thedenverpost--2020-07-19--What will Avalanche, Nuggets games look like at Pepsi Center next season? Everything on the table as

What will Avalanche, Nuggets games look like at Pepsi Center next season? Everything on the table as teams plan transition to digital-only tickets

Kim Harp has attended Avalanche home games with her family at Pepsi Center almost every season since the team moved to Colorado .
Her seats 11 rows up on the red line feel a lot like home .
But the coronavirus pandemic served up an eviction notice .
“ I ’ m dying for hockey , ” Harp said .
“ The Avalanche are our team .
I love those guys.
” Nuggets and Avalanche home games won ’ t return to Pepsi Center until at least December when their respective leagues plan to start a revised 2020-21 season .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ same ticket office and will transition to digital-only entrance to eliminate paper tickets , similar to the Broncos , starting next season .
But the NBA/NHL season formats , number of games and specific arena attendance policies remain unclear with the nation ’ s health landscape certain to evolve over the next four months .
“ I ’ m not sure I ’ d be super excited to be jumping into an indoor arena even at reduced capacity to watch a game , ” said Jonathan Allen , a Denver-based attorney and Avalanche @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I think we ’ re all just waiting and hoping things get back to normal.
” In recent weeks , ticket holders received an email providing refund options for the 12 Nuggets games and eight Avalanche games canceled at Pepsi Center this past spring ; as the NHL season resumes in Edmonton and Toronto and the NBA in Orlando .
“ If you were a season-ticket member , partial plan holder , or group ticket holder , and you wanted to roll that ( refund ) into your payments for the 2021 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ applied it to your payments , ” said David Burke , KSE chief ticketing and strategy officer .
“ Then we paused all your payments until we have more clarification of what the season will look like.
” The Avalanche and Nuggets said they also accounted for a tanking economy and fan ’ s health concerns with payment refunds granted upon specific request .
“ If people do not feel comfortable coming back for 2021 , and wanted to hold on to their seats for the 2022 season , we will allow them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
If mass vaccination is unavailable by December , or a second coronavirus wave hits , it is likely that indoor sports arenas nationwide will have significant attendance limits and social distancing measures .
Burke said his team engages in weekly video conference calls with other professional sports teams to collaborate on contingency plans for how to move forward under a variety of possible health restrictions .
Burke joked : “ We ’ re getting to scenario about No .
27 at this point.
” Nuggets and Avalanche fans can expect priority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ options , touchless bathroom features and countless other changes at Pepsi Center .
Some of Burke ’ s hypothetical plans even call for a complete ticketing overhaul to accommodate the largest number of fans .
“ If we ’ re at 33-percent capacity , do we even allow people to buy season tickets ?
So that we can offer a game and seats to more people ?
Those are the types of things that we ’ re running through , ” Burke said .
“ It ’ s just a bunch of scenario @ @ @ @ @ @ @ direction , we can either eliminate scenarios or really start to dive into them.
” Through the first 45 combined Avalanche/Nuggets home games this season , fan attendance rose by 31,047 in comparison to 2018-19 .
Nathan MacKinnon and Nikola Jokic are moving toward Colorado sports legend status .
Will it be enough to keep the buzz during a pandemic ?
Fan surveys conducted by Kroenke ’ s business intelligence group and data provided by Ticketmaster have produced multiple conclusions .
“ In our surveying , it seems like the younger generations are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in packed arenas ; even without a vaccine .
Where the Boomers aren ’ t as willing to do that , ” Burke said .
“ … For us , it ’ s what are the guidelines put in front of us , and then really creating packages that then fit the clientele that is open to coming to the arena.
” Harp , 58 , says she will be in her 11th-row seat when games eventually resume — if proper health guidelines are followed .
“ As long as people are reasonable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hands , I think we ’ ll be fine , ” Harp said .
“ If someone is sick , they need to stay home.
” Allen , 36 , splits his season tickets four ways and admits his fandom is centered around the game experience .
He ’ s worried a reduced-capacity crowd will all but eliminate what makes Pepsi Center a special sports venue .
“ That just doesn ’ t sound quite as fun , ” Allen said .
“ It seems like it ’ s going to be a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arenas .
”

Kim Harp has attended Avalanche home games with her family at Pepsi Center almost every season since the team moved to Colorado. Her seats 11 rows up on the red line feel a lot like home.
But the coronavirus pandemic served up an eviction notice.
“I’m dying for hockey,” Harp said. “The Avalanche are our team. I love those guys.”
Nuggets and Avalanche home games won’t return to Pepsi Center until at least December when their respective leagues plan to start a revised 2020-21 season. The Kroenke-owned sports teams operate under the same ticket office and will transition to digital-only entrance to eliminate paper tickets, similar to the Broncos, starting next season.
But the NBA/NHL season formats, number of games and specific arena attendance policies remain unclear with the nation’s health landscape certain to evolve over the next four months.
“I’m not sure I’d be super excited to be jumping into an indoor arena even at reduced capacity to watch a game,” said Jonathan Allen, a Denver-based attorney and Avalanche season-ticket holder of about five years. “I think we’re all just waiting and hoping things get back to normal.”
Refund options
In recent weeks, ticket holders received an email providing refund options for the 12 Nuggets games and eight Avalanche games canceled at Pepsi Center this past spring; as the NHL season resumes in Edmonton and Toronto and the NBA in Orlando.
“If you were a season-ticket member, partial plan holder, or group ticket holder, and you wanted to roll that (refund) into your payments for the 2021 season, we took that money and applied it to your payments,” said David Burke, KSE chief ticketing and strategy officer. “Then we paused all your payments until we have more clarification of what the season will look like.”
The Avalanche and Nuggets said they also accounted for a tanking economy and fan’s health concerns with payment refunds granted upon specific request.
“If people do not feel comfortable coming back for 2021, and wanted to hold on to their seats for the 2022 season, we will allow them that option as well,” Burke said.
Reduced capacity
If mass vaccination is unavailable by December, or a second coronavirus wave hits, it is likely that indoor sports arenas nationwide will have significant attendance limits and social distancing measures.
Burke said his team engages in weekly video conference calls with other professional sports teams to collaborate on contingency plans for how to move forward under a variety of possible health restrictions. Burke joked: “We’re getting to scenario about No. 27 at this point.”
Nuggets and Avalanche fans can expect priority for season-ticket holders, more cashless concession options, touchless bathroom features and countless other changes at Pepsi Center. Some of Burke’s hypothetical plans even call for a complete ticketing overhaul to accommodate the largest number of fans.
“If we’re at 33-percent capacity, do we even allow people to buy season tickets? So that we can offer a game and seats to more people? Those are the types of things that we’re running through,” Burke said. “It’s just a bunch of scenario planning, so as we get more direction, we can either eliminate scenarios or really start to dive into them.”
Fan interest
Through the first 45 combined Avalanche/Nuggets home games this season, fan attendance rose by 31,047 in comparison to 2018-19. Nathan MacKinnon and Nikola Jokic are moving toward Colorado sports legend status. Will it be enough to keep the buzz during a pandemic?
Fan surveys conducted by Kroenke’s business intelligence group and data provided by Ticketmaster have produced multiple conclusions.
“In our surveying, it seems like the younger generations are open and willing to come and be in packed arenas; even without a vaccine. Where the Boomers aren’t as willing to do that,” Burke said. “… For us, it’s what are the guidelines put in front of us, and then really creating packages that then fit the clientele that is open to coming to the arena.”
Harp, 58, says she will be in her 11th-row seat when games eventually resume — if proper health guidelines are followed.
“As long as people are reasonable, wear their masks and wash their hands, I think we’ll be fine,” Harp said. “If someone is sick, they need to stay home.”
Allen, 36, splits his season tickets four ways and admits his fandom is centered around the game experience. He’s worried a reduced-capacity crowd will all but eliminate what makes Pepsi Center a special sports venue.
“That just doesn’t sound quite as fun,” Allen said. “It seems like it’s going to be a long time before there are fans in arenas.”


thedenverpost--2020-07-19--Post Premium: Our best stories for the week of July 13-19

