thedenverpost--2020-03-15--Coronavirus vaccine trial starts Monday, government official says

WASHINGTON — A clinical trial evaluating a vaccine designed to protect against the new coronavirus will begin Monday , according @ @ @ @ @ The first participant in the trial will receive the experimental vaccine on Monday , the @ @ @ @ @ the condition of anonymity because the trial has not been publicly announced yet .
The @ @ @ @ @ funding the trial , which is taking place at a Kaiser Permanente research facility in @ @ @ @ @ said .
Public health officials say it will take a year to 18 months to @ @ @ @ @ .
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WASHINGTON — A clinical trial evaluating a vaccine designed to protect against the new coronavirus will begin Monday, according to a government official.
The first participant in the trial will receive the experimental vaccine on Monday, the official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity because the trial has not been publicly announced yet. The National Institutes of Health is funding the trial, which is taking place at the Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute in Seattle, the official said.
Public health officials say it will take a year to 18 months to fully validate any potential vaccine.
Testing will begin with 45 young, healthy volunteers with different doses of shots co-developed by NIH and Moderna Inc. There’s no chance participants could get infected from the shots, because they don’t contain the virus itself. The goal is purely to check that the vaccines show no worrisome side effects, setting the stage for larger tests.
Dozens of research groups around the world are racing to create a vaccine as COVID-19 cases continue to grow. Importantly, they’re pursuing different types of vaccines — shots developed from new technologies that not only are faster to produce than traditional inoculations but might prove more potent. Some researchers even aim for temporary vaccines, such as shots that might guard people’s health a month or two at a time while longer-lasting protection is developed.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia. The worldwide outbreak has sickened more than 156,000 people and left more than 5,800 dead. The death toll in the United States is more than 50, while infections neared 3,000 across 49 states and the District of Columbia.
The vast majority of people recover. According to the World Health Organization, people with mild illness recover in about two weeks, while those with more severe illness may take three weeks to six weeks to recover.
Subscribe to bi-weekly newsletter to get health news sent straight to your inbox.


thedenverpost--2020-03-15--Fed takes emergency steps to slash rates and ease bank rules

WASHINGTON — The Federal Reserve took emergency action Sunday to help the economy withstand the coronavirus by slashing its benchmark interest rate to near zero and saying it would buy $ 700 billion in Treasury and mortgage bonds .
The Fed ’ s surprise announcement signaled its concern that the viral outbreak will depress economic growth in coming months and that it is prepared to do whatever it can counter the risks .
It cut its key rate by a full percentage point — to a range between zero and 0.25 % — and said it would keep it there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can survive a sudden near-shutdown of economic activity in the United States .
The central bank will buy $ 500 billion of Treasury securities and $ 200 billion of mortgage-backed securities .
This amounts to an effort to smooth over market disruptions that have made it hard for banks and large investors to sell Treasuries as well as to keep longer-term rates borrowing rates down .
The disruptions in the Treasury market sent the yield on the 10-year Treasury rising last week , an unusual move that threatens to swell borrowing costs for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evening , U.S. stock futures began falling after the Fed ’ s announcement .
Futures for the S & P 500 index dropped 4 % , while futures for the Dow industrials fell by 3.7 % .
All told , the Fed ’ s massive response is intended to keep financial markets functioning and lending flowing to businesses and consumers .
Otherwise , as revenue dries up for countless small businesses that have suddenly lost customers , these employers could be forced to lay off workers or even seek bankruptcy protection in some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moment ” for the Fed , said Mark Zandi , chief economist at Moody ’ s Analytics .
“ They are throwing everything they ’ ve got at this .
My sense is they must be nervous about the credit system not functioning properly .
They are trying to shore up confidence.
” By aggressively slashing its benchmark short-term rate and pumping hundreds of billions of dollars into the financial system , the Fed ’ s moves Sunday recalled the emergency action it took at the height of the financial crisis .
Starting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ key rate to near zero and kept it there for seven years .
The central bank has now returned that rate — which influences many consumer and business loans — to its record-low level .
As more businesses across the country see their revenue dwindle as consumers stay home , many of them will seek short-term loans to maintain their payrolls .
The Fed said it has dropped its normal requirement that banks hold cash equal to 10 % of its customers ’ deposits , thereby allowing banks to lend that money instead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ additional cash buffers that were imposed after the 2008 financial crisis for lending .
“ The Federal Reserve , ” its statement Sunday said , “ is prepared to use its full range of tools to support the flow of credit to households and businesses and thereby promote its maximum employment and price stability goals.
” “ It confirms that the Fed sees the economy going down … very sharply ’ ’ toward recession , said Adam Posen , president of the Peterson Institute for International Economics , said .
The Fed said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dollar loans in a joint action with five central banks overseas .
This move is intended to ensure that foreign banks continue to have access to dollars that they lend to overseas companies .
All told , the Fed ’ s actions amount to a recognition that the U.S. economy faces its most perilous juncture since the recession ended more than a decade ago .
Yet with the virus ’ spread causing a broad shutdown of economic activity in the United States , the Fed faces a hugely daunting task .
Its tools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facilitate lending and boost confidence — are not ideally suited to offset a fear-driven shutdown in spending and traveling .
“ We have to hope that the Fed getting out in front of events , not to mention other central banks , pushes the economy in the right direction , ’ ’ Posen said .
“ The heavy lifting for stimulus and for preventing lasting economic damage has to be done on the fiscal side .
That ’ s nature of this shock.
’ ’ Posen said he favors actions that are outside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as providing sick leave and pay for quarantined workers and rolling over bank loans to small and medium sized businesses hit hard by the outbreak .
“ This isn ’ t going to be the magic bullet that saves everything , ’ ’ said Timothy Duy , an economist at the University of Oregon who follows the Fed , but sends a signal to Congress that the economy needs emergency stimulus .
Duy predicted that the Fed will follow up with further actions , including possibly changing its inflation target to allow for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commercial paper — the short-term notes that companies issue to meet expenses .
“ I don ’ t think they ’ re done yet , ’ ’ Duy said .
Duy said the asset purchases are an “ effort to keep markets from freezing up.
’ ’ Earlier Sunday , Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said that both the central bank and the federal government have tools at their disposal to support the economy .
Mnuchin also said he did not think the economy is yet in recession .
Many leading economists , though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has either already arrived or will soon .
JPMorgan Chase predicts the economy will shrink at a 2 % annual rate in the current quarter and 3 % in the April-June quarter .
“ I don ’ t think so , ” Mnuchin said , when asked if the U.S. is in recession .
“ The real issue is what economic tools are we going to use to make sure we get through this.
” On Saturday , President Donald Trump reiterated his frequent demand that the Fed “ get on board and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reflecting his argument that benchmark U.S. rates should be as low as they are in Europe and Japan , where they ’ re now negative .
Negative rates are generally seen as a sign of economic distress , and there ’ s little evidence that they help stimulate growth .
Fed officials have indicated that they ’ re unlikely to cut rates below zero .
Two weeks ago , in a surprise move , the Fed sought to offset the disease ’ s drags on the economy by cutting its short-term rate by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between policy meetings since the financial crisis .
The Fed ’ s policymakers have largely accepted research that says once its benchmark rate approaches zero , it would produce a greater economic benefit to cut all the way to zero rather than just to a quarter- or half-point above .
That ’ s because it takes time for rate cuts to work their way through the economy .
So if a recession threatens , quicker action is more effective .
On Thursday , the central bank said it would provide $ 1.5 trillion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ central bank will provide the cash to interested banks in return for Treasuries .
The loans will be repaid after one or three months .
That program was an early response to signs that the bond market has been disrupted in recent days as many traders and banks have sought to unload large sums of Treasurys but haven ’ t found enough willing buyers .
That logjam reduced bond prices and raised their yields — the opposite of what typically happens when the stock market plunges .
The Fed also said last week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ billion monthly Treasury purchase program , launched last fall , from just short-term bills to all maturities .
The Fed is already reinvesting $ 20 billion from its holdings of mortgage-backed securities into Treasuries of all durations , thereby bringing its total purchases to $ 80 billion .
Those purchases would help relieve banks of the Treasuries they want to sell .
Some analysts expect the Fed to extend those purchases past their current end-date of the second quarter and even vastly increase the size .
Join our Facebook group for updates on @ @ @ @

