thedenverpost--2020-03-15--Colorado coronavirus cases rise to 131; high country seeing “extensive spread”

Colorado ’ s mountain resort communities have seen “ extensive spread ” of COVID-19 , state health officials said Sunday , urging residents and recent visitors to Pitkin , Gunnison , Eagle and Summit counties to minimize social contact regardless of whether they are showing symptoms .
“ We ’ re seeing extensive outbreaks in these communities , ” said Rachel Herlihy , an epidemiologist with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment .
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Colorado climbed to 131 Sunday as 30 more people tested positive for the coronavirus — the largest single-day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early March .
COVID-19 is now confirmed in 17 counties across the state , with Denver , Eagle and Arapahoe counties seeing the most infections .
Denver has 25 confirmed cases , Eagle has 24 and Arapahoe has 18 , according to CDPHE .
In the wake of the state ’ s first death from COVID-19 , officials in El Paso County said this weekend that the victim , who was in her 80s and died Friday , might have unknowingly exposed scores of older people .
About a hundred people from across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 29 and March 1 at the Colorado Springs Bridge Center and a game night March 3 .
At least one other bridge player has since tested positive for the novel coronavirus , and two others have been hospitalized with symptoms that have not been confirmed to be the virus , said John Dukellis , a club director .
He said he has been fielding calls from scared players .
“ This group is going to be hard hit , ” Dukellis said .
“ This is just the beginning.
” The highly contagious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ older patients or those with underlying health conditions .
The tournament saw about 90 players its first morning , 80 that afternoon and 44 players on its second day , Dukellis said .
About 70 people attended the bridge center on March 3 .
Some of the players came from group living situations , but most were living in private residences , said Michelle Hewitt , a spokeswoman for El Paso County Public Health .
She added that the county is working with those facilities that might have been exposed .
She was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facilities may have been affected .
The virus ’ spread from the woman to the second bridge player is the first confirmed case of “ community spread ” in El Paso County , Johnson said .
The county now has four cases of COVID-19 , including one confirmed Sunday .
All of the 30 new cases reported Sunday are among Colorado residents , rather than among visitors to the state , according to CDPHE .
Five cases were found in Jefferson County , four in each of Douglas , Denver and Eagle counties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counties , two in Weld and Gunnison counties , and one in both Garfield and El Paso counties , according to the agency .
The county for one additional positive test has not been identified .
The 30 new people infected range from teenagers to those in their 60s and 70s , according to the agency .
Eighteen patients are between the ages of 30 and 59 .
Sunday ’ s test results include 25 from the state ’ s lab and five from private testing facilities .
More than 758 people have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ February .
COVID-19 has prompted drastic measures across the state in recent days as authorities try to slow its spread .
A week ago , there were fewer than 12 cases in Colorado .
Gov .
Jared Polis on Saturday ordered that all ski resorts close for at least one week , and a number of school districts have extended their spring breaks .
Many organizations across the state have closed , canceled events or postponed activities in an attempt to mitigate the virus ’ spread .
The novel coronavirus is most often @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sneezes ; those within 6 feet of the infected person are most at risk .
Authorities have urged residents to avoid close contact with other people and Polis recommended canceling any gatherings of more than 250 people .
Common symptoms of COVID-19 include fever , cough and shortness of breath .
The symptoms typically appear two to 14 days after a person ’ s exposure to the virus .
Those who think they might be infected should contact their primary care physician .
Join our Facebook group for the latest updates on coronavirus @ @ @

Colorado’s mountain resort communities are facing “extensive spread” of COVID-19, and local leaders on Sunday urged residents and visitors to minimize social contact and stay put as officials take steps including first steps toward a community quarantine.
“We’re seeing extensive outbreaks in these communities,” said Rachel Herlihy, a Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment epidemiologist, addressing conditions in Eagle, Gunnison, Pitkin and Summit counties.
That was one of a number of new developments Sunday, nine days after the first case was identified in Colorado.
Statewide, the number of confirmed coronavirus cases climbed to at least 135 as 34 more people tested positive — the largest single-day jump to date. COVID-19 is now confirmed in 17 counties, Denver topping the list with 25, followed by Eagle with 24 and Arapahoe with 18.
Boulder County officials announced four more positive cases Sunday night, bringing the county’s total to seven.
CDPHE and Denver officials on Sunday night announced new recommendations to follow the latest new federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance that “for the next eight weeks, organizers (whether groups or individuals) cancel or postpone in-person events that consist of 50 people or more throughout the United States.”
State health officials also adjusted their virus testing, declaring there will be no drive-up testing on Monday. They said they’d begin appointment-only, drive-up testing on Tuesday at a site yet-to-be determined.
In Summit County and elsewhere, hundreds of samples have been sent to labs for processing, leading to backups and delayed test results. Local public officials say they’re anticipating confirmation that the virus is spreading inside resort communities.
Summit County officials on Sunday asked residents not to leave the county unless absolutely necessary. Gov. Jared Polis already has advised people outside mountain resort counties not to enter those areas if possible.
No-go recommendations are voluntary but county officials “are having very in-depth conversations with local law enforcement,” assistant Summit County manager Sarah Vaine said.
“People are being cooperative and compliant,” she said. “At this point, there is no plan to have checkpoints. This has been a recommendation from the governor’s office, not an order. We are asking people to do their best. More information will come out of the governor’s office in the days to come.”
The emerging strategy in Summit County on Sunday called for people experiencing mild symptoms to isolate themselves at home for 10 days until symptoms are gone, saving hospital beds for people at least 60 years old and those with chronic health conditions. A highly contagious respiratory disease, COVID-19 typically is more severe in older patients and those with underlying health conditions.
“We need to keep the hospital beds for those who need them most,” said county Commissioner Elisabeth Lawrence.
Summit County’s emergency manager Brian Bovaird said hospitals expect a surge but are not full now: “We are in good shape there.”
Hospitals have increased their capacity in recent days, he said, including adding some rooms that have negative pressure, in line with Centers For Disease Control recommendations.
“We can greatly increase the capacity of medical beds if needed,” Bovaird said.
Lawrence urged residents not to gather in groups “of any size” for the next two weeks.
“Please limit your shopping trips to only those essential needs and medications,” she said.
At the isolated mountain resort of Telluride, a National Guard team arrived Sunday evening to conduct coronavirus testing and help San Miguel County health officials make decisions.
Colorado’s first death from COVID-19 was confirmed over the weekend in Colorado Springs. El Paso County public health officials said the victim, in her 80s, might unknowingly have exposed scores of olders at a bridge club. Around 100 people from around southern Colorado attended a two-day tournament Feb. 29 and March 1 at this Colorado Springs Bridge Center and a game night March 3.
At least one other bridge player has since tested positive for coronavirus, said John Dukellis, a club director, and two others have been hospitalized with symptoms that have not been confirmed to be the virus. He said he’s been fielding calls from scared players.
“This group is going to be hard hit,” Dukellis said. “This is just the beginning.”
Some of the players came from group homes but most were living in private residences, said Michelle Hewitt, an El Paso County Public Health spokeswoman. County officials are working with facilities where people may have been exposed, Hewitt said. She couldn’t say how many facilities may be involved.
The virus’ spread from the woman to the second bridge player was the first confirmed case of “community spread” in El Paso County, which was dealing with four cases of COVID-19.
Five new cases were found in Jefferson County; four in Douglas, Denver and Eagle counties; three in Arapahoe County; two in Weld and Gunnison counties; and one in Garfield and El Paso counties, state health records showed. The location of one additional positive test result hadn’t been identified.
The new people infected range from teenagers to those in their 60s and 70s, state officials said.
Sunday’s test results include 25 from the state’s lab and five from private testing facilities. More than 758 people have been tested for the disease since late February.
Gov. Jared Polis on Saturday ordered all ski resorts to close for at least one week, and a number of school districts have extended their spring breaks, among many cancellations throughout the state and country.
Metropolitan State University of Denver officials announced Sunday that they’ll suspend in-person, on-campus classes immediately, following a decision last week to transition to online classes by March 30.
The novel coronavirus is spread most often when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Other people within 6 feet of the infected person are most at risk. Public health authorities have urged residents to avoid close contact with other people. Polis recommended canceling any gatherings of more than 250 people.
Common symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough and shortness of breath. The symptoms typically appear two to 14 days after exposure to the virus. Health officials said people who think they might be infected should contact a primary care doctor.
Join our Facebook group for the latest updates on coronavirus in Colorado.


thedenverpost--2020-03-15--El Paso County bridge player likely exposed scores of older people to coronavirus

