thedenverpost--2020-03-16--CDC’s latest guidance could mean no sports for much longer

The already-delayed professional sports seasons in North America could be on hiatus for significantly longer than first planned after federal officials said Sunday that they recommend all in-person events involving 50 people or more be called off for the next eight weeks .
That ’ s twice as long as the 30-day shutdowns that the NBA , NHL and Major League Soccer decided to put into place last week in response to the global coronavirus pandemic that has already made a deep impact on the U.S. financial markets and has been blamed for at least 64 deaths in this country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with what essentially was a 30-day shutdown after canceling the rest of spring training and pushing back the start of regular season play for two weeks ; Opening Day was to have been March 26 .
But new recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Sunday night seem to suggest that sports in this country could for all intents and purposes be gone until May , if not later .
“ CDC , in accordance with its guidance for large events and mass gatherings , recommends that for the next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ postpone in-person events that consist of 50 people or more throughout the United States , ” it said .
“ Events of any size should only be continued if they can be carried out with adherence to guidelines for protecting vulnerable populations , hand hygiene , and social distancing.
” The eight-week window easily exceeds what would have been the remainder of the NBA and NHL regular seasons , plus would cover about the first 25 % of the MLB season — or roughly 40 games per team .
It would also cast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other major U.S. sporting events as planned , such as the Kentucky Derby in early May .
The NBA was already bracing to play games without fans in arenas , something that would have started late last week had a player — Rudy Gobert of the Utah Jazz — not tested positive for the virus , COVID-19 .
Utah teammate Donovan Mitchell and Detroit ’ s Christian Wood have tested positive since , but Gobert ’ s diagnosis was enough for the league to say that it was suspending play .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every single day , ” Gobert said in a video posted Sunday .
He added , “ I wish I would have took this thing more seriously.
” The NBA has already been asking teams to share availability for their arenas through the end of July , a sign that the league is prepared to extend the season at least that long if necessary — and those moves came a couple of days before the CDC made its latest recommendation .
The NBA regular season was to have ended April 15 and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 4 , with the season done on or before June 21 .
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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China , where the virus first exploded , more than 80,000 people have been diagnosed and more than 58,000 have so far recovered .
It ’ s not just the team sports that have been shut down : Pro tennis and golf have basically been called off for the next several weeks , with such marquee events as Indian Wells and the Miami Open in tennis and The Players Championship and Masters in golf either canceled or postponed .
The NCAA men ’ s Division I college basketball tournament — March Madness — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ start the now-canceled 68-team tournament Tuesday .
The women ’ s Division I tournament was to have started this week .
They ’ ve all been called off , as have all other winter- and spring-sport seasons at all levels of the NCAA .
Most high school state associations have also had to cancel seasons and championships as well .
Some minor-league hockey leagues have canceled seasons , and it seems increasingly unlikely that the G League — the NBA ’ s minor league — will resume play this season .
Even a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was played without fans or reporters present , with organizers saying they needed to take ultimate precautions .
Some NBA players were spending Sunday at home playing video games ; Miami ’ s Goran Dragic posted a video of himself outside his house kicking a soccer ball around .
Others , like Golden State ’ s Stephen Curry , were urging their fans to continue taking the pandemic seriously .
“ We all have to take responsibility for ourselves and do whatever it takes to # stopthespread , ” Curry told his 14.1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s a sense of urgency to flatten the curve and give ourselves and the healthcare system the best chance to get through this pandemic .
Share this message and let ’ s protect each other !
”

The already-delayed professional sports seasons in North America could be on hiatus for significantly longer than first planned after federal officials said Sunday that they recommend all in-person events involving 50 people or more be called off for the next eight weeks.
That’s twice as long as the 30-day shutdowns that the NBA, NHL and Major League Soccer decided to put into place last week in response to the global coronavirus pandemic that has already made a deep impact on the U.S. financial markets and has been blamed for at least 64 deaths in this country.
Major League Baseball also was going with what essentially was a 30-day shutdown after canceling the rest of spring training and pushing back the start of regular season play for two weeks; Opening Day was to have been March 26.
But new recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Sunday night seem to suggest that sports in this country could for all intents and purposes be gone until May, if not later.
“CDC, in accordance with its guidance for large events and mass gatherings, recommends that for the next 8 weeks, organizers … cancel or postpone in-person events that consist of 50 people or more throughout the United States,” it said. “Events of any size should only be continued if they can be carried out with adherence to guidelines for protecting vulnerable populations, hand hygiene, and social distancing.”
The eight-week window easily exceeds what would have been the remainder of the NBA and NHL regular seasons, plus would cover about the first 25% of the MLB season — or roughly 40 games per team. It would also cast serious doubt on the ability to hold other major U.S. sporting events as planned, such as the Kentucky Derby in early May.
The NBA was already bracing to play games without fans in arenas, something that would have started late last week had a player — Rudy Gobert of the Utah Jazz — not tested positive for the virus, COVID-19. Utah teammate Donovan Mitchell and Detroit’s Christian Wood have tested positive since, but Gobert’s diagnosis was enough for the league to say that it was suspending play.
“I’ve been feeling a little better every single day,” Gobert said in a video posted Sunday. He added, “I wish I would have took this thing more seriously.”
The NBA has already been asking teams to share availability for their arenas through the end of July, a sign that the league is prepared to extend the season at least that long if necessary — and those moves came a couple of days before the CDC made its latest recommendation. The NBA regular season was to have ended April 15 and the NBA Finals were to have started June 4, with the season done on or before June 21.
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. In mainland China, where the virus first exploded, more than 80,000 people have been diagnosed and more than 58,000 have so far recovered.
It’s not just the team sports that have been shut down: Pro tennis and golf have basically been called off for the next several weeks, with such marquee events as Indian Wells and the Miami Open in tennis and The Players Championship and Masters in golf either canceled or postponed. The NCAA men’s Division I college basketball tournament — March Madness — was to release its bracket Sunday and start the now-canceled 68-team tournament Tuesday. The women’s Division I tournament was to have started this week.
They’ve all been called off, as have all other winter- and spring-sport seasons at all levels of the NCAA. Most high school state associations have also had to cancel seasons and championships as well. Some minor-league hockey leagues have canceled seasons, and it seems increasingly unlikely that the G League — the NBA’s minor league — will resume play this season. Even a polo match in South Florida on Sunday was played without fans or reporters present, with organizers saying they needed to take ultimate precautions.
Some NBA players were spending Sunday at home playing video games; Miami’s Goran Dragic posted a video of himself outside his house kicking a soccer ball around. Others, like Golden State’s Stephen Curry, were urging their fans to continue taking the pandemic seriously.
“We all have to take responsibility for ourselves and do whatever it takes to #stopthespread,” Curry told his 14.1 million followers on Twitter. “There’s a sense of urgency to flatten the curve and give ourselves and the healthcare system the best chance to get through this pandemic. Share this message and let’s protect each other!”


thedenverpost--2020-03-16--Aurora church starts “drive-by” Sunday mass to slow coronavirus spread

Despite the one or two accidental and “ oops , I shouldn ’ t have done that ” hugs , every person that stopped by was pleased by the “ Sunday Mass ” held outside of St. Martin in the Fields Episcopal Church on Sunday in Aurora .
The Archdiocese of Denver and the bishops of Colorado ’ s three dioceses on Friday had announced that all of the state ’ s Catholic churches will not celebrate masses until further notice in hopes of quelling the spread of the coronavirus , COVID-19 .
Catholic masses have been canceled and multiple @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jared Polis urged people to avoid large public gatherings to stop the spread of the fast-moving and highly contagious virus that is sending ripples of fear around the world .
The governor recommended that gatherings involving groups of 250 people or more be postponed until further notice .
A recent news release from the Archdiocese read , “ In a time like this when Mass is unavailable , the Catholic faithful are dispensed from their Sunday Mass obligation.
” “ But for me , in this time of Lent , it is all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ matter , ” said the Reverend Dr. Douglas Dunn , interim rector at St. Martin in the Fields Episcopal Church in Aurora .
And while some churches are offering gatherings via cellphones or online , he explained that it is so hard to pray together while looking at your phone .
“ So I had to do something , ” he explained in between cars pulling up for the sacrament .
“ I wanted to offer some solution for being able to go to mass in this scary and uncertain time.
” That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drive-by mass .
Dunn described his idea as a “ service in a bag.
” Dunn filled about 80 ziplock plastic bags with four consecrated wafers for home communion , a copy of his Sunday sermon and the Sunday bulletin in each bag .
With each passing car , Dunn and junior warden Ed Paprocki would lean in closely — but not too closely — and offer the occupants their personal bags and then offer up individual and personalized prayers for each driver .
“ I would like to pray for my mother @ @ @ @ @ @ @ woman .
“ I pray for people to stay calm , ” said another .
He thought this would be a way for people to still come together for Mass but just one at a time .
He assured most of the 40 or so people , who turned out in the roundabout near the front entrance to the church , that it would be the shortest church service ever .
“ People have enough on their minds right now to worry about , ” Dunn said .
“ We just want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ To give them something to hold onto in the wind.
” Dunn plans to continue the Sunday “ drive-by ” masses from 7:30 to 11 a.m. for the next couple of weeks or until Mass can start once again .
Join our Facebook group for updates on coronavirus in Colorado .

