thedenverpost--2020-05-22--College baseball into July? Coaches say it would save money

OMAHA , Neb .
— A group of Power Five coaches led by Michigan ’ s Erik Bakich is proposing a later start to the college baseball season to trim expenses in the post-coronavirus era , make the game more fan friendly and reduce injury risk to players .
Under the 35-page proposal titled “ New Baseball Model , ” there would be nine weeks of preseason practice instead of five , the regular season would run from the third week of March to the third week of June and the College World Series would wrap up the last week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ begins the third week of February and the CWS runs into the last week of June .
Past efforts to push back the season were rooted in cold-weather schools ’ concerns about competitive equity because they had to travel to warmer climates in the South or West to play games the first month of the season .
The impetus this time is budget management .
“ We operate at a significant financial net loss among almost all teams , ” Bakich said Friday .
“ There are only a few that operate where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ covering their costs .
The majority of college baseball is a drain on athletic departments , and in the post-COVID era that is not a good combination when universities are looking to improve their fiscal bottom lines.
” Bowling Green and Furman recently announced they ’ ve dropped their baseball programs to save money .
Bakich said he , Vanderbilt ’ s Tim Corbin , Louisville ’ s Dan McDonnell , TCU ’ s Jim Schlossnagle and UCLA ’ s John Savage began looking at changes to help the sport shortly after the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus outbreak in March .
The core group held Zoom calls with coaches from top baseball schools from all regions , and the discussions resulted in the proposal .
Bakich said the next step is to recruit athletic directors who will take up the cause , bring it to faculty athletic representatives and presidents , and get it entered into the NCAA legislative process .
The hope is the new schedule would be in place in 2022 .
Bakich said five-year attendance trends show college teams draw bigger crowds in April and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March , and the potential is there for even bigger turnouts in June .
“ We looked at why that is , ” Bakich said , “ and even in warm-weather places it ’ s still cold in March .
But it ’ s also basketball season .
A collegiate fan can only invest their energy in so many places.
” The proposal said northern teams could save about $ 200,000 in travel costs by not having to go South and West early in the season and there would be more regional scheduling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ showed the majority of arm injuries happen in spring training or shortly after the season starts .
Bakich said there are no comparable studies for college baseball injuries because of privacy laws .
“ The typical spring training for a professional team is six to seven weeks , ” Bakich said .
“ We as amateurs get less ramp-up time than professional players , and that ’ s a problem .
What we ’ re doing is flat-out dumb.
” Bakich said players miss one or two days of class each week they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schools on a semester schedule would play about four weeks without academic conflicts if the season started later .
Opponents argue pushing back the season would harm summer leagues like the Cape Cod League .
Bakich pointed out that players from about 235 Division I teams — ones that don ’ t make the NCAA Tournament — will be able to report to their summer teams by late June or early July .
Non-Division I players will have opportunities to fill out summer rosters .
There also would be costs to keeping players @ @ @ @ @ @ @ longer .
A later start probably won ’ t interfere with the MLB draft .
College coaches believe MLB is leaning toward holding the draft in July instead of June going forward , and the possibility of minor leagues being contracted could impact the structure for rookie development .
Bakich said the proposal , first reported by D1Baseball.com , has received widespread approval from coaches .
“ It is not a one-size-fits-all model , ” he said , “ but it is a one-size-fits-most .
It ’ s the best thing for our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ college baseball .
”