The El Paso County woman who died from COVID-19 might have exposed scores of older people to the highly contagious respiratory disease during a bridge tournament earlier this month .
The woman , who was in her 80s , became the first person to die from the disease in Colorado on Friday .
About two weeks prior , on Feb. 29 and March 1 , she attended a bridge tournament at the Colorado Springs Bridge Center — an event that attracted around 100 older people from across southern Colorado .
At least one other bridge player has since tested positive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ others have been hospitalized with symptoms that have not been confirmed to be the virus , said John Dukellis , a club director , who said he has been fielding calls from scared players .
“ This group is going to be hard hit , ” Dukellis said .
“ This is just the beginning.
” Dr. Robin Johnson , medical director of El Paso County Public Health , said Saturday that several bridge players were under medical observation with pending tests for COVID-19 .
The disease is typically more severe in older @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The tournament saw about 90 players its first morning , 80 that afternoon and 44 players on its second day , Dukellis said .
The woman who died also attended the bridge center on March 3 , a night when about 70 people were in attendance .
“ I would say 95 percent of the people in attendance were over the age of 65 , ” Dukellis said .
Some of the players came from group living situations but most were living in private residences , said Michelle Hewitt , a spokeswoman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She added that the county is working with those facilities that might have been exposed and was not able to say Sunday how many facilities that includes .
Players came to the center from the greater Colorado Springs area , including Monument and Woodland Park , as well as from Denver , Pueblo and Buena Vista , Dukellis said .
Johnson said Saturday that health officials are working to contact everyone who was at the center on those dates to warn them about potential exposure to the coronavirus .
She said the woman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was sick when she attended the games .
“ My understanding is that she was unaware at the time that she was playing bridge that she had symptoms that she would have been concerned about , ” Johnson said during a press conference with reporters .
She said officials are still investigating how the woman in her 80s contracted the disease , and said that while the woman herself did not recently travel , she may have come in contact with someone who did .
The virus ’ spread from the woman to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of “ community spread ” in El Paso County , Johnson said .
As of Sunday morning the county had three confirmed COVID-19 cases , out of 101 cases across the state .
Join our Facebook group for the latest updates on coronavirus in Colorado .

The El Paso County woman who died from COVID-19 might have exposed scores of older people to the highly contagious respiratory disease during a bridge tournament earlier this month.
The woman, who was in her 80s, became the first person to die from the disease in Colorado on Friday. About two weeks prior, on Feb. 29 and March 1, she attended a bridge tournament at the Colorado Springs Bridge Center — an event that attracted around 100 older people from across southern Colorado.
At least one other bridge player has since tested positive for the novel coronavirus, and two others have been hospitalized with symptoms that have not been confirmed to be the virus, said John Dukellis, a club director, who said he has been fielding calls from scared players.
“This group is going to be hard hit,” Dukellis said. “This is just the beginning.”
Dr. Robin Johnson, medical director of El Paso County Public Health, said Saturday that several bridge players were under medical observation with pending tests for COVID-19. The disease is typically more severe in older patients or those with underlying health conditions.
The tournament saw about 90 players its first morning, 80 that afternoon and 44 players on its second day, Dukellis said. The woman who died also attended the bridge center on March 3, a night when about 70 people were in attendance.
“I would say 95 percent of the people in attendance were over the age of 65,” Dukellis said.
Some of the players came from group living situations but most were living in private residences, said Michelle Hewitt, a spokeswoman for El Paso County Public Health. She added that the county is working with those facilities that might have been exposed and was not able to say Sunday how many facilities that includes.
Players came to the center from the greater Colorado Springs area, including Monument and Woodland Park, as well as from Denver, Pueblo and Buena Vista, Dukellis said.
Johnson said Saturday that health officials are working to contact everyone who was at the center on those dates to warn them about potential exposure to the coronavirus. She said the woman who died didn’t know she was sick when she attended the games.
“My understanding is that she was unaware at the time that she was playing bridge that she had symptoms that she would have been concerned about,” Johnson said during a press conference with reporters.
She said officials are still investigating how the woman in her 80s contracted the disease, and said that while the woman herself did not recently travel, she may have come in contact with someone who did.
The virus’ spread from the woman to the second patient is the first case of “community spread” in El Paso County, Johnson said.
As of Sunday morning the county had three confirmed COVID-19 cases, out of 101 cases across the state.
Join our Facebook group for the latest updates on coronavirus in Colorado.


thedenverpost--2020-03-16--Letters: Please consider the best-case coronavirus scenario (3/16/20)

Please consider the best-case scenario The media has done a frighteningly good job of reporting exactly how big the coronavirus disaster might be in a worst-case scenario .
What has been completely overlooked by the media is this : What will the best-case scenario look like ?
Here is an illustration of what this public health crisis should look like : 1 .
Our health care workers will rise to the occasion and do the very best they can to help all people .
2 .
Our citizens will realize there ’ s no role for selfish behavior : if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the public at large will increase to the point that even the selfish will be vulnerable .
3 .
Our politicians and public leaders will realize two things : first , that we rely on them to inspire confidence , not feed the flames of fear ( that ’ s the media ’ s job ) ; second , that collaboration beats cross-party condemnation and finger-pointing not only in times of crisis but in times of stability .
4 .
And finally , this country will realize that funding to both the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Institutes of Health should be permanently expanded instead of perennially cut .
This way , we will develop robust , nimble , and sustainable infrastructure for our future .
Editor ’ s note : Sippel is associate director of Pulmonary Sciences and Critical Care Medicine at the University of Colorado Department of Medicine .
Kindness among the chaos at the grocery store I just want to add my experience to the Thornton resident ’ s who reported , “ People are rude ; everybody ’ s scared and in a bad mood.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shopping at Whole Foods on East Hampden — busy registers , some carts overloaded , some less .
I only had a few items and when standing in line at the checkout , I noticed the young man behind me only had one item — I told him to get ahead of me .
The lady ahead of him then told him to get ahead of her — all polite , patient .
Then , I had to pick up a few more items at my King Soopers on South Holly .
Arriving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man wiping a cart for himself .
When an older woman arrived , he handed her the wiped cart and went to hunt for one for himself , which was a challenge , as most of the carts were being used .
At the checkouts people were standing in line quietly , politely , small conversations going back and forth .
We ’ re all in the same boat — this is the time for helping each other .
This boomer is thankful for concern and efforts We boomers are a generation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through life and learned a lot along the way ( i.e.
, beware of mullets and polyester . )
So it is not surprising that those of us blessed with good health in our 60s and 70s are naturally adverse to slowing down and following the social distancing advice for our age group .
But I thought about the extraordinary sacrifices the younger generations are making to ensure that we live to share our unique talents , wisdom , and love with children , grandchildren and those yet to be born .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more care .
I feel silly ordering my groceries for pick-up , limiting exposure to small groups , and even badgering my husband into canceling all his business flights .
But I also feel terribly blessed that my family and all America are doing everything they can to make sure we are safe .
So boomers , repeat the mantra “ We will stay safe and healthy .
We are loved .
We are worth it.
” To send a letter to the editor about this article , submit online or check out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ email or mail .

Please consider the best-case scenario
The media has done a frighteningly good job of reporting exactly how big the coronavirus disaster might be in a worst-case scenario. What has been completely overlooked by the media is this: What will the best-case scenario look like?
Here is an illustration of what this public health crisis should look like:
1. Our health care workers will rise to the occasion and do the very best they can to help all people.
2. Our citizens will realize there’s no role for selfish behavior: if critical supplies are hoarded, then risk to the public at large will increase to the point that even the selfish will be vulnerable.
3. Our politicians and public leaders will realize two things: first, that we rely on them to inspire confidence, not feed the flames of fear (that’s the media’s job); second, that collaboration beats cross-party condemnation and finger-pointing not only in times of crisis but in times of stability.
4. And finally, this country will realize that funding to both the Centers for Disease Control and the National Institutes of Health should be permanently expanded instead of perennially cut. This way, we will develop robust, nimble, and sustainable infrastructure for our future.
Jeffrey Sippel, Denver
Editor’s note: Sippel is associate director of Pulmonary Sciences and Critical Care Medicine at the University of Colorado Department of Medicine.
Kindness among the chaos at the grocery store
Re: “Denver shoppers hit stores amid virus fear,” March 14 news story
I just want to add my experience to the Thornton resident’s who reported, “People are rude; everybody’s scared and in a bad mood.”
Friday, the 13th, I went shopping at Whole Foods on East Hampden — busy registers, some carts overloaded, some less. I only had a few items and when standing in line at the checkout, I noticed the young man behind me only had one item — I told him to get ahead of me. The lady ahead of him then told him to get ahead of her — all polite, patient. Then, I had to pick up a few more items at my King Soopers on South Holly.
Arriving at the door I saw a young man wiping a cart for himself. When an older woman arrived, he handed her the wiped cart and went to hunt for one for himself, which was a challenge, as most of the carts were being used.
At the checkouts people were standing in line quietly, politely, small conversations going back and forth.
We’re all in the same boat — this is the time for helping each other.
Rosalie Nemeth, Greenwood Village
This boomer is thankful for concern and efforts
We boomers are a generation of rebels and rule-breakers. We have powered through life and learned a lot along the way (i.e., beware of mullets and polyester.)
So it is not surprising that those of us blessed with good health in our 60s and 70s are naturally adverse to slowing down and following the social distancing advice for our age group.
But I thought about the extraordinary sacrifices the younger generations are making to ensure that we live to share our unique talents, wisdom, and love with children, grandchildren and those yet to be born.
I will try to step back and take more care. I feel silly ordering my groceries for pick-up, limiting exposure to small groups, and even badgering my husband into canceling all his business flights.
But I also feel terribly blessed that my family and all America are doing everything they can to make sure we are safe.
So boomers, repeat the mantra “We will stay safe and healthy. We are loved. We are worth it.”
Martha Daniels, Golden
To send a letter to the editor about this article, submit online or check out our guidelines for how to submit by email or mail.