Despite the one or two accidental and “oops, I shouldn’t have done that” hugs, every person that stopped by was pleased by the “Sunday Mass” held outside of St. Martin in the Fields Episcopal Church on Sunday in Aurora.
The Archdiocese of Denver and the bishops of Colorado’s three dioceses on Friday had announced that all of the state’s Catholic churches will not celebrate masses until further notice in hopes of quelling the spread of the coronavirus, COVID-19.
Catholic masses have been canceled and multiple mosques have been closed after Gov. Jared Polis urged people to avoid large public gatherings to stop the spread of the fast-moving and highly contagious virus that is sending ripples of fear around the world. The governor recommended that gatherings involving groups of 250 people or more be postponed until further notice.
Religious organizations quickly followed suit.
A recent news release from the Archdiocese read, “In a time like this when Mass is unavailable, the Catholic faithful are dispensed from their Sunday Mass obligation.”
In a statement, Bishop Kym Lucas of The Episcopal Church in Colorado said, “after much prayer, asking all clergy and lay leaders to suspend in-person, public gatherings from March 22 until April 1 (this includes outside and para-church groups).”
“But for me, in this time of Lent, it is all about the people and the relationships that matter,” said the Reverend Dr. Douglas Dunn, interim rector at St. Martin in the Fields Episcopal Church in Aurora. And while some churches are offering gatherings via cellphones or online, he explained that it is so hard to pray together while looking at your phone.
“So I had to do something,” he explained in between cars pulling up for the sacrament. “I wanted to offer some solution for being able to go to mass in this scary and uncertain time.”
That something came in the form of a drive-by mass. Dunn described his idea as a “service in a bag.”
Dunn filled about 80 ziplock plastic bags with four consecrated wafers for home communion, a copy of his Sunday sermon and the Sunday bulletin in each bag. With each passing car, Dunn and junior warden Ed Paprocki would lean in closely — but not too closely — and offer the occupants their personal bags and then offer up individual and personalized prayers for each driver.
“I would like to pray for my mother who has cancer,” said one woman.
“I pray for people to stay calm,” said another.
He thought this would be a way for people to still come together for Mass but just one at a time. He assured most of the 40 or so people, who turned out in the roundabout near the front entrance to the church, that it would be the shortest church service ever.
“People have enough on their minds right now to worry about,” Dunn said. “We just want to continue to provide roots for people. To give them something to hold onto in the wind.”
Dunn plans to continue the Sunday “drive-by” masses from 7:30 to 11 a.m. for the next couple of weeks or until Mass can start once again.
Join our Facebook group for updates on coronavirus in Colorado.


thedenverpost--2020-03-16--Most Colorado jury trials postponed until April; some courts closed until Wednesday

Nearly all Colorado jury trials will be postponed until April and local courts are encouraged to postpone non-essential hearings or hold them by phone , according to an order Monday by the state ’ s top judge .
“ In light of the COVID-19 pandemic and the continued spread of the virus throughout communities in Colorado , and in consideration of the obligation of the courts both to protect the constitutional rights and ensure the safety of the citizenry , the courts of this state can no longer continue normal operations and must for the immediate ensuing period operate on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Court Chief Justice Nathan Coats wrote in the order .
Courts must remain open for essential services like petitions for protection orders and some hearings on child custody matters , Coats ordered .
Necessary court hearings for people held in jail will also continue , including bond hearings and advisements .
Some jury trials will continue because criminal defendants have the constitutional right to a speedy trial .
Cases where that deadline is near will still have a jury trial , but every other jury trial is postponed until at least April 3 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mandated nor banned by the chief justice will remain up to the discretion of local courts .
“ In implementing this order , it is the expectation that the Chief Judges of the various districts will make every effort to facilitate work from remote locations and to minimize or eliminate in-person proceedings and contact , ” Coats wrote .
Counties in three judicial districts suspended all operations through Wednesday , including Boulder , Mesa , Douglas , Arapahoe , Elbert and Lincoln counties .
Local decisions from each court can be found online @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appear for court , officials ask that you call the clerk of your court .

Nearly all Colorado jury trials will be postponed until April and local courts are encouraged to postpone non-essential hearings or hold them by phone, according to an order Monday by the state’s top judge.
“In light of the COVID-19 pandemic and the continued spread of the virus throughout communities in Colorado, and in consideration of the obligation of the courts both to protect the constitutional rights and ensure the safety of the citizenry, the courts of this state can no longer continue normal operations and must for the immediate ensuing period operate on an emergency basis,” Colorado Supreme Court Chief Justice Nathan Coats wrote in the order.
The announcement late Monday afternoon follows days of increasing limitation on public life in Colorado and across the country, including an advisement against gatherings of more than 10 people by President Donald Trump. While many state government offices and meetings were canceled, many of the state’s courts continued business as usual late last week and on Monday.
The official in charge of representing the bulk of Colorado criminal defendants last week urged the state’s courts to create a consistent approach and consider ways to minimize arrests and the jail population.
“Courthouses are extremely public settings,” Colorado Public Defender Megan Ring said in an interview with The Denver Post. “When you look at all the directives on social distancing, you can’t really do that in a courthouse.”
Coats’ order is the first statewide mandate to the 22 judicial districts. Courts must remain open for essential services like petitions for protection orders and some hearings on child custody matters, Coats ordered. Necessary court hearings for people held in jail will also continue, including bond hearings and advisements.
Some jury trials will continue because criminal defendants have the constitutional right to a speedy trial. Cases where that deadline is near will still have a jury trial, but every other jury trial is postponed until at least April 3.
All other hearings and business neither mandated nor banned by the chief justice will remain up to the discretion of local courts.
“In implementing this order, it is the expectation that the Chief Judges of the various districts will make every effort to facilitate work from remote locations and to minimize or eliminate in-person proceedings and contact,” Coats wrote.
Counties in three judicial districts suspended all operations through Wednesday, including Boulder, Mesa, Douglas, Arapahoe, Elbert and Lincoln counties.
Other districts implemented more stringent guidelines than those ordered by Coats:
Most civil and criminal jury trials in Jefferson and Gilpin counties scheduled through May 1 are vacated and postponed.
All jury trials in Adams and Broomfield counties have been suspended for at least two week, except for the death penalty trial of Dreion Dearing.
Local decisions from each court can be found online. If you are unsure whether to appear for court, officials ask that you call the clerk of your court. Nearly all courts are asking that anybody with symptoms of COVID-19 or who has been in contact with someone with the virus not come into the buildings.
The Byron White United States Courthouse in Denver — home to the federal 10th Circuit Court of Appeals — will close its doors to the public on Tuesday until further notice.
But the federal immigration court based in Denver will continue to operate almost as normal. People travel from all over Colorado and nearby states to gather in the tiny courtrooms for hours-long hearings, creating a public safety risk, said Denver immigration attorney Christina Brown. Many of the immigrants use the same headsets to listen to the hearing dialogue in their native language.
While she is able to file motions that hearings be continued on behalf of her clients, those who don’t have attorneys likely don’t have the knowledge to file a motion on their own behalf, she said. And with local libraries closing, some won’t have access to computers to write a motion.
“My clients don’t have the option of saying ‘I’m not coming because I care about the health of my family’ because then they’ll get ordered removed,” she said.


thedenverpost--2020-03-16--Colorado House candidate says he has tested positive for COVID-19

Coronavirus has interfered in a big way with efforts to qualify for Colorado ’ s primaries , from a candidate who says he has tested positive for COVID-19 to new hurdles facing others ahead of a Tuesday petition deadline .
Colorado House District 7 candidate Terrence “ Big T ” Hughes said he contracted the respiratory infection caused by the coronavirus , according to a statement released by his wife .
The pastor also serves as the faith leader for the Colorado Poor People ’ s Campaign .
He ’ s vying for the nomination for Democratic Rep. James Coleman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He was hospitalized for pneumonia before he was tested for the virus .
“ For those who were around me or my wife in the last week , please take extra care of yourselves and if you have symptoms , do not take it lightly , ” Hughes wrote in his statement .
“ Continue to practice good hygiene and stay away from large crowds .
Continue to love and keep our most vulnerable in your thoughts and prayers.
” The announcement Sunday on Facebook comes amid rising concerns among candidates who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are taking both the assembly and petition routes to make the ballot , others have had to make tough decisions about whether to continue their campaigns .
Hughes ’ candidacy will go through the assembly process — based on accommodations as he remains hospitalized — but his campaign says it ’ s suspended signature gathering .
Simon Maghakyan , a Democrat running for the same seat , made a similar decision .
On Saturday , Colorado lawmakers passed a bill that would give county political parties flexibility in their assemblies to meet public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the petition route have faced unexpected difficulties .
“ Colorado statutes couldn ’ t have foreseen the impacts of a global pandemic , ” said Michelle Ferrigno Warren , a U.S. Senate candidate who suspended signature gathering on Saturday due to public health concerns .
She will turn in petitions Tuesday but doesn ’ t know if she has enough .
U.S. Senate candidate Diana Bray contacted her state legislators to discuss an amendment in the bill designed to help Bray and other candidates by giving them an additional two weeks to collect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ signatures during a global pandemic would be , in her words , insanity .
The amendment didn ’ t make the final bill .
“ To me , it was just a no-brainer that we stop collecting signatures , even if it means we don ’ t meet the threshold , ” Bray said in an interview Monday , adding that she does not have the 10,500 signatures needed to make the ballot .
Unless candidates for U.S. Senate and an array of other offices drop off petitions meeting the signature thresholds for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Secretary of State ’ s Office , their candidacies likely will come to a quiet end .
“ It is absolutely unacceptable that in the midst of this pandemic , we have a political battle impeding the public health , ” wrote Lorena Garcia , another Democratic U.S Senate candidate , on Twitter .
Eddie Soto , who runs a company that collects petition signatures , decried the legislature ’ s decision , saying his job became almost impossible after the governor ’ s emergency declaration last week .
Some of his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ People wouldn ’ t answer doors or touch offered pens .
Normally welcoming property owners wouldn ’ t allow canvassers near their entrances .
“ It ’ s been horrendously difficult and honestly dangerous , ” Soto said .
That became especially problematic , he added , because at least a third of signatures are typically collected in the last week before a deadline .
It ’ s unlikely that anything can or will be done .
Election dates and deadlines are written into state law and lawmakers opted not to change them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
John Hickenlooper turned in his signatures Feb. 19 , before the spread of coronavirus and the state of emergency drastically hampered signature-gathering efforts .
His signatures were deemed valid by the Secretary of State ’ s Office on Monday , according to his campaign .
For those participating in assemblies , the new law allows county parties to take remote voting or reschedule them .
The bill did not become law before several counties held their assemblies , including in Park County where Democrats gathered on Saturday in Fairplay .
Some county @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We actually had a fantastic turnout , ” said Louise Peterson , chair of the Park County Democrats .
She said a half-dozen candidates stopped by , along with 37 delegates .
“ We had more people wanting to be delegates than we had spots for , which was thrilling .
”