Like many stories , our big story of the week began with reporters just wondering about something .
David Migoya and Elise Schmelzer had both , in the wake of the protests over George Floyd ’ s death , wondered about the diversity in the judicial system .
While David was curious about the racial makeup of the judges , Elise was asking about prosecutors .
What they learned is that in most of the state , the system does not reflect the make up of the residents of Colorado .
Sometimes , it ’ s not even close .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and say the skin color a judge or prosecutor should not matter .
But person after person close to the system told us otherwise .
“ It boils down to a public perception that the law is fair and impartial , and that justice is truly equal to all , ” Colorado Supreme Court Justice Monica Márquez said .
“ It gives credence and credibility to the system when it ’ s diverse , so the community can recognize it is well-represented , ” said Dennis Maes , a former 10th District judge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years on the bench .
Data for this story was gathered for more than 300 judges across Colorado , as well as the 22 district attorney offices and the state public defender .
But while the numbers are clear , the reasons are less so .
Part of the problem is just the numbers — there aren ’ t enough young Black and Latino people entering the legal profession .
But the reporters reveal how the state ’ s 54-year-old selection process for district court judges — all of them chosen by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s impossible to know whether any bias is occurring since no one is allowed to know who ’ s applying in the first place .
Five of our best stories from the past week Young Life says it ’ s for “ every kid , everywhere.
” Ex-participants in LGBTQ community say that ’ s never been true .
Interviews with a dozen former Young Life volunteers and staff , along with hundreds more social media stories , reveal an organization that bars members of the LGBTQ community from becoming leaders or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ve spent years volunteering .
Those involved with Young Life described a bait-and-switch that invites all to embrace their faith in a welcoming environment , only for some to realize that different rules applied to them .
Read more from Sam Tabachnik .
Masks will help , but more distancing needed to head off a September spike in Colorado , model shows If more Coloradans wear masks , it will help reduce the spread of COVID-19 , but not by enough to avoid a spike if people don ’ t stop gathering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this week .
Read more from Meg Wingerter .
RELATED : Colorado Gov .
Jared Polis issues statewide mask order as COVID-19 cases rise RELATED : Colorado ’ s weekly COVID-19 count hits highest level since May as upward trend continues RELATED : Colorado ’ s COVID-19 outbreaks increase for first time since early June Colorado coronavirus tracker : How many new cases are being reported , and where are they ?
How well is Rocky Mountain National Park ’ s reservation system working ?
Here ’ s what we found out .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ out and restrict visitation to 60 % of the park ’ s capacity between 6 a.m. and 5 p.m. , equating to 4,800 vehicles ( 13,500 visitors ) , with reservations not required outside of those hours .
Some park lovers have complained that the procedure is confusing , and people are upset on both sides of the issue .
Read more from John Meyer .
A year after U.S. 36 highway collapse , Colorado still seeks compensation The state of Colorado is still fighting a year later to hold road builders accountable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 36 that shut down toll lanes , snarled northwest metro traffic for months and required breakneck repair work .
Read more from Jon Murray here .
“ We are in a state of emergency ” : Killing of fourth Denver teenager in one week prompts calls for change Four teenagers have been shot and killed in Denver over the past seven days : 19-year-old Tayvion Washington , 14-year-old Xzavier Collier , 15-year-old Moses Chaney Harris and 17-year-old Davarie Armstrong .
That makes at least 10 Denver teens that have been killed in homicides @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killings than all of 2019 .
Read more here about how the community is seeking change amid rising violence in the city .
RELATED : Denver gives $ 125,000 worth of grants to local groups combating youth violence A few more important stories from the past week + The graffiti on Colorado ’ s Capitol will likely be there for a while + For all its faults , the Paycheck Protection Program provided a lifeline in Colorado + Colorado ghost town to be preserved as environmental and scientific treasure + Denver Public Schools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to classrooms in September at the earliest + More Colorado families consider online education as COVID-19 risks loom over upcoming school year + Pandemic not giving Denver home buyers much of a break See more great photos like this on The Denver Post ’ s Instagram account .

Like many stories, our big story of the week began with reporters just wondering about something.
David Migoya and Elise Schmelzer had both, in the wake of the protests over George Floyd’s death, wondered about the diversity in the judicial system. While David was curious about the racial makeup of the judges, Elise was asking about prosecutors.
What they learned is that in most of the state, the system does not reflect the make up of the residents of Colorado. Sometimes, it’s not even close.
I know many people will read this and say the skin color a judge or prosecutor should not matter. But person after person close to the system told us otherwise.
“It boils down to a public perception that the law is fair and impartial, and that justice is truly equal to all,” Colorado Supreme Court Justice Monica Márquez said.
“It gives credence and credibility to the system when it’s diverse, so the community can recognize it is well-represented,” said Dennis Maes, a former 10th District judge, who retired in 2012 after 24 years on the bench.
Data for this story was gathered for more than 300 judges across Colorado, as well as the 22 district attorney offices and the state public defender. But while the numbers are clear, the reasons are less so.
Part of the problem is just the numbers — there aren’t enough young Black and Latino people entering the legal profession. But the reporters reveal how the state’s 54-year-old selection process for district court judges — all of them chosen by the governor — is so secretive that it’s impossible to know whether any bias is occurring since no one is allowed to know who’s applying in the first place.
— Lee Ann Colacioppo, Editor of The Denver Post
Five of our best stories from the past week
Interviews with a dozen former Young Life volunteers and staff, along with hundreds more social media stories, reveal an organization that bars members of the LGBTQ community from becoming leaders or working at camps, even after they’ve spent years volunteering. Those involved with Young Life described a bait-and-switch that invites all to embrace their faith in a welcoming environment, only for some to realize that different rules applied to them. Read more from Sam Tabachnik.
If more Coloradans wear masks, it will help reduce the spread of COVID-19, but not by enough to avoid a spike if people don’t stop gathering in crowds, according to projections released this week. Read more from Meg Wingerter.
RELATED: Colorado Gov. Jared Polis issues statewide mask order as COVID-19 cases rise
RELATED: Colorado’s weekly COVID-19 count hits highest level since May as upward trend continues
RELATED: Colorado’s COVID-19 outbreaks increase for first time since early June
Colorado coronavirus tracker: How many new cases are being reported, and where are they?
The reservations system is designed to spread out and restrict visitation to 60% of the park’s capacity between 6 a.m. and 5 p.m., equating to 4,800 vehicles (13,500 visitors), with reservations not required outside of those hours. Some park lovers have complained that the procedure is confusing, and people are upset on both sides of the issue. Read more from John Meyer.
The state of Colorado is still fighting a year later to hold road builders accountable for the unusual highway collapse on U.S. 36 that shut down toll lanes, snarled northwest metro traffic for months and required breakneck repair work. Read more from Jon Murray here.
Four teenagers have been shot and killed in Denver over the past seven days: 19-year-old Tayvion Washington, 14-year-old Xzavier Collier, 15-year-old Moses Chaney Harris and 17-year-old Davarie Armstrong.
That makes at least 10 Denver teens that have been killed in homicides so far this year — more youth killings than all of 2019. Read more here about how the community is seeking change amid rising violence in the city.
RELATED: Denver gives $125,000 worth of grants to local groups combating youth violence
A few more important stories from the past week
+ The graffiti on Colorado’s Capitol will likely be there for a while
+ Hickenlooper’s ethics defense costs taxpayers more than $133,000
+ For all its faults, the Paycheck Protection Program provided a lifeline in Colorado
+ Colorado becomes 11th state to ban LGBTQ “panic defense”
+ Colorado ghost town to be preserved as environmental and scientific treasure
+ Denver Public Schools to start school year online, transition to classrooms in September at the earliest
+ More Colorado families consider online education as COVID-19 risks loom over upcoming school year
+ Inside Denver Public Schools’ reopening plan: Masks required, F grades discouraged, no singing in music class
+ Pandemic not giving Denver home buyers much of a break
Photo of the week
See more great photos like this on The Denver Post’s Instagram account.


thedenverpost--2020-07-19--Ask Amy: It’s time to bring a U-Haul to this relationship

Dear Amy : I have been a widow for almost 13 years .
My husband was only 32 when he died .
We were together for 16 years , and had two children ( who are now 24 and 16 ) .
Unfortunately , my husband cheated on me more than once .
I was devastated over the infidelity .
I never had closure .
I moved to a new home three years ago , and I started dating my neighbor .
He is nine years older than I .
He was married for over 30 years , and his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us went way too fast .
I literally slept at his house just about every night for almost a year .
He started drinking , and his drinking has become a problem .
He expressed his love for another woman , and his sexual interest in two other women .
That put a big strain on our relationship .
I ’ m very much in love with him and want to move forward , but he said he ’ s not ready for that , and doesn ’ t know if he ever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ insecurities because of my husband .
He tells me I push too much .
I think he is pushing me away .
Dear Lost : If you enjoyed this relationship – as it is – I ’ d say that you were not necessarily wasting your time .
Although , speaking of time , your choice to spend every night for a year away from your teenager ( was anyone else home ? )
is time neither you nor your children will ever get back .
I understand the devastation of infidelity , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” until you actively pursue it .
I ’ m talking about accepting the reality of what happened during your marriage , and choosing to move forward .
Would you encourage your children to pursue a committed connection to someone who drank too much and didn ’ t meet their needs ?
I hope not , but by engaging in this relationship under the noses of your kids , you are basically demonstrating that this is the way to be .
Your neighbor is pushing you away .
Let it happen .
Take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Work on your own growth .
Pack your possessions — and your emotions — into a U-Haul and move to a different street , if you have to .
Dear Amy : My co-worker friends like to drink .
A lot .
In pre-pandemic times , we would go out after work to a local bar .
They would get drinks , and since I ’ m not a big drinker I would get some food or a soda .
They don ’ t mind .
Now we are all furloughed .
When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ together .
It turns out we all like riding bikes .
There are some cool bike paths around town .
The first time , one of them packed a six-pack to take with us and we stopped at some scenic spots so they could enjoy a beer and then move on .
Now that things have reopened , our latest bike trip started at a bar .
And then we biked to another bar .
And from there we biked to a brewery , followed by a scenic beer stop on the way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way for me to still participate ( without drinking ) when all I want is to ride my bike with my friends ?
Dear Sober : Checking through various state laws , I am surprised to see that – in most places — riding a bike while intoxicated does not seem to be against the law .
All the same , drinking while riding a bike is extremely foolish – and outright dangerous .
With reaction times slowed ( or otherwise altered ) , any one of you could experience – or create @ @ @ @ @ @ @ path that involves you – or others .
You are not the only pandemic-prompted people hitting the bike trails – many family groups and walkers/runners are also using them .
And people who are drinking are less likely to adhere to appropriate mask-wearing/social distancing guidelines during stops , and are more likely to become belligerent when corrected .
Are you sure you want to ride with these people ?
If you are determined to accompany your friends on their bike/bar crawl , you should order seltzer or soda , and make sure you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Amy : “ Caught Couple ” described being “ front line ” physicians and “ potential vectors ” for the COVID virus .
And yet they were considering going to a big wedding !
Thank you for this line : “ Wake up and smell the COVID !
” I have to admit , it made me laugh .
Dear Chuckling : That line was in questionable taste – and I have no regrets .

