic raises behavioral questions

Dear Amy : Several years ago , I collaborated on a project with an outside contractor .
Although there is a large age difference between us , we hit it off right away and enjoy a friendship and communicate frequently .
We always try to get together when we are within an hour ’ s driving distance , so we can catch up in person .
There is nothing like sitting across from a friend and breaking bread together .
We will be in the same city next month and are making plans to get together for dinner .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a big hug .
In the age of COVID-19 , what should we do now ?
A fist bump seems hardly adequate , but I certainly would not want to spread ( or catch ) the virus .
We also all have the need for human touch , and what is this going to do to us emotionally ?
I want to be smart — not cavalier or hysterical .
I have to think other people also have this question .
What ’ s a person to do ?
Dear Wondering : “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effective way of halting the spread of the Coronavirus .
You can greet someone by using the “ praying hands ” technique of pressing your own two hands together and giving a little bow .
( I call this the “ Namaste-hello ) .
You can fold your hands across your chest as a way of signaling “ no touch , ” or greet your friend , saying , “ How about an air-hug ?
” Because you are dining together , you could also practice other germ-avoiding techniques such as not sharing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the table that he has touched .
Dear Amy : Help !
I live in an area with confirmed cases of Coronavirus Disease .
There have been deaths from the illness within miles of where I live .
My boyfriend is making jokes , saying it is being blown out of proportion .
I know a lot of other people are joking about this , too .
Maybe I could be a little more tolerant of their comments if I didn ’ t have cancer , in addition to two other autoimmune @ @ @ @ @ @ @ friends who are fully aware of my situation — don ’ t seem to be concerned with how his/their remarks make me feel even more frightened than I already am .
I am already pretty much house-bound .
There must be other people who feel the way I do ?
Dear Nervous : I ’ m sure there are many , many other people who feel as you do — certainly those with underlying illnesses or health conditions which render them more susceptible to serious illness — or death — from flu or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issues that are actually frightening , as a way to whistle past the graveyard .
Sometimes people joke about frightening issues because they are insensitive gits .
My sense is that you have some people in your life who present their own kind of viral toxicity .
I wish there was a way to inoculate you against exposure to them .
You should guard your health and work hard to keep your stress and panic in check .
Dear Amy : What do you say to a 50-ish woman who doesn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
I work in a large office building that houses around 20 professional businesses .
There are common-area restrooms in the main hallways of the building .
With regular flu going around and coronavirus ramping up , it seems like a no-brainer to wash one ’ s hands .
Signs have been posted around the building about covering your cough and proper washing techniques , and this woman still leaves her stall and heads straight back to her office .
What ’ s a tactful , polite way to say , “ Wash @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Out : The management company running the building should post signs on each bathroom mirror and on the inside doors of stalls , reminding people to wash their hands thoroughly .
If any individual in any of the companies within this building gets this virus , it could have a large and lingering impact on a great many people .
This worldwide viral outbreak has inspired many excellent and entertaining videos on proper handwashing technique .
It also provides cover for you to ask , “ Would you mind washing your hands before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to washing your own hands thoroughly , you should also use a paper towel to turn the handle on the bathroom door before exiting .
My research has led me down a rabbit hole of information about the spread of “ fecal matter ” outside of the bathroom .
It ’ s not pretty .

Dear Amy: Several years ago, I collaborated on a project with an outside contractor. Although there is a large age difference between us, we hit it off right away and enjoy a friendship and communicate frequently.
We always try to get together when we are within an hour’s driving distance, so we can catch up in person. There is nothing like sitting across from a friend and breaking bread together. We will be in the same city next month and are making plans to get together for dinner.
In the past, greeting each other meant a big hug. In the age of COVID-19, what should we do now? A fist bump seems hardly adequate, but I certainly would not want to spread (or catch) the virus.
We also all have the need for human touch, and what is this going to do to us emotionally? I want to be smart — not cavalier or hysterical.
I have to think other people also have this question. What’s a person to do?