Coronavirus has interfered in a big way with efforts to qualify for Colorado’s primaries, from a candidate who says he has tested positive for COVID-19 to new hurdles facing others ahead of a Tuesday petition deadline.
Colorado House District 7 candidate Terrence “Big T” Hughes said he contracted the respiratory infection caused by the coronavirus, according to a statement released by his wife.
The pastor also serves as the faith leader for the Colorado Poor People’s Campaign. He’s vying for the nomination for Democratic Rep. James Coleman’s seat to represent northeast Denver. He was hospitalized for pneumonia before he was tested for the virus.
“For those who were around me or my wife in the last week, please take extra care of yourselves and if you have symptoms, do not take it lightly,” Hughes wrote in his statement. “Continue to practice good hygiene and stay away from large crowds. Continue to love and keep our most vulnerable in your thoughts and prayers.”
The announcement Sunday on Facebook comes amid rising concerns among candidates who are collecting petition signatures. While some are taking both the assembly and petition routes to make the ballot, others have had to make tough decisions about whether to continue their campaigns.
Hughes’ candidacy will go through the assembly process — based on accommodations as he remains hospitalized — but his campaign says it’s suspended signature gathering. Simon Maghakyan, a Democrat running for the same seat, made a similar decision.
On Saturday, Colorado lawmakers passed a bill that would give county political parties flexibility in their assemblies to meet public health concerns.
Candidates who opted for the petition route have faced unexpected difficulties.
“Colorado statutes couldn’t have foreseen the impacts of a global pandemic,” said Michelle Ferrigno Warren, a U.S. Senate candidate who suspended signature gathering on Saturday due to public health concerns. She will turn in petitions Tuesday but doesn’t know if she has enough.
U.S. Senate candidate Diana Bray contacted her state legislators to discuss an amendment in the bill designed to help Bray and other candidates by giving them an additional two weeks to collect the signatures they need. To collect signatures during a global pandemic would be, in her words, insanity. The amendment didn’t make the final bill.
“To me, it was just a no-brainer that we stop collecting signatures, even if it means we don’t meet the threshold,” Bray said in an interview Monday, adding that she does not have the 10,500 signatures needed to make the ballot.
Unless candidates for U.S. Senate and an array of other offices drop off petitions meeting the signature thresholds for the posts they’re seeking at the Secretary of State’s Office, their candidacies likely will come to a quiet end.
“It is absolutely unacceptable that in the midst of this pandemic, we have a political battle impeding the public health,” wrote Lorena Garcia, another Democratic U.S Senate candidate, on Twitter.
Eddie Soto, who runs a company that collects petition signatures, decried the legislature’s decision, saying his job became almost impossible after the governor’s emergency declaration last week. Some of his best canvassers refused to go out. People wouldn’t answer doors or touch offered pens. Normally welcoming property owners wouldn’t allow canvassers near their entrances.
“It’s been horrendously difficult and honestly dangerous,” Soto said.
That became especially problematic, he added, because at least a third of signatures are typically collected in the last week before a deadline.
It’s unlikely that anything can or will be done. Election dates and deadlines are written into state law and lawmakers opted not to change them before shutting down Saturday.
Former Gov. John Hickenlooper turned in his signatures Feb. 19, before the spread of coronavirus and the state of emergency drastically hampered signature-gathering efforts. His signatures were deemed valid by the Secretary of State’s Office on Monday, according to his campaign.
For those participating in assemblies, the new law allows county parties to take remote voting or reschedule them.
The bill did not become law before several counties held their assemblies, including in Park County where Democrats gathered on Saturday in Fairplay. Some county assemblies had lower turnout than usual.
“We actually had a fantastic turnout,” said Louise Peterson, chair of the Park County Democrats. She said a half-dozen candidates stopped by, along with 37 delegates. “We had more people wanting to be delegates than we had spots for, which was thrilling.”


thedenverpost--2020-03-16--Broncos agree to terms with veteran right guard Graham Glasgow on $44 million contract

Quiet for the first six hours of the NFL ’ s negotiating period on Monday , the Broncos struck around 4 p.m. by agreeing to terms with Detroit Lions offensive lineman Graham Glasgow .
According to a league source , the contract is four years and $ 44 million , including $ 26 million guaranteed .
A source said there were “ many ” teams interested in Glasgow , but not the Lions , who told his camp last week that they were moving on from the guard/center .
The addition won ’ t become official until at least Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Glasgow , 27 , has started 58 games — 26 at center , 18 at left guard and 14 at right guard — and initially projects as the right guard replacing Ron Leary .
Glasgow played right guard last year and became the top interior linemen available once New England used the franchise tag on guard Joe Thuney .
Glasgow ’ s arrival makes it unlikely free agent Connor McGovern will return as the Broncos ’ center .
Glasgow ’ s versatility gives the Broncos two options .
Option 1 : Leave Glasgow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believing the rookie ’ s transition to the pro game would be helped by playing between Glasgow and left guard Dalton Risner .
Option 2 : Move Glasgow to center and draft a right guard who could start right away ( like Risner did last year on the left side ) or have the rookie compete with Elijah Wilkinson .
A walk-on to start his career at Michigan , Glasgow earned a scholarship and was drafted in the third round by Detroit in 2016 .
As a rookie , he started seven games @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In 2017 , he started 11 games at left guard and five at center .
He played center in 2018 and right guard in ’ 19 .
Glasgow has been called for 16 enforced penalties in 3,693 offensive snaps .
He played all 1,041 and 1,074 plays in 2017-18 , respectively .
Glasgow ’ s arrival represents the fifth time in six years the Broncos have signed a prominent free-agent offensive lineman , joining left tackle Russell Okung ( 2016 ) , Leary and tackle/guard Menelik Watson ( 2017 ) and right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) .
None of the Broncos ’ key free agents — McGovern , cornerback Chris Harris , safety Will Parks and defensive ends Derek Wolfe and Shelby Harris — found new homes Monday .
Earlier Monday , the Broncos attended to some other free agent business .
Wilkinson was offered a restricted free-agent offer at a second-round level ( $ 3.25 million ) .
A team would have to give up their second-round pick to the Broncos if they sign Wilkinson to an offer sheet that is not matched .
Wilkinson started 12 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ played in 15 because of James ’ knee issues .
In 2018 , he started the final seven games at right guard .
The Broncos also offered contracts to four exclusive rights free agents : Safety Trey Marshall , cornerback Shakial Taylor and receivers Tim Patrick and Diontae Spencer .

Quiet for the first six hours of the NFL’s negotiating period on Monday, the Broncos struck around 4 p.m. by agreeing to terms with Detroit Lions offensive lineman Graham Glasgow.
According to a league source, the contract is four years and $44 million, including $26 million guaranteed.
A source said there were “many” teams interested in Glasgow, but not the Lions, who told his camp last week that they were moving on from the guard/center.
The addition won’t become official until at least Wednesday, when the signing/trading period begins.
Glasgow, 27, has started 58 games — 26 at center, 18 at left guard and 14 at right guard — and initially projects as the right guard replacing Ron Leary. Glasgow played right guard last year and became the top interior linemen available once New England used the franchise tag on guard Joe Thuney.
Glasgow’s arrival makes it unlikely free agent Connor McGovern will return as the Broncos’ center.
Glasgow’s versatility gives the Broncos two options.
Option 1: Leave Glasgow at right guard and draft a center believing the rookie’s transition to the pro game would be helped by playing between Glasgow and left guard Dalton Risner.
Option 2: Move Glasgow to center and draft a right guard who could start right away (like Risner did last year on the left side) or have the rookie compete with Elijah Wilkinson.
A walk-on to start his career at Michigan, Glasgow earned a scholarship and was drafted in the third round by Detroit in 2016. As a rookie, he started seven games at left guard and four at center. In 2017, he started 11 games at left guard and five at center. He played center in 2018 and right guard in ’19.
Glasgow has been called for 16 enforced penalties in 3,693 offensive snaps. He played all 1,041 and 1,074 plays in 2017-18, respectively.
Glasgow’s arrival represents the fifth time in five years the Broncos have signed a prominent free-agent offensive lineman, joining left tackle Russell Okung (2016), Leary and tackle/guard Menelik Watson (2017) and right tackle Ja’Wuan James (2019).
None of the Broncos’ key free agents — McGovern, cornerback Chris Harris, safety Will Parks and defensive ends Derek Wolfe and Shelby Harris — found new homes Monday.
Earlier Monday, the Broncos attended to some other free agent business.
Wilkinson was offered a restricted free-agent offer at a second-round level ($3.25 million). A team would have to give up their second-round pick to the Broncos if they sign Wilkinson to an offer sheet that is not matched.
Wilkinson started 12 games at right tackle last year and played in 15 because of James’ knee issues. In 2018, he started the final seven games at right guard.
The Broncos also offered contracts to four exclusive rights free agents: Safety Trey Marshall, cornerback Shakial Taylor and receivers Tim Patrick and Diontae Spencer.