OMAHA, Neb. — A group of Power Five coaches led by Michigan’s Erik Bakich is proposing a later start to the college baseball season to trim expenses in the post-coronavirus era, make the game more fan friendly and reduce injury risk to players.
Under the 35-page proposal titled “New Baseball Model,” there would be nine weeks of preseason practice instead of five, the regular season would run from the third week of March to the third week of June and the College World Series would wrap up the last week of July. The regular season currently begins the third week of February and the CWS runs into the last week of June.
Past efforts to push back the season were rooted in cold-weather schools’ concerns about competitive equity because they had to travel to warmer climates in the South or West to play games the first month of the season.
The impetus this time is budget management.
“We operate at a significant financial net loss among almost all teams,” Bakich said Friday. “There are only a few that operate where they are actually making a profit or covering their costs. The majority of college baseball is a drain on athletic departments, and in the post-COVID era that is not a good combination when universities are looking to improve their fiscal bottom lines.”
Bowling Green and Furman recently announced they’ve dropped their baseball programs to save money.
Bakich said he, Vanderbilt’s Tim Corbin, Louisville’s Dan McDonnell, TCU’s Jim Schlossnagle and UCLA’s John Savage began looking at changes to help the sport shortly after the college season was shut down because of the coronavirus outbreak in March.
The core group held Zoom calls with coaches from top baseball schools from all regions, and the discussions resulted in the proposal.
Bakich said the next step is to recruit athletic directors who will take up the cause, bring it to faculty athletic representatives and presidents, and get it entered into the NCAA legislative process. The hope is the new schedule would be in place in 2022.
Bakich said five-year attendance trends show college teams draw bigger crowds in April and May than they do in February and March, and the potential is there for even bigger turnouts in June.
“We looked at why that is,” Bakich said, “and even in warm-weather places it’s still cold in March. But it’s also basketball season. A collegiate fan can only invest their energy in so many places.”
The proposal said northern teams could save about $200,000 in travel costs by not having to go South and West early in the season and there would be more regional scheduling.
A 17-year Major League Baseball study showed the majority of arm injuries happen in spring training or shortly after the season starts. Bakich said there are no comparable studies for college baseball injuries because of privacy laws.
“The typical spring training for a professional team is six to seven weeks,” Bakich said. “We as amateurs get less ramp-up time than professional players, and that’s a problem. What we’re doing is flat-out dumb.”
Bakich said players miss one or two days of class each week they travel by airplane for games, and schools on a semester schedule would play about four weeks without academic conflicts if the season started later.
Opponents argue pushing back the season would harm summer leagues like the Cape Cod League. Bakich pointed out that players from about 235 Division I teams — ones that don’t make the NCAA Tournament — will be able to report to their summer teams by late June or early July. Non-Division I players will have opportunities to fill out summer rosters.
There also would be costs to keeping players housed and fed on campuses a month longer.
A later start probably won’t interfere with the MLB draft. College coaches believe MLB is leaning toward holding the draft in July instead of June going forward, and the possibility of minor leagues being contracted could impact the structure for rookie development.
Bakich said the proposal, first reported by D1Baseball.com, has received widespread approval from coaches.
“It is not a one-size-fits-all model,” he said, “but it is a one-size-fits-most. It’s the best thing for our sport and the for the growth of college baseball.”


thedenverpost--2020-05-22--Former Broncos QB Joe Flacco agrees to terms with N.Y. Jets on 1-year deal

NEW YORK — The New York Jets and quarterback Joe Flacco have agreed to terms on a one-year deal , the 2013 Super Bowl MVP ’ s agency announced on Twitter .
The move to bring in Flacco gives third-year starter Sam Darnold a veteran backup , but one who is also coming off a herniated disk that cut short his only season in Denver and required surgery to repair .
JL Sports , headed by agent Joe Linta , announced the agreement Friday .
Financial terms were not immediately disclosed , but ESPN reported the deal is worth $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million with incentives .
The 35-year-old Flacco spent his first 11 NFL seasons in Baltimore , where current Jets general manager Joe Douglas was a scout in 2008 — when the Ravens drafted the quarterback 18th overall out of Delaware .
Flacco helped lead Baltimore to a Super Bowl victory to cap the 2012 season , beating Colin Kaepernick and the San Francisco 49ers 34-31 .
Flacco was rewarded by the Ravens by becoming the highest-paid quarterback in NFL history at the time with a six-year contract worth $ 120.6 million .
Last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Baltimore came to an end — officially clearing the way for Lamar Jackson — when the Ravens traded him to Denver for a fourth-round draft pick .
Flacco started the first eight games for the Broncos , but injured his neck against Indianapolis in Week 8 and missed the rest of the season .
He was waived by Denver in March with a failed physical designation , but is expected to be fully recovered in time for training camp in the summer — if it goes on as scheduled with the coronavirus pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
With Flacco in the mix , the Jets suddenly have a crowded quarterbacks room that includes Darnold , David Fales , Mike White and James Morgan , who was drafted in the fourth round as a developmental arm out of FIU .
But the need for a veteran backup for Darnold was magnified last season when the quarterback missed three games with mononucleosis .
Trevor Siemian took over , but lasted just over a quarter , injuring an ankle and missing the rest of the season .
Third-stringer Luke Falk started the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Flacco has thrown for 40,067 yards with 218 touchdowns and 141 interceptions in 11 seasons .
He struggled during Denver ’ s 2-6 first half of the season , throwing for only 1,822 yards with six TDs and five interceptions , and was sacked 26 times .
Flacco said he initially had neck issues a few weeks before the game against the Colts .
After the season , Flacco was optimistic he would be medically cleared and be able to continue his career .
He also said he would be open to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ played out .
“ I ’ m probably a little bit more worried about other things at this point , ” Flacco said on Dec. 30 .
“ If that ’ s what it has to be , then , I want to play football … whether it ’ s here or wherever , if that ’ s what it ’ s going to take for me to get back in and start playing again , then yeah , I ’ ll go that route .
”