thedenverpost--2020-03-16--Ask Amy: A boy and his bears belong together

Dear Readers : Every year , I step away from the Ask Amy column for two weeks in order to work on other writing projects .
My two memoirs , “ The Mighty Queens of Freeville : A Story of Surprising Second Chances , ” ( 2010 , Hachette ) and “ Strangers Tend to Tell Me Things : A Memoir of Love , Loss , and Coming Home ” ( 2018 , Hachette ) are available from your favorite bookseller or library .
Today ’ s ( 2010 ) “ Best Of ” column contains one of my most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the original question and answer , as well as a sample of the lovely and supportive responses I received from readers who were touched by the story of a child ’ s connection to his stuffed animals .
I ’ ll be back with fresh Ask Amy columns next week .
Dear Amy : I have a friend who is the father of a 12-year-old son .
My friend ’ s son ’ s bedroom is filled with stuffed animals .
These are not “ guy ” toys , but pink , yellow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We have tried to tell the dad that this is not appropriate for a young man , but he just scoffs at us .
There are hundreds of these stuffed animals in this child ’ s room .
What are your thoughts ?
Dear Wondering : My thoughts are that hundreds of any toy is too much for a child to possess , but it ’ s not for you to judge the type of toys this child collects .
It ’ s also not for you to judge whether stuffed animals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s child to play with .
If this dad seeks out your counsel on the quantity and quality of his son ’ s toys , then go for it .
Otherwise , you should keep your views to yourself .
Dear Amy : We have a grandson who , when he was 12 , not only had lots of stuffed animals but also carried one around with him everywhere .
This drove my husband crazy .
I taught elementary school students for 42 years .
I told him to leave the boy alone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teacher and a fine young man .
Dear Barbara : “ Leave the boy alone ” is sage advice for many parents and grandparents — in many different contexts .
You are a wise woman .
Thank you .
Dear Amy : When I was in high school , the boy I had begun dating handed me a closed paper lunch bag .
Shyly , he said he knew I could sew and wondered if I could fix what was in the bag .
It was a stuffed panda bear , badly worn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attachment to the bear and thought , “ This guy will make a great daddy someday.
” Recently we celebrated our 29th wedding anniversary .
He ’ s been a kind , loving and gentle husband and father to our two daughters , who are now grown and married .
And the stuffed panda bear ?
We still have it .
Dear Shirley : This is lovely .
Thank you .
Dear Amy : I had to hop on the bandwagon and respond to the letter about the 12-year-old boy who had lots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 24-year-old woman , and I ’ ve had a big teddy bear since I was an infant .
I had a somewhat rough childhood , and the only constant friend was my bear .
I semi-jokingly tell people that , “ he has the smell of my life on him.
” A few years ago , I was on a second or third date with a man and somehow this topic came up .
I told him about my bear , and I thought his eyes were going to pop out of his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has had a bear since he was an infant as well and he kept it in the trunk of his car the whole time he was in college so people wouldn ’ t make fun of him .
He is now my fiancée , and our bears don ’ t have to be hidden .
It warms my heart to hear from other people who kept something that others might think is silly close to them through the years .
Dear Hugger : I love thee testimonials to the stuffed friends who hold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A bear can be a child ’ s most intimate friend .
Dear Amy : Your discussion about a boy who had a collection of stuffed animals made me smile .
Mine was named Muffin .
He was a duck that helped me get through law school .
Dear Greg : Here ’ s to Muffin , and all the other stuffed or inanimate friends who help their keepers to cope with life ’ s challenges .

Dear Readers: Every year, I step away from the Ask Amy column for two weeks in order to work on other writing projects.
My two memoirs, “The Mighty Queens of Freeville: A Story of Surprising Second Chances,”(2010, Hachette) and “Strangers Tend to Tell Me Things: A Memoir of Love, Loss, and Coming Home” (2018, Hachette) are available from your favorite bookseller or library.
Today’s (2010) “Best Of” column contains one of my most memorable questions. I’m running the original question and answer, as well as a sample of the lovely and supportive responses I received from readers who were touched by the story of a child’s connection to his stuffed animals.
I’ll be back with fresh Ask Amy columns next week.
Dear Amy: I have a friend who is the father of a 12-year-old son. My friend’s son’s bedroom is filled with stuffed animals. These are not “guy” toys, but pink, yellow, orange, etc., stuffed animals. We have tried to tell the dad that this is not appropriate for a young man, but he just scoffs at us. There are hundreds of these stuffed animals in this child’s room.
What are your thoughts?
— Wondering Friend
Dear Wondering: My thoughts are that hundreds of any toy is too much for a child to possess, but it’s not for you to judge the type of toys this child collects. It’s also not for you to judge whether stuffed animals are sufficiently masculine for someone else’s child to play with.
If this dad seeks out your counsel on the quantity and quality of his son’s toys, then go for it. Otherwise, you should keep your views to yourself.
July 2010
Dear Amy: We have a grandson who, when he was 12, not only had lots of stuffed animals but also carried one around with him everywhere. This drove my husband crazy.
I taught elementary school students for 42 years. I told him to leave the boy alone.
The grandson is now a music teacher and a fine young man.
— Barbara
Dear Barbara: “Leave the boy alone” is sage advice for many parents and grandparents — in many different contexts. You are a wise woman. Thank you.
July 2010
Dear Amy: When I was in high school, the boy I had begun dating handed me a closed paper lunch bag. Shyly, he said he knew I could sew and wondered if I could fix what was in the bag. It was a stuffed panda bear, badly worn.
I was touched by his sentimental attachment to the bear and thought, “This guy will make a great daddy someday.”
Recently we celebrated our 29th wedding anniversary. He’s been a kind, loving and gentle husband and father to our two daughters, who are now grown and married.
And the stuffed panda bear? We still have it.
— Shirley
Dear Shirley: This is lovely. Thank you.
August 2010
Dear Amy: I had to hop on the bandwagon and respond to the letter about the 12-year-old boy who had lots of stuffed animals.
I am a 24-year-old woman, and I’ve had a big teddy bear since I was an infant. I had a somewhat rough childhood, and the only constant friend was my bear.
I semi-jokingly tell people that, “he has the smell of my life on him.”
A few years ago, I was on a second or third date with a man and somehow this topic came up. I told him about my bear, and I thought his eyes were going to pop out of his head!
He then explained that he has had a bear since he was an infant as well and he kept it in the trunk of his car the whole time he was in college so people wouldn’t make fun of him.
He is now my fiancée, and our bears don’t have to be hidden.
It warms my heart to hear from other people who kept something that others might think is silly close to them through the years.
— Teddy-Hugger
Dear Hugger: I love thee testimonials to the stuffed friends who hold the “smell” of our lives. A bear can be a child’s most intimate friend.
August 2010
Dear Amy: Your discussion about a boy who had a collection of stuffed animals made me smile. Mine was named Muffin. He was a duck that helped me get through law school.
— Greg
Dear Greg: Here’s to Muffin, and all the other stuffed or inanimate friends who help their keepers to cope with life’s challenges.
August 2010
(You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or Facebook.)


thedenverpost--2020-03-16--AP FACT CHECK: The Dems on pandemic, Social Security, more