thedenverpost--2020-03-16--Colorado governor orders bars, restaurants to halt dine-in service statewide in fight against corona

Colorado governor orders bars, restaurants to halt dine-in service statewide in fight against coronavirus

Gov .
Jared Polis accelerated the state ’ s fight to slow the spread of the new coronavirus Monday , ordering bars and restaurants to cease dine-in service and for large gathering spaces such as theaters , casinos and gyms to close statewide .
The order is for the next 30 days .
“ These establishments can remain open but that ’ s for take-out , delivery and room service , ” Polis said of restaurants .
The order/guidance followed an announcement by Denver Mayor Michael Hancock closing eateries , except for delivery and takeout meals , to slow the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Denver doesn ’ t allow customers to take alcoholic drinks off-premises , it effectively closed all bars .
Polis ’ order also would exempt to-go meals .
“ There will be a time when we want to celebrate those local small businesses again , ” Polis said .
“ When it ’ s safe , we want to celebrate in bars and clubs .
We want to dine out .
That day is not today , it ’ s not tomorrow , it ’ s not likely to be next week or the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Department of Revenue offices in Colorado will be closed until April 18 .
Renewal of driver ’ s licenses can still be done online .
Colorado now has 160 positive coronavirus cases , with 20 people hospitalized , Polis said .
“ We know that there are likely thousands in Colorado ” who have the virus , Polis said .
Officials from state and local public health agencies met virtually in a Google Hangout on Monday to hammer out their recommendations for social distancing just three hours before Polis ’ news conference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including restricting the size of public gatherings and closing “ non-essential ” businesses , but deferred those issues for now and decided to rely on guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
Currently , the CDC recommends limiting public gatherings to no more than 50 people , or no more than 10 if the people are high-risk because of advanced age or serious medical conditions .
As of Monday afternoon , 160 people have tested positive for COVID-19 , the disease caused by the new virus , in Colorado @ @ @ @ @ @ @ director of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment , More than 1,200 people have been tested statewide .
The public health officials raised two broad concerns Monday : they lack data about how far the virus has truly spread , and the health care system is already beginning to show signs of strain .
State epidemiologist Dr. Rachel Herlihy said about 15 % of the people who have tested positive for COVID-19 have needed to be hospitalized .
That ’ s causing problems in mountain communities , where hospitals are running @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other resources to care for a higher volume of patients , said Dr. Daniel Pastula , a University of Colorado infectious disease specialist who visited some of the harder-hit communities .
“ We ’ re kind of near capacity in the mountains , ” Pastula said .
“ Anything we can do to slow this down that ’ s reasonable , we should consider.
” Hospitals along the Front Range also are starting to show strain , Pastula said .
Representatives from the Colorado Hospital Association and the Colorado Medical Society said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerns about running out of protective equipment and supplies needed for virus testing .
It ’ s still not clear how widespread the virus may be in Colorado .
Hunsaker Ryan said the state is going to send a mobile lab to Telluride , Routt County and perhaps other locations to gather data on whether COVID-19 has reached those communities .
The state lab and commercial labs still haven ’ t been able to keep up with the need for testing , partially due to a lack of supplies , she said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ there ’ s no doubt the state will continue to see an increase in cases , said Eric France , chief medical officer at CDPHE .
“ It ’ s clear from Rachel ( Herlihy ) ’ s data that we are at the start of the epidemic in Colorado , ” he said .

Gov. Jared Polis ordered bars, restaurants and other large gathering places across Colorado to close for the next 30 days in an aggressive new push to slow the spread of the coronavirus, as Denver and state leaders warned of dire consequences if the outbreak isn’t brought under control.
The governor’s order Monday afternoon also will shutter theaters, casinos and gyms statewide. Restaurants and bars still will be allowed to offer carry-out, delivery and room service options, but no in-person dining.
The closures, economically perilous but designed to stymie person-to-person transmission of the new coronavirus, are effective 8 a.m. Tuesday.
“There will be a time when we want to celebrate those local small businesses again,” Polis said at a news conference. “When it’s safe, we want to celebrate in bars and clubs. We want to dine out. That day is not today, it’s not tomorrow, it’s not likely to be next week or the week after.”
Polis also announced all DMV and Department of Revenue offices in Colorado will be closed until April 18. Renewal of driver’s licenses can still be done online.
Colorado now has 160 positive coronavirus cases, an increase of 27 from Sunday. One Coloradan has died of complications of COVID-19, the highly contagious respiratory disease caused by the virus, and 20 are hospitalized.
The governor’s order followed an announcement by Denver Mayor Michael Hancock earlier in the day that the city would close eateries to in-person dining to slow the spread of the coronavirus. City inspectors will enforce the rule, which expires May 11, he said.
“This is not about a criminal act, this is more of, again, a public safety move,” he said. “While we expect everyone to comply, our inspectors will be active in the city to make sure we’re managing it.”
Hancock said the Denver sheriff’s department will stop booking people accused of lower-level, nonviolent crimes in an effort to allow for greater distance between people in the city’s jail. The court system will continue to operate because people are guaranteed a right to a speedy trial, he said.
Polis previously had ordered all downhill ski resorts to close for a week starting Saturday, in an attempt to stop extensive spread of the disease in resort communities. State health officials on Sunday urged anyone who visited Pitkin, Gunnison, Summit or Eagle counties in the last week to isolate themselves whether or not they are showing symptoms of COVID-19.
Colorado State Patrol said Sunday it would limit troopers’ responses to non-emergency calls in those four counties as well as in Garfield and Lake counties in an attempt to protect troopers from exposure to the novel coronavirus. Troopers will not respond to car crashes unless it involves injuries or a suspected impaired or uninsured driver.
Boulder City Manager Jane Brautigam on Monday prohibited any events in the city with 20 or more participants on publicly owned spaces such as the Pearl Street Mall and also closed all city buildings to the public until March 29. Libraries and recreation centers also have closed in Boulder and Denver.
In Summit County, leaders not only prohibited dine-in service at restaurants, but ordered all lodging, including Airbnb rentals, and retail businesses to close — except for banks, grocery stores, liquor stores, marijuana dispensaries, pharmacies and gas stations.
Larger restrictions loom
Bigger statewide restrictions could be coming. Public health officials are debating whether to recommend a future order to close “non-essential businesses,” and if they were to do so, how to define which businesses are essential.
As President Donald Trump urged Americans Monday to “avoid discretionary travel” to help slow the spread of the coronavirus, Denver International Airport confirmed that it’s preparing for the potential of new restrictions that might crimp or halt domestic flights. The number of passengers beginning or ending their trips at DIA is down about 14% compared to March 2019, and is projected to fall further as skiers and students at closed college campuses clear out.
The Trump administration has said officials are considering measures all the way up to a domestic travel shutdown, according to news reports over the weekend. The United States hasn’t gone that far since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
“There’s just so much up in the air right now that we’re having all kinds of discussions so we can adapt quickly under any circumstances,” DIA spokeswoman Stacy Stegman said.
The state is urging the public to follow guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that gatherings include no more than 50 people, or no more than 10 if the people are high-risk because of advanced age or serious medical conditions.
“At this point, social distancing is one of our greatest tools in flattening the curve and trying to minimize the transmission of the disease,” said Scott Bookman, incident commander for the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. “Obviously this is a huge change to how people live day-to-day. We’re continuing to work on guidance and support so people have a greater ability to weather the period of time that they are socially distanced.”
More than 1,200 people have been tested statewide, but that’s not enough to establish how far the virus has spread, Polis said.
“We know that there are likely thousands in Colorado” who have the virus, Polis said.
More testing needed
The state lab, which is running 24/7, can process about 250 tests a day, Bookman said Monday. It’s not clear how many tests are being run through private labs, he said. One private lab accepted a batch of 200 tests from the state but it’s unclear when that lab will be able to accept more. Tests typically take a few days for results to be determined.
The state health department, assisted by the National Guard, will open a drive-up testing site near Telluride on Tuesday, but it will be open only to pre-selected, high-risk patients, the agency said in a statement Monday. About 100 people are expected to go through the Telluride site on Tuesday.
A second drive-up testing location will be opened in Routt County in the future, Bookman said. Officials are planning the testing sites for areas where it’s possible that the virus is spreading in the community but where such spread has not yet been confirmed, he said, which is one reason why the testing sites will not be operating in Eagle County, where widespread community transmission is well-documented.
Even with incomplete data, however, there’s no doubt the state will continue to see an increase in cases, said Eric France, chief medical officer at the state health department.
Hancock said Denver’s efforts to respond to COVID-19 could come to a “screeching halt” in a few days if the city doesn’t receive more personal protective equipment, like face masks. The city also is attempting to set up safe places for homeless people who contract the virus.
Hospitals in mountain communities, where the virus is spreading more widely, already are running short of protective gear and other resources to care for a higher volume of patients, said Dr. Daniel Pastula, a University of Colorado infectious disease specialist who visited some of the harder-hit communities. Facilities along the Front Range also are starting to show strain, he said.
“We’re kind of near capacity in the mountains,” he said. “Anything we can do to slow this down that’s reasonable, we should consider.”
Denver Public Health Director Bob McDonald said city officials are working to ensure hospitals aren’t overwhelmed. At the moment, ventilators are available at Denver Health and staff is prepared to ask for more, he said.
Still, it’s unclear just how many cases of the coronavirus could pop up in Denver, McDonald said.
“Everything we’re doing is to stem that tide. What I can tell you is that we have 22 presumptive cases (in the city). Are there more than that? Likely more than that,” McDonald said. “But we’re tracking the available data and doing everything we can to make sure the spread is limited.”
Staff writers Shelly Bradbury, Alex Burness, Jon Murray and Conrad Swanson contributed to this report.