Dear Amy: I have been a widow for almost 13 years. My husband was only 32 when he died. We were together for 16 years, and had two children (who are now 24 and 16).
Unfortunately, my husband cheated on me more than once. I was devastated over the infidelity. I never had closure.
I moved to a new home three years ago, and I started dating my neighbor.
He is nine years older than I. He was married for over 30 years, and his wife ended the marriage.
Things between us went way too fast. I literally slept at his house just about every night for almost a year.
He started drinking, and his drinking has become a problem.
He expressed his love for another woman, and his sexual interest in two other women. That put a big strain on our relationship.
I’m very much in love with him and want to move forward, but he said he’s not ready for that, and doesn’t know if he ever will be.
He knows I have insecurities because of my husband.
He tells me I push too much. I think he is pushing me away.
Am I wasting my time?
— Lost in Love
Dear Lost: If you enjoyed this relationship – as it is – I’d say that you were not necessarily wasting your time. Although, speaking of time, your choice to spend every night for a year away from your teenager (was anyone else home?) is time neither you nor your children will ever get back.
I understand the devastation of infidelity, but you will not get “closure” until you actively pursue it. I’m talking about accepting the reality of what happened during your marriage, and choosing to move forward.
Would you encourage your children to pursue a committed connection to someone who drank too much and didn’t meet their needs? I hope not, but by engaging in this relationship under the noses of your kids, you are basically demonstrating that this is the way to be.
Your neighbor is pushing you away. Let it happen. Take a fresh look at your life. Work on your own growth. Pack your possessions — and your emotions — into a U-Haul and move to a different street, if you have to.
Dear Amy: My co-worker friends like to drink. A lot.
In pre-pandemic times, we would go out after work to a local bar.
They would get drinks, and since I’m not a big drinker I would get some food or a soda. They don’t mind.
Now we are all furloughed.
When the restrictions lifted, we tentatively got together.
It turns out we all like riding bikes. There are some cool bike paths around town.
The first time, one of them packed a six-pack to take with us and we stopped at some scenic spots so they could enjoy a beer and then move on.
Now that things have reopened, our latest bike trip started at a bar. And then we biked to another bar. And from there we biked to a brewery, followed by a scenic beer stop on the way home.
What is the least awkward way for me to still participate (without drinking) when all I want is to ride my bike with my friends?
— Sober Socialite
Dear Sober: Checking through various state laws, I am surprised to see that – in most places — riding a bike while intoxicated does not seem to be against the law. All the same, drinking while riding a bike is extremely foolish – and outright dangerous. With reaction times slowed (or otherwise altered), any one of you could experience – or create – a dangerous situation on a bike path that involves you – or others.
You are not the only pandemic-prompted people hitting the bike trails – many family groups and walkers/runners are also using them.
And people who are drinking are less likely to adhere to appropriate mask-wearing/social distancing guidelines during stops, and are more likely to become belligerent when corrected.
Are you sure you want to ride with these people?
If you are determined to accompany your friends on their bike/bar crawl, you should order seltzer or soda, and make sure you are always wearing your helmet.
Dear Amy: “Caught Couple” described being “front line” physicians and “potential vectors” for the COVID virus. And yet they were considering going to a big wedding!
Thank you for this line: “Wake up and smell the COVID!”
I have to admit, it made me laugh.
— Chuckling
Dear Chuckling: That line was in questionable taste – and I have no regrets.
(You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or Facebook.)


thedenverpost--2020-07-19--Rockies bats come alive, David Dahl finds some offense as Texas series approaches

Friday night ’ s intrasquad scrimmage saw the Rockies ’ Purple and Pinstripe squads combine for three runs in about five innings before the teams began situational work .
On Saturday , three runs were on the board by the end of the first inning .
Charlie Blackmon set the tone early .
On the second offering he saw from Pinstripe starter Ryan Castellani , the four-time all-star launched a fastball deep over the wall in right center for his second home run in as many days since his return from COVID-19 quarantine .
“ Charlie just needs to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bud Black said .
“ The main thing with Chuck is getting back on his feet , getting his baseball legs under him , getting that game-condition stamina to a point where he feels confident mentally and physically to play a big league game.
” Four batters later , Chris Owings knocked Castellani ’ s 2-0 fastball off the top of the right field wall to bring Daniel Murphy all the way around from first .
The Pinstripes added one in the bottom of the frame on a Ryan McMahon RBI groundout .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Castellani , scoring five times in the top of the second .
Raimel Tapia singled with the bases loaded , and a Murphy double added another pair .
Owings followed him by doubling again , his fourth extra-base hit in two days , to finish the scoring and Castellani ’ s day .
Blackmon added another RBI off Daniel Bard later in the game .
Seven of the nine players in the Purple lineup reached base in the first three innings .
Sam Hilliard also went deep for the Pinstripes .
After missing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soreness , Dahl walked up to the plate for the first time in months and promptly struck out .
The rest of his Friday wasn ’ t much better though he did hit a sacrifice fly during the team ’ s late-inning simulation .
“ Hopefully things can stabilize as he gets older , ” Black said about Dahl ’ s injuries .
“ As he gets older and continues to mature physically , and gets — what we refer to in the scouting world as man-strength — hopefully these little nagging injuries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Dahl looked more like his normal self .
Leading off the bottom of the first for the Purple squad , he doubled deep into the left field corner before scoring on McMahon ’ s groundout to second .
One frame later , and Dahl knocked a clean single back up the middle against Purple squad starter German Márquez to bring home a run .
Black said he ’ s seen players in Dahl ’ s situation before , and hopes he can keep producing for the Rockies as he continues to grow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experience are the best way for the centerfielder to continue his development and avoid these injuries in the future .
“ He ’ s had some reps , but his timing is a little bit off right now.
” Black said .
“ We got ta get that in order .
David will tell you that just comes with playing and getting reps , getting in the cage and figuring things out.
” Footnotes .
After sitting out yesterday ’ s scrimmage , Nolan Arenado returned Saturday , hitting a single in his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fouling out earlier .
… Bard made his first appearance since officially being added to the roster , but struggled , allowing a run and failing to get out of his first inning of work .
… Hilliard made a nice diving catch in left field on a Drew Butera line drive .
… Márquez went four innings and allowed two runs , four hits , two walks , and struck out five including four of the final six batters he faced .

Friday night’s intrasquad scrimmage saw the Rockies’ Purple and Pinstripe squads combine for three runs in about five innings before the teams began situational work. On Saturday, three runs were on the board by the end of the first inning.
Charlie Blackmon set the tone early. On the second offering he saw from Pinstripe starter Ryan Castellani, the four-time all-star launched a fastball deep over the wall in right center for his second home run in as many days since his return from COVID-19 quarantine.
“Charlie just needs to get some stamina,” Rockies’ manager Bud Black said. “The main thing with Chuck is getting back on his feet, getting his baseball legs under him, getting that game-condition stamina to a point where he feels confident mentally and physically to play a big league game.”
Four batters later, Chris Owings knocked Castellani’s 2-0 fastball off the top of the right field wall to bring Daniel Murphy all the way around from first. The Pinstripes added one in the bottom of the frame on a Ryan McMahon RBI groundout.
But the Purple squad continued to shell Castellani, scoring five times in the top of the second. Raimel Tapia singled with the bases loaded, and a Murphy double added another pair. Owings followed him by doubling again, his fourth extra-base hit in two days, to finish the scoring and Castellani’s day.
Blackmon added another RBI off Daniel Bard later in the game. Seven of the nine players in the Purple lineup reached base in the first three innings.
Sam Hilliard also went deep for the Pinstripes.
David Dahl returns
Technically, David Dahl returned Friday.
After missing part of summer camp because of core soreness, Dahl walked up to the plate for the first time in months and promptly struck out. The rest of his Friday wasn’t much better though he did hit a sacrifice fly during the team’s late-inning simulation.
“Hopefully things can stabilize as he gets older,” Black said about Dahl’s injuries. “As he gets older and continues to mature physically, and gets — what we refer to in the scouting world as man-strength — hopefully these little nagging injuries can go away.”
But on Saturday, Dahl looked more like his normal self. Leading off the bottom of the first for the Purple squad, he doubled deep into the left field corner before scoring on McMahon’s groundout to second.
One frame later, and Dahl knocked a clean single back up the middle against Purple squad starter German Márquez to bring home a run.
Black said he’s seen players in Dahl’s situation before, and hopes he can keep producing for the Rockies as he continues to grow. He thinks playing, repetition and experience are the best way for the centerfielder to continue his development and avoid these injuries in the future.
“He’s had some reps, but his timing is a little bit off right now.” Black said. “We gotta get that in order. David will tell you that just comes with playing and getting reps, getting in the cage and figuring things out.”
Footnotes. After sitting out yesterday’s scrimmage, Nolan Arenado returned Saturday, hitting a single in his third at bat after striking out and fouling out earlier. … Bard made his first appearance since officially being added to the roster, but struggled, allowing a run and failing to get out of his first inning of work. … Hilliard made a nice diving catch in left field on a Drew Butera line drive. … Márquez went four innings and allowed two runs, four hits, two walks, and struck out five including four of the final six batters he faced.