WASHINGTON — The Federal Reserve took emergency action Sunday to help the economy withstand the coronavirus by slashing its benchmark interest rate to near zero and saying it would buy $700 billion in Treasury and mortgage bonds.
The Fed’s surprise announcement signaled its concern that the viral outbreak will depress economic growth in coming months and that it is prepared to do whatever it can counter the risks. It cut its key rate by a full percentage point — to a range between zero and 0.25% — and said it would keep it there until it feels confident that the economy can survive a sudden near-shutdown of economic activity in the United States.
The central bank will buy $500 billion of Treasury securities and $200 billion of mortgage-backed securities. This amounts to an effort to smooth over market disruptions that have made it hard for banks and large investors to sell Treasuries as well as to keep longer-term rates borrowing rates down. The disruptions in the Treasury market sent the yield on the 10-year Treasury rising last week, an unusual move that threatens to swell borrowing costs for mortgages and credit cards.
On Sunday evening, U.S. stock futures began falling after the Fed’s announcement. Futures for the S&P 500 index dropped 4%, while futures for the Dow industrials fell by 3.7%.
All told, the Fed’s massive response is intended to keep financial markets functioning and lending flowing to businesses and consumers. Otherwise, as revenue dries up for countless small businesses that have suddenly lost customers, these employers could be forced to lay off workers or even seek bankruptcy protection in some cases.
“This is a break-the-glass moment” for the Fed, said Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics. “They are throwing everything they’ve got at this. My sense is they must be nervous about the credit system not functioning properly. They are trying to shore up confidence.”
By aggressively slashing its benchmark short-term rate and pumping hundreds of billions of dollars into the financial system, the Fed’s moves Sunday recalled the emergency action it took at the height of the financial crisis. Starting in 2008, the Fed cut its key rate to near zero and kept it there for seven years. The central bank has now returned that rate — which influences many consumer and business loans — to its record-low level.
As more businesses across the country see their revenue dwindle as consumers stay home, many of them will seek short-term loans to maintain their payrolls. The Fed said it has dropped its normal requirement that banks hold cash equal to 10% of its customers’ deposits, thereby allowing banks to lend that money instead. It also said banks can use additional cash buffers that were imposed after the 2008 financial crisis for lending.
“The Federal Reserve,” its statement Sunday said, “is prepared to use its full range of tools to support the flow of credit to households and businesses and thereby promote its maximum employment and price stability goals.”
“It confirms that the Fed sees the economy going down … very sharply’’ toward recession, said Adam Posen, president of the Peterson Institute for International Economics, said.
The Fed said it has also cut interest rates on dollar loans in a joint action with five central banks overseas. This move is intended to ensure that foreign banks continue to have access to dollars that they lend to overseas companies.
All told, the Fed’s actions amount to a recognition that the U.S. economy faces its most perilous juncture since the recession ended more than a decade ago.
Yet with the virus’ spread causing a broad shutdown of economic activity in the United States, the Fed faces a hugely daunting task. Its tools — intended to ease borrowing rates, facilitate lending and boost confidence — are not ideally suited to offset a fear-driven shutdown in spending and traveling.
“We have to hope that the Fed getting out in front of events, not to mention other central banks, pushes the economy in the right direction,’’ Posen said. “The heavy lifting for stimulus and for preventing lasting economic damage has to be done on the fiscal side. That’s nature of this shock.’’
Posen said he favors actions that are outside the Fed’s purview, such as providing sick leave and pay for quarantined workers and rolling over bank loans to small and medium sized businesses hit hard by the outbreak.
“This isn’t going to be the magic bullet that saves everything,’’ said Timothy Duy, an economist at the University of Oregon who follows the Fed, but sends a signal to Congress that the economy needs emergency stimulus.
Duy predicted that the Fed will follow up with further actions, including possibly changing its inflation target to allow for more stimulus and providing more support for commercial paper — the short-term notes that companies issue to meet expenses.
“I don’t think they’re done yet,’’ Duy said.
Duy said the asset purchases are an “effort to keep markets from freezing up.’’
Earlier Sunday, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said that both the central bank and the federal government have tools at their disposal to support the economy.
Mnuchin also said he did not think the economy is yet in recession. Many leading economists, though, have said they believe a recession has either already arrived or will soon. JPMorgan Chase predicts the economy will shrink at a 2% annual rate in the current quarter and 3% in the April-June quarter.
“I don’t think so,” Mnuchin said, when asked if the U.S. is in recession. “The real issue is what economic tools are we going to use to make sure we get through this.”
On Saturday, President Donald Trump reiterated his frequent demand that the Fed “get on board and do what they should do,” reflecting his argument that benchmark U.S. rates should be as low as they are in Europe and Japan, where they’re now negative. Negative rates are generally seen as a sign of economic distress, and there’s little evidence that they help stimulate growth. Fed officials have indicated that they’re unlikely to cut rates below zero.
Two weeks ago, in a surprise move, the Fed sought to offset the disease’s drags on the economy by cutting its short-term rate by a half-percentage point — its first cut between policy meetings since the financial crisis.
The Fed’s policymakers have largely accepted research that says once its benchmark rate approaches zero, it would produce a greater economic benefit to cut all the way to zero rather than just to a quarter- or half-point above. That’s because it takes time for rate cuts to work their way through the economy. So if a recession threatens, quicker action is more effective.
On Thursday, the central bank said it would provide $1.5 trillion of short-term loans to banks. The central bank will provide the cash to interested banks in return for Treasuries. The loans will be repaid after one or three months.
That program was an early response to signs that the bond market has been disrupted in recent days as many traders and banks have sought to unload large sums of Treasurys but haven’t found enough willing buyers. That logjam reduced bond prices and raised their yields — the opposite of what typically happens when the stock market plunges.
The Fed also said last week that it would broaden its $60 billion monthly Treasury purchase program, launched last fall, from just short-term bills to all maturities. The Fed is already reinvesting $20 billion from its holdings of mortgage-backed securities into Treasuries of all durations, thereby bringing its total purchases to $80 billion.
Those purchases would help relieve banks of the Treasuries they want to sell. Some analysts expect the Fed to extend those purchases past their current end-date of the second quarter and even vastly increase the size.
Join our Facebook group for updates on coronavirus in Colorado.


thedenverpost--2020-03-15--Trump calls on Americans to cease hoarding food, supplies

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Sunday called on Americans to cease hoarding groceries and other supplies , while one of the nation ’ s most senior public health officials called on the nation to act with more urgency to safeguard their health as the coronavirus outbreak continued to spread across the United States .
Dr. Anthony Fauci says he would like to see aggressive measures such as a 14-day national shutdown .
Trump assured Americans , after speaking with leading grocery chain executives , that grocers would remain open and that the supply chain remained healthy .
Speaking at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vice President Mike Pence urged Americans to only buy the groceries they need for the week ahead .
“ You don ’ t have to buy so much , ” Trump said at a news conference .
“ Take it easy .
Just relax.
” The comments from the president came after the government ’ s top infectious disease expert said he would like to see aggressive measures such as a 14-day national shutdown that would require Americans to hunker down even more to help slow the spread of the coronavirus .
Still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States , such as to and from hard-hit Washington state and California , probably would not be needed anytime soon .
Officials in Washington were preparing for what was expected to be a long-haul effort to try to stem the virus that has upended life around the globe .
“ The worst is yet ahead for us , ” Fauci said .
“ It is how we respond to that challenge that is going to determine what the ultimate endpoint is going to be.
” Trump on the other hand offered an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infection rate in the U.S. was surging .
The president acknowledged that the virus was “ very contagious ” but asserted that his administration had “ tremendous control ” over the spread of the disease .
Trump said he was also “ very happy ” that the Federal Reserve announced Sunday it was taking emergency action to slash its benchmark interest rate to near zero .
The central bank also announced it would buy $ 700 billion in Treasury and mortgage bonds .
The move intended to help the economy withstand the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ threatened to fire or demote Fed Chairman Jerome Powell .
“ It ’ s really great for our country , ” Trump said of the central bank ’ s actions .
Earlier Sunday , Trump held a call with more than two dozen grocery store and supply chain executives to discuss their response to the coronavirus outbreak .
Retailers have reported shoppers flocking to stores to stock up on food and other essentials .
Consumers have expressed frustration that some items — such as hand sanitizer and toilet paper — were becoming more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said millions of new coronavirus tests would be made available in the coming weeks , including tests that speed processing of samples , but it was encouraging Americans to exercise restraint in seeking to get tested .
Dr. Deborah Birx , the White House coordinator for responding to the pandemic , said those most vulnerable to the respiratory disease and the healthcare providers treating them should go first .
“ We ask you to prioritize them and prioritize them in the lines , ” she said .
Birx said that will result in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as more people gain access to tests .
Pence said that he and the president would brief the nation ’ s governors on Monday “ specifically about our expanding testing to the American people.
” Chad Wolf , the acting secretary of Homeland Security , acknowledged that many travelers were facing “ unacceptable ” long lines as they waited to be screened at U.S. airports this weekend .
He said average wait time for screening was down to 30 minutes at most airports , but the problem had not been fixed for those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hare International Airport .
Pence said the federal government on Monday will release updated guidance concerning restaurants , bars and other establishments .
California and Illinois are among jurisdictions that have ordered restaurants and bars to close to help slow the spread of the virus .
Asked whether restaurants and bars around the nation should close for the time being , Fauci said he wanted to wait for the guidance to come but allowed , “ That could be.
” Expanded protocols were also on the way to protect the president and his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enter the White House complex will have their temperatures taken , according to a person familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss protocols not yet announced .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , said Congress had started work on a new aid package after the one just approved by the House early Saturday , which provided direct relief to Americans suffering physically , financially and emotionally from the coronavirus pandemic .
It included sick pay and other resources and was pending in Senate .
“ We have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emergency response package , ” Pelosi wrote in a letter to colleagues .
With the U.S. Capitol among the many iconic landmarks closed to tours , Pelosi also urged lawmakers to have most of their Washington staff telework from home , as health officials urge social distancing .
House lawmakers are away on weeklong recess and many have already curtailed office visits at their local offices , as well .
Fauci , the public face of the administration ’ s messaging during a round of morning TV interviews , said the country should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could , ” even if officials were criticized for overreacting .
He said he raised the issue of measures such as a shutdown with the Trump administration , and said officials were open to his ideas .
“ I think Americans should be prepared that they are going to have to hunker down significantly more than we as a country are doing , ” said Fauci , who heads the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the National Institutes of Health .
For most people , the new coronavirus causes only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fever and cough .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia .
The worldwide outbreak has sickened more than 156,000 people and left more than 5,800 dead .
The death toll in the United States is more than 50 , while infections neared 3,000 across 49 states and the District of Columbia .
The vast majority of people recover .
According to the World Health Organization , people with mild illness recover in about two weeks , while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three weeks to six weeks to recover .
Trump in recent days has imposed sweeping travel restrictions for much of Europe .
On Saturday , he added the United Kingdom and Ireland to a list of countries that would face travel restrictions over the next 30 days .
The State Department on Sunday said it would allow U.S. personnel to leave their diplomatic or consular posts worldwide if they or family members were medically determined to be at a higher risk of falling very ill if exposed to the virus .
Trump also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus as major employers such as Apple Inc. have sent workers home to telework and several states and big cities , including Los Angeles and Boston , shuttered down schools for a week or more .
Trump has suggested that restrictions on travel within the U.S. to areas hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic could be next .
But Fauci on Sunday played down that or having major national lockdowns on the level now seen in European countries such as Italy and Spain .
Join our Facebook group for updates on coronavirus in @ @