thedenverpost--2020-03-16--Colorado coronavirus cases reach 160 amid escalating efforts to stop spread

With 27 new cases , Colorado ’ s confirmed novel coronavirus cases rose to 160 on Monday as local and state officials escalated measures to try to stymie the virus ’ reach .
But that number is likely still just a small portion of those infected .
“ In all likelihood there are hundreds , most likely thousands , of Coloradans who have coronavirus , ” Gov .
Jared Polis said Friday .
The rapid spread of COVID-19 , the highly contagious respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus , has exceeded the state ’ s ability to test for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment , said Monday .
Tests for about 1,216 people have been run at the state lab .
That lab , which is running 24/7 , can process about 250 tests a day , Bookman said .
It ’ s not clear how many tests are being run through private labs , he said .
One private lab accepted a batch of 200 tests from the state but it ’ s unclear when that lab will be able to accept more .
Tests typically take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ determined .
The state health department , assisted by the National Guard , will open a drive-up testing site near Telluride on Tuesday , but it will be open only to pre-selected , high-risk patients , the agency said in a statement Monday .
About 100 people are expected to go through the Telluride site on Tuesday .
A second drive-up testing location will be opened in Routt County in the future , Bookman said .
Officials are planning the testing sites for areas where it ’ s possible that the virus is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread has not yet been confirmed , he said , which is one reason why the testing sites will not be operating in Eagle County , where widespread community transmission is well-documented .
The state is working to increase its testing capacity , he added .
Testing not only helps state health officials track the disease , but also allows those who are suffering from other illnesses get back to work without worrying about the two-week quarantine required for those who contract COVID-19 , Bookman said .
“ Our goal is to help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soon as they can , ” he said .
The disease has killed one person in Colorado and prompted widespread disruptions to daily life as officials urge residents to avoid areas with outbreaks and stay home as much as possible in a bid to slow global pandemic ’ s reach in the United States .
Denver Mayor Michael Hancock on Monday ordered all bars and restaurants in the city to close except for carryout and delivery services .
Mountain resort communities are seeing extensive spread of the novel coronavirus and ski resorts across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a week .
State health officials on Sunday urged anyone who visited Pitkin , Gunnison , Summit or Eagle counties in the last week to isolate themselves whether or not they are showing symptoms of COVID-19 .
Colorado State Patrol said Sunday it would limit troopers ’ responses to non-emergency calls in those four counties as well as in Garfield and Lake counties in an attempt to protect troopers from exposure to the novel coronavirus .
Those six counties have been placed on accident alert , meaning that troopers will not respond to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a suspected impaired or uninsured driver , and troopers in those counties are encouraged to handle some incidents by phone if possible , Col. Matthew Packard , chief of the Colorado State Patrol , wrote in a letter dated Sunday .
“ We are taking these actions now to protect our public safety resources in certain areas so we can continue to serve Colorado communities effectively through this event , ” he wrote .
Also on Sunday , the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urged people across the nation to cancel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people for the next eight weeks , a recommendation echoed by local and state officials .
“ At this point , social distancing is one of our greatest tools in flattening the curve and trying to minimize the transmission of the disease , ” Bookman said .
“ Obviously this is a huge change to how people live day-to-day .
We ’ re continuing to work on guidance and support so people have a greater ability to weather the period of time that they are socially distanced.
” In Boulder , City Manager @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the city with 20 or more participants on publicly owned spaces such as the Pearl Street Mall and also closed all city buildings to the public from March 15 to March 29 .
Boulder County has seven confirmed cases of COVID-19 .
Boulder ’ s libraries and recreation centers will also be closed through the end of the month .
The city ’ s efforts reflect similar efforts across the state ; Denver ’ s city libraries closed Monday and will stay shuttered until further notice .
Denver Public Schools also have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many colleges have closed or moved classes online .
“ We are all in this together , ” Rachel Herlighy , an epidemiologist with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment , said in a statement Monday about school closures .
“ Nearly every child could have an interaction with an older adult or others at risk of getting severe illness from COVID-19 .
This is not just about keeping kids safe , which is absolutely important ; it ’ s about keeping the whole community safe by limiting and slowing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the latest updates on coronavirus in Colorado .
Subscribe to bi-weekly newsletter to get health news sent straight to your inbox .

With 27 new cases, Colorado’s confirmed novel coronavirus cases rose to 160 on Monday as local and state officials escalated measures to try to stymie the virus’ reach.
But that number is likely still just a small portion of those infected. “In all likelihood there are hundreds, most likely thousands, of Coloradans who have coronavirus,” Gov. Jared Polis said Friday.
The rapid spread of COVID-19, the highly contagious respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus, has exceeded the state’s ability to test for it, Scott Bookman, incident commander for the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, said Monday. Tests for about 1,216 people have been run at the state lab.
That lab, which is running 24/7, can process about 250 tests a day, Bookman said. It’s not clear how many tests are being run through private labs, he said. One private lab accepted a batch of 200 tests from the state but it’s unclear when that lab will be able to accept more. Tests typically take a few days for results to be determined.
The state health department, assisted by the National Guard, will open a drive-up testing site near Telluride on Tuesday, but it will be open only to pre-selected, high-risk patients, the agency said in a statement Monday. About 100 people are expected to go through the Telluride site on Tuesday.
A second drive-up testing location will be opened in Routt County in the future, Bookman said. Officials are planning the testing sites for areas where it’s possible that the virus is spreading in the community but where such spread has not yet been confirmed, he said, which is one reason why the testing sites will not be operating in Eagle County, where widespread community transmission is well-documented.
The state is working to increase its testing capacity, he added. Testing not only helps state health officials track the disease, but also allows those who are suffering from other illnesses get back to work without worrying about the two-week quarantine required for those who contract COVID-19, Bookman said.
“Our goal is to help people get back into the workforce as soon as they can,” he said.
The disease has killed one person in Colorado and prompted widespread disruptions to daily life as officials urge residents to avoid areas with outbreaks and stay home as much as possible in a bid to slow global pandemic’s reach in the United States.
Denver Mayor Michael Hancock on Monday ordered all bars and restaurants in the city to close except for carryout and delivery services.
Mountain resort communities are seeing extensive spread of the novel coronavirus and ski resorts across the state are closed for at least a week. State health officials on Sunday urged anyone who visited Pitkin, Gunnison, Summit or Eagle counties in the last week to isolate themselves whether or not they are showing symptoms of COVID-19.
Colorado State Patrol said Sunday it would limit troopers’ responses to non-emergency calls in those four counties as well as in Garfield and Lake counties in an attempt to protect troopers from exposure to the novel coronavirus.
Those six counties have been placed on accident alert, meaning that troopers will not respond to car crashes unless it involves injuries or a suspected impaired or uninsured driver, and troopers in those counties are encouraged to handle some incidents by phone if possible, Col. Matthew Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol, wrote in a letter dated Sunday.
“We are taking these actions now to protect our public safety resources in certain areas so we can continue to serve Colorado communities effectively through this event,” he wrote.
Also on Sunday, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urged people across the nation to cancel or postpone events of more than 50 people for the next eight weeks, a recommendation echoed by local and state officials.
“At this point, social distancing is one of our greatest tools in flattening the curve and trying to minimize the transmission of the disease,” Bookman said. “Obviously this is a huge change to how people live day-to-day. We’re continuing to work on guidance and support so people have a greater ability to weather the period of time that they are socially distanced.”
In Boulder, City Manager Jane Brautigam on Monday prohibited any events in the city with 20 or more participants on publicly owned spaces such as the Pearl Street Mall and also closed all city buildings to the public from March 15 to March 29. Boulder County has seven confirmed cases of COVID-19.
Boulder’s libraries and recreation centers will also be closed through the end of the month. The city’s efforts reflect similar efforts across the state; Denver’s city libraries closed Monday and will stay shuttered until further notice. Denver Public Schools also have shut down until April 6, and many colleges have closed or moved classes online.
“We are all in this together,” Rachel Herlighy, an epidemiologist with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, said in a statement Monday about school closures. “Nearly every child could have an interaction with an older adult or others at risk of getting severe illness from COVID-19. This is not just about keeping kids safe, which is absolutely important; it’s about keeping the whole community safe by limiting and slowing the spread.”
Join our Facebook group for the latest updates on coronavirus in Colorado.
Subscribe to bi-weekly newsletter to get health news sent straight to your inbox.


thedenverpost--2020-03-16--NHL commissioner not sure if the season will resume due to coronavirus