thedenverpost--2020-07-20--Bud Black thrilled with Rockies’ offense as summer camp closes at Coors Field

Facemasks , intrasquad games and faux-fives instead of high-fives .
Quicker player personnel decisions forced by a shortened timetable .
Prepping players for a season in the face of a deadly , worldwide pandemic .
“ A weird existence , ” is how manager Bud Black described the Rockies ’ 15-day “ summer camp ” as it came to a close Sunday at Coors Field .
Weird , for sure , but very successful , according to Black , who continues to gush about his club ’ s state of preparedness as it nears Friday night ’ s 2020 season-opener @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feel good about our position-player group , ” Black said .
“ I ’ ve been really impressed by their work — the shape they were in , coming in here and the work they ’ ve done while here in Denver .
These guys are ready.
” After a light workout at Coors on Monday , the Rockies will fly to Texas and play exhibition games vs. the Rangers on Tuesday and Wednesday .
If there is one thing that stands out about the Rockies ’ camp , it ’ s been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their bats .
The sound of baseballs careening off empty outfield seats has been a common occurrence at Coors .
“ I really , really liked the way we swung the bats , as a group , ” Black said .
“ I ’ m crossing my fingers that this continues into the game Friday night .
I thought the pitchers might be a little bit ahead of the hitters , but that hasn ’ t been the case.
” Rookie infielder Brendan Rodgers , the third overall player selected in the 2015 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a productive role with the team this year , believes the club took full advantage of their mini-camp .
“ We have all busted our tails in these two weeks and we ’ ve put in the work and the time on defense and everything , ” he said .
“ I feel like we ’ re ready to go .
A lot of guys are raking and a lot the pitchers are throwing really well .
I think these two weeks pushed the guys a little harder to see what ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a season will require relatively quick decisions , something that became clear last Friday when the Rockies cut loose struggling veteran relievers Bryan Shaw and Jake McGee , putting an end to Colorado ’ s strategy of spending big to prop up the bullpen .
Following a 2017 playoff appearance , general manager Jeff Bridich committed $ 106 million to the makeover , giving both Shaw and McGee three-year , $ 27 million contracts , and signing all-star closer Wade Davis to a three-year , $ 52 million deal .
Shaw posted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Colorado and McGee didn ’ t do much better ( 5.54 ERA ) in 106 appearances .
Only Davis remains , with the Rockies hoping he can bounce back from his 2019 season in which he posted an 8.65 ERA in 50 games — the fifth-worst mark in the majors among pitchers with 40 innings .
Though the Rockies continue to profess faith in Davis as their primary closer , the leash will be short for Davis and others who don ’ t perform .
The Rockies ’ 30-man roster is nearly set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other non-roster invitees in camp , outfielder Matt Kemp and utilityman Chris Owings , were told Friday they will be included on the team ’ s opening day 30-man roster .
The biggest question still looming is who will back up catcher Tony Wolters .
It ’ s likely that veteran Drew Butera will beat out Elias Díaz , Dom Nuñez and Chris Rabago .
“ I ’ ve been impressed by Drew , ” Black said .
“ He had a good spring training in Scottsdale , he swung the bat up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He looks great .
”

Facemasks, intrasquad games and faux-fives instead of high-fives. Quicker player personnel decisions forced by a shortened timetable. Prepping players for a season in the face of a deadly, worldwide pandemic.
“A weird existence,” is how manager Bud Black described the Rockies’ 15-day “summer camp” as it came to a close Sunday at Coors Field.
Weird, for sure, but very successful, according to Black, who continues to gush about his club’s state of preparedness as it nears Friday night’s 2020 season-opener at the Texas Rangers.
“I feel good about our position-player group,” Black said. “I’ve been really impressed by their work — the shape they were in, coming in here and the work they’ve done while here in Denver. These guys are ready.”
After a light workout at Coors on Monday, the Rockies will fly to Texas and play exhibition games vs. the Rangers on Tuesday and Wednesday.
If there is one thing that stands out about the Rockies’ camp, it’s been the way the offense has shined. their bats. The sound of baseballs careening off empty outfield seats has been a common occurrence at Coors.
“I really, really liked the way we swung the bats, as a group,” Black said. “I’m crossing my fingers that this continues into the game Friday night. I thought the pitchers might be a little bit ahead of the hitters, but that hasn’t been the case.”
Rookie infielder Brendan Rodgers, the third overall player selected in the 2015 draft who’s hoping to find a productive role with the team this year, believes the club took full advantage of their mini-camp.
“We have all busted our tails in these two weeks and we’ve put in the work and the time on defense and everything,” he said. “I feel like we’re ready to go. A lot of guys are raking and a lot the pitchers are throwing really well. I think these two weeks pushed the guys a little harder to see what’s in the tank.”
The 60-game sprint of a season will require relatively quick decisions, something that became clear last Friday when the Rockies cut loose struggling veteran relievers Bryan Shaw and Jake McGee, putting an end to Colorado’s strategy of spending big to prop up the bullpen.
Following a 2017 playoff appearance, general manager Jeff Bridich committed $106 million to the makeover, giving both Shaw and McGee three-year, $27 million contracts, and signing all-star closer Wade Davis to a three-year, $52 million deal. Shaw posted a 5.61 ERA in 130 games with Colorado and McGee didn’t do much better (5.54 ERA) in 106 appearances.
Only Davis remains, with the Rockies hoping he can bounce back from his 2019 season in which he posted an 8.65 ERA in 50 games — the fifth-worst mark in the majors among pitchers with 40 innings. Though the Rockies continue to profess faith in Davis as their primary closer, the leash will be short for Davis and others who don’t perform.
The Rockies’ 30-man roster is nearly set. Right-handed reliever Daniel Bard and two other non-roster invitees in camp, outfielder Matt Kemp and utilityman Chris Owings, were told Friday they will be included on the team’s opening day 30-man roster. The biggest question still looming is who will back up catcher Tony Wolters. It’s likely that veteran Drew Butera will beat out Elias Díaz, Dom Nuñez and Chris Rabago.
“I’ve been impressed by Drew,” Black said. “He had a good spring training in Scottsdale, he swung the bat up here (during) these intrasquad games. He looks great.”


thedenverpost--2020-07-19--Wildfire burns 2,500 acres in Weld County, state and federal firefighting aircraft called in to cont

Wildfire burns 2,500 acres in Weld County, state and federal firefighting aircraft called in to contain flames

A wildfire burned about 2,500 acres in Weld County on Sunday , spreading through dry grass and weeds , threatening structures , drawing firefighters from eight agencies , and forcing state and federal authorities to engage using heavy air tankers .
Flames devoured grass and kicked up smoke around homes and oil and gas facilities near the intersection of Weld County Roads 49 and 22 , forcing fire departments to call for air support , sheriff ’ s department spokesman Joe Moylan said .
State authorities deployed two single-engine tankers and two large tankers equipped with infrared sensors .
Federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suppression work .
Multiple drops of slurry were made to snuff flames .
By 7 p.m. , authorities deemed the fire contained .
Ground crews were dousing hot spots .
No information was available Sunday evening on possible damage and the origins of the fire .
County dispatchers received a call around 3 p.m. reporting flames in that area .
“ Obviously it is a large fire , with multiple agencies involved .
We ’ re trying to get two aircraft in the air .
The command team is on scene .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and working to get this thing contained , ” Moylan said around 5 p.m .
It was the second largest fire burning around Colorado on Sunday .
A federal wildfire database showed that the Fawn Creek wildfire , 25 miles southwest of Meeker in northwest Colorado , had burned 3,208 acres .