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump is calling on people to stop hoarding groceries and other supplies as one of the nation’s most senior public health officials urged Americans to act with more urgency to protect themselves and others against the coronavirus. Dr. Anthony Fauci said he would like to see aggressive measures such as a 14-day national shutdown.
“You don’t have to buy so much,” Trump said at a news conference. “Take it easy. Just relax.”
Trump assured Americans, after speaking with leading grocery chain executives, that grocers would remain open and that the supply chain remained healthy. Speaking at the same White House news conference, Vice President Mike Pence urged Americans to buy only the groceries they need for the week ahead.
The comments from the president came Sunday after the government’s top infectious disease expert said he would like to see Americans to hunker down even more to help slow the spread of the coronavirus.
Still, Fauci said travel restrictions within the United States, such as to and from hard-hit Washington state and California, probably would not be needed anytime soon.
Officials in Washington were preparing for what was expected to be a long-haul effort to try to stem the virus that has upended life around the globe.
“The worst is yet ahead for us,” Fauci said. “It is how we respond to that challenge that is going to determine what the ultimate endpoint is going to be.”
Trump, on the other hand, offered an optimistic outlook even as officials said the infection rate in the U.S. was surging. The president acknowledged that the virus was “very contagious” but asserted that his administration had “tremendous control” over the spread of the disease.
Trump said expressed pleasure that the Federal Reserve announced Sunday it was taking emergency action to slash its benchmark interest rate to near zero. The move intended to help the economy withstand the coronavirus came a day after Trump once again threatened to fire or demote Fed Chairman Jerome Powell.
“It’s really great for our country,” Trump said of the central bank’s actions.
Earlier Sunday, Trump held a call with more than two dozen grocery store and supply chain executives to discuss their response to the coronavirus outbreak. Retailers have reported shoppers flocking to stores to stock up on food and other essentials. Consumers have expressed frustration that some items — such as hand sanitizer and toilet paper — are becoming more difficult to find.
It wasn’t just supply shortages that had Americans frustrated — calls are mounting for better access to coronavirus tests.
The Trump administration said millions of new coronavirus tests would be made available in the coming weeks, including tests that speed processing of samples, but it was encouraging Americans to exercise restraint in seeking to get tested.
Dr. Deborah Birx, the White House coordinator for responding to the pandemic, said those most vulnerable to the respiratory disease and the healthcare providers treating them should go first.
“We ask you to prioritize them and prioritize them in the lines,” she said.
Birx cautioned there will be a “spike” in positive results as more people gain access to tests.
Pence said that he and the president would brief the nation’s governors on Monday “specifically about our expanding testing to the American people.”
Chad Wolf, the acting secretary of Homeland Security, acknowledged that many travelers were facing “unacceptable” long lines as they waited to be screened at U.S. airports this weekend. He said average wait time for screening was down to 30 minutes at most airports, but the problem had not been fixed for those arriving at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport.
Pence said the federal government on Monday will release updated guidance concerning restaurants, bars and other establishments. California and Illinois are among jurisdictions that have ordered restaurants and bars to close to help slow the spread of the virus.
Asked whether restaurants and bars around the nation should close for the time being, Fauci said he wanted to wait for the guidance to come but allowed, “That could be.”
Expanded protocols were also on the way to protect the president and his staff. Starting Monday, those who enter the White House complex will have their temperatures taken.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said Congress had started work on a new aid package after the one just approved by the House early Saturday, which provided direct relief to Americans with sick pay and other resources and was pending in Senate.
“We have already begun work to develop a third emergency response package,” Pelosi wrote in a letter to colleagues.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said late Sunday the next package should have even more resources for Americans, the health care industry and “significant steps to secure our nation’s economy.”
With the U.S. Capitol among the many iconic landmarks closed to tours, Pelosi also urged lawmakers to have most of their Washington staff telework from home, as health officials urge social distancing. House lawmakers are away on weeklong recess and many have already curtailed office visits at their local offices, as well.
Fauci, the public face of the administration’s messaging during a round of morning TV interviews, said the country should do as much as “we possibly could,” even if officials were criticized for overreacting. He said he raised the issue of measures such as a shutdown with the Trump administration, and said officials were open to his ideas.
“I think Americans should be prepared that they are going to have to hunker down significantly more than we as a country are doing,” said Fauci, who heads the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the National Institutes of Health.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia. The worldwide outbreak has sickened more than 156,000 people and left more than 5,800 dead. The death toll in the United States is more than 50, while infections neared 3,000 across 49 states and the District of Columbia.
The vast majority of people recover. According to the World Health Organization, people with mild illness recover in about two weeks, while those with more severe illness may take three weeks to six weeks to recover.
Trump in recent days has imposed sweeping travel restrictions for much of Europe. On Saturday, he added the United Kingdom and Ireland to a list of countries that would face travel restrictions over the next 30 days. The State Department on Sunday said it would allow U.S. personnel to leave their diplomatic or consular posts worldwide if they or family members were medically determined to be at a higher risk of falling very ill if exposed to the virus.
Trump also has pledged broadened U.S. testing for the virus as major employers such as Apple Inc. have sent workers home to telework and several states and big cities, including Los Angeles and Boston, shuttered down schools for a week or more.
Trump has suggested that restrictions on travel within the U.S. to areas hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic could be next. But Fauci on Sunday played down that or having major national lockdowns on the level now seen in European countries such as Italy and Spain.
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thedenverpost--2020-03-15--Coronavirus brings new travel restrictions, lockdowns and closures