WASHINGTON — Former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders sparred one-on-one Sunday in a Democratic debate held without a live audience in the shadow of the coronavirus pandemic .
The growing crisis prompted some questionable statements from the presidential rivals , as did issues they argued about for months on once-crowded stages .
A look at how some of their claims compare with the facts : SANDERS : “ We ’ re the only major country on earth not to guarantee health ( care for ) all people .
We ’ re spending so much money and yet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic.
” BIDEN : “ It has nothing to do with ‘ Medicare for All ’ — that wouldn ’ t solve the problem at all.
” THE FACTS : Biden has a point .
The coronavirus pandemic has taken countries by surprise regardless of the type of health care system that they have .
Spain has a single-payer system , known as “ social security ” in that country .
Italy guarantees coverage for all through a regionally based system .
But both countries have struggled to get control of the outbreak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to take stringent measures not yet seen in this country .
BIDEN : “ A Medicare option .
We can do that now .
I can get that passed .
I can get that done , if I ’ m president of the United States of America.
” THE FACTS : That ’ s no guarantee .
It ’ s a promise .
The health insurance industry is dead set against a public option — a government plan that would compete with private insurers — and would fight it .
So would many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats originally sought a public plan as part of the Obama-era Affordable Care Act .
But they lacked the votes to get it through the Senate , even when they held a commanding majority in that chamber .
The same fight would play out again if Biden is elected president .
Whether he ’ s able to secure a public plan depends on the composition of Congress .
SANDERS , to Biden : “ You have been on the floor of the Senate time and time again talking about the need to cut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Is that true or is that not true ?
” THE FACTS : Sanders ’ accusation is misleading .
He suggests that Biden ’ s record shows that he would be hostile to preserving Social Security .
In fact , Biden ’ s position has actually evolved over his long public career as a centrist senator .
Cutting Social Security is not what he is proposing now .
Biden ’ s campaign has pointed to a long list of legislation he supported that increased Social Security benefits .
But as an influential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ major bills , he also was willing to enter negotiations with Republicans by considering a reduction in cost-of-living increases .
Often these changes were presented as a way to cut costs that would save the program .
During a 1996 candidate debate , for example , he floated the possibility of reducing cost-of-living increases and raising the retirement age to 68 .
Sanders and his allies have also circulated video footage , news stories and transcripts of Biden ’ s past remarks .
But in some cases , what appears to be a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
One of the principal examples is a clip from a 2018 speech in which Biden appeared to discuss in favorable terms then-House Speaker Paul Ryan ’ s comments that a rising deficit demanded action on the popular entitlement programs .
However , video , circulated on Twitter by a top Sanders adviser , used only a snippet of Biden ’ s remarks and avoided his larger criticism over how Ryan handled the 2017 tax cuts and subsequent budget debates .
Other widely distributed videos of Biden as a U.S. senator from Delaware @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show him explaining his support for a more austere federal budget , including putting Social Security and Medicare “ on the table.
” “ When I argued that we should freeze federal spending , I meant Social Security , as well , ” Biden said during a 1995 speech on the Senate floor .
“ I meant Medicare and Medicaid .
I meant veterans ’ benefits .
… And I not only tried it once , I tried it twice , I tried it a third time and I tried it a fourth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support of a federal balanced budget amendment that ultimately failed to win approval and did not relate directly to legislation that would have cut or frozen Social Security spending — or any other specific program .
Yet as Biden himself acknowledged at the time , Social Security would likely have faced cuts if such a measure had been approved .
As the Democratic Party moved leftward — a development that tracks along ever-widening income and wealth inequality — Biden has moved with it .
His 2020 campaign platform now calls for raising taxes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Security and expanding benefits for some of the oldest seniors .
“ There will be no compromise on Medicare and Social Security , period , ” Biden said Jan. 20 in Des Moines , Iowa .
SANDERS : “ I voted against the bailout because I believed that the illegal behavior being done by the people on Wall Street should not be rewarded by a bailout .
… The Fed gave trillions and trillions of dollars in zero interest loans to every financial institution in this country and central banks all over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” THE FACTS : Sanders is mischaracterizing the steps taken by the Federal Reserve and the stimulus efforts by the Bush and Obama administrations as merely giveaways to banks and Wall Street .
It ’ s true that banks disproportionately benefited from the bailout , but the layoffs and foreclosures of that time would have been even worse without the government ’ s fiscal and monetary intervention .
First , the Fed cut the interest rate that banks charge each other for overnight loans to near-zero in late 2008 as the economy was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and mortgage-backed securities that expanded the central bank ’ s balance sheet to historic highs .
These were not grants as Sanders suggests , but efforts to increase the flow of money into the U.S. economy in order to halt the downturn and boost hiring , business investment and consumer spending .
Second , Sanders suggests that efforts such as the Troubled Asset Relief Program were in spirit rewarding bankers who should have been criminally prosecuted .
But the loans and other initiatives stemming from TARP were about stabilizing the financial markets and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ correctly noted that failing to stabilize those institutions could have made the situation even bleaker for everyday Americans .
BIDEN : “ I ’ m taking all the precautions .
I make sure I don ’ t touch my face.
” THE FACTS : As many Americans have discovered , that ’ s easier said than done .
He defied two recommended precautions during the debate , coughing into his hand , not his elbow , and touching his face several times , once with his hand on his chin .
He defied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coughing into his hand , not his elbow , and touching his face .

WASHINGTON — Former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders sparred one-on-one Sunday in a Democratic debate held without a live audience in the shadow of the coronavirus pandemic. The growing crisis prompted some questionable statements from the presidential rivals, as did issues they argued about for months on once-crowded stages.
A look at how some of their claims compare with the facts:
SANDERS: “We’re the only major country on earth not to guarantee health (care for) all people. We’re spending so much money and yet we are not even prepared for this pandemic.”
BIDEN: “It has nothing to do with ‘Medicare for All’ — that wouldn’t solve the problem at all.”
THE FACTS: Biden has a point. The coronavirus pandemic has taken countries by surprise regardless of the type of health care system that they have. Spain has a single-payer system, known as “social security” in that country. Italy guarantees coverage for all through a regionally based system. But both countries have struggled to get control of the outbreak, and their governments have been forced to take stringent measures not yet seen in this country.
BIDEN: “A Medicare option. We can do that now. I can get that passed. I can get that done, if I’m president of the United States of America.”
THE FACTS: That’s no guarantee. It’s a promise. The health insurance industry is dead set against a public option — a government plan that would compete with private insurers — and would fight it. So would many Republicans and perhaps even some Democrats.
Democrats originally sought a public plan as part of the Obama-era Affordable Care Act. But they lacked the votes to get it through the Senate, even when they held a commanding majority in that chamber. The same fight would play out again if Biden is elected president. Whether he’s able to secure a public plan depends on the composition of Congress.
SANDERS, to Biden: “You have been on the floor of the Senate time and time again talking about the need to cut Social Security, Medicare and veterans programs. Is that true or is that not true?”
BIDEN: “That is not true.”
THE FACTS: Sanders’ accusation is misleading. He suggests that Biden’s record shows that he would be hostile to preserving Social Security. In fact, Biden’s position has actually evolved over his long public career as a centrist senator. Cutting Social Security is not what he is proposing now.
Biden’s campaign has pointed to a long list of legislation he supported that increased Social Security benefits. But as an influential legislator who had a hand in passing major bills, he also was willing to enter negotiations with Republicans by considering a reduction in cost-of-living increases.
Often these changes were presented as a way to cut costs that would save the program.
During a 1996 candidate debate, for example, he floated the possibility of reducing cost-of-living increases and raising the retirement age to 68.
Sanders and his allies have also circulated video footage, news stories and transcripts of Biden’s past remarks. But in some cases, what appears to be a sweeping statement by Biden lack crucial context.
One of the principal examples is a clip from a 2018 speech in which Biden appeared to discuss in favorable terms then-House Speaker Paul Ryan’s comments that a rising deficit demanded action on the popular entitlement programs. However, video, circulated on Twitter by a top Sanders adviser, used only a snippet of Biden’s remarks and avoided his larger criticism over how Ryan handled the 2017 tax cuts and subsequent budget debates.
Other widely distributed videos of Biden as a U.S. senator from Delaware in 1995 and presidential candidate in 2007 show him explaining his support for a more austere federal budget, including putting Social Security and Medicare “on the table.”
“When I argued that we should freeze federal spending, I meant Social Security, as well,” Biden said during a 1995 speech on the Senate floor. “I meant Medicare and Medicaid. I meant veterans’ benefits. … And I not only tried it once, I tried it twice, I tried it a third time and I tried it a fourth time.”
The remarks were delivered in support of a federal balanced budget amendment that ultimately failed to win approval and did not relate directly to legislation that would have cut or frozen Social Security spending — or any other specific program. Yet as Biden himself acknowledged at the time, Social Security would likely have faced cuts if such a measure had been approved.
As the Democratic Party moved leftward — a development that tracks along ever-widening income and wealth inequality — Biden has moved with it. His 2020 campaign platform now calls for raising taxes on upper-income households to shore up Social Security and expanding benefits for some of the oldest seniors.
“There will be no compromise on Medicare and Social Security, period,” Biden said Jan. 20 in Des Moines, Iowa.
SANDERS: “I voted against the bailout because I believed that the illegal behavior being done by the people on Wall Street should not be rewarded by a bailout. … The Fed gave trillions and trillions of dollars in zero interest loans to every financial institution in this country and central banks all over the world. That was essentially a grant.”
THE FACTS: Sanders is mischaracterizing the steps taken by the Federal Reserve and the stimulus efforts by the Bush and Obama administrations as merely giveaways to banks and Wall Street. It’s true that banks disproportionately benefited from the bailout, but the layoffs and foreclosures of that time would have been even worse without the government’s fiscal and monetary intervention.
First, the Fed cut the interest rate that banks charge each other for overnight loans to near-zero in late 2008 as the economy was cratering. It also bought government debt and mortgage-backed securities that expanded the central bank’s balance sheet to historic highs. These were not grants as Sanders suggests, but efforts to increase the flow of money into the U.S. economy in order to halt the downturn and boost hiring, business investment and consumer spending.
Second, Sanders suggests that efforts such as the Troubled Asset Relief Program were in spirit rewarding bankers who should have been criminally prosecuted. But the loans and other initiatives stemming from TARP were about stabilizing the financial markets and other sectors of the economy. Biden correctly noted that failing to stabilize those institutions could have made the situation even bleaker for everyday Americans.
BIDEN: “I’m taking all the precautions. I make sure I don’t touch my face.”
THE FACTS: As many Americans have discovered, that’s easier said than done. He defied two recommended precautions during the debate, coughing into his hand, not his elbow, and touching his face several times, once with his hand on his chin. He defied two recommended precautions during the debate, coughing into his hand, not his elbow, and touching his face.