A wildfire burned about 2,000 acres in Weld County on Sunday, spreading through dry grass and weeds, threatening structures, drawing firefighters from eight agencies, and forcing state and federal authorities to engage using heavy air tankers.
Flames devoured grass and kicked up smoke around homes and oil and gas facilities near the intersection of Weld County Roads 49 and 22, forcing fire departments to call for air support, sheriff’s department spokesman Joe Moylan said.
State authorities deployed two single-engine tankers and two large tankers equipped with infrared sensors. Federal agencies deployed two aircraft, coordinating fire suppression work. Multiple drops of slurry were made to snuff flames.
By 7 p.m., authorities deemed the fire contained. Ground crews were dousing hot spots.
A couple dozen homes were evacuated.
The fire destroyed a farmhouse and shed, authorities said. They weren’t sure what sparked the fire but were looking into the possibility that lightning striking dry grass as storms moved through the area.
County dispatchers received a call around 3 p.m. reporting flames in that area.
“Obviously it is a large fire, with multiple agencies involved. We’re trying to get two aircraft in the air. The command team is on scene. They’re trying to get everyone organized and working to get this thing contained,” Moylan said around 5 p.m.
It was the second largest fire burning around Colorado on Sunday. A federal wildfire database showed that the Fawn Creek wildfire, 25 miles southwest of Meeker in northwest Colorado, had burned 3,208 acres.


thedenverpost--2020-07-19--As Trump ignores coronavirus crisis, Republicans start to contradict him

President Donald Trump ’ s failure to contain the coronavirus outbreak and his refusal to promote clear public-health guidelines have left many senior Republicans despairing that he will ever play a constructive role in addressing the crisis , with some concluding they must work around Trump and ignore or even contradict his pronouncements .
In recent days , some of the most prominent figures in the GOP outside the White House have broken with Trump over issues like the value of wearing a mask in public and heeding the advice of health experts like Dr. Anthony Fauci , who the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administration have subjected to caustic personal criticism .
They appear to be spurred by several overlapping forces , including deteriorating conditions in their own states , Trump ’ s seeming indifference to the problem and the approach of a presidential election in which Trump is badly lagging his Democratic challenger , Joe Biden , in the polls .
Once-reticent Republican governors are now issuing orders on mask-wearing and business restrictions that run counter to Trump ’ s demands .
Some of those governors have been holding late-night phone calls among themselves to trade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out partners in the administration other than the president , including Vice President Mike Pence , who , despite echoing Trump in public , is seen by governors as far more attentive to the continuing disaster .
“ The president got bored with it , ” David Carney , an adviser to the Texas governor , Greg Abbott , a Republican , said of the pandemic .
He noted that Abbott directs his requests to Pence , with whom he speaks two to three times a week .
A handful of Republican lawmakers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administration to bring back health briefings led by figures like Fauci and Dr. Deborah Birx , who regularly updated the public during the spring until Trump upstaged them with his own briefing-room monologues .
And in his home state of Kentucky last week , Sen. Mitch McConnell , the majority leader , broke with Trump on nearly every major issue related to the virus .
McConnell stressed the importance of mask-wearing , expressed “ total ” confidence in Fauci and urged Americans to follow guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The straight talk here that everyone needs to understand is : This is not going away until we get a vaccine , ” McConnell said Wednesday , contradicting Trump ’ s rosy predictions .
The result is a quiet but widening breach between Trump and leading figures in his party , as the virus burns through major political battlegrounds in the South and the West , like in the states of Arizona , Texas and Georgia .
Amid mounting alarm in a huge portion of the country , Trump has at times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incorrectly predicting the outbreak would quickly dissipate and falsely claiming the spread of the virus was simply a function of increased testing .
With his impatient demands and decrees , Trump has disrupted efforts to mitigate the crisis while effectively sidelining himself from participating in those efforts .
The emerging rifts in Trump ’ s party have been slow to develop , but they have rapidly deepened since a new surge in coronavirus cases began to sweep the country last month .
In the final days of June , the governor of Utah @ @ @ @ @ @ @ joined other governors on a conference call with Pence and urged the administration to do more to combat a sense of “ complacency ” about the virus .
Herbert said it would help states like his own if Trump and Pence were to encourage mask-wearing on a national scale , according to a recording of the call .
“ As a responsible citizen , if you care about your neighbor , if you love your neighbor , let us show the respect necessary by wearing a mask , ” Herbert said , offering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That ’ s where I think you and the president can help us out.
” Pence told Herbert the suggestion was “ duly noted ” and said that mask-wearing would be a “ very consistent message ” from the administration .
But no such appeal was ever forthcoming from Trump , who asserted days later that the virus would “ just disappear.
” Trump has offered only hedged recommendations on wearing masks and has rarely worn one himself in public ; in a Fox interview that was broadcast Sunday , the president said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order , because Americans deserve “ a certain freedom ” on the matter .
Some of the states where outbreaks have worsened most in recent weeks are led by Republicans who spent months avoiding stringent lockdowns , in some cases because state leaders were uneasy about creating space between themselves and a president of their own party who rejected such steps .
That dynamic has been particularly pronounced in Southern states like Mississippi , Alabama and Florida , where governors have either continued to resist tough public-health restrictions or have only recently and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have grown more open with their misgivings about Trump ’ s approach , including Gov .
Asa Hutchinson of Arkansas , who said this month that he would require people to wear masks at any Trump rallies in his state .
After issuing a broad mask mandate last week , Hutchinson said on the ABC program “ This Week ” on Sunday that an “ example needs to be set by our national leadership ” on mask-wearing .
Gov .
Mike DeWine of Ohio , a Republican , in an interview on “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not answer directly when asked if he had confidence in Trump ’ s leadership in the crisis .
DeWine said he had confidence “ in this administration ” and praised Pence for “ doing an absolutely phenomenal job.
” “ Any suggestion that the president is not working around the clock to protect the health and safety of all Americans , lead the whole-of-government response to this pandemic , including expediting vaccine development , and rebuild our economy is utterly false , ” Deere said in a statement .
With only a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confrontation with Trump .
They ’ ve come to view public criticism as an exercise in political futility — one guaranteed to produce a sour response from Trump without any chance of changing his behavior .
But many Republican lawmakers have grown exasperated with the administration ’ s conflicting messages , the open warfare within Trump ’ s staff and the president ’ s demands that states reopen faster or risk punishment from the federal government .
Sen. Ben Sasse , R-Neb.
, said he wanted the administration to offer more extensive public-health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ condemned the open animosity toward Fauci by some administration officials , including Peter Navarro , the trade adviser , who wrote an opinion column attacking Fauci , the nation ’ s top infectious disease expert .
“ I want more briefings but , more importantly , I want the whole White House to start acting like a team on a mission to tackle a real problem , ” Sasse said .
“ Navarro ’ s Larry , Moe and Curly junior-high slap fight this week is yet another way to undermine public confidence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thousands of Americans have died and tens of millions are out of work.
” Sen. Roy Blunt , R-Mo.
, was more succinct : “ The more they turn the briefings over to the professionals , the better.
” A group of Republican governors have for months held regular conference calls , usually at night and without staff present , according to two party strategists familiar with the conversations .
Unlike the virus-focused calls that Pence leads , there are no Democratic or White House officials on the line , so the conversations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where the governors can ask their counterparts for advice , discuss best practices and , if the mood strikes them , vent about the administration and the president ’ s erratic leadership .
Trump himself seems less interested in the specific challenges the virus presents and is mostly just frustrated by the reality that it has not disappeared as he has predicted .
The disconnect is only growing between him and other party leaders — not to mention voters .
A poll published Friday by ABC News and The Washington Post found that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Trump ’ s handling of the coronavirus crisis , and about two-thirds of Americans said they had little or no trust in Trump ’ s comments about the disease .
Trump ’ s political standing is now so dire that even Republicans who have spent years avoiding direct comment on his behavior are acknowledging his unpopularity in plain terms .
Former House Speaker Paul Ryan , for instance , offered a bleak assessment of Trump ’ s electoral standing at a recent event hosted by Solamere , a company with close ties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and his family .
According to a partial transcript of the comments , shared by a person close to him , the usually tight-lipped Ryan said Trump was losing key voting blocs across the Midwest and in Arizona , a Republican-leaning state that Ryan described as “ presently trending against us.
” While Ryan did not criticize Trump ’ s handling of the outbreak , he said the president could not win reelection this year if he continued losing badly to Biden among suburban voters who were wary of both candidates but currently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over Trump in this category of voters 70 to 30 , ” Ryan said , “ and if that sticks , he can not win states like Wisconsin , Michigan and Pennsylvania.
” Some of Trump ’ s closest advisers are adamant that the best way forward is to downplay the dangers of the disease .
Mark Meadows , the chief of staff , has been particularly forceful in his view that the White House should avoid drawing attention to the virus , according to people familiar with the discussions .
Meadows has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the virus , while other Trump advisers , including Hope Hicks and Jared Kushner , have been open to holding briefings so long as they are not at the White House — where Trump could show up and commandeer them .
Pence ’ s team would like to hold more briefings with the health experts , but some of Trump ’ s communications aides do not want the vice president to be part of them .
A large number of rank-and-file Republican lawmakers share Trump ’ s aversion to the disease-control practices @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a Republican closely aligned with Trump , issued an order Wednesday blocking local governments from mandating mask-wearing , then sued the mayor of Atlanta , Keisha Lance Bottoms , for imposing such a requirement .
Kemp ’ s edict came hours after Trump visited his state , declining to wear a face mask at the Atlanta airport .
Yet some in the GOP now see no alternative to parting ways with Trump , on policy if not politics .
Glenn Hamer , president of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state , said he saw Gov .
Doug Ducey , a Republican , walking a prudent line — breaking with Trump ’ s policy demands but not blasting the president for issuing them .
“ Everyone knows that the president doesn ’ t react well to criticism , constructive or not , ” he said .
Hamer , who was among a group of business leaders who sent a letter to the White House urging the creation of clearer national standards for facial coverings , said Trump presented a challenge to Republican leaders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On the mask side , it is difficult when the leader of the party had been setting a pretty bad example , ” Hamer said .