ROME — Daily life came to a grinding halt around much of the world Sunday amid new travel restrictions , border shutdowns and sweeping closures of restaurants and bars aimed to slow the spread of the coronavirus pandemic .
The numbers of cases and deaths continued to rise , including in hard-hit Italy where 368 more deaths brought its overall toll to 1,809 .
With the country under a nearly week-old lockdown , Pope Francis ventured out of the Vatican to visit two churches in Rome to pray for the sick , a spokesman said .
Public worship was curtailed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to empty pews or moved to online services .
Muslim authorities announced that the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem ’ s Old City would be closed indefinitely , and the Vatican said next month ’ s Holy Week services would not be open to the public .
Americans returning from abroad faced chaos at airports as overwhelmed border agents tried to screen passengers for illness .
In Spain , long lines for food and police patrols marked the first day of a nationwide quarantine .
In the Philippines , soldiers and police sealed off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most domestic travelers .
Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz announced plans to limit movement nationwide , and Lebanon ’ s government ordered a lockdown in the country , closing down Beirut ’ s famed seaside corniche .
Ireland ordered all pubs and bars to close for two weeks — including on Tuesday , St. Patrick ’ s Day — and urged people not even to hold house parties .
Two pub industry groups had warned of the “ real difficulty ” in keeping people apart in the country ’ s famous watering holes .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Europe has become the main front line of the fight against COVID-19 .
The virus has infected 162,000 people and killed over 6,000 , but nearly 75,000 people have already recovered .
China , Italy , Iran , South Korea and Spain have the most infections .
For most people , the coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia .
People should go out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who live in their apartment , ” said Austria ’ s Kurz , whose country has 800 infections .
That was echoed by one of America ’ s top infectious disease experts .
“ I think Americans should be prepared that they are going to have to hunker down significantly more than we as a country are doing , ’ ’ Dr. Anthony Fauci of the National Institutes of Health told NBC ’ s ” Meet the Press.
’ ’ Travelers returning to the U.S. after the Trump administration imposed a wide-ranging ban @ @ @ @ @ @ @ waits for medical screenings .
Images on social media showed packed arrival halls and winding lines .
“ This is unacceptable , counterproductive and exactly the opposite of what we need to do to prevent # COVID19 , ” Illinois Sen. Tammy Duckworth tweeted .
The U.S. has seen 61 deaths and more than 2,900 infections .
Italy , the worst-hit European country , reported its biggest day-to-day increase in infections — 3,590 more cases in a 24-hour period — for a total of almost 24,747 .
“ It ’ s not a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” said Dr. Roberto Rona , who ’ s in charge of intensive care at the Monza hospital .
The Transport Ministry banned passengers from taking ferries to the island of Sardinia and halted overnight train trips , which many in the north had used to reach homes and families in the south .
Even as authorities pleaded for people to stay home , Pope Francis visited St. Mary Major Basilica , near Rome ’ s central train station , to pray for the sick , Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ church with a crucifix that in 1522 was carried in a procession during a plague afflicting Rome .
In his prayer , Francis has ‘ ’ invoked the end of the pandemia that has stricken Italy and the world , implored healing for the many sick , recalled the many victims of these days ” and asked for consolation for their family and friends .
The Vatican said it would close all Holy Week ceremonies to the public starting with Palm Sunday on April 5 .
Although the statement did not specify Easter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it appeared likely that restrictions on large gatherings might well continue in Italy .
Holy Week services usually draw tens of thousands to Rome but , with Italy at the epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak , tourism has vanished .
Spain was under lockdown amid a two-week state of emergency .
“ From now , we enter into a new phase , ” said Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez , whose wife tested positive .
“ We won ’ t hesitate in doing what we need must to beat the virus .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , there were long lines to buy bread .
Police patrolled parks and told people who were not walking their dogs to go home .
The Las Ramblas promenade , the heart of the city and a tourist magnet , was eerily empty .
The state of emergency “ is necessary to unify our efforts so we can all go in the same direction , ” Mayor Ada Colau said .
Spain ’ s Health Ministry said the country has recorded 288 deaths , up from 136 on Saturday .
The number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Netherlands ordered all schools , day-care centers , restaurants and bars to close until April 6 .
The new restrictions cover the country ’ s famed marijuana-selling “ coffee shops ” and sex clubs .
Elsewhere , Morocco suspended all international flights , and Turkey set aside quarantine beds for more than 10,000 people returning from Islam ’ s holy sites in Saudi Arabia .
In China , where the virus was first detected in December , those arriving on overseas flights were routed to an exhibition center for initial checks before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quarantine locations .
Even as social life largely halted — the German capital of Berlin closed bars , cinemas and other facilities Saturday evening — some attempts at keeping up public life persisted .
France , which has 4,500 infections and 91 deaths , went ahead Sunday with nationwide elections to choose mayors and other local leaders despite a crackdown on gatherings .
The government ordered unprecedented sanitary measures , with election organizers having to keep a 1-meter ( 3-foot ) gap between people and provide soap or sanitizing gel and disinfectant wipes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which had reported more than 4,800 cases and 12 deaths , the state of Bavaria also held municipal elections , with poll workers wearing protective gloves .
Germany is preparing to partially close its borders with France , Switzerland , Austria , Luxembourg and Denmark on Monday , and Interior Minister Horst Seehofer said people will no longer be allowed to cross those borders without a valid reason , such as for work .
Britain , which has not yet restricted everyday activities , said it plans to set out emergency powers this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 70 to self-isolate for up to four months and banning mass gatherings .
“ We will do the right thing at the right time , ” Health Secretary Matt Hancock told the BBC .
“ We will publish the bill this week coming.
” Puerto Rico ordered nearly all businesses to close for next two weeks and set a nighttime curfew following confirmation of a fifth case .
Even Montenegro , with no confirmed cases , preemptively banned foreigners and ordered the closure of cafes , restaurants , shopping malls , fitness centers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reached 25 of Africa ’ s 54 countries , sweeping restrictions were announced .
Kenya is banning travelers from countries with infections and closing all schools for three weeks .
Senegal and Mauritania also are closing schools .
Senegal also banned all public gatherings for a month , stopping cruise ships from docking and suspending Muslim and Christian pilgrimages .
Muslim authorities announced that Jerusalem ’ s Al-Aqsa Mosque , Islam ’ s third-holiest site , would be closed indefinitely , with prayers being held on the sprawling esplanade outside .
Dalia Samhouri @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health Organization , said both Iran and Egypt , two of the most populous countries in the Mideast , were likely underreporting cases because infected people can still show no visible symptoms .
Iran says it has nearly 14,000 virus cases and 724 deaths , while Egypt has reported 110 cases , including two fatalities .
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ROME — Daily life came to a grinding halt around much of the world Sunday amid new travel restrictions, border shutdowns and sweeping closures of restaurants and bars aimed to slow the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.
The numbers of cases and deaths continued to rise, including in hard-hit Italy where 368 more deaths brought its overall toll to 1,809. With the country under a nearly week-old lockdown, Pope Francis ventured out of the Vatican to visit two churches in Rome to pray for the sick, a spokesman said.
Public worship was curtailed in many places as pastors gave sermons to empty pews or moved to online services. Muslim authorities announced that the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem’s Old City would be closed indefinitely, and the Vatican said next month’s Holy Week services would not be open to the public.
Americans returning from abroad faced chaos at airports as overwhelmed border agents tried to screen passengers for illness.
In Spain, long lines for food and police patrols marked the first day of a nationwide quarantine. In the Philippines, soldiers and police sealed off the densely populated capital of Manila from most domestic travelers. Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz announced plans to limit movement nationwide, and Lebanon’s government ordered a lockdown in the country, closing down Beirut’s famed seaside corniche.
Ireland ordered all pubs and bars to close for two weeks — including on Tuesday, St. Patrick’s Day — and urged people not even to hold house parties. Two pub industry groups had warned of the “real difficulty” in keeping people apart in the country’s famous watering holes.
With new infections dwindling in Asia, Europe has become the main front line of the fight against COVID-19. The virus has infected 162,000 people and killed over 6,000, but nearly 75,000 people have already recovered.
China, Italy, Iran, South Korea and Spain have the most infections. For most people, the coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.
People should go out “only alone or with the people who live in their apartment,” said Austria’s Kurz, whose country has 800 infections.
That was echoed by one of America’s top infectious disease experts.
“I think Americans should be prepared that they are going to have to hunker down significantly more than we as a country are doing,’’ Dr. Anthony Fauci of the National Institutes of Health told NBC’s ”Meet the Press.’’
Travelers returning to the U.S. after the Trump administration imposed a wide-ranging ban on people entering from Europe faced hourslong waits for medical screenings. Images on social media showed packed arrival halls and winding lines.
“This is unacceptable, counterproductive and exactly the opposite of what we need to do to prevent #COVID19,” Illinois Sen. Tammy Duckworth tweeted.
The U.S. has seen 61 deaths and more than 2,900 infections.
Italy, the worst-hit European country, reported its biggest day-to-day increase in infections — 3,590 more cases in a 24-hour period — for a total of almost 24,747.
“It’s not a wave. It’s a tsunami,” said Dr. Roberto Rona, who’s in charge of intensive care at the Monza hospital.
The Transport Ministry banned passengers from taking ferries to the island of Sardinia and halted overnight train trips, which many in the north had used to reach homes and families in the south.
Even as authorities pleaded for people to stay home, Pope Francis visited St. Mary Major Basilica, near Rome’s central train station, to pray for the sick, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said.
The 83-year-old pontiff then walked to another church with a crucifix that in 1522 was carried in a procession during a plague afflicting Rome. In his prayer, Francis has ‘’invoked the end of the pandemia that has stricken Italy and the world, implored healing for the many sick, recalled the many victims of these days” and asked for consolation for their family and friends.
The Vatican said it would close all Holy Week ceremonies to the public starting with Palm Sunday on April 5. Although the statement did not specify Easter, which is celebrated on April 12, it appeared likely that restrictions on large gatherings might well continue in Italy. Holy Week services usually draw tens of thousands to Rome but, with Italy at the epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak, tourism has vanished.
Spain was under lockdown amid a two-week state of emergency.
“From now, we enter into a new phase,” said Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, whose wife tested positive. “We won’t hesitate in doing what we need must to beat the virus. We are putting health first.”
In Barcelona, there were long lines to buy bread. Police patrolled parks and told people who were not walking their dogs to go home. The Las Ramblas promenade, the heart of the city and a tourist magnet, was eerily empty.
The state of emergency “is necessary to unify our efforts so we can all go in the same direction,” Mayor Ada Colau said.
Spain’s Health Ministry said the country has recorded 288 deaths, up from 136 on Saturday. The number of infections rose to 7,753 from 5,700.
The Netherlands ordered all schools, day-care centers, restaurants and bars to close until April 6. The new restrictions cover the country’s famed marijuana-selling “coffee shops” and sex clubs.
Elsewhere, Morocco suspended all international flights, and Turkey set aside quarantine beds for more than 10,000 people returning from Islam’s holy sites in Saudi Arabia.
In China, where the virus was first detected in December, those arriving on overseas flights were routed to an exhibition center for initial checks before being shuttled to their homes or other quarantine locations.
Even as social life largely halted — the German capital of Berlin closed bars, cinemas and other facilities Saturday evening — some attempts at keeping up public life persisted.
France, which has 4,500 infections and 91 deaths, went ahead Sunday with nationwide elections to choose mayors and other local leaders despite a crackdown on gatherings. The government ordered unprecedented sanitary measures, with election organizers having to keep a 1-meter (3-foot) gap between people and provide soap or sanitizing gel and disinfectant wipes for voting machines.
In Germany, which had reported more than 4,800 cases and 12 deaths, the state of Bavaria also held municipal elections, with poll workers wearing protective gloves. Germany is preparing to partially close its borders with France, Switzerland, Austria, Luxembourg and Denmark on Monday, and Interior Minister Horst Seehofer said people will no longer be allowed to cross those borders without a valid reason, such as for work.
Britain, which has not yet restricted everyday activities, said it plans to set out emergency powers this week, including potentially requiring people over 70 to self-isolate for up to four months and banning mass gatherings.
“We will do the right thing at the right time,” Health Secretary Matt Hancock told the BBC. “We will publish the bill this week coming.”
Puerto Rico ordered nearly all businesses to close for next two weeks and set a nighttime curfew following confirmation of a fifth case.
Even Montenegro, with no confirmed cases, preemptively banned foreigners and ordered the closure of cafes, restaurants, shopping malls, fitness centers and playgrounds.
With the virus having reached 25 of Africa’s 54 countries, sweeping restrictions were announced. Kenya is banning travelers from countries with infections and closing all schools for three weeks.
Senegal and Mauritania also are closing schools. Senegal also banned all public gatherings for a month, stopping cruise ships from docking and suspending Muslim and Christian pilgrimages.
Muslim authorities announced that Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque, Islam’s third-holiest site, would be closed indefinitely, with prayers being held on the sprawling esplanade outside.
Dalia Samhouri, a regional official with the World Health Organization, said both Iran and Egypt, two of the most populous countries in the Mideast, were likely underreporting cases because infected people can still show no visible symptoms. Iran says it has nearly 14,000 virus cases and 724 deaths, while Egypt has reported 110 cases, including two fatalities.
Subscribe to bi-weekly newsletter to get health news sent straight to your inbox.