NEW YORK — The New York Jets and quarterback Joe Flacco have agreed to terms on a one-year deal, the 2013 Super Bowl MVP’s agency announced on Twitter.
The move to bring in Flacco gives third-year starter Sam Darnold a veteran backup, but one who is also coming off a herniated disk that cut short his only season in Denver and required surgery to repair.
JL Sports, headed by agent Joe Linta, announced the agreement Friday. Financial terms were not immediately disclosed, but ESPN reported the deal is worth $1.5 million and could reach $4.5 million with incentives.
The 35-year-old Flacco spent his first 11 NFL seasons in Baltimore, where current Jets general manager Joe Douglas was a scout in 2008 — when the Ravens drafted the quarterback 18th overall out of Delaware. Flacco helped lead Baltimore to a Super Bowl victory to cap the 2012 season, beating Colin Kaepernick and the San Francisco 49ers 34-31.
Flacco was rewarded by the Ravens by becoming the highest-paid quarterback in NFL history at the time with a six-year contract worth $120.6 million.
Last winter, Flacco’s time in Baltimore came to an end — officially clearing the way for Lamar Jackson — when the Ravens traded him to Denver for a fourth-round draft pick. Flacco started the first eight games for the Broncos, but injured his neck against Indianapolis in Week 8 and missed the rest of the season.
He was waived by Denver in March with a failed physical designation, but is expected to be fully recovered in time for training camp in the summer — if it goes on as scheduled with the coronavirus pandemic making uncertain any plans for the season.
With Flacco in the mix, the Jets suddenly have a crowded quarterbacks room that includes Darnold, David Fales, Mike White and James Morgan, who was drafted in the fourth round as a developmental arm out of FIU.
But the need for a veteran backup for Darnold was magnified last season when the quarterback missed three games with mononucleosis. Trevor Siemian took over, but lasted just over a quarter, injuring an ankle and missing the rest of the season. Third-stringer Luke Falk started the next two games, but was ineffective.
Flacco has thrown for 40,067 yards with 218 touchdowns and 141 interceptions in 11 seasons. He struggled during Denver’s 2-6 first half of the season, throwing for only 1,822 yards with six TDs and five interceptions, and was sacked 26 times. Flacco said he initially had neck issues a few weeks before the game against the Colts.
After the season, Flacco was optimistic he would be medically cleared and be able to continue his career. He also said he would be open to a backup job, if that scenario played out.
“I’m probably a little bit more worried about other things at this point,” Flacco said on Dec. 30. “If that’s what it has to be, then, I want to play football … whether it’s here or wherever, if that’s what it’s going to take for me to get back in and start playing again, then yeah, I’ll go that route.”
—
AP Pro Football Writer Arnie Stapleton contributed.
—
More AP NFL coverage: https://apnews.com/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL


thedenverpost--2020-05-22--Friednash: The future is uncertain for graduating seniors, but there is hope — them

This first episode of “ Sesame Street — sponsored by the letters W , S and E and the numbers 2 and 3 — aired in 1969 .
Like today , those were turbulent times .
The country was rocked by the Vietnam War and shaken from the assassinations of Dr. Martin Luther King and Bobby Kennedy the year before .
Like many of you , I grew up with Sesame Street and watched it religiously .
Through the years , its programming captured the challenges of the day and talked honestly about difficult subjects .
To help kids after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ television , depicted a kitchen fire breaking out in Hooper ’ s Store .
Elmo , the youngest character of the show was left traumatized by the fire , and a friendly FDNY employee named Bill , reassured Elmo that no matter how scary things might look , firefighters are there to help .
And in the year of the meme , there is one that has captured my attention .
It is an image of Ernie from Sesame Street , looking downwards , with his hand over his face and the caption @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the letters W , T and F. ” That ’ s exactly how it must feel to the graduating class of 2020 .
Their rite of passage is unlike any other in recent modern history .
They have been stripped of all of the traditional pomp because of the COVID-19 circumstances .
No high school prom , signing yearbooks , graduation precession and while every day is senior ditch day , students can ’ t even celebrate that together .
Seniors will have a very different virtual ceremony , but they will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and roommates .
After all of the hard work and educational accomplishments , this must be heartbreaking for high school and college seniors .
The path forward for higher education is challenging as well .
Students , parents , colleges and universities are facing a triple threat : unresolved plans to fully reopen , uncertain students and parents about attending , and the reduced ability of states to offset the costs of college .
Chalkbeat Colorado reported earlier this week that Colorado ’ s Joint Budget Committee slashed $ 493 million from next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a massive 58 % cut from last year ’ s funding levels to help fill the state ’ s whopping $ 3.3 billion revenue shortfall .
Gov .
Jared Polis issued an executive order softening the blow by providing $ 450 million to public higher education institutions from the CARES Act , but the use of that money is restricted and must be related to the pandemic .
In other words , it can ’ t be used to backfill the budget .
Some smaller schools across the state , which are economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And , private universities are not benefactors of any of these funds .
Given the economic impact of the pandemic , many high