thedenverpost--2020-03-16--The man with 17,700 bottles of hand sanitizer just donated them

A Tennessee man who became a subject of national scorn after stockpiling 17,700 bottles of hand sanitizer donated all of the supplies Sunday just as the Tennessee attorney general ’ s office began investigating him for price gouging .
On Sunday morning , Matt Colvin , an Amazon seller outside Chattanooga , Tennessee , helped volunteers from a local church load two-thirds of his stockpile of hand sanitizer and antibacterial wipes into a box truck for the church to distribute to people in need across Tennessee .
Officials from the Tennessee attorney general ’ s office Sunday took the other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to their counterparts in Kentucky for distribution .
( Colvin and his brother Noah bought some of the supplies in Kentucky this month . )
The donations capped a tumultuous 24 hours for Colvin .
On Saturday morning , The New York Times published an article about how he and his brother cleaned out stores of sanitizer and wipes in an attempt to profit off the public ’ s panic over the coronavirus pandemic .
Colvin sold 300 bottles of hand sanitizer at a markup on Amazon before the company removed his listings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for price gouging .
As a result , Colvin was sitting on an enormous cache of sanitizer and wipes while much of the country searched in vain for them .
The article immediately sparked widespread outrage , with thousands of people posting angry comments across the internet about his actions .
Many of those people also contacted Colvin directly with hate mail and death threats , while one man even banged on the door at his home late Saturday night , according to Colvin and several messages he shared with The Times .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ expressed remorse for his actions and said that when he decided to hoard the sanitizer and wipes , he didn ’ t realize the gravity of the coronavirus outbreak or the severe shortage of sanitizer and wipes .
“ I ’ ve been buying and selling things for 10 years now .
There ’ s been hot product after hot product .
But the thing is , there ’ s always another one on the shelf , ” he said .
“ When we did this trip , I had no idea that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get replenished.
” He said the outpouring of hate has been scary for him and his family .
He said people have incessantly called his cellphone , posted his address online and sent pizzas to his home .
His inbox was flooded with ugly messages , he said .
One email he shared with The Times said : “ Your behavior is probably going to end up with someone killing you and your wife and your children.
” “ It was never my intention to keep necessary medical supplies out of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said , crying .
“ That ’ s not who I am as a person .
And all I ’ ve been told for the last 48 hours is how much of that person I am.
” Now Colvin is facing consequences .
On Sunday , Amazon and eBay suspended him as a seller , which is how he has made his living for years .
The company where he rented a storage unit kicked him out .
And the Tennessee attorney general ’ s office sent him a cease-and-desist letter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will not tolerate price gouging in this time of exceptional need , and we will take aggressive action to stop it , ” Attorney General Herbert H. Slatery III of Tennessee said in a news release .
Tennessee ’ s price-gouging law prohibits charging “ grossly excessive ” prices for a variety of items , including food , gas and medical supplies , after the governor declares a state of emergency .
The state can fine people up to $ 1,000 a violation .
The language of the law could benefit Colvin .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a state of emergency on March 12 , activating the price-gouging law .
The Colvin brothers bought all of the sanitizer and wipes in question before that date , and Colvin said he did not sell anything after it .
A spokeswoman for the Tennessee attorney general ’ s office said that even if the Colvin brothers did not buy or sell any of the supplies after March 12 , state authorities “ will weigh all options under consumer laws .
”

The New York Times News Service Syndicate

A Tennessee man who became a subject of national scorn after stockpiling 17,700 bottles of hand sanitizer donated all of the supplies Sunday just as the Tennessee attorney general’s office began investigating him for price gouging.
On Sunday morning, Matt Colvin, an Amazon seller outside Chattanooga, Tennessee, helped volunteers from a local church load two-thirds of his stockpile of hand sanitizer and antibacterial wipes into a box truck for the church to distribute to people in need across Tennessee.
Officials from the Tennessee attorney general’s office Sunday took the other third, which they plan to give to their counterparts in Kentucky for distribution. (Colvin and his brother Noah bought some of the supplies in Kentucky this month.)
The donations capped a tumultuous 24 hours for Colvin. On Saturday morning, The New York Times published an article about how he and his brother cleaned out stores of sanitizer and wipes in an attempt to profit off the public’s panic over the coronavirus pandemic. Colvin sold 300 bottles of hand sanitizer at a markup on Amazon before the company removed his listings and warned sellers they would be suspended for price gouging.
As a result, Colvin was sitting on an enormous cache of sanitizer and wipes while much of the country searched in vain for them.
The article immediately sparked widespread outrage, with thousands of people posting angry comments across the internet about his actions.
Many of those people also contacted Colvin directly with hate mail and death threats, while one man even banged on the door at his home late Saturday night, according to Colvin and several messages he shared with The Times.
In an hourlong interview Sunday, Colvin expressed remorse for his actions and said that when he decided to hoard the sanitizer and wipes, he didn’t realize the gravity of the coronavirus outbreak or the severe shortage of sanitizer and wipes.
“I’ve been buying and selling things for 10 years now. There’s been hot product after hot product. But the thing is, there’s always another one on the shelf,” he said. “When we did this trip, I had no idea that these stores wouldn’t be able to get replenished.”
He said the outpouring of hate has been scary for him and his family. He said people have incessantly called his cellphone, posted his address online and sent pizzas to his home. His inbox was flooded with ugly messages, he said. One email he shared with The Times said: “Your behavior is probably going to end up with someone killing you and your wife and your children.”
“It was never my intention to keep necessary medical supplies out of the hands of people who needed them,” he said, crying. “That’s not who I am as a person. And all I’ve been told for the last 48 hours is how much of that person I am.”
Now Colvin is facing consequences. On Sunday, Amazon and eBay suspended him as a seller, which is how he has made his living for years. The company where he rented a storage unit kicked him out. And the Tennessee attorney general’s office sent him a cease-and-desist letter and opened an investigation.
“We will not tolerate price gouging in this time of exceptional need, and we will take aggressive action to stop it,” Attorney General Herbert H. Slatery III of Tennessee said in a news release.
Tennessee’s price-gouging law prohibits charging “grossly excessive” prices for a variety of items, including food, gas and medical supplies, after the governor declares a state of emergency. The state can fine people up to $1,000 a violation.
The language of the law could benefit Colvin. Gov. Bill Lee of Tennessee declared a state of emergency on March 12, activating the price-gouging law. The Colvin brothers bought all of the sanitizer and wipes in question before that date, and Colvin said he did not sell anything after it.
A spokeswoman for the Tennessee attorney general’s office said that even if the Colvin brothers did not buy or sell any of the supplies after March 12, state authorities “will weigh all options under consumer laws.”


thedenverpost--2020-03-16--Letters: Seeking quality education in our own backyard (3/15/20)