thedenverpost--2020-03-15--March Sadness: No brackets and no knowing what might’ve been

For all those who dreamed the impossible — making it a whole month without getting a single game wrong in the bracket — this is your year .
Everything else about the NCAA Tournament that won ’ t happen this season — from Selection Sunday , to the jaw-dropping bracket busters and buzzer beaters , to the Sweet 16 to the Final Four ?
Call it March Sadness .
Before fears about the coronavirus scrubbed sports for the foreseeable future , Sunday was supposed to be the Big Reveal — the day when Americans gathered around a TV for an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ college basketball schedule being released .
It ’ s so much better than it sounds .
It was supposed to be the day to imagine the possibilities : all the tantalizing matchups , the upsets-in-the-makings , the favorites , and , of course , the underdogs — so many underdogs — that would pop up on the 68 lines to set the table for America over the next three weeks .
It was supposed to be the day to kick off a rite of spring , and a rite of passage — a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to set aside their differences and replace them with other ones .
It was an event designed every bit as much for the hard-core basketball fan as for the clueless neophyte who can ’ t tell a pick-and-roll from a personal foul .
It was for anyone with ten bucks to blow in an office pool , or who really liked picking teams that wear red , or was quite sure a Blue Devil would vanquish a Red Raider if the actual team mascots went to war .
It was … something we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in our coronavirus-infected country — a year in which we really could use an escape , but will be stuck watching reruns of “ Blue Bloods ” instead of games between blue bloods .
It was supposed to be a year for Kansas to walk in as the No .
1 overall seed and have two stories told at the same time .
The Jayhawks could be staring at serious sanctions from the NCAA , which has targeted them with the dreaded “ lack of institutional control ” for a series of alleged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ led by Udoka Azubuike , the big man who left Nigeria when he was a kid for a better opportunity to play basketball .
He was hoping to be reunited with his mom at the Final Four in Atlanta .
Would the Jayhawks have made it to Atlanta ?
Who was ready to step in if they didn ’ t ?
A top candidate for Most Inspirational would ’ ve come from Dayton .
The struggling Ohio city was shattered by a mass shooting last summer .
Trey Landers , a senior guard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among those who escaped from a bar as a gunman approached with an assault-style weapon .
“ Our team is helping pull the city together a little bit .
… It ’ s bigger than us , ” Landers said recently .
The Flyers , at 29-2 and ranked third in The Associated Press poll , were headed for a No .
1 seed .
Rutgers also was on the verge of making history .
One of the most downtrodden sports programs in America was projected to make the tournament for the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have won some games , too , ” coach Steve Pikiell said .
Now , all the Scarlet Knights can do is wait ’ til next year .
Michigan State would ’ ve been in the mix , as always .
Its star player , Cassius Winston , would ’ ve been the emotional center of any deep run by the Spartans .
His brother , Zachary , stepped in front of a moving train and was killed instantly last November .
“ I lost a piece of my heart , but you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Winston told Spartans fans shortly after his brother ’ s death .
The Pac-12 ’ s best player , Payton Pritchard of Oregon , was trying to bookend his trip to the Final Four as a freshman with another as a senior .
Speaking of the Ducks , was there any more dominating player in the country than Sabrina Ionescu ?
She had 26 career triple-doubles and finished her career with more than 2,000 points , 1,000 rebounds and 1,000 assists .
But as is the case with the men , the party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get their chance to shine on the big stage .
This season ’ s tournament , like all before them , would ’ ve been filled with dozens of legends in the making and diamonds in the rough — with teams that overcame adversity to get this far and superfans who inspired the country every bit as much as their team .
Might one have come from Belmont ?
The Ohio Valley Conference champions won a thriller of a conference title game with a last-second bucket off a backdoor cut on a play @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about Liberty ?
The Flames had punched their ticket by winning the Atlantic Sun tournament last Sunday , before the cancellations began en masse .
They ’ ll have to settle for a 30-4 record and the thoughts about what might have been in what would have been the program ’ s first back-to-back trips to the show .
Ah , what might have been .
New Mexico State was an inch away from the tying layup in the first round last year , but a selfless Aggie passed on the layup and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an open 3 .
That player got fouled and made only one free throw .
Advancing instead was Auburn — and the momentum from that win pushed the Tigers all the way to the Final Four .
Both teams were a good bet to make it back to the show this year .
• Keeler : On Selection Sunday with no NCAA Tournament , this Cinderella ’ s just happy to be alive • Keeler : CU Buffs haven ’ t just quit on Tad Boyle — they ’ ve quit on each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it irresponsible for Rockies to invite fans to biggest sports party of year on same Denver streets unsafe for St. Patrick ’ s Day parade ?
• NCAA basketball tournament to be played without fans due to coronavirus concerns • There ’ s still a chance for a second Colorado team at March Madness But there will be no betting .
And there will be no bulldogs , either .
The Butler Bulldogs — remember them ?
— were a shoo-in for the bracket , but the availability of their mascot , Blue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ controversy since the NCAA banned him from entering arenas a few years ago .
Blue ’ s handler , Michael Kaltenmark , was hanging up the leash either way after this season .
It ’ s ending sooner than he — or anyone — expected .
“ Extremely , extremely disappointed , ” said Mark Few , the coach of Gonzaga , which also was poised to be a No .
1 seed .
He ’ s hardly the first coach to see his team ’ s dreams crushed in March .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coach or fan in America who thought the season would end before the fun even began .