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman on Monday said players can return to their off-season homes — including Europe — amid the worldwide coronavirus outbreak .
The NHL ’ s latest move came a day after the CDC recommended no public gatherings of more than 50 people for the next 60 days .
“ We think it ’ s good that you stay in place , and that ’ s what our clubs are telling the players — the ability to have the resources of the club available to you is a positive thing , ” Bettman said on SiriusXM NHL Network @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you stay where you are .
But if you want to go home we understand .
It ’ s a personal decision and you have to do what you think is right for you and your family.
” Upon suspending the NHL season Thursday , a day after the NBA did the same , Bettman called for players to self-isolate and remain in their team ’ s cities and await further instructions .
He said the CDC and other health professionals will continue to guide what the NHL decides .
Bettman also said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the NHL ’ s season last week — before an NBA player tested positive for the coronavirus .
In terms of a “ drop-dead ” date that would force cancellation of the playoffs this year , he ’ s not sure what that would be .
The NHL has asked teams to identify open arena dates through July .
• Chambers : Health is more important than hockey , but Avalanche to benefit during “ pause ” • Avalanche has three of the NHL ’ s top 50 prospect , report says “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nothing makes sense for anybody to save this season — either ours or the NBAs , ” Bettman said .
“ But in the final analysis , when it ’ s clear where we are and what the timing is , we can make a decision .
My hope and my expectation is that whatever the health situation is with the world won ’ t have any impact on next season .
So the question is , how do we properly , appropriately and respectfully conclude this season ?
And hopefully , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ruled anything in or anything out — other than it ’ s got to be the right thing in terms of the well-being of our players and our fans .
”

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman on Monday said players can return to their off-season homes — including Europe — amid the worldwide coronavirus outbreak. The NHL’s latest move came a day after the CDC recommended no public gatherings of more than 50 people for the next 60 days.
“We think it’s good that you stay in place, and that’s what our clubs are telling the players — the ability to have the resources of the club available to you is a positive thing,” Bettman said on SiriusXM NHL Network Radio. “So we recommend that you stay where you are. But if you want to go home we understand. It’s a personal decision and you have to do what you think is right for you and your family.”
Upon suspending the NHL season Thursday, a day after the NBA did the same, Bettman called for players to self-isolate and remain in their team’s cities and await further instructions. He said the CDC and other health professionals will continue to guide what the NHL decides.
Bettman also said he was prepared to “pause” the NHL’s season last week — before an NBA player tested positive for the coronavirus.
In terms of a “drop-dead” date that would force cancellation of the playoffs this year, he’s not sure what that would be. The NHL has asked teams to identify open arena dates through July.
“There is an outside date beyond which nothing makes sense for anybody to save this season — either ours or the NBAs,” Bettman said. “But in the final analysis, when it’s clear where we are and what the timing is, we can make a decision. My hope and my expectation is that whatever the health situation is with the world won’t have any impact on next season. So the question is, how do we properly, appropriately and respectfully conclude this season? And hopefully, we can.
“We haven’t ruled anything in or anything out — other than it’s got to be the right thing in terms of the well-being of our players and our fans.”


thedenverpost--2020-03-16--Denver airport braces for potential coronavirus travel restrictions as passenger traffic drops

As President Donald Trump urged Americans Monday to “ avoid discretionary travel ” to help slow the spread of the coronavirus , Denver International Airport confirmed that it ’ s preparing for the potential of new restrictions that might crimp or halt domestic flights .
The Trump administration has said officials are considering measures all the way up to a domestic travel shutdown , according to news reports over the weekend .
The United States hasn ’ t gone that far since the Sept. 11 , 2001 , terrorist attacks .
“ There ’ s just so much up in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re having all kinds of discussions so we can adapt quickly under any circumstances , ” DIA spokesperson Stacy Stegman said .
As the coronavirus pandemic affects travel worldwide , data show that for the second week in a row , passenger traffic through DIA ’ s security checkpoints dropped sharply last week — by 14.4 % — compared to the corresponding week in March 2019 .
That measure captures travelers who originate their trips in Denver , but not passengers who connect through DIA .
DIA is seeing an uptick in travelers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campuses close , but the airport still projects that the coming week will bring “ dramatic reductions in both air service and traffic levels , ” according to its data summary .
The changing dynamics for DIA , which had recorded years of record passenger growth , are spurring internal discussions and planning for everything from its budget and staffing to safety precautions for passengers , said Stegman , the airport ’ s senior vice president of communications .
So far , DIA officials have not received any indication of a national shutdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re obviously watching and paying attention to the news at all levels , and how all of it affects the airport , ” Stegman said .
“ But we ’ re going to do what the right thing to do is under these circumstances because the safety of those who are here — not just our employees but also our passengers — is of the utmost importance.
” The airport hit a speed bump over the weekend when emergency repair work required reduced train frequencies Saturday and Sunday for the people mover system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three concourses .
Since Concourses B and C can only be reached by train , the result was long waits on the crowded underground platforms at a time when public health officials have discouraged crowds .
“ We know that the timing for that was bad , ” Stegman said , but the work was unavoidable .
By Monday morning , trains were back on their normal schedule and frequency .
Stegman said directional switches for the train system broke down , requiring emergency repairs .
Some remaining work will happen overnight Monday @ @ @ @

As President Donald Trump urged Americans Monday to “avoid discretionary travel” to help slow the spread of the coronavirus, Denver International Airport confirmed that it’s preparing for the potential of new restrictions that might crimp or halt domestic flights.
The Trump administration has said officials are considering measures all the way up to a domestic travel shutdown, according to news reports over the weekend. The United States hasn’t gone that far since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
“There’s just so much up in the air right now that we’re having all kinds of discussions so we can adapt quickly under any circumstances,” DIA spokesperson Stacy Stegman said.
As the coronavirus pandemic affects travel worldwide, data show that for the second week in a row, passenger traffic through DIA’s security checkpoints dropped sharply last week — by 14.4% — compared to the corresponding week in March 2019. That measure captures travelers who originate their trips in Denver, but not passengers who connect through DIA.
DIA is seeing an uptick in travelers departing Colorado as ski resorts and college campuses close, but the airport still projects that the coming week will bring “dramatic reductions in both air service and traffic levels,” according to its data summary.
The changing dynamics for DIA, which had recorded years of record passenger growth, are spurring internal discussions and planning for everything from its budget and staffing to safety precautions for passengers, said Stegman, the airport’s senior vice president of communications.
So far, DIA officials have not received any indication of a national shutdown, she said.
“We’re obviously watching and paying attention to the news at all levels, and how all of it affects the airport,” Stegman said. “But we’re going to do what the right thing to do is under these circumstances because the safety of those who are here — not just our employees but also our passengers — is of the utmost importance.”
The airport hit a speed bump over the weekend when emergency repair work required reduced train frequencies Saturday and Sunday for the people mover system connecting the terminal to DIA’s three concourses. Since Concourses B and C can only be reached by train, the result was long waits on the crowded underground platforms at a time when public health officials have discouraged crowds.
“We know that the timing for that was bad,” Stegman said, but the work was unavoidable.
By Monday morning, trains were back on their normal schedule and frequency.
Stegman said directional switches for the train system broke down, requiring emergency repairs. Some remaining work will happen overnight Monday, she said.