Seeking quality education in our own backyard Thank you for your recent article about high school options for Denver ’ s far northeast neighborhood .
We moved to Green Valley Ranch with an eye on the high-performing DSST : Green Valley Ranch Middle School for our oldest child .
But due to the overwhelming demand for spots there she was given a spot at DSST : Conservatory Green Middle School .
She is now a proud DSST : Conservatory Green High School student .
We had to fight for her high school , so we understand the uncertainty that many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Conservatory Green is the No .
1 high school in Denver .
If it had not received a building , hundreds of students ( especially students of color ) would have missed out on an exceptional academic experience .
Denver ’ s overall student population is declining , but the far northeast ’ s communities are growing .
Families simply desire excellent schools for their kids , which is why DSST : Green Valley Ranch High School has a waitlist of nearly 200 .
Providing Noel — the No .
1 middle school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would not only enable its middle schoolers to continue in their academic success , it would provide a comparable and quality option for a portion of the many families seeking a spot at Green Valley Ranch High School .
It would strengthen the presence of top-performing schools and students in the far northeast community and thereby meet a pre-existing demand .
I read with interest the piece on Saturday , and in particular school board vice president Jennifer Bacon ’ s statement “ We ’ re not just thinking about the seats , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the seats.
” I applaud Ms. Bacon ’ s statement and believe city leaders should take a more active role in helping Denver Public Schools achieve this result .
Our city stands on a precipice — we have experienced tremendous economic and population growth in the last decade yet our schools fail to prepare many students for college and life .
This is not only a disservice to our kids and families , but will haunt us as we seek to fill the jobs our city has attracted .
We don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should listen to community demand and open schools where necessary .
And , DPS with city and civic leaders and informed community support , should be equally prepared to take the hard steps necessary to close underperforming schools .
We simply must do both if we are to meet the education needs of our growing and vibrant city .
From personal experience from the time Happy Haynes was on the board fighting for better education reform , I remember how she and others were rallying the community to position themselves to be a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was happening in the very communities that are once again in a battle for good education options .
It has always been about having a school that has a proven ability to give our kids the education they most certainly deserve .
The Montebello/Gateway community has historically been overlooked and underserved .
Now that the far northeast has schools with an improved track record , we have something to be proud of .
The school board should take the necessary steps to give the far northeast schools with these improved track records a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deserve a quality education .
I moved to Colorado for the amazing outdoor recreation opportunities , and have been happy to see the hard work of Sens .
Michael Bennet and Cory Gardner on the Land and Water Conservation Fund finally culminate in a promise of permanent funding .
The Conservation Fund , the “ crown-jewel ” of conservation programs , is imperative when it comes to funding the protection and creation of state and national parks , wilderness , and wildlife refuges .
The Denver Post is right to give credit to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of our congressional delegation — like Reps. Diana DeGette , Ed Perlmutter , Joe Neguse and Jason Crow .
But the Conservation Fund isn ’ t the only issue our members of Congress get to vote on that makes a difference for our public lands .
Like The Denver Post ’ s editorial board , I hope that the funding deal can pave the way for Gardner to support Colorado ’ s $ 62.5 billion recreation economy by co-sponsoring and helping to pass the Colorado Outdoor Recreation and Economy , or CORE Act @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rep. Joe Neguse .
Coloradans , don ’ t be deceived by The Post editorial praising Cory Gardner .
This is election-year politics at its most hypocritical .
Gardner and the Trump administration have been in lockstep hoping to defund our National Parks , our Fish and Wildlife services , our Bureau of Land Management and any other programs they can identify that support those national treasures .
And they have been doing so since 2016 .
To suggest this is a change of heart for Trump or Gardner is to deny the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our parks and public lands .
If Gardner or Trump are reelected , this drop-in-the-bucket funding for conservation and maintenance of our parks will disappear in a heartbeat , and so will our parks , wildlife and public lands .
Re : “ Time to ditch the caucus , Colo. , ” March 10 letter to the editor While it is important for each of us in Colorado to vote in the statewide primary , the true purpose of the precinct caucuses is much more than voting for national party candidates .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caucuses represent our opportunity to elect our political party representatives at the most basic level in our country .
The creation of the precinct caucus allows our neighbors to get together and elect their representatives , discuss community needs , and develop potential party resolutions that are forwarded on to county and state assemblies that eventually become part of the national party platform .
Political party primaries can not do this .
The caucus system is the basic fundamental platform upon what defines our nation as it allows each individual to speak their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their peers and to seek resolution and to elect their representatives .
Elected officials that voice the opinion to eliminate the caucus system , really do not want to hear the voice of the people , their needs , and their desires on how they will be governed .
Where is that diversity now ?
Re : “ Tuesday was not so super , but Dems must unite , ” March 8 commentary Ian Silverii prefers idealism over realism .
For the sake of sanity , his column asks “ women , people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and queer folks ” to toss aside what doesn ’ t matter ( President Donald Trump ) for what does ( former Vice President Joe Biden ) .
His illusion is that unity exists within his party ’ s diverse , conflicted collective .
The Democratic Party establishment , on the other hand , has made it clear they prefer old , white , straight men over variety .
The reality is both Silverii and his party have driven a vast voting bloc beyond reach .
It was not Trump who created this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ path to unity is more realistic if Americans continue to put their country first .
Ian Silverii closed his column of liberal lament by stating Donald Trump was the “ worst president in American history ( WPIAH ) .
” Really ?
I understand Trump posts mean things on Twitter , says lots of crazy things , is very narcissistic and has made questionable moral choices , but do these things make him the WPIAH ?
A few other choices come to mind .
At the top of the list sits Lyndon B.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Vietnam War occurred on LBJ ’ s watch ; 58,000 dead Americans for a useless war earns him serious consideration .
Let ’ s not forget George W. Bush .
The invasion of Iraq and ongoing war in Afghanistan are decisions I am sure he would like back .
Nevertheless , the disastrous outcome of these decisions earns him a place in the conversation .
While Trump gets a lot of grief ( some deserved ) from progressives for questioning U.S. intelligence , the weapons of mass destruction miss by our intelligence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about Andrew Jackson and the Indian Removal Act of 1830 ?
I believe if you were to ask any of the 60,000 Native Americans who walked the Trail of Tears , they would not pick Trump as WPIAH .
If progressives would like the rest of the populace to listen to their ideas , they should start by trying to sound serious .
Branding Trump the WPIAH shows you are either not a serious person , or ignorant of American history .
Either way , you will have little success in selling a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ … If Bernie Sanders becomes the Democratic nominee for president , who would he select for his running mate ?
Josef Stalin , Karl Marx , and Fidel Castro are all dead .
The remaining Democratic leaders are not overly confident in supporting his platform .
Very interesting !
To send a letter to the editor about this article , submit online or check out our guidelines for how to submit by email or mail .