For all those who dreamed the impossible — making it a whole month without getting a single game wrong in the bracket — this is your year.
Everything else about the NCAA Tournament that won’t happen this season — from Selection Sunday, to the jaw-dropping bracket busters and buzzer beaters, to the Sweet 16 to the Final Four? Call it March Sadness.
Before fears about the coronavirus scrubbed sports for the foreseeable future, Sunday was supposed to be the Big Reveal — the day when Americans gathered around a TV for an hour to watch … drumroll … a college basketball schedule being released.
It’s so much better than it sounds.
It was supposed to be the day to imagine the possibilities: all the tantalizing matchups, the upsets-in-the-makings, the favorites, and, of course, the underdogs — so many underdogs — that would pop up on the 68 lines to set the table for America over the next three weeks.
It was supposed to be the day to kick off a rite of spring, and a rite of passage — a three-week college hoops spectacular that allows people to set aside their differences and replace them with other ones. It was an event designed every bit as much for the hard-core basketball fan as for the clueless neophyte who can’t tell a pick-and-roll from a personal foul. It was for anyone with ten bucks to blow in an office pool, or who really liked picking teams that wear red, or was quite sure a Blue Devil would vanquish a Red Raider if the actual team mascots went to war.
It was … something we’re going to miss this year in our coronavirus-infected country — a year in which we really could use an escape, but will be stuck watching reruns of “Blue Bloods” instead of games between blue bloods.
It was supposed to be a year for Kansas to walk in as the No. 1 overall seed and have two stories told at the same time. The Jayhawks could be staring at serious sanctions from the NCAA, which has targeted them with the dreaded “lack of institutional control” for a series of alleged recruiting violations. They were also being led by Udoka Azubuike, the big man who left Nigeria when he was a kid for a better opportunity to play basketball. He was hoping to be reunited with his mom at the Final Four in Atlanta.
Would the Jayhawks have made it to Atlanta? Who was ready to step in if they didn’t?
A top candidate for Most Inspirational would’ve come from Dayton. The struggling Ohio city was shattered by a mass shooting last summer. Trey Landers, a senior guard at the 11,000-student Catholic school, was among those who escaped from a bar as a gunman approached with an assault-style weapon. “Our team is helping pull the city together a little bit. … It’s bigger than us,” Landers said recently. The Flyers, at 29-2 and ranked third in The Associated Press poll, were headed for a No. 1 seed.
Rutgers also was on the verge of making history. One of the most downtrodden sports programs in America was projected to make the tournament for the first time since 1991. “We would have won some games, too,” coach Steve Pikiell said. Now, all the Scarlet Knights can do is wait ’til next year.
Michigan State would’ve been in the mix, as always. Its star player, Cassius Winston, would’ve been the emotional center of any deep run by the Spartans. His brother, Zachary, stepped in front of a moving train and was killed instantly last November. “I lost a piece of my heart, but you guys you keep me going,” Winston told Spartans fans shortly after his brother’s death.
The Pac-12’s best player, Payton Pritchard of Oregon, was trying to bookend his trip to the Final Four as a freshman with another as a senior. Speaking of the Ducks, was there any more dominating player in the country than Sabrina Ionescu? She had 26 career triple-doubles and finished her career with more than 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds and 1,000 assists. But as is the case with the men, the party will end for the women before they get their chance to shine on the big stage.
This season’s tournament, like all before them, would’ve been filled with dozens of legends in the making and diamonds in the rough — with teams that overcame adversity to get this far and superfans who inspired the country every bit as much as their team.
Might one have come from Belmont? The Ohio Valley Conference champions won a thriller of a conference title game with a last-second bucket off a backdoor cut on a play called “Liberty.”
Or, how about Liberty? The Flames had punched their ticket by winning the Atlantic Sun tournament last Sunday, before the cancellations began en masse. They’ll have to settle for a 30-4 record and the thoughts about what might have been in what would have been the program’s first back-to-back trips to the show.
Ah, what might have been. New Mexico State was an inch away from the tying layup in the first round last year, but a selfless Aggie passed on the layup and kicked it out to a teammate for an open 3. That player got fouled and made only one free throw. Advancing instead was Auburn — and the momentum from that win pushed the Tigers all the way to the Final Four. Both teams were a good bet to make it back to the show this year.
But there will be no betting. And there will be no bulldogs, either. The Butler Bulldogs — remember them? — were a shoo-in for the bracket, but the availability of their mascot, Blue III, has been a source of controversy since the NCAA banned him from entering arenas a few years ago. Blue’s handler, Michael Kaltenmark, was hanging up the leash either way after this season.
It’s ending sooner than he — or anyone — expected.
“Extremely, extremely disappointed,” said Mark Few, the coach of Gonzaga, which also was poised to be a No. 1 seed.
He’s hardly the first coach to see his team’s dreams crushed in March. But there wasn’t a player, coach or fan in America who thought the season would end before the fun even began.


thedenverpost--2020-03-15--Former Denver South star Calais Campbell traded from Jaguars to Ravens for 5th-rounder, AP source sa

Former Denver South star Calais Campbell traded from Jaguars to Ravens for 5th-rounder, AP source says

JACKSONVILLE , Fla. — The Jacksonville Jaguars have agreed to trade veteran defensive lineman Calais Campbell to the Baltimore Ravens for a fifth-round pick in the upcoming NFL draft , a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press .
The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Sunday because the trade can ’ t become official until the new league begins .
The 33-year-old Campbell was due to earn $ 15 million this season and count $ 17.5 million against Jacksonville ’ s salary cap .
He ’ s expected to agree to a revised deal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ five Pro Bowls , including three straight with Jacksonville .
He was instrumental in helping rookie Josh Allen make a successful transition to the NFL last year .
Allen was a Pro Bowl alternate and made the team as a replacement .
Campbell was voted defensive MVP of the Pro Bowl in January .
He was recognized as the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year for his charitable work .
He has 696 tackles and 88 sacks in 12 seasons with Arizona and Jacksonville .
He ’ s started every game over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ key leader on and off the field .
The Jaguars are unlikely to replace him with a fifth-round pick .
It ’ s also another sign that Jacksonville is in rebuilding mode .
General manager Dave Caldwell already agreed to trade cornerback A.J .
Bouye to Denver for a fourth-round draft pick .
He also declined to pick up an option in defensive tackle Marcell Dareus ’ contract .
• NFL Journal : Wyoming linebacker Logan Wilson could be intriguing mid-round option for teams • A to-do list for how Broncos general manager @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • Rob Gronkowski seems headed to WWE .
But will he , or anyone else , be at WrestleMania 36 ?
Those moves will clear about $ 33 million in cap space , and trading Campbell pushes the total to $ 48 million in savings .
Jacksonville might be trying to create enough space to trade or cut quarterback Nick Foles , who lost his starting job to rookie Gardner Minshew last season and is due to count nearly $ 22 million against the salary cap in 2020 .
The Jaguars also used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ngakoue last week , but the disgruntled defender has made it clear he doesn ’ t plan to sign the tender offer and wants to play elsewhere .
Throw in cornerback Jalen Ramsey ( traded ) , defensive end Dante Fowler ( traded ) , defensive tackle Malik Jackson ( cut ) , safety Tashaun Gipson ( cut ) , safety Barry Church ( cut ) , linebacker Telvin Smith ( retired ) and linebacker Paul Posluszny ( retired ) , and the Jaguars have essentially wiped out their 2017 starting defense that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ franchise .
Only two holdovers from that team , which finished a few plays short of the Super Bowl , remain under contract : linebacker Myles Jack and defensive lineman Abry Jones .

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Jaguars have agreed to trade veteran defensive lineman Calais Campbell to the Baltimore Ravens for a fifth-round pick in the upcoming NFL draft, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press.
The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Sunday because the trade can’t become official until the new league begins.
The 33-year-old Campbell was due to earn $15 million this season and count $17.5 million against Jacksonville’s salary cap. He’s expected to agree to a revised deal with the Ravens.
Campbell has made five Pro Bowls, including three straight with Jacksonville. He was instrumental in helping rookie Josh Allen make a successful transition to the NFL last year. Allen was a Pro Bowl alternate and made the team as a replacement.
Campbell was voted defensive MVP of the Pro Bowl in January. He was recognized as the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year for his charitable work.
He has 696 tackles and 88 sacks in 12 seasons with Arizona and Jacksonville. He’s started every game over the last five seasons and been an key leader on and off the field.
The Jaguars are unlikely to replace him with a fifth-round pick. It’s also another sign that Jacksonville is in rebuilding mode.
General manager Dave Caldwell already agreed to trade cornerback A.J. Bouye to Denver for a fourth-round draft pick. He also declined to pick up an option in defensive tackle Marcell Dareus’ contract.
Those moves will clear about $33 million in cap space, and trading Campbell pushes the total to $48 million in savings. Jacksonville might be trying to create enough space to trade or cut quarterback Nick Foles, who lost his starting job to rookie Gardner Minshew last season and is due to count nearly $22 million against the salary cap in 2020.
The Jaguars also used their franchise tag on top pass-rusher Yannick Ngakoue last week, but the disgruntled defender has made it clear he doesn’t plan to sign the tender offer and wants to play elsewhere.
Throw in cornerback Jalen Ramsey (traded), defensive end Dante Fowler (traded), defensive tackle Malik Jackson (cut), safety Tashaun Gipson (cut), safety Barry Church (cut), linebacker Telvin Smith (retired) and linebacker Paul Posluszny (retired), and the Jaguars have essentially wiped out their 2017 starting defense that had been considered the future of the franchise.
Only two holdovers from that team, which finished a few plays short of the Super Bowl, remain under contract: linebacker Myles Jack and defensive lineman Abry Jones.


thedenverpost--2020-03-15--Fed slashes rates to near zero, eases bank lending rules