thedenverpost--2020-03-16--How social distancing works and what it means for you

NEW YORK — Can my kids go on a play date ?
Is it OK if I visit the gym ?
In this time of coronavirus , once-easy questions have suddenly become complex .
Here are some questions and answers about the “ social distancing ” efforts to slow the epidemic in the U.S. Social distancing are practices implemented by public health officials to keep contagious diseases from spreading .
The measures are aimed at trying to cut down the amount of virus spreading around , and ultimately protect those most vulnerable , including the elderly and people with weakened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TAKEN ?
Governments have closed borders , and millions of workers and students have been ordered to stay home .
On Monday , U.S. officials recommended that older people and those with underlying health conditions “ stay home and away from other people.
” The U.S. is also telling people not to gather in large groups .
And experts also recommend people try to stay at least 6 feet ( about 2 meters ) away from each other .
Experts believe the virus is mainly spread through droplets that come out of your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ person speaks or exhales or coughs or sneezes , the droplets travel about 3 to 6 feet ( 1 to 2 meters ) before gravity pulls them to the ground .
“ They fall pretty quickly , ” said Dr. Jill Weatherhead , an infectious disease expert at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston .
It ’ s important to try to block coughs or sneezes with a tissue or your sleeve , so as to not send those droplet flying directly toward someone nearby .
CAN I GO OUTSIDE AT ALL @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And the guidelines vary based on where you live .
“ We ’ re not being told to stay at home and lock the doors , ” said Dr. Willam Schaffner , a Vanderbilt University infectious diseases expert .
“ We ’ re not there yet , and I don ’ t think we ’ ll get there.
” People who have coughs and sneezes should stay home as much as possible , and call ahead to the doctor ’ s office if they ’ re planning to get their illness checked out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirmed coronavirus illness should stay home , as should those who were in close contact with a confirmed case .
WHERE CAN I GO ?
Options are becoming limited , with school , gym and restaurant closures in some places , and work-from-home edicts .
Officials in six San Francisco-area counties on Monday told nearly 7 million people to stay inside and venture out only for necessities .
If you live someplace without such restrictions , it ’ s best just to use good judgment .
If restaurants are open , it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But go in a small group and try to get a table away from others .
It ’ s necessary to buy food .
But try to go to the supermarket at times when it ’ s less crowded , stay 6 feet away from other shoppers as much as you can , and wash your hands thoroughly when you get home .
CAN I GO TO THE GYM ?
Exercise is important .
But maybe stick to the machines , wiping them down before and after you use them , and skip @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put you in close physical contact with others .
If possible , cut back on the gym and go for jogs , walks or bike rides instead , experts said .
The CDC on Sunday recommended that for the next eight weeks , organizers put off events that would draw at least 50 people .
On Monday , the number was reduced to 10 .
That could ice a lot of weddings , family reunions and birthday parties .
Dr. Deborah Birx , who is coordinating the federal response to the virus , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was influenced by research that tried to estimate the impact of different possible steps .
A CDC official , Dr. Jay Butler , said Monday there ’ s no hard-and-fast rule .
Officials are simply trying to set a reasonable parameter to “ increase social distancing while not creating social isolation , ” he said in an interview streamed by the Journal of the American Medical Association .
CAN I GO ON DATES ?
OR SEND MY KIDS ON PLAY DATES ?
There ’ s some debate among experts about dates and play @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or considered to be at risk can still date , Schaffner said .
But skip the bars , concerts and crowded theaters , and instead think about an intimate dinner at home .
For kids , play dates can be OK , especially if they ’ re outside in parks and involve a small number of kids , he said .
Of course , kids who are sick or who are particularly vulnerable to respiratory illness should not go , he added .
Weatherhead had different advice , saying play dates are not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mild COVID-19 illnesses and therefore might spread the disease before anyone realizes they are sick .
It will be tricky to prove these measures made a difference .
Testing for the coronavirus was delayed in the U.S. , but it is now starting to become more widely available .
That means a lot of new cases may be diagnosed in the coming days , as labs finally find infections that happened weeks ago .
“ We ’ re going to see increasing ( case ) numbers , and that ’ s going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social distancing .
But that doesn ’ t mean social distancing isn ’ t working , ” Weatherhead said .
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NEW YORK — Can my kids go on a play date? Is it OK if I visit the gym?
In this time of coronavirus, once-easy questions have suddenly become complex.
Here are some questions and answers about the “social distancing” efforts to slow the epidemic in the U.S.
WHAT IS SOCIAL DISTANCING?
Social distancing are practices implemented by public health officials to keep contagious diseases from spreading.
The measures are aimed at trying to cut down the amount of virus spreading around, and ultimately protect those most vulnerable, including the elderly and people with weakened immune systems.
WHAT MEASURES HAVE BEEN TAKEN?
Governments have closed borders, and millions of workers and students have been ordered to stay home. On Monday, U.S. officials recommended that older people and those with underlying health conditions “stay home and away from other people.” The U.S. is also telling people not to gather in large groups.
And experts also recommend people try to stay at least 6 feet (about 2 meters) away from each other.
WHY 6 FEET?
Experts believe the virus is mainly spread through droplets that come out of your mouth and nose. When an infected person speaks or exhales or coughs or sneezes, the droplets travel about 3 to 6 feet (1 to 2 meters) before gravity pulls them to the ground.
“They fall pretty quickly,” said Dr. Jill Weatherhead, an infectious disease expert at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston.
It’s important to try to block coughs or sneezes with a tissue or your sleeve, so as to not send those droplet flying directly toward someone nearby.
CAN I GO OUTSIDE AT ALL?
Yes, with some exceptions. And the guidelines vary based on where you live.
“We’re not being told to stay at home and lock the doors,” said Dr. Willam Schaffner, a Vanderbilt University infectious diseases expert. “We’re not there yet, and I don’t think we’ll get there.”
People who have coughs and sneezes should stay home as much as possible, and call ahead to the doctor’s office if they’re planning to get their illness checked out, he added.
People who have confirmed coronavirus illness should stay home, as should those who were in close contact with a confirmed case.
WHERE CAN I GO?
Options are becoming limited, with school, gym and restaurant closures in some places, and work-from-home edicts.
Officials in six San Francisco-area counties on Monday told nearly 7 million people to stay inside and venture out only for necessities.
If you live someplace without such restrictions, it’s best just to use good judgment. If restaurants are open, it’s OK to go to eat. But go in a small group and try to get a table away from others.
It’s necessary to buy food. But try to go to the supermarket at times when it’s less crowded, stay 6 feet away from other shoppers as much as you can, and wash your hands thoroughly when you get home.
CAN I GO TO THE GYM?
Exercise is important. But maybe stick to the machines, wiping them down before and after you use them, and skip games of basketball or other activities that put you in close physical contact with others. If possible, cut back on the gym and go for jogs, walks or bike rides instead, experts said.
WHAT ABOUT SOCIAL GATHERINGS?
The CDC on Sunday recommended that for the next eight weeks, organizers put off events that would draw at least 50 people. On Monday, the number was reduced to 10.
That could ice a lot of weddings, family reunions and birthday parties.
Dr. Deborah Birx, who is coordinating the federal response to the virus, said the change from 50 to 10 was influenced by research that tried to estimate the impact of different possible steps.
A CDC official, Dr. Jay Butler, said Monday there’s no hard-and-fast rule. Officials are simply trying to set a reasonable parameter to “increase social distancing while not creating social isolation,” he said in an interview streamed by the Journal of the American Medical Association.
CAN I GO ON DATES? OR SEND MY KIDS ON PLAY DATES?
There’s some debate among experts about dates and play dates.
Adults who are not sick or considered to be at risk can still date, Schaffner said. But skip the bars, concerts and crowded theaters, and instead think about an intimate dinner at home.
For kids, play dates can be OK, especially if they’re outside in parks and involve a small number of kids, he said. Of course, kids who are sick or who are particularly vulnerable to respiratory illness should not go, he added.
Weatherhead had different advice, saying play dates are not recommended. Children generally have had more mild COVID-19 illnesses and therefore might spread the disease before anyone realizes they are sick.
WILL SOCIAL DISTANCING WORK?
It will be tricky to prove these measures made a difference.
Testing for the coronavirus was delayed in the U.S., but it is now starting to become more widely available. That means a lot of new cases may be diagnosed in the coming days, as labs finally find infections that happened weeks ago.
“We’re going to see increasing (case) numbers, and that’s going to be frustrating to people who are doing social distancing. But that doesn’t mean social distancing isn’t working,” Weatherhead said.
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thedenverpost--2020-03-16--John Hickenlooper wins spot on Colorado’s U.S. Senate primary ballot

John Hickenlooper has qualified for the June 30 primary , earning a spot on Democratic ballots by turning in the requisite number of valid signatures , the Colorado Secretary of State ’ s Office announced Monday .
Hickenlooper , a former governor and Denver mayor , is running for U.S. Senate .
He is the first candidate to qualify for the Democratic primary , but at least one other candidate is likely to join him on the ballot .
Hickenlooper ’ s campaign said he will no longer compete in the assembly process , the other way candidates can achieve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ won the March 7 caucuses , the first step in the process , and is expected to land on June ballots as a result .
Hickenlooper ’ s delegates are no longer bound to him .
“ This will allow us to focus completely on winning the nomination in June , ” Hickenlooper said in a video Monday , “ and defeating Cory Gardner in the fall.
” Hickenlooper turned in nearly 15,000 valid signatures last month , before the spread of coronavirus and a state of emergency drastically hampered signature-gathering efforts .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to extend a March 17 deadline for U.S. Senate candidates to hand in the required 10,500 signatures — 1,500 from each of Colorado ’ s seven congressional districts .
“ Colorado has a chance to replace Cory Gardner with a progressive champion , ” Romanoff said in a statement Monday .
“ That ’ s why we ’ re asking everyone who caucused for Hick to join us instead .
”

John Hickenlooper has qualified for the June 30 primary, earning a spot on Democratic ballots by turning in the requisite number of valid signatures, the Colorado Secretary of State’s Office announced Monday.
Hickenlooper, a former governor and Denver mayor, is running for U.S. Senate. He is the first candidate to qualify for the Democratic primary, but at least one other candidate is likely to join him on the ballot.
Hickenlooper’s campaign said he will no longer compete in the assembly process, the other way candidates can achieve June 30 ballot access. Andrew Romanoff won the March 7 caucuses, the first step in the process, and is expected to land on June ballots as a result. Hickenlooper’s delegates are no longer bound to him.
“This will allow us to focus completely on winning the nomination in June,” Hickenlooper said in a video Monday, “and defeating Cory Gardner in the fall.”
Hickenlooper turned in nearly 15,000 valid signatures last month, before the spread of coronavirus and a state of emergency drastically hampered signature-gathering efforts. The Colorado General Assembly decided Saturday not to extend a March 17 deadline for U.S. Senate candidates to hand in the required 10,500 signatures — 1,500 from each of Colorado’s seven congressional districts.
“Colorado has a chance to replace Cory Gardner with a progressive champion,” Romanoff said in a statement Monday. “That’s why we’re asking everyone who caucused for Hick to join us instead.”


thedenverpost--2020-03-16--CU Boulder to students in dorms: “Go home if you can.”