— Wondering
Dear Wondering: “Social distancing” might be the most effective way of halting the spread of the Coronavirus. You can greet someone by using the “praying hands” technique of pressing your own two hands together and giving a little bow. (I call this the “Namaste-hello). You can fold your hands across your chest as a way of signaling “no touch,” or greet your friend, saying, “How about an air-hug?”
Because you are dining together, you could also practice other germ-avoiding techniques such as not sharing food, drinks, or touching anything on the table that he has touched.
Dear Amy: Help! I live in an area with confirmed cases of Coronavirus Disease. There have been deaths from the illness within miles of where I live.
My boyfriend is making jokes, saying it is being blown out of proportion. I know a lot of other people are joking about this, too.
Maybe I could be a little more tolerant of their comments if I didn’t have cancer, in addition to two other autoimmune issues.
The boyfriend — and other friends who are fully aware of my situation — don’t seem to be concerned with how his/their remarks make me feel even more frightened than I already am.
I am already pretty much house-bound. There must be other people who feel the way I do?
— Nervous and Annoyed
Dear Nervous: I’m sure there are many, many other people who feel as you do — certainly those with underlying illnesses or health conditions which render them more susceptible to serious illness — or death — from flu or the Coronavirus.
Sometimes people joke about issues that are actually frightening, as a way to whistle past the graveyard.
Sometimes people joke about frightening issues because they are insensitive gits.
My sense is that you have some people in your life who present their own kind of viral toxicity. I wish there was a way to inoculate you against exposure to them. You should guard your health and work hard to keep your stress and panic in check.
Dear Amy: What do you say to a 50-ish woman who doesn’t wash her hands after using the restroom?
I work in a large office building that houses around 20 professional businesses. There are common-area restrooms in the main hallways of the building. With regular flu going around and coronavirus ramping up, it seems like a no-brainer to wash one’s hands.
Signs have been posted around the building about covering your cough and proper washing techniques, and this woman still leaves her stall and heads straight back to her office.
What’s a tactful, polite way to say, “Wash your hands!”?
— Grossed Out
Dear Grossed Out: The management company running the building should post signs on each bathroom mirror and on the inside doors of stalls, reminding people to wash their hands thoroughly. If any individual in any of the companies within this building gets this virus, it could have a large and lingering impact on a great many people.
This worldwide viral outbreak has inspired many excellent and entertaining videos on proper handwashing technique. It also provides cover for you to ask, “Would you mind washing your hands before leaving the bathroom?”
In addition to washing your own hands thoroughly, you should also use a paper towel to turn the handle on the bathroom door before exiting.
My research has led me down a rabbit hole of information about the spread of “fecal matter” outside of the bathroom. It’s not pretty.
(You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or Facebook.)


thedenverpost--2020-03-23--Coronavirus pandemic an unprecedented test for a young generation

CHICAGO — For Jalen Grimes , the virus pandemic is stirring up a slew of emotions .
“ Annoyed ” is the first one the 13-year-old Chicagoan mentions .
“ Scared , confused , worried.
” She was supposed to be enjoying the end of her eighth-grade year , a rite of passage in states like Illinois , with a graduation and a school trip that are not likely to happen .
That ’ s hard enough .
But her father is also about to be deployed as a paramedic , a more dangerous than usual job in these times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also has been on call a lot and is prone to pneumonia .
And then there are her grandparents .
“ It ’ s a lot of fear with family members and stuff , ” Jalen said .
“ I think a lot of us don ’ t think it will affect us , but it ’ s a worry.
” As this crisis unfolds , her generation likely be tested like never before , especially those whose families are already on the edge , financially and health-wise .
“ It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their mortality , possibly , what the world offers , what security looks like , ” said Cathy Cohen , a political science professor at the University of Chicago , who regularly tracks the views of young people .
In pre-pandemic surveys , she has found that these young adults already sense that they won ’ t have as much as their parents have .
Some like to portray them as coddled and entitled .
But this is a generation that also has grown up with its share of stress — school shootings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Recession , climate change .
Young adults , older than Jalen , remember the terror attacks of 9/11 and know how it feels when the world changes in an instant .
Now comes this global event that German Chancellor Angela Merkel called the biggest challenge since World War II .