Seeking quality education in our own backyard
Re: “Northeast Denver: Residents seek new high school options,” Feb. 29 news story
Thank you for your recent article about high school options for Denver’s far northeast neighborhood. We moved to Green Valley Ranch with an eye on the high-performing DSST: Green Valley Ranch Middle School for our oldest child.
But due to the overwhelming demand for spots there she was given a spot at DSST: Conservatory Green Middle School. She is now a proud DSST: Conservatory Green High School student. We had to fight for her high school, so we understand the uncertainty that many Noel parents and students are facing.
Conservatory Green is the No. 1 high school in Denver. If it had not received a building, hundreds of students (especially students of color) would have missed out on an exceptional academic experience.
Denver’s overall student population is declining, but the far northeast’s communities are growing. Families simply desire excellent schools for their kids, which is why DSST: Green Valley Ranch High School has a waitlist of nearly 200. Providing Noel — the No. 1 middle school in Denver — with a high school would not only enable its middle schoolers to continue in their academic success, it would provide a comparable and quality option for a portion of the many families seeking a spot at Green Valley Ranch High School. It would strengthen the presence of top-performing schools and students in the far northeast community and thereby meet a pre-existing demand.
Manyesha Batist, Denver
I read with interest the piece on Saturday, and in particular school board vice president Jennifer Bacon’s statement “We’re not just thinking about the seats, we’re thinking about the quality of the seats.” I applaud Ms. Bacon’s statement and believe city leaders should take a more active role in helping Denver Public Schools achieve this result.
Our city stands on a precipice — we have experienced tremendous economic and population growth in the last decade yet our schools fail to prepare many students for college and life. This is not only a disservice to our kids and families, but will haunt us as we seek to fill the jobs our city has attracted.
We don’t have time to waste — DPS should listen to community demand and open schools where necessary. And, DPS with city and civic leaders and informed community support, should be equally prepared to take the hard steps necessary to close underperforming schools. We simply must do both if we are to meet the education needs of our growing and vibrant city.
Gloria A. Zamora, Denver
Editor’s note: Zamora is board chair of DSST Public Schools.
From personal experience from the time Happy Haynes was on the board fighting for better education reform, I remember how she and others were rallying the community to position themselves to be a strong voice for better education. This was happening in the very communities that are once again in a battle for good education options. It has always been about having a school that has a proven ability to give our kids the education they most certainly deserve.
The Montebello/Gateway community has historically been overlooked and underserved. Now that the far northeast has schools with an improved track record, we have something to be proud of. The school board should take the necessary steps to give the far northeast schools with these improved track records a chance to serve our kids who all deserve a quality education.
Marcie L. Wyatt, Aurora
Weighing Gardner’s big announcement
Re: “Gardner delivers for public land, parks,” March 8 editorial
I moved to Colorado for the amazing outdoor recreation opportunities, and have been happy to see the hard work of Sens. Michael Bennet and Cory Gardner on the Land and Water Conservation Fund finally culminate in a promise of permanent funding.
The Conservation Fund, the “crown-jewel” of conservation programs, is imperative when it comes to funding the protection and creation of state and national parks, wilderness, and wildlife refuges. The Denver Post is right to give credit to both of our senators and many members of our congressional delegation — like Reps. Diana DeGette, Ed Perlmutter, Joe Neguse and Jason Crow.
But the Conservation Fund isn’t the only issue our members of Congress get to vote on that makes a difference for our public lands.
Like The Denver Post’s editorial board, I hope that the funding deal can pave the way for Gardner to support Colorado’s $62.5 billion recreation economy by co-sponsoring and helping to pass the Colorado Outdoor Recreation and Economy, or CORE Act, spearheaded by Sen. Michael Bennet and Rep. Joe Neguse.
Riley Hutchings, Denver
Coloradans, don’t be deceived by The Post editorial praising Cory Gardner. This is election-year politics at its most hypocritical. Gardner and the Trump administration have been in lockstep hoping to defund our National Parks, our Fish and Wildlife services, our Bureau of Land Management and any other programs they can identify that support those national treasures.
And they have been doing so since 2016. To suggest this is a change of heart for Trump or Gardner is to deny the historical record of their efforts to defund our parks and public lands. If Gardner or Trump are reelected, this drop-in-the-bucket funding for conservation and maintenance of our parks will disappear in a heartbeat, and so will our parks, wildlife and public lands.
Ralph Roberts, Littleton
The caucuses serve an important purpose
Re: “Time to ditch the caucus, Colo.,” March 10 letter to the editor
While it is important for each of us in Colorado to vote in the statewide primary, the true purpose of the precinct caucuses is much more than voting for national party candidates.
We live in a representative republic and the caucuses represent our opportunity to elect our political party representatives at the most basic level in our country. The creation of the precinct caucus allows our neighbors to get together and elect their representatives, discuss community needs, and develop potential party resolutions that are forwarded on to county and state assemblies that eventually become part of the national party platform. Political party primaries can not do this. The caucus system is the basic fundamental platform upon what defines our nation as it allows each individual to speak their concern about their community in front of their peers and to seek resolution and to elect their representatives.
Elected officials that voice the opinion to eliminate the caucus system, really do not want to hear the voice of the people, their needs, and their desires on how they will be governed.
Arthur Onweller, Evergreen
Where is that diversity now?
Re: “Tuesday was not so super, but Dems must unite,” March 8 commentary
Ian Silverii prefers idealism over realism. For the sake of sanity, his column asks “women, people of color, immigrants, young people and queer folks” to toss aside what doesn’t matter (President Donald Trump) for what does (former Vice President Joe Biden). His illusion is that unity exists within his party’s diverse, conflicted collective. The Democratic Party establishment, on the other hand, has made it clear they prefer old, white, straight men over variety.
The reality is both Silverii and his party have driven a vast voting bloc beyond reach. It was not Trump who created this cleavage.
For our president, the path to unity is more realistic if Americans continue to put their country first.
Forrest Monroe, Lone Tree
Worst president in American history?
Ian Silverii closed his column of liberal lament by stating Donald Trump was the “worst president in American history (WPIAH).” Really? I understand Trump posts mean things on Twitter, says lots of crazy things, is very narcissistic and has made questionable moral choices, but do these things make him the WPIAH?
A few other choices come to mind. At the top of the list sits Lyndon B. Johnson. The major troop ramp-up in the Vietnam War occurred on LBJ’s watch; 58,000 dead Americans for a useless war earns him serious consideration.
Let’s not forget George W. Bush. The invasion of Iraq and ongoing war in Afghanistan are decisions I am sure he would like back. Nevertheless, the disastrous outcome of these decisions earns him a place in the conversation. While Trump gets a lot of grief (some deserved) from progressives for questioning U.S. intelligence, the weapons of mass destruction miss by our intelligence service was a big mistake.
How about Andrew Jackson and the Indian Removal Act of 1830? I believe if you were to ask any of the 60,000 Native Americans who walked the Trail of Tears, they would not pick Trump as WPIAH.
If progressives would like the rest of the populace to listen to their ideas, they should start by trying to sound serious. Branding Trump the WPIAH shows you are either not a serious person, or ignorant of American history. Either way, you will have little success in selling a new vision for America.
Russell Ross, Colorado Springs
Sanders running mate
Just thinking … If Bernie Sanders becomes the Democratic nominee for president, who would he select for his running mate? Josef Stalin, Karl Marx, and Fidel Castro are all dead. The remaining Democratic leaders are not overly confident in supporting his platform. Very interesting!
Michael Hult, Arvada
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thedenverpost--2020-03-16--5-year-old girl killed Sunday after being hit by SUV crossing street in downtown Aspen

A 5-year-old girl visiting Aspen died Sunday as a result of her injuries after being struck by a vehicle near @ @ @ @ @ Street and East Hyman Avenue , Aspen Police confirmed .
Just after 6 p.m. Sunday @ @ @ @ @ said in a news release that a 2018 GMC Acadia registered in the Aspen area @ @ @ @ @ Street onto Hyman Avenue when it struck the young girl .
She was pronounced dead @ @ @ @ @ 1 p.m .
The girl ’ s name and hometown will be released by the @ @ @ @ @ Office , which was still investigating her death Sunday evening .
Linn said in the @ @ @ @ @ not taken into custody and Colorado State Patrol is assisting with the accident investigation , @ @ @ @

A 5-year-old girl visiting Aspen died Sunday as a result of her injuries after being struck by a vehicle near the intersection of South Galena Street and East Hyman Avenue, Aspen Police confirmed.
Just after 6 p.m. Sunday, Assistant Chief Bill Linn said in a news release that a 2018 GMC Acadia registered in the Aspen area had turned left from Galena Street onto Hyman Avenue when it struck the young girl.
She was pronounced dead at Aspen Valley Hospital at 1 p.m. The girl’s name and hometown will be released by the Pitkin County Coroner’s Office, which was still investigating her death Sunday evening.
Linn said in the release that the driver was not taken into custody and Colorado State Patrol is assisting with the accident investigation, which is ongoing.
Read the full story at aspentimes.com.


thedenverpost--2020-03-16--Letters: Cost of a stronger democracy? (3/14/20)

I am writing to take issue with the concerns of Rep. Patrick Neville to ranked-choice voting .
He states that ranked-choice voting is complicated , expensive and unrealistic .
Taking these in reverse order , how is it “ unrealistic ” to use a system that is in place statewide in Maine , used for local elections in a dozen or so municipalities , and several countries internationally .
How is it expensive to do when nearly every county already has equipment capable of handling a ranked-choice ballot .
And how is it complicated when elections in middle school have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In the next paragraph , Neville states that we have just invested in voting equipment and “ we ’ d have to pull all that back and start from scratch again.
” It ’ s correct that Colorado is upgrading voting machinery .
The scanning machinery that is being purchased is already capable of counting a ranked-choice ballot .
We would not have to “ pull all that back and start from scratch again.
” Even if Neville is correct that there would be additional costs , what is the value of an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more correctly represents the will of the citizens ?
Spying is beyond the pale It was immediately disturbing to me to see the article on professional spying by President Donald Trump-related entities against labor unions and political organizations placed as far back as Page 17A in last Sunday ’ s front section .
It should have been placed on Page 1A .
This spying is the most troubling development yet in the ongoing assault on our political freedoms to come out of any administration .
What ’ s next ?
Assassins and death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to me what one party does to another ; I don ’ t belong to one anymore and never will again , but I still vote .
And I still strongly believe in representative government .
“ Opposition research ” on political opponents by one party against another has gone on almost forever , but the use of professional spies to infiltrate private organizations that an elected official doesn ’ t like goes beyond the pale !
Both major parties ought to check names against Social Security numbers and fingerprint everyone in sensitive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ send the results to the CIA and Civil File Section of the FBI .
Elected oﬃcials go too far Regarding the almost daily deluge of stories on the legislature and our glorious governor ending the death penalty — voted on in the dead of night , coming forced gun restrictions , banning natural-hair discrimination , ending fracking even after the people had voiced their will , forcing almost 1 million workers into a mandatory retirement program , reducing plastic consumption by “ free ” Coloradans , and now ending Columbus Day just to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we must ask : “ What is the job of our elected politicians ?
” Are they representatives of the will of a free people or are they self-selected moral and intellectual leaders whose job is to guide those of us cut from a lesser cloth to a world they desire ?
I , for one , see absolutely no correlation between a person ’ s almost sick need to get elected and rule over us with their moral and intellectual superiority .
But the fate of the country truly rests on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ May God have mercy on our souls .
To send a letter to the editor about this article , submit online or check out our guidelines for how to submit by email or mail .