The University of Colorado updated its guidance to students living on the Boulder campus Monday : “ Go home if @ @ @ @ @ , CU , along with a flurry of higher education institutions , announced plans to @ @ @ @ @ a bid to discourage students from gathering with older faculty members who may be more @ @ @ @ @ highly contagious coronavirus .
But the Boulder campus remained open and operational for dining and @ @ @ @ @ Phil DiStefano is asking students who are able to return to their “ permanent home @ @ @ @ @ of checking out of their dormitories and leaving campus .
For those who are unable @ @ @ @ @ information will follow later in the day “ including a process for those who are @ @ @ @ @ stay in the residence halls , guidance on how we will continue to provide services @ @ @ @ @ to stay on campus , and information regarding the proration of room and board fees @ @ @ @ @ campus this week .
”

The University of Colorado updated its guidance to students living on the Boulder campus Monday: “Go home if you can.”
On Wednesday, CU, along with a flurry of higher education institutions, announced plans to move to online classes in a bid to discourage students from gathering with older faculty members who may be more at risk of contracting the highly contagious coronavirus. But the Boulder campus remained open and operational for dining and housing.
Now, Chancellor Phil DiStefano is asking students who are able to return to their “permanent home” to begin the process of checking out of their dormitories and leaving campus.
For those who are unable to leave campus, more information will follow later in the day “including a process for those who are unable to leave campus to stay in the residence halls, guidance on how we will continue to provide services for those who do need to stay on campus, and information regarding the proration of room and board fees for residents who are leaving campus this week.”


thedenverpost--2020-03-17--Ask Amy: I’m dating a man who sleeps in the nude with his ex-wife

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 .
Enjoy this “ Best Of ” “ Battle of the Sexes ” column from 2010 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fresh Q and A next week .
Dear Amy : I live within one of the most extremist liberal bastions in the country .
Men here are minimized , ordered to the rear and , even more often , told precisely what we should think and do .
I am an active 63-year-old guy and have worked hard to get where I am .
I wish to enjoy my life to the fullest by riding motorcycles up and down the coast and sea kayaking in open water .
Fortunately , I often am @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” types .
I have invited many women my age to join me , but I am hatefully told that I am an old fool to be seen with these much younger women .
Why do I have to live my life at the speed of smell just to satisfy these old , progressive , blue-haired biddies marching toward the end of their lives by becoming bingo captains at their church ?
Is acting young and refusing to slow down to please the liberal slug-masters of my community wrong ?
Dear Living : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way you do , you ’ re going to get stereotyped , too .
You are way too invested in and angry about other people ’ s opinions about you .
In fact , due to the volume and pitch of your protest , I can only assume that on some level you fear you wouldn ’ t be able to keep up with the social and intellectual challenges of being with a woman in your age group .
But if your delight in the thrill ride that is your existence makes you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man-up and wear your title with pride .
Dear Amy : I was dating a 45-year-old man .
He was married for 20 years , had been legally separated for four years , and divorced now for six months .
He seems to think it is normal for him and his ex-wife to sleep together naked when they visit each other , which they do almost every month .
He told me that my objections reflected my narrow American view , and he said their relationship was not sexual .
Call me crazy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be normal behavior , regardless of cultural differences .
Dear Crazy : Your guy was accusing you of “ narrow American values.
” So let ’ s say he ’ s telling the truth .
Perhaps he really is merely resting his eyes while naked .
Whatever they are up to , I would say it ’ s highly irregular .
And — not to put too fine a point on it — Canadians are not known to be wild and crazy libertines , so I ’ m going to go out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behavior would be objectionable to most romantic partners in most countries .
You could assume that he was attempting to “ gaslight ” you .
He wasn ’ t calling you crazy , he was trying to make you crazy .
Dear Amy : My wife and I recently returned from a 1,700-mile driving vacation .
One constant was that female drivers follow too closely .
More than 20 times I pulled off the road to let a female driver pass me because I was afraid of a rear-end accident .
Not one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I am convinced that women do not understand the physics , dynamics or technologies related to automobile operations .
My wife drove for 50 miles , and I was afraid for my life .
I constantly asked her to slow down or give the car ahead more room .
After 50 years of marriage , this is the only thing we argue about .
Why won ’ t she change ?
She is quite intelligent in most other matters .
Dear Worried : There is no question that following too closely is extremely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a driver enough time to react , but in terms of your gender-based observations , national highway accident statistics show that male drivers are more than twice as likely to die in an auto crash than female drivers .
You and your wife could both benefit from taking a safe driving course .
You can check out AARP.org for details .

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.
Enjoy this “Best Of” “Battle of the Sexes” column from 2010. I’ll be back with fresh Q and A next week.
Dear Amy: I live within one of the most extremist liberal bastions in the country. Men here are minimized, ordered to the rear and, even more often, told precisely what we should think and do.
I am an active 63-year-old guy and have worked hard to get where I am. I wish to enjoy my life to the fullest by riding motorcycles up and down the coast and sea kayaking in open water.
Fortunately, I often am joined by much younger “Barbie doll” types. I have invited many women my age to join me, but I am hatefully told that I am an old fool to be seen with these much younger women.
Why do I have to live my life at the speed of smell just to satisfy these old, progressive, blue-haired biddies marching toward the end of their lives by becoming bingo captains at their church?
Is acting young and refusing to slow down to please the liberal slug-masters of my community wrong?
— Living My Life
Dear Living: As long as you stereotype people the way you do, you’re going to get stereotyped, too.
You are way too invested in and angry about other people’s opinions about you. In fact, due to the volume and pitch of your protest, I can only assume that on some level you fear you wouldn’t be able to keep up with the social and intellectual challenges of being with a woman in your age group.
But if your delight in the thrill ride that is your existence makes you an “old fool,” then man-up and wear your title with pride.
June 2010
Dear Amy: I was dating a 45-year-old man. He was married for 20 years, had been legally separated for four years, and divorced now for six months.
He seems to think it is normal for him and his ex-wife to sleep together naked when they visit each other, which they do almost every month. He told me that my objections reflected my narrow American view, and he said their relationship was not sexual.
He is Canadian.
Call me crazy, but that just did not seem to be normal behavior, regardless of cultural differences.
Your thoughts?
— Not Crazy?
Dear Crazy: Your guy was accusing you of “narrow American values.” So let’s say he’s telling the truth. Perhaps he really is merely resting his eyes while naked. Whatever they are up to, I would say it’s highly irregular.
And — not to put too fine a point on it — Canadians are not known to be wild and crazy libertines, so I’m going to go out on a limb and assert that this behavior would be objectionable to most romantic partners in most countries.
You could assume that he was attempting to “gaslight” you. He wasn’t calling you crazy, he was trying to make you crazy.
June 2010
Dear Amy: My wife and I recently returned from a 1,700-mile driving vacation. One constant was that female drivers follow too closely. More than 20 times I pulled off the road to let a female driver pass me because I was afraid of a rear-end accident.
Not one time was it a man driving.
I am convinced that women do not understand the physics, dynamics or technologies related to automobile operations. My wife drove for 50 miles, and I was afraid for my life. I constantly asked her to slow down or give the car ahead more room.
After 50 years of marriage, this is the only thing we argue about.
Why won’t she change? She is quite intelligent in most other matters.
— Worried
Dear Worried: There is no question that following too closely is extremely dangerous because it doesn’t leave a driver enough time to react, but in terms of your gender-based observations, national highway accident statistics show that male drivers are more than twice as likely to die in an auto crash than female drivers.
You and your wife could both benefit from taking a safe driving course. You can check out AARP.org for details.
March 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--2020-03-17--Two die in two-vehicle crash in Denver, four taken to hospital

Two people died in a two-vehicle traffic crash in Denver on Monday night and four people were taken to a @ @ @ @ @ happened at East 56th Avenue and Central Park Boulevard , police said .
Two died @ @ @ @ @ crash , police said .
Two men suffered serious injuries and two men suffered minor @ @

Two people died in a two-vehicle traffic crash in Denver on Monday night and four people were taken to a local hospital.
UPDATE: This crash was a fatal crash. 2 people were pronounced deceased on scene. 4 people we’re transported to the hospital. 2 adult males with serious injuries and 2 adult males with minor injuries. Investigation is ongoing. — Denver Police Dept. (@DenverPolice) March 17, 2020
The crash happened at East 56th Avenue and Central Park Boulevard, police said.
Two died at the scene of the crash, police said. Two men suffered serious injuries and two men suffered minor injuries.
An investigation is ongoing.


thedenverpost--2020-03-17--Presumptive positive case of coronavirus identified in Conifer High School

A presumptive positive case of coronavirus has been identified in Jeffco Public Schools in Conifer High School .
Students families @ @ @ @ @ night of the development by Jeffco Public Health .
“ We are reaching out because @ @ @ @ @ positive case of COVID-19 within the Conifer High School system , ” JPH wrote in @ @ @ @ @ School families .
“ This means your child may have been exposed to a positive @ @ @ @ @ 2019 ( COVID-19 ) .
” The health department advised families to watch for symptoms @ @ @ @ @ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for guidelines over the next 14 days .
@ @ @ @ @ determine that a student has been in close , direct contact with the person who @ @ @ @ @ ’ s family will be directly notified .
The school , grades 9 thought 12 @ @ @ @ @ , is currently closed , as is the district , because of coronavirus concerns .

A presumptive positive case of coronavirus has been identified in Jeffco Public Schools in Conifer High School.
Students families and staff were notified Monday night of the development by Jeffco Public Health.
“We are reaching out because there has been a presumptive positive case of COVID-19 within the Conifer High School system,” JPH wrote in a statement to Conifer High School families. “This means your child may have been exposed to a positive case of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).”
The health department advised families to watch for symptoms and to consult the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for guidelines over the next 14 days.
Should the county health department determine that a student has been in close, direct contact with the person who tested positive, the student’s family will be directly notified.
The school, grades 9 thought 12 with more than 800 students, is currently closed, as is the district, because of coronavirus concerns.