Meanwhile , Aaron Pallas , a researcher at Columbia University , said he could think of only “ one major historical precedent ” for what we might be facing — the Great Depression .
Studies have shown that “ kids in these circumstances @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is typical , ” said Pallas , a professor of sociology and education .
It ’ s still early , of course .
But even younger children can sense that something unusual is going on .
So far , Kathleen McShane , a trauma therapist and mother of three on the South Side of Chicago , said her 6- and 9-year-old mostly have questions about their routine .
Why is soccer canceled ?
When can they have a playdate ?
As she and her husband work from home , she posted a blog @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of themselves amid these new stresses .
“ We need to make sure the parents are OK , so the families are OK , ” said McShane , who ’ s among therapists who are providing sessions with clients via video chat , when telemedicine is covered by insurance ( which isn ’ t always the case ) .
She is anticipating more crises brought on by marital discord , financial stress and other impacts exacerbated by this pandemic .
Teens and young adults might better understand these impacts , though Lance Sell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ currently “ sheltering in place ” in San Francisco , said he stills sees many people his age trying to “ wrap their heads around ” what ’ s happening .
“ It ’ s hard to keep up , ” said Sell , whose freshman classes at Lehigh University abruptly ended , as they did for students across the world .
“ But people are definitely spooked.
” This week , he took a walk on a beach , a good distance from others , to clear his head .
To relieve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report connecting with friends via video chat , a few organizing mass “ Zoom parties , ” named for the popular video chat service .
From the comfort of their homes , they are singing karaoke for one another , sharing jokes and talents .
Even as many bars and restaurants close , others are resisting the calls to stay home , “ still mad about their social lives , ” says Clare Sulentic , a 23-year-old graduate student at St. Ambrose University in Iowa , who moved home with her parents when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hopes more people , young or older , will take social distancing seriously as coronavirus cases increase .
She too thinks about her grandparents , including a grandfather who ’ s getting cabin fever .
In the long term , both she and Sell worry about their prospects when they eventually graduate .
“ I wanted to get a great job in a cool city , ” said Sulentic , who ’ s studying speech language pathology .
“ Will that still happen ?
” Jalen Grimes , the teen in Chicago , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news about high school in a week .
She ’ s awaiting word on whether she got into the selective-enrollment public high school of her choice — a big deal for Chicago eighth graders .
Meanwhile , she ’ s working on more schoolwork than she might have anticipated in a circumstance like this , while helping her parents look after her 7-year-old sister , Sydney .
Her mom , Laura Grimes , is now able to work from home but is both teaching college students and running therapy sessions by video conference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lot of call for that these days .
It ’ s a blessing that she and her husband “ didn ’ t lose our jobs , ” she said .
“ But it ’ s meant that we have not been able to be present , and I worry about the stress of that.
” Grimes likens it to her own time as a third grader in Iran when her father , a government ammunition specialist , stayed after the Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlaviwas was overthrown , while she and her mother @ @ @ @ @ @ @ learned really heavy things … and didn ’ t really know what to do with that , ” Grimes said of dealing with riots and bomb scares .
“ This will be that for them , ” she added of her children .
“ This is a level of reality that , for a lot of privileged Americans , we have never had to deal with.
” Subscribe to bi-weekly newsletter to get health news sent straight to your inbox .
Subscribe to bi-weekly newsletter to get health news sent straight to your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the latest updates on coronavirus in Colorado .

CHICAGO — For Jalen Grimes, the virus pandemic is stirring up a slew of emotions. “Annoyed” is the first one the 13-year-old Chicagoan mentions. “Scared, confused, worried.”
She was supposed to be enjoying the end of her eighth-grade year, a rite of passage in states like Illinois, with a graduation and a school trip that are not likely to happen. That’s hard enough. But her father is also about to be deployed as a paramedic, a more dangerous than usual job in these times. Her mom, a therapist, also has been on call a lot and is prone to pneumonia. And then there are her grandparents.
“It’s a lot of fear with family members and stuff,” Jalen said. “I think a lot of us don’t think it will affect us, but it’s a worry.”
As this crisis unfolds, her generation likely be tested like never before, especially those whose families are already on the edge, financially and health-wise.