WASHINGTON — The Federal Reserve took emergency action Sunday and slashed its benchmark interest rate by a full percentage point to nearly zero and announced it would purchase more Treasury securities to encourage lending to try to offset the impact of the coronavirus outbreak .
The central bank said the effects of the outbreak will weigh on economic activity in the near term and pose risks to the economic outlook .
The central bank said it will keep rates at nearly zero until it feels confident the economy has weathered recent events .
The Fed also said it will purchase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 200 billion of mortgage-backed securities to smooth over market disruptions that have made it hard for banks and large investors to sell Treasuries .
The disruptions bumped up the yield on the 10-year Treasury last week , an unusual move that threatens to push borrowing costs for mortgages and credit cards higher .
The Fed also said it has dropped its requirements that banks hold cash reserves in another move to encourage lending .
The Fed also announced that it has cut interest rates on dollar loans in a joint action that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overseas .
That is intended to ensure that foreign banks continue to have access to dollars that they lend to overseas companies .
All told , the Fed ’ s actions amount to a recognition that the U.S. economy faces its most perilous juncture since the recession ended more than a decade ago .
By aggressively slashing its benchmark short-term rate to near zero and pumping hundreds of billions of dollars into the financial system , the Fed ’ s moves Sunday recalled the emergency action it took at the height of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Fed cut its key rate to near zero and kept it there for seven years .
The central bank has now returned that rate — which influences many consumer and business loans — to its record-low level .
Still , with the virus ’ spread causing a broad shutdown of economic activity in the United States , the Fed faces a daunting task .
Its tools — intended to ease borrowing rates , facilitate lending and boost confidence — aren ’ t ideally suited to offset a fear-driven halt in spending and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the Fed getting out in front of events , not to mention other central banks , pushes the economy in the right direction , ’ said Adam Posen , president of the Peterson Institute for International Economics .
“ The heavy lifting for stimulus and for preventing lasting economic damage has to be done on the fiscal side .
That ’ s nature of this shock.
’ “ It confirms that the Fed sees the economy going down … very sharply ’ toward recession , Posen said .
Posen advocates fiscal steps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for quarantined workers and rolling over bank loans to small and medium sized businesses hit hard by the outbreak .
Earlier , Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said that both the central bank and the federal government have tools at their disposal to support the economy .
Mnuchin also said he did not think the economy is yet in recession .
Most economists , however , believe a recession is already here , or will be soon.. JPMorgan Chase predicts the economy will shrink 2 % in the current quarter and 3 % in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t think so , ” Mnuchin said , when asked if the U.S. is in recession .
“ The real issue is what economic tools are we going to use to make sure we get through this.
” On Saturday , President Donald Trump reiterated his frequent demand that the Fed “ get on board and do what they should do , ” reflecting his argument that benchmark U.S. rates should be as low as they are in Europe and Japan , where they ’ re now negative .
Negative rates are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distress , and there ’ s little evidence that they help stimulate growth .
Fed officials have indicated that they ’ re unlikely to cut rates below zero .
With the virus depressing travel , spending , and corporate investment and forcing the cancellation of sports leagues , business conferences , music performances , and Broadway shows , economists increasingly expect the economy to shrink for at least one or two quarters .
A six-month contraction would meet an informal definition of a recession .
Two weeks ago , in a surprise move @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disease ’ s drags on the economy by cutting its short-term rate by a half-percentage point — its first cut between policy meetings since the financial crisis .
Its benchmark rate is now in a range of 1 % to 1.25 % .
Some analysts have forecast that the Fed will reduce its rate by just one-half or three-quarters of a point on Wednesday , rather than by a full point .
But policymakers have largely accepted research that says once its benchmark rate approaches zero , it would produce a greater economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ zero rather than just to a quarter- or half-point above .
That ’ s because it takes time for rate cuts to work their way through the economy .
So if a recession threatens , quicker action is more effective .
Some of the attention Wednesday will likely be on what steps the Fed takes to further smooth the functioning of bond markets , a topic that can seem esoteric but that serves a fundamental role in the functioning of the economy .
The rate on the 10-year Treasury influences a range of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including mortgage and credit card rates .
If banks and investors can ’ t seamlessly trade those securities , borrowing rates might rise throughout the economy .
“ Even more important than the Fed ’ s rate-cutting function is the market-calming function , ” said David Wilcox , a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics and former head of research at the Fed .
The central bank took a huge step in that direction Thursday , when it said it would provide $ 1.5 trillion of short-term loans to banks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cash to interested banks in return for Treasuries .
The loans will be repaid after one or three months .
That program is a response to signs that the bond market has been disrupted in recent days as many traders and banks have sought to unload large sums of Treasurys but haven ’ t found enough willing buyers .
That logjam reduced bond prices and raised their yields — the opposite of what typically happens when the stock market plunges .
The Fed also said last week that it would broaden its $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ launched last fall , from just short-term bills to all maturities .
The Fed is already reinvesting $ 20 billion from its holdings of mortgage-backed securities into Treasuries of all durations , thereby bringing its total purchases to $ 80 billion .
Those purchases would help relieve banks of the Treasuries they want to sell .
Some analysts expect the Fed to extend those purchases past their current end-date of the second quarter and even vastly increase the size .
Guy LeBas , chief fixed income strategist for Janney Capital Management , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up to $ 1 trillion or more over the next year .
The goal wouldn ’ t be to directly stimulate the economy , as the Fed did with its bond purchases during and after the recession , LeBas said .
Those purchases were known as “ quantitative easing ” or QE .
Rather , the idea would be to take more Treasuries off banks ’ balance sheets .
That , in turn , would boost banks ’ cash reserves and enable them to lend more .
Still , most economists would likely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Shifting hundreds of billions of dollars of assets quickly doesn ’ t happen without central bank intervention , ” LeBas said .
Another option would be to relaunch a program that lets banks use corporate bonds and other securities as collateral to borrow from the Fed .
On Wednesday , the Fed ’ s policymakers will also update their forecasts for the economy and for interest rates .
Economists at Pimco predict that the Fed ’ s policymakers will collectively downgrade their estimate for growth this year from 2 % to below @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consistent with an economic contraction in the first half of the year , followed by a sharp rebound , Pimco said .

WASHINGTON — The Federal Reserve took emergency action Sunday and slashed its benchmark interest rate by a full percentage point to nearly zero and announced it would purchase more Treasury securities to encourage lending to try to offset the impact of the coronavirus outbreak. The central bank said the effects of the outbreak will weigh on economic activity in the near term and pose risks to the economic outlook. The central bank said it will keep rates at nearly zero until it feels confident the economy has weathered recent events.
The Fed also said it will purchase $500 billion of Treasury securities and $200 billion of mortgage-backed securities to smooth over market disruptions that have made it hard for banks and large investors to sell Treasuries.
The disruptions bumped up the yield on the 10-year Treasury last week, an unusual move that threatens to push borrowing costs for mortgages and credit cards higher. The Fed also said it has dropped its requirements that banks hold cash reserves in another move to encourage lending.
The Fed also announced that it has cut interest rates on dollar loans in a joint action that it has taken with five central banks overseas. That is intended to ensure that foreign banks continue to have access to dollars that they lend to overseas companies.
All told, the Fed’s actions amount to a recognition that the U.S. economy faces its most perilous juncture since the recession ended more than a decade ago.
By aggressively slashing its benchmark short-term rate to near zero and pumping hundreds of billions of dollars into the financial system, the Fed’s moves Sunday recalled the emergency action it took at the height of the financial crisis. Starting in 2008, the Fed cut its key rate to near zero and kept it there for seven years. The central bank has now returned that rate — which influences many consumer and business loans — to its record-low level.
Still, with the virus’ spread causing a broad shutdown of economic activity in the United States, the Fed faces a daunting task. Its tools — intended to ease borrowing rates, facilitate lending and boost confidence — aren’t ideally suited to offset a fear-driven halt in spending and traveling.
“We have to hope that the Fed getting out in front of events, not to mention other central banks, pushes the economy in the right direction,’ said Adam Posen, president of the Peterson Institute for International Economics. “The heavy lifting for stimulus and for preventing lasting economic damage has to be done on the fiscal side. That’s nature of this shock.’
“It confirms that the Fed sees the economy going down … very sharply’ toward recession, Posen said.
Posen advocates fiscal steps such as providing sick leave and pay for quarantined workers and rolling over bank loans to small and medium sized businesses hit hard by the outbreak.
Earlier, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said that both the central bank and the federal government have tools at their disposal to support the economy.
Mnuchin also said he did not think the economy is yet in recession. Most economists, however, believe a recession is already here, or will be soon.. JPMorgan Chase predicts the economy will shrink 2% in the current quarter and 3% in the April-June quarter.
“I don’t think so,” Mnuchin said, when asked if the U.S. is in recession. “The real issue is what economic tools are we going to use to make sure we get through this.”
On Saturday, President Donald Trump reiterated his frequent demand that the Fed “get on board and do what they should do,” reflecting his argument that benchmark U.S. rates should be as low as they are in Europe and Japan, where they’re now negative. Negative rates are generally seen as a sign of economic distress, and there’s little evidence that they help stimulate growth. Fed officials have indicated that they’re unlikely to cut rates below zero.
With the virus depressing travel, spending, and corporate investment and forcing the cancellation of sports leagues, business conferences, music performances, and Broadway shows, economists increasingly expect the economy to shrink for at least one or two quarters. A six-month contraction would meet an informal definition of a recession.
Two weeks ago, in a surprise move, the Fed sought to offset the disease’s drags on the economy by cutting its short-term rate by a half-percentage point — its first cut between policy meetings since the financial crisis. Its benchmark rate is now in a range of 1% to 1.25%. Some analysts have forecast that the Fed will reduce its rate by just one-half or three-quarters of a point on Wednesday, rather than by a full point.
But policymakers have largely accepted research that says once its benchmark rate approaches zero, it would produce a greater economic benefit to cut all the way to zero rather than just to a quarter- or half-point above. That’s because it takes time for rate cuts to work their way through the economy. So if a recession threatens, quicker action is more effective.
Some of the attention Wednesday will likely be on what steps the Fed takes to further smooth the functioning of bond markets, a topic that can seem esoteric but that serves a fundamental role in the functioning of the economy. The rate on the 10-year Treasury influences a range of borrowing costs for businesses and consumers, including mortgage and credit card rates. If banks and investors can’t seamlessly trade those securities, borrowing rates might rise throughout the economy.
“Even more important than the Fed’s rate-cutting function is the market-calming function,” said David Wilcox, a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics and former head of research at the Fed.
The central bank took a huge step in that direction Thursday, when it said it would provide $1.5 trillion of short-term loans to banks. The central bank will provide the cash to interested banks in return for Treasuries. The loans will be repaid after one or three months.
That program is a response to signs that the bond market has been disrupted in recent days as many traders and banks have sought to unload large sums of Treasurys but haven’t found enough willing buyers. That logjam reduced bond prices and raised their yields — the opposite of what typically happens when the stock market plunges.
The Fed also said last week that it would broaden its $60 billion monthly Treasury purchase program, launched last fall, from just short-term bills to all maturities. The Fed is already reinvesting $20 billion from its holdings of mortgage-backed securities into Treasuries of all durations, thereby bringing its total purchases to $80 billion.
Those purchases would help relieve banks of the Treasuries they want to sell. Some analysts expect the Fed to extend those purchases past their current end-date of the second quarter and even vastly increase the size.
Guy LeBas, chief fixed income strategist for Janney Capital Management, said the Fed could boost its purchases to up to $1 trillion or more over the next year. The goal wouldn’t be to directly stimulate the economy, as the Fed did with its bond purchases during and after the recession, LeBas said. Those purchases were known as “quantitative easing” or QE.
Rather, the idea would be to take more Treasuries off banks’ balance sheets. That, in turn, would boost banks’ cash reserves and enable them to lend more. Still, most economists would likely refer to the purchases as QE.
“Shifting hundreds of billions of dollars of assets quickly doesn’t happen without central bank intervention,” LeBas said.
Another option would be to relaunch a program that lets banks use corporate bonds and other securities as collateral to borrow from the Fed.
On Wednesday, the Fed’s policymakers will also update their forecasts for the economy and for interest rates. Economists at Pimco predict that the Fed’s policymakers will collectively downgrade their estimate for growth this year from 2% to below 1.5%. That figure would be consistent with an economic contraction in the first half of the year, followed by a sharp rebound, Pimco said.