Alexander Burns, Jonathan Martin, Maggie Haberman

President Donald Trump’s failure to contain the coronavirus outbreak and his refusal to promote clear public-health guidelines have left many senior Republicans despairing that he will ever play a constructive role in addressing the crisis, with some concluding they must work around Trump and ignore or even contradict his pronouncements.
In recent days, some of the most prominent figures in the GOP outside the White House have broken with Trump over issues like the value of wearing a mask in public and heeding the advice of health experts like Dr. Anthony Fauci, who the president and other hard-right figures within the administration have subjected to caustic personal criticism.
They appear to be spurred by several overlapping forces, including deteriorating conditions in their own states, Trump’s seeming indifference to the problem and the approach of a presidential election in which Trump is badly lagging his Democratic challenger, Joe Biden, in the polls.
Once-reticent Republican governors are now issuing orders on mask-wearing and business restrictions that run counter to Trump’s demands. Some of those governors have been holding late-night phone calls among themselves to trade ideas and grievances; they have sought out partners in the administration other than the president, including Vice President Mike Pence, who, despite echoing Trump in public, is seen by governors as far more attentive to the continuing disaster.
“The president got bored with it,” David Carney, an adviser to the Texas governor, Greg Abbott, a Republican, said of the pandemic. He noted that Abbott directs his requests to Pence, with whom he speaks two to three times a week.
A handful of Republican lawmakers in the Senate have privately pressed the administration to bring back health briefings led by figures like Fauci and Dr. Deborah Birx, who regularly updated the public during the spring until Trump upstaged them with his own briefing-room monologues. And in his home state of Kentucky last week, Sen. Mitch McConnell, the majority leader, broke with Trump on nearly every major issue related to the virus.
McConnell stressed the importance of mask-wearing, expressed “total” confidence in Fauci and urged Americans to follow guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that Trump has ignored or dismissed.
“The straight talk here that everyone needs to understand is: This is not going away until we get a vaccine,” McConnell said Wednesday, contradicting Trump’s rosy predictions.
The result is a quiet but widening breach between Trump and leading figures in his party, as the virus burns through major political battlegrounds in the South and the West, like in the states of Arizona, Texas and Georgia.
Amid mounting alarm in a huge portion of the country, Trump has at times appeared to inhabit a different universe, incorrectly predicting the outbreak would quickly dissipate and falsely claiming the spread of the virus was simply a function of increased testing. With his impatient demands and decrees, Trump has disrupted efforts to mitigate the crisis while effectively sidelining himself from participating in those efforts.
The emerging rifts in Trump’s party have been slow to develop, but they have rapidly deepened since a new surge in coronavirus cases began to sweep the country last month.
In the final days of June, the governor of Utah, Gary Herbert, a Republican, joined other governors on a conference call with Pence and urged the administration to do more to combat a sense of “complacency” about the virus. Herbert said it would help states like his own if Trump and Pence were to encourage mask-wearing on a national scale, according to a recording of the call.
“As a responsible citizen, if you care about your neighbor, if you love your neighbor, let us show the respect necessary by wearing a mask,” Herbert said, offering language to Pence and adding, “That’s where I think you and the president can help us out.”
Pence told Herbert the suggestion was “duly noted” and said that mask-wearing would be a “very consistent message” from the administration.
But no such appeal was ever forthcoming from Trump, who asserted days later that the virus would “just disappear.”
Trump has offered only hedged recommendations on wearing masks and has rarely worn one himself in public; in a Fox interview that was broadcast Sunday, the president said he would not issue a national mask order, because Americans deserve “a certain freedom” on the matter.
Some of the states where outbreaks have worsened most in recent weeks are led by Republicans who spent months avoiding stringent lockdowns, in some cases because state leaders were uneasy about creating space between themselves and a president of their own party who rejected such steps. That dynamic has been particularly pronounced in Southern states like Mississippi, Alabama and Florida, where governors have either continued to resist tough public-health restrictions or have only recently and partially embraced them.
A few Republicans have grown more open with their misgivings about Trump’s approach, including Gov. Asa Hutchinson of Arkansas, who said this month that he would require people to wear masks at any Trump rallies in his state. After issuing a broad mask mandate last week, Hutchinson said on the ABC program “This Week” on Sunday that an “example needs to be set by our national leadership” on mask-wearing.
Gov. Mike DeWine of Ohio, a Republican, in an interview on “Meet the Press” on NBC, did not answer directly when asked if he had confidence in Trump’s leadership in the crisis. DeWine said he had confidence “in this administration” and praised Pence for “doing an absolutely phenomenal job.”
Judd Deere, a White House spokesman, rejected criticisms of Trump’s approach.
“Any suggestion that the president is not working around the clock to protect the health and safety of all Americans, lead the whole-of-government response to this pandemic, including expediting vaccine development, and rebuild our economy is utterly false,” Deere said in a statement.
With only a few exceptions, Republicans have avoided direct confrontation with Trump. They’ve come to view public criticism as an exercise in political futility — one guaranteed to produce a sour response from Trump without any chance of changing his behavior.
But many Republican lawmakers have grown exasperated with the administration’s conflicting messages, the open warfare within Trump’s staff and the president’s demands that states reopen faster or risk punishment from the federal government.
Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., said he wanted the administration to offer more extensive public-health updates to the American people, and condemned the open animosity toward Fauci by some administration officials, including Peter Navarro, the trade adviser, who wrote an opinion column attacking Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert.
“I want more briefings but, more importantly, I want the whole White House to start acting like a team on a mission to tackle a real problem,” Sasse said. “Navarro’s Larry, Moe and Curly junior-high slap fight this week is yet another way to undermine public confidence that these guys grasp that tens of thousands of Americans have died and tens of millions are out of work.”
Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., was more succinct: “The more they turn the briefings over to the professionals, the better.”
A group of Republican governors have for months held regular conference calls, usually at night and without staff present, according to two party strategists familiar with the conversations. Unlike the virus-focused calls that Pence leads, there are no Democratic or White House officials on the line, so the conversations have become a sort of safe space where the governors can ask their counterparts for advice, discuss best practices and, if the mood strikes them, vent about the administration and the president’s erratic leadership.
Trump himself seems less interested in the specific challenges the virus presents and is mostly just frustrated by the reality that it has not disappeared as he has predicted. The disconnect is only growing between him and other party leaders — not to mention voters. A poll published Friday by ABC News and The Washington Post found that a majority of the country strongly disapproved of Trump’s handling of the coronavirus crisis, and about two-thirds of Americans said they had little or no trust in Trump’s comments about the disease.
Trump’s political standing is now so dire that even Republicans who have spent years avoiding direct comment on his behavior are acknowledging his unpopularity in plain terms. Former House Speaker Paul Ryan, for instance, offered a bleak assessment of Trump’s electoral standing at a recent event hosted by Solamere, a company with close ties to Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, and his family.
According to a partial transcript of the comments, shared by a person close to him, the usually tight-lipped Ryan said Trump was losing key voting blocs across the Midwest and in Arizona, a Republican-leaning state that Ryan described as “presently trending against us.”
While Ryan did not criticize Trump’s handling of the outbreak, he said the president could not win reelection this year if he continued losing badly to Biden among suburban voters who were wary of both candidates but currently favor Biden.
“Biden is winning over Trump in this category of voters 70 to 30,” Ryan said, “and if that sticks, he cannot win states like Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania.”
Some of Trump’s closest advisers are adamant that the best way forward is to downplay the dangers of the disease. Mark Meadows, the chief of staff, has been particularly forceful in his view that the White House should avoid drawing attention to the virus, according to people familiar with the discussions.
Meadows has for the most part opposed any briefings about the virus, while other Trump advisers, including Hope Hicks and Jared Kushner, have been open to holding briefings so long as they are not at the White House — where Trump could show up and commandeer them. Pence’s team would like to hold more briefings with the health experts, but some of Trump’s communications aides do not want the vice president to be part of them.
A large number of rank-and-file Republican lawmakers share Trump’s aversion to the disease-control practices.
Gov. Brian Kemp of Georgia, a Republican closely aligned with Trump, issued an order Wednesday blocking local governments from mandating mask-wearing, then sued the mayor of Atlanta, Keisha Lance Bottoms, for imposing such a requirement. Kemp’s edict came hours after Trump visited his state, declining to wear a face mask at the Atlanta airport.
Yet some in the GOP now see no alternative to parting ways with Trump, on policy if not politics.
Glenn Hamer, president of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry, a powerful business federation in the crucial state, said he saw Gov. Doug Ducey, a Republican, walking a prudent line — breaking with Trump’s policy demands but not blasting the president for issuing them.
“Everyone knows that the president doesn’t react well to criticism, constructive or not,” he said.
Hamer, who was among a group of business leaders who sent a letter to the White House urging the creation of clearer national standards for facial coverings, said Trump presented a challenge to Republican leaders seeking to foster responsible behavior.
“On the mask side, it is difficult when the leader of the party had been setting a pretty bad example,” Hamer said.


thedenverpost--2020-07-19--Twitter: Hack hit 130 accounts, company “embarrassed”