“It’s going to make them feel differently about their mortality, possibly, what the world offers, what security looks like,” said Cathy Cohen, a political science professor at the University of Chicago, who regularly tracks the views of young people.
In pre-pandemic surveys, she has found that these young adults already sense that they won’t have as much as their parents have.
Some like to portray them as coddled and entitled. But this is a generation that also has grown up with its share of stress — school shootings, social media pressure, a Great Recession, climate change. Young adults, older than Jalen, remember the terror attacks of 9/11 and know how it feels when the world changes in an instant.
Now comes this global event that German Chancellor Angela Merkel called the biggest challenge since World War II. Meanwhile, Aaron Pallas, a researcher at Columbia University, said he could think of only “one major historical precedent” for what we might be facing — the Great Depression.
Studies have shown that “kids in these circumstances are thrust into growing up faster than is typical,” said Pallas, a professor of sociology and education.
It’s still early, of course. But even younger children can sense that something unusual is going on.
So far, Kathleen McShane, a trauma therapist and mother of three on the South Side of Chicago, said her 6- and 9-year-old mostly have questions about their routine. Why is soccer canceled? When can they have a playdate?
As she and her husband work from home, she posted a blog recently, urging parents to take care of themselves amid these new stresses.
“We need to make sure the parents are OK, so the families are OK,” said McShane, who’s among therapists who are providing sessions with clients via video chat, when telemedicine is covered by insurance (which isn’t always the case). She is anticipating more crises brought on by marital discord, financial stress and other impacts exacerbated by this pandemic.
Teens and young adults might better understand these impacts, though Lance Sell, a 19-year-old college student who is currently “sheltering in place” in San Francisco, said he stills sees many people his age trying to “wrap their heads around” what’s happening.
“It’s hard to keep up,” said Sell, whose freshman classes at Lehigh University abruptly ended, as they did for students across the world. “But people are definitely spooked.”
This week, he took a walk on a beach, a good distance from others, to clear his head.
To relieve some stress, some young people also report connecting with friends via video chat, a few organizing mass “Zoom parties,” named for the popular video chat service. From the comfort of their homes, they are singing karaoke for one another, sharing jokes and talents.
Even as many bars and restaurants close, others are resisting the calls to stay home, “still mad about their social lives,” says Clare Sulentic, a 23-year-old graduate student at St. Ambrose University in Iowa, who moved home with her parents when her own classes went online.
She hopes more people, young or older, will take social distancing seriously as coronavirus cases increase. She too thinks about her grandparents, including a grandfather who’s getting cabin fever.
In the long term, both she and Sell worry about their prospects when they eventually graduate. “I wanted to get a great job in a cool city,” said Sulentic, who’s studying speech language pathology. “Will that still happen?”
Jalen Grimes, the teen in Chicago, is hoping for a bit of good news about high school in a week. She’s awaiting word on whether she got into the selective-enrollment public high school of her choice — a big deal for Chicago eighth graders.
Meanwhile, she’s working on more schoolwork than she might have anticipated in a circumstance like this, while helping her parents look after her 7-year-old sister, Sydney.
“She’s very energetic,” Jalen said. “Extreeeemely energetic.”
Her mom, Laura Grimes, is now able to work from home but is both teaching college students and running therapy sessions by video conference, as well. There’s a lot of call for that these days.
It’s a blessing that she and her husband “didn’t lose our jobs,” she said. “But it’s meant that we have not been able to be present, and I worry about the stress of that.”
Grimes likens it to her own time as a third grader in Iran when her father, a government ammunition specialist, stayed after the Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlaviwas was overthrown, while she and her mother left for their safety.
“I learned really heavy things … and didn’t really know what to do with that,” Grimes said of dealing with riots and bomb scares.
“This will be that for them,” she added of her children. “This is a level of reality that, for a lot of privileged Americans, we have never had to deal with.”
Subscribe to bi-weekly newsletter to get health news sent straight to your inbox.
Subscribe to bi-weekly newsletter to get health news sent straight to your inbox.
Join our Facebook group for the latest updates on coronavirus in Colorado.