Cost of a stronger democracy?
Re: “Ranked-choice voting gains favor,” March 9 news story
I am writing to take issue with the concerns of Rep. Patrick Neville to ranked-choice voting.
He states that ranked-choice voting is complicated, expensive and unrealistic. Taking these in reverse order, how is it “unrealistic” to use a system that is in place statewide in Maine, used for local elections in a dozen or so municipalities, and several countries internationally. How is it expensive to do when nearly every county already has equipment capable of handling a ranked-choice ballot. And how is it complicated when elections in middle school have been successfully run using ranked choice.
In the next paragraph, Neville states that we have just invested in voting equipment and “we’d have to pull all that back and start from scratch again.” It’s correct that Colorado is upgrading voting machinery. The scanning machinery that is being purchased is already capable of counting a ranked-choice ballot. We would not have to “pull all that back and start from scratch again.”
Even if Neville is correct that there would be additional costs, what is the value of an election that results in an outcome that more correctly represents the will of the citizens?
Steve Coddington, Denver
Spying is beyond the pale
Re: “Ex-spies being recruited,” March 8 news story
It was immediately disturbing to me to see the article on professional spying by President Donald Trump-related entities against labor unions and political organizations placed as far back as Page 17A in last Sunday’s front section. It should have been placed on Page 1A.
This spying is the most troubling development yet in the ongoing assault on our political freedoms to come out of any administration. What’s next? Assassins and death squads?
It doesn’t matter to me what one party does to another; I don’t belong to one anymore and never will again, but I still vote. And I still strongly believe in representative government.
“Opposition research” on political opponents by one party against another has gone on almost forever, but the use of professional spies to infiltrate private organizations that an elected official doesn’t like goes beyond the pale! Both major parties ought to check names against Social Security numbers and fingerprint everyone in sensitive positions within their regional organizations and then send the results to the CIA and Civil File Section of the FBI.
Richard B. Loring, Golden
Elected oﬃcials go too far
Regarding the almost daily deluge of stories on the legislature and our glorious governor ending the death penalty — voted on in the dead of night, coming forced gun restrictions, banning natural-hair discrimination, ending fracking even after the people had voiced their will, forcing almost 1 million workers into a mandatory retirement program, reducing plastic consumption by “free” Coloradans, and now ending Columbus Day just to name a few.
As free people, we must ask: “What is the job of our elected politicians?” Are they representatives of the will of a free people or are they self-selected moral and intellectual leaders whose job is to guide those of us cut from a lesser cloth to a world they desire? I, for one, see absolutely no correlation between a person’s almost sick need to get elected and rule over us with their moral and intellectual superiority. But the fate of the country truly rests on how we collectively answer this question. May God have mercy on our souls.
John Conlin, Littleton
To send a letter to the editor about this article, submit online or check out our guidelines for how to submit by email or mail.


thedenverpost--2020-03-16--“Bigger than any one of us”: Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders take on pandemic

WASHINGTON — Former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders sought in Sunday ’ s Democratic debate to cast themselves as best-positioned to lead the nation through a global pandemic , with Biden pledging to deploy the military to help with recovery efforts and Sanders using the crisis to pitch his long-sought overhaul of the country ’ s health care system .
The fast-moving coronavirus dominated the first one-on-one faceoff of the 2020 campaign , reflecting the way the crisis has upended American life by closing schools , disrupting travel and raising questions about President Donald Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ times .
“ This is bigger than any one of us — this calls for a national rallying for one another , ” Biden said .
Biden ’ s and Sanders ’ prescriptions for addressing the public health and economic crisis highlighted the ideological divide between the two men vying for the Democratic nomination .
Biden , a centrist who helped implement the 2009 bailout of the financial industry , warned that another government-backed economic rescue plan may be needed in the coming months , while the liberal Sanders suggested a tax on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the standings in the race for the Democratic nomination have shifted dramatically since Biden and Sanders last debated less than three weeks ago .
After a sluggish start to the primary season , Biden has surged to the front of the field , drawing overwhelming support from black voters and consolidating the backing of several rivals who have dropped out of the race .
Biden appeared determined to keep his focus on the general election , making direct overtures to Sanders ’ supporters and committing for the first time to select a woman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Democratic nominee .
After Biden ’ s announcement , Sanders said he would “ in all likelihood ” do the same .
Sanders has struggled to broaden his coalition beyond young people and liberals , and his path to the nomination is rapidly shrinking .
Still , he appeared determined to draw sharp contrasts with Biden throughout , challenging the former vice president to disavow a super PAC backing his candidacy and casting Biden as inconsistent during his career on his support for the financial industry and women ’ s health issues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ questions regarding the coronavirus toward a now-familiar debate between him and Biden over health care .
Sanders argued that the troublesome shortages in coronavirus tests and anxiety over the preparedness of the nation ’ s health care system to deal with an impending increase in patients highlight why the U.S. should move to the government-run , “ Medicare For All ” system he has long championed .
“ One of the reasons that we are unprepared , and have been unprepared , is we don ’ t have a system .
We ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” said Sanders , who backs a sweeping government-run health insurance program .
“ That is not a system that is prepared to provide health care to all people in a good year , without the epidemic.
” Biden , who supports adding a public insurance option to the current system , argued that a pandemic was not a moment to attempt to push through an overhaul of the American health insurance system , a politically arduous endeavor .
“ This is a crisis , ” Biden said .
“ We ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It has nothing to do with copays or anything.
” As the debate opened , Biden and Sanders skipped a handshake , greeting each other instead with an elbow bump .
They took their positions at podiums spaced 6 feet apart in keeping with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for limiting the spread of the novel coronavirus .
They addressed the nation , and each other , from a television studio in Washington without an in-person audience .
The pandemic has upended the campaign for days , prompting Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hold virtual events with voters around the country .
Their campaign staffs are also working remotely , and the candidates — both in their late 70s — said they were taking personal precautions to guard against a virus that is a greater risk to the elderly .
“ I ’ m using a lot of soap and hand sanitizer , ” Sanders said .
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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more severe illness , including pneumonia .
The vast majority of people recover from the new virus .
According to the World Health Organization , people with mild illness recover in about two weeks , while those with more severe illness may take three to six weeks to recover .
There are more than 167,000 cases confirmed worldwide .

WASHINGTON — Former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders sought in Sunday’s Democratic debate to cast themselves as best-positioned to lead the nation through a global pandemic, with Biden pledging to deploy the military to help with recovery efforts and Sanders using the crisis to pitch his long-sought overhaul of the country’s health care system.
The fast-moving coronavirus dominated the first one-on-one faceoff of the 2020 campaign, reflecting the way the crisis has upended American life by closing schools, disrupting travel and raising questions about President Donald Trump’s ability to lead the nation through turbulent times.
“This is bigger than any one of us — this calls for a national rallying for one another,” Biden said.
Biden’s and Sanders’ prescriptions for addressing the public health and economic crisis highlighted the ideological divide between the two men vying for the Democratic nomination. Biden, a centrist who helped implement the 2009 bailout of the financial industry, warned that another government-backed economic rescue plan may be needed in the coming months, while the liberal Sanders suggested a tax on the wealthiest Americans.
The stakes and the standings in the race for the Democratic nomination have shifted dramatically since Biden and Sanders last debated less than three weeks ago. After a sluggish start to the primary season, Biden has surged to the front of the field, drawing overwhelming support from black voters and consolidating the backing of several rivals who have dropped out of the race.
Biden appeared determined to keep his focus on the general election, making direct overtures to Sanders’ supporters and committing for the first time to select a woman as his running mate if he becomes the Democratic nominee. After Biden’s announcement, Sanders said he would “in all likelihood” do the same.
Sanders has struggled to broaden his coalition beyond young people and liberals, and his path to the nomination is rapidly shrinking. Still, he appeared determined to draw sharp contrasts with Biden throughout, challenging the former vice president to disavow a super PAC backing his candidacy and casting Biden as inconsistent during his career on his support for the financial industry and women’s health issues.
The Vermont senator also repeatedly pushed questions regarding the coronavirus toward a now-familiar debate between him and Biden over health care. Sanders argued that the troublesome shortages in coronavirus tests and anxiety over the preparedness of the nation’s health care system to deal with an impending increase in patients highlight why the U.S. should move to the government-run, “Medicare For All” system he has long championed.
“One of the reasons that we are unprepared, and have been unprepared, is we don’t have a system. We’ve got thousands of private insurance plans,” said Sanders, who backs a sweeping government-run health insurance program. “That is not a system that is prepared to provide health care to all people in a good year, without the epidemic.”
Biden, who supports adding a public insurance option to the current system, argued that a pandemic was not a moment to attempt to push through an overhaul of the American health insurance system, a politically arduous endeavor.
“This is a crisis,” Biden said. “We’re at war with a virus. It has nothing to do with copays or anything.”
As the debate opened, Biden and Sanders skipped a handshake, greeting each other instead with an elbow bump. They took their positions at podiums spaced 6 feet apart in keeping with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for limiting the spread of the novel coronavirus. They addressed the nation, and each other, from a television studio in Washington without an in-person audience.
The pandemic has upended the campaign for days, prompting Biden and Sanders to cancel rallies and instead hold virtual events with voters around the country. Their campaign staffs are also working remotely, and the candidates — both in their late 70s — said they were taking personal precautions to guard against a virus that is a greater risk to the elderly.
“I’m using a lot of soap and hand sanitizer,” Sanders said.
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 vast majority of people recover from the new virus. According to the World Health Organization, people with mild illness recover in about two weeks, while those with more severe illness may take three to six weeks to recover. There are more than 167,000 cases confirmed worldwide.