OAKLAND , Calif. — Twitter says the hack that compromised the accounts of some of its most high-profile users targeted 130 people .
The hackers were able to reset the passwords of 45 of those accounts .
The San Francisco-based company said in a blog post Saturday that for up to eight of these accounts the attackers also downloaded the account ’ s information through the “ Your Twitter Data ” tool .
None of the eight were verified accounts , Twitter said , adding that it is contacting the owners of the affected accounts .
“ We ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and more than anything , we ’ re sorry .
We know that we must work to regain your trust , and we will support all efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice , ” Twitter said in the blog post .
The July 17 attack broke into the Twitter accounts of world leaders , celebrities and tech moguls in one of the most high-profile security breaches in recent years .
The attackers sent out tweets from the accounts of the public figures , offering to send $ 2,000 for every $ 1,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It highlighted a major flaw with the service millions of people have come to rely on as an essential communications tool .
Allison Nixon , chief research officer at cybersecurity firm 221B said in an email Sunday that the people behind the attack appear to have come from the “ OG ” community , a group interested in original , short Twitter handles such as @ a , @ b or @ c , for instance .
“ Based upon what we have seen , the motivation for the most recent Twitter attack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ observed in the OG community — a combination of financial incentive , technical bragging rights , challenge , and disruption , ” Nixon wrote .
“ The OG community is not known to be tied to any nation state .
Rather they are a disorganized crime community with a basic skillset and are a loosely organized group of serial fraudsters.
” While this attack did not appear go further than the Bitcoin ruse — at least for now — it raises questions about Twitter ’ s ability to secure its service against election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presidential election .
“ Entire markets and potentially elections may be manipulated or altered in this way , ” Nixon said .
“ Victims of account takeovers generally do not know that the fraud has occurred , and generally can not take security precautions to prevent it .
”

OAKLAND, Calif. — Twitter says the hack that compromised the accounts of some of its most high-profile users targeted 130 people. The hackers were able to reset the passwords of 45 of those accounts.
The San Francisco-based company said in a blog post Saturday that for up to eight of these accounts the attackers also downloaded the account’s information through the “Your Twitter Data” tool. None of the eight were verified accounts, Twitter said, adding that it is contacting the owners of the affected accounts.
“We’re embarrassed, we’re disappointed, and more than anything, we’re sorry. We know that we must work to regain your trust, and we will support all efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice,” Twitter said in the blog post.
The July 17 attack broke into the Twitter accounts of world leaders, celebrities and tech moguls in one of the most high-profile security breaches in recent years. The attackers sent out tweets from the accounts of the public figures, offering to send $2,000 for every $1,000 sent to an anonymous Bitcoin address.
It highlighted a major flaw with the service millions of people have come to rely on as an essential communications tool.
Allison Nixon, chief research officer at cybersecurity firm 221B said in an email Sunday that the people behind the attack appear to have come from the “OG” community, a group interested in original, short Twitter handles such as @a, @b or @c, for instance.
“Based upon what we have seen, the motivation for the most recent Twitter attack is similar to previous incidents we have observed in the OG community — a combination of financial incentive, technical bragging rights, challenge, and disruption,” Nixon wrote. “The OG community is not known to be tied to any nation state. Rather they are a disorganized crime community with a basic skillset and are a loosely organized group of serial fraudsters.”
While this attack did not appear go further than the Bitcoin ruse — at least for now — it raises questions about Twitter’s ability to secure its service against election interference and misinformation ahead of the U.S. presidential election.
“Entire markets and potentially elections may be manipulated or altered in this way,” Nixon said. “Victims of account takeovers generally do not know that the fraud has occurred, and generally cannot take security precautions to prevent it.”


thedenverpost--2020-07-19--Oregon sues feds over Portland protests as unrest continues

PORTLAND , Ore. — Oregon ’ s attorney general is seeking an order to stop federal agents from arresting people in Portland as the city continues to be convulsed by nightly protests that have gone on for seven weeks and have now pitted local officials against the Trump administration .
Federal agents , some wearing camouflage and some wearing dark Homeland Security uniforms , used tear gas at least twice to break up crowds late Friday night , The Oregonian/OregonLive reported .
Demonstrations against systemic racism and police brutality have happened every day in Oregon ’ s largest city since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 25 .
At 10 p.m. Saturday , several hundred peaceful demonstrators against police brutality rallied in front of downtown ’ s Multnomah County Justice Center and the Edith Green-Wendell Wyatt Federal Building , which has a newly built fence around it .
President Donald Trump has decried the disorder , and Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf blasted the protesters as “ lawless anarchists ” in a visit to the city .
Before the aggressive language and action from federal officials , the unrest had frustrated Mayor Ted Wheeler and other local authorities , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violent activists were drowning out the message of peaceful protesters in the city .
But Wheeler said the federal presence in the city is now exacerbating a tense situation and he has told them to depart .
“ Keep your troops in your own buildings , or have them leave our city , ” Wheeler said Friday .
Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum late Friday sued Homeland Security and the Marshals Service in federal court .
The complaint says that unidentified federal agents have grabbed people off Portland ’ s streets “ without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and without providing any way to determine who is directing this action.
” Rosenblum said she was seeking a temporary restraining order to “ immediately stop federal authorities from unlawfully detaining Oregonians.
” “ The current escalation of fear and violence in downtown Portland is being driven by federal law enforcement tactics that are entirely unnecessary , ” Rosenblum said in a statement .
The administration has enlisted federal agents , including the U.S .
Marshals Special Operations Group and an elite U.S. Customs and Border Protection team based on the U.S.-Mexico @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But Oregon Public Broadcasting reported this week that some agents had been driving around in unmarked vans and snatching protesters from streets not near federal property , without identifying themselves .
Tensions also escalated after an officer with the Marshals Service fired a less-lethal round at a protester ’ s head on July 11 , critically injuring him .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer , D-Oregon , issued a joint statement Saturday denouncing the Trump administration ’ s actions .
“ We live in a democracy , not a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the use of Oregonians , Washingtonians –- or any other Americans -– as props in President Trump ’ s political games .
The House is committed to moving swiftly to curb these egregious abuses of power immediately , ” they said .
On Friday night , hundreds of people gathered for a vigil outside the downtown Justice Center , which is sandwiched between two federal buildings , including a courthouse , The Oregonian/OregonLive reported .
Across the street , dozens of other protesters entered two recently closed city parks after dismantling chain-link fencing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from an office building next door and used impact munitions , stun grenades and tear gas to clear the area , the news organization reported .
It said its journalists did not observe any incident that might have prompted the use of the weapons .
Federal officers deployed tear gas again just before midnight after a few protesters placed dismantled fencing in front of plywood doors covering the entrance of the federal courthouse .
Early Saturday , Portland police declared the gathering unlawful , saying protesters had piled fencing in front of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Multnomah County Justice Center and then shot off fireworks at the Justice Center .
Federal officers and local police then advanced simultaneously on the demonstrators to clear the streets , making arrests as protesters threw bottles and pieces of metal fence at police , the Portland Police Bureau said .
Portland Police Chief Chuck Lovell told reporters Friday that his officers are in contact with the federal agents , but that neither controls the others ’ actions .
The overnight action by Portland ’ s police was condemned by a prominent member of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ann Hardesty said local police “ joined in the aggressive clampdown of peaceful protest.
” Hardesty , who said she was downtown speaking at the protest Friday night , slammed Wheeler , telling the mayor he needed to better control local law enforcement .
Hardesty , who oversees the city ’ s fire department and other first-responder agencies , said in an open letter to Wheeler if “ you can ’ t control the police , give me the Portland Police Bureau.
” In a statement Saturday , Portland Police said as they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ included people throwing projectiles at them — some federal agencies took action “ under their own supervision and direction.
” Portland Police said city officers arrested seven people , and one officer sustained a minor injury .
The statement said the city ’ s police supports peaceful protests , and beginning Saturday night Department of Homeland Security police won ’ t work in the Portland Police incident command center .