thedenverpost--2020-03-15--Some Denver restaurants curbing service amid talk of 14-day nationwide shutdown

The closure of restaurants and bars in Denver and across the country appears imminent following comments made over the weekend by the U.S. government ’ s top disease expert regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing .
In TV interviews Sunday , Dr. Anthony Fauci said he has brought up with the Trump administration the possibility of a 14-day national shutdown that could include dining and drinking spots , according to The Washington Post and other reports .
“ Right now , myself personally , I wouldn ’ t go to a restaurant , ” he said .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t want to be in a crowded place.
” Fauci leads the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the National Institutes of Health .
In New York , Gov .
Andrew Cuomo is already asking bars and restaurants to close voluntarily following Fauci ’ s recommendation , and Ohio ’ s governor ordered them closed as of Sunday night , with an exception for carryout and delivery .
Illinois restaurants will close all dine-in operations by the end of day Monday , and California Gov .
Gavin Newsom called for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , nightclubs and brewpubs there , while asking restaurants to limit their seating to 50 % capacity .
Some food halls and restaurants in Denver began to close pre-emptively over the weekend , while others switched their focus to carryout or delivery , including options for curbside pickup .
The James Beard-nominated restaurant Annette in Aurora held its last dinner service Saturday night before closing the dining room indefinitely .
It will offer curbside pickup 11 a.m.-7 p.m. starting Tuesday .
Owner Caroline Glover echoed the sentiments of other restaurateurs across the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stop the spread of coronavirus .
“ Helping promote social distancing .
And keeping our guests and employees safe .
We know this is the right decision to prevent the spread of the virus , ” Glover wrote on Instagram Sunday morning .
Lower Highland ’ s Avanti closed Friday for three days of cleaning — the first food hall to shut down .
Since then , Stanley Marketplace in Aurora and Broadway Market in Denver have announced their closures until further notice , and Rosetta Hall in Boulder closed Sunday with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to a post on social media .
Colorado Gov .
Jared Polis ordered the cancellation of all gatherings and events with more than 250 people last week , though Avanti , for example , can fit more than 600 patrons between two floors and patios .
“ To be clear , none of our staff has fallen ill with the virus , ” Patrick O ’ Neill , the hall ’ s co-founder , said in a release .
“ This decision is based on the severity of the situation and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can for our community.
” Avanti owners planned to pay employees during the immediate closure , and individual food stall owners were allowed to offer curbside pickup or delivery at their discretion over the weekend .
At Rosetta Hall , the owners have set up a $ 50,000 fund to pay all employees over the next two weeks .
“ We are also assisting all our staff with access to healthcare if they need it , ” the hall ’ s Instagram post read , adding that no one has shown any symptoms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and more small businesses scramble to prepare for possible indefinite closures , at least one has already decided to close for good in its current location .
On Saturday , Jennifer Jasinski announced that her decade-old Euclid Hall Bar & Kitchen would close at 14th and Larimer Streets after a St. Patrick ’ s Day party Tuesday .
“ The cumulative effects of the COVID-19 virus on our business really gave us no choice but to close now , ” Jasinski said in a release .
“ We will continue to explore a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concept we all love and are confident in.
” The restaurant ’ s lease was set to expire in August .
Join our Facebook group for the latest updates on coronavirus in Colorado .

The closure of restaurants and bars in Denver and across the country appears imminent following comments made over the weekend by the U.S. government’s top disease expert regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing.
In TV interviews Sunday, Dr. Anthony Fauci said he has brought up with the Trump administration the possibility of a 14-day national shutdown that could include dining and drinking spots, according to The Washington Post and other reports.
“Right now, myself personally, I wouldn’t go to a restaurant,” he said. “I just wouldn’t because I don’t want to be in a crowded place.” Fauci leads the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the National Institutes of Health.
In New York, Gov. Andrew Cuomo is already asking bars and restaurants to close voluntarily following Fauci’s recommendation, and Ohio’s governor ordered them closed as of Sunday night, with an exception for carryout and delivery.
Illinois restaurants will close all dine-in operations by the end of day Monday, and California Gov. Gavin Newsom called for the closure of all bars, wineries, nightclubs and brewpubs there, while asking restaurants to limit their seating to 50% capacity.
The Colorado Restaurant Association has told Colorado Gov. Jared Polis that he has done enough to control spread in the state. If he does decide to enact more controls, though, the association is “asking him to continue to allow delivery, curbside pick-up, and drive-through service,” CEO Sonia Riggs said in a written statement. “Without food from restaurants, there will be even more strain on Colorado’s grocery stores, where empty aisles are already commonplace.”
Some food halls and restaurants in Denver began to close pre-emptively over the weekend, while others switched their focus to carryout or delivery, including options for curbside pickup.
The James Beard-nominated restaurant Annette in Aurora held its last dinner service Saturday night before closing the dining room indefinitely. It will offer curbside pickup 11 a.m.-7 p.m. starting Tuesday.
Owner Caroline Glover echoed the sentiments of other restaurateurs across the world who have closed their businesses to help stop the spread of coronavirus.
“Helping promote social distancing. And keeping our guests and employees safe. We know this is the right decision to prevent the spread of the virus,” Glover wrote on Instagram Sunday morning.
Lower Highland’s Avanti closed Friday for three days of cleaning — the first food hall to shut down. Since then, Stanley Marketplace in Aurora and Broadway Market in Denver have announced their closures until further notice, and Rosetta Hall in Boulder closed Sunday with a plan to re-evaluate the situation daily, according to a post on social media.
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis ordered the cancellation of all gatherings and events with more than 250 people last week, though Avanti, for example, can fit more than 600 patrons between two floors and patios.
“To be clear, none of our staff has fallen ill with the virus,” Patrick O’Neill, the hall’s co-founder, said in a release. “This decision is based on the severity of the situation and a feeling of obligation to do what we can for our community.”
Avanti owners planned to pay employees during the immediate closure, and individual food stall owners were allowed to offer curbside pickup or delivery at their discretion over the weekend.
At Rosetta Hall, the owners have set up a $50,000 fund to pay all employees over the next two weeks.
“We are also assisting all our staff with access to healthcare if they need it,” the hall’s Instagram post read, adding that no one has shown any symptoms of the virus yet.
As restaurants and more small businesses scramble to prepare for possible indefinite closures, at least one has already decided to close for good in its current location.
On Saturday, Jennifer Jasinski announced that her decade-old Euclid Hall Bar & Kitchen would close at 14th and Larimer Streets after a St. Patrick’s Day party Tuesday. The party is still happening “pending some governmental intervention,” the hall confirmed Sunday.
“The cumulative effects of the COVID-19 virus on our business really gave us no choice but to close now,” Jasinski said in a release. “We will continue to explore a new location for Euclid Hall, a concept we all love and are confident in.”
The restaurant’s lease was set to expire in August.
Join our Facebook group for the latest updates on coronavirus in Colorado.