PORTLAND, Ore. — Oregon’s attorney general is seeking an order to stop federal agents from arresting people in Portland as the city continues to be convulsed by nightly protests that have gone on for seven weeks and have now pitted local officials against the Trump administration.
Federal agents, some wearing camouflage and some wearing dark Homeland Security uniforms, used tear gas at least twice to break up crowds late Friday night, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported.
Demonstrations against systemic racism and police brutality have happened every day in Oregon’s largest city since Minneapolis police killed George Floyd on May 25. At 10 p.m. Saturday, several hundred peaceful demonstrators against police brutality rallied in front of downtown’s Multnomah County Justice Center and the Edith Green-Wendell Wyatt Federal Building, which has a newly built fence around it.
President Donald Trump has decried the disorder, and Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf blasted the protesters as “lawless anarchists” in a visit to the city.
Before the aggressive language and action from federal officials, the unrest had frustrated Mayor Ted Wheeler and other local authorities, who had said a small cadre of violent activists were drowning out the message of peaceful protesters in the city. But Wheeler said the federal presence in the city is now exacerbating a tense situation and he has told them to depart.
“Keep your troops in your own buildings, or have them leave our city,” Wheeler said Friday.
Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum late Friday sued Homeland Security and the Marshals Service in federal court. The complaint says that unidentified federal agents have grabbed people off Portland’s streets “without warning or explanation, without a warrant, and without providing any way to determine who is directing this action.”
Rosenblum said she was seeking a temporary restraining order to “immediately stop federal authorities from unlawfully detaining Oregonians.”
“The current escalation of fear and violence in downtown Portland is being driven by federal law enforcement tactics that are entirely unnecessary,” Rosenblum said in a statement.
The administration has enlisted federal agents, including the U.S. Marshals Special Operations Group and an elite U.S. Customs and Border Protection team based on the U.S.-Mexico border, to protect federal property.
But Oregon Public Broadcasting reported this week that some agents had been driving around in unmarked vans and snatching protesters from streets not near federal property, without identifying themselves.
Tensions also escalated after an officer with the Marshals Service fired a less-lethal round at a protester’s head on July 11, critically injuring him.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Oregon, issued a joint statement Saturday denouncing the Trump administration’s actions.
“We live in a democracy, not a banana republic. We will not tolerate the use of Oregonians, Washingtonians –- or any other Americans -– as props in President Trump’s political games. The House is committed to moving swiftly to curb these egregious abuses of power immediately,” they said.
On Friday night, hundreds of people gathered for a vigil outside the downtown Justice Center, which is sandwiched between two federal buildings, including a courthouse, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported. Across the street, dozens of other protesters entered two recently closed city parks after dismantling chain-link fencing that blocked access.
Federal agents emerged from an office building next door and used impact munitions, stun grenades and tear gas to clear the area, the news organization reported. It said its journalists did not observe any incident that might have prompted the use of the weapons.
Federal officers deployed tear gas again just before midnight after a few protesters placed dismantled fencing in front of plywood doors covering the entrance of the federal courthouse.
Early Saturday, Portland police declared the gathering unlawful, saying protesters had piled fencing in front of the exits to the federal courthouse and the Multnomah County Justice Center and then shot off fireworks at the Justice Center.
Federal officers and local police then advanced simultaneously on the demonstrators to clear the streets, making arrests as protesters threw bottles and pieces of metal fence at police, the Portland Police Bureau said. Portland Police Chief Chuck Lovell told reporters Friday that his officers are in contact with the federal agents, but that neither controls the others’ actions.
The overnight action by Portland’s police was condemned by a prominent member of the City Council. On Saturday Jo Ann Hardesty said local police “joined in the aggressive clampdown of peaceful protest.”
Hardesty, who said she was downtown speaking at the protest Friday night, slammed Wheeler, telling the mayor he needed to better control local law enforcement. Hardesty, who oversees the city’s fire department and other first-responder agencies, said in an open letter to Wheeler if “you can’t control the police, give me the Portland Police Bureau.”
In a statement Saturday, Portland Police said as they responded to the overnight protests — which included people throwing projectiles at them — some federal agencies took action “under their own supervision and direction.” Portland Police said city officers arrested seven people, and one officer sustained a minor injury.
The statement said the city’s police supports peaceful protests, and beginning Saturday night Department of Homeland Security police won’t work in the Portland Police incident command center.


thedenverpost--2020-07-19--Animal print, beads or plain black, masks become about style

SALEM , Ore. — They can be colorful or come in basic black , make a political statement or just a funny one .
Masks made of cotton and other washable materials have become big sellers , and an emerging fashion item , as face coverings have been increasingly mandated around the world to reduce the spread of the coronavirus .
Sales are expected to get another boost after Britain and France announced this week that they will require masks in public indoor spaces .
That could help France ’ s textile and luxury goods companies unload a surplus of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In addition , at least 25 U.S. states are requiring masks in many indoor situations .
Oregon on Wednesday even began requiring masks outdoors if people can ’ t stay 6 feet ( 2 meters ) apart .
In a sign that masks are becoming a fashion trend , Vogue magazine recently listed 100 “ aesthetically pleasing ” selections .
The fashion magazine ’ s recommendations include a mask with beaded accents from Susan Alexandra .
The cost : $ 70 .
Masks made from vintage quilt tops , by Farewell Frances @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi began wearing masks that matched her outfits , people watching her on news channels noticed they had a Donna Lewis label on them .
The boutique in Alexandria , Virginia , became besieged by purchase orders and soon ran out of the labels , which customers demanded .
The boutique now has a huge backlog of orders , co-owner Chris Lewis said .
“ I ’ m shipping them all over the world now , ” Lewis said .
“ Orders are so furious , I can ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fashion sense , when President Donald Trump wore a mask publicly for the first time Saturday , he chose a navy-blue one that bore the presidential seal and matched the color of his suit .
Thanks to mask sales , Etsy , the online crafts marketplace , has seen revenue jump .
In April alone , Etsy sold 12 million masks , generating $ 133 million in sales .
“ If face masks were a stand-alone category , it would have been the second biggest category on Etsy in the month of April @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Second-quarter revenue , to be announced in August , will likely show mask sales are red hot .
Black masks are in highest demand , followed by white and floral patterns , Etsy spokeswoman Lily Cohen said .
“ We are seeing lots of unique variations on masks , including personalization with names and monograms … styles with animal faces or lips , ” she said .
There ’ s also the comical , like the one that says , “ Resting mask face.
” Also available are masks saying , “ Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a raised fist .
Some businesses have told employees they can ’ t wear them , sparking debate about appropriate workplace attire and the desire to show solidarity with the fight against racism .
Masks can show patriotism as well as activism .
In Paris , a firefighter wore a face covering with the colors of the French flag before marching in the Bastille Day parade celebrating the national holiday this week along the Champs Elysees .
Others at a protest across town wore yellow masks , representing the yellow vest movement against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Workers at restaurants and other businesses are wearing masks with corporate logos .
Oregon Gov .
Kate Brown wears one showing the state flag .
In Colombia , dozens of fashion companies have pivoted to producing masks , including ones with colorful images of toucans , jaguars and other tropical designs that normally go on expensive swimsuits .
South Africans often sport masks made of colorful African fabrics .
But for many consumers , plain white will do .
When Uniqlo , a major Japanese clothing retailer , put its white “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fabric on sale in June , shoppers lined up at stores and crashed its website .
Supplies sold out in hours .
Join our Facebook group for the latest updates on coronavirus in Colorado .

SALEM, Ore. — They can be colorful or come in basic black, make a political statement or just a funny one.
Masks made of cotton and other washable materials have become big sellers, and an emerging fashion item, as face coverings have been increasingly mandated around the world to reduce the spread of the coronavirus.
Sales are expected to get another boost after Britain and France announced this week that they will require masks in public indoor spaces. That could help France’s textile and luxury goods companies unload a surplus of masks that numbered 20 million in June.
In addition, at least 25 U.S. states are requiring masks in many indoor situations. Oregon on Wednesday even began requiring masks outdoors if people can’t stay 6 feet (2 meters) apart.
In a sign that masks are becoming a fashion trend, Vogue magazine recently listed 100 “aesthetically pleasing” selections. The fashion magazine’s recommendations include a mask with beaded accents from Susan Alexandra. The cost: $70. Masks made from vintage quilt tops, by Farewell Frances, go for $25.
After U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi began wearing masks that matched her outfits, people watching her on news channels noticed they had a Donna Lewis label on them. The boutique in Alexandria, Virginia, became besieged by purchase orders and soon ran out of the labels, which customers demanded.
The boutique now has a huge backlog of orders, co-owner Chris Lewis said.
“I’m shipping them all over the world now,” Lewis said. “Orders are so furious, I can’t keep up.”
Perhaps showing some fashion sense, when President Donald Trump wore a mask publicly for the first time Saturday, he chose a navy-blue one that bore the presidential seal and matched the color of his suit.
Thanks to mask sales, Etsy, the online crafts marketplace, has seen revenue jump. In April alone, Etsy sold 12 million masks, generating $133 million in sales.
“If face masks were a stand-alone category, it would have been the second biggest category on Etsy in the month of April,” CEO Josh Silverman said.
Second-quarter revenue, to be announced in August, will likely show mask sales are red hot.
Black masks are in highest demand, followed by white and floral patterns, Etsy spokeswoman Lily Cohen said.
“We are seeing lots of unique variations on masks, including personalization with names and monograms … styles with animal faces or lips,” she said.
There’s also the comical, like the one that says, “Resting mask face.”
Also available are masks saying, “Black lives matter” with an image of a raised fist. Some businesses have told employees they can’t wear them, sparking debate about appropriate workplace attire and the desire to show solidarity with the fight against racism.
Masks can show patriotism as well as activism.
In Paris, a firefighter wore a face covering with the colors of the French flag before marching in the Bastille Day parade celebrating the national holiday this week along the Champs Elysees. Others at a protest across town wore yellow masks, representing the yellow vest movement against economic injustice that began in late 2018.
Workers at restaurants and other businesses are wearing masks with corporate logos. Oregon Gov. Kate Brown wears one showing the state flag.
In Colombia, dozens of fashion companies have pivoted to producing masks, including ones with colorful images of toucans, jaguars and other tropical designs that normally go on expensive swimsuits. South Africans often sport masks made of colorful African fabrics.
But for many consumers, plain white will do.
When Uniqlo, a major Japanese clothing retailer, put its white “cool and dry” masks with breathable fabric on sale in June, shoppers lined up at stores and crashed its website. Supplies sold out in hours.
Join our Facebook group for the latest updates on coronavirus in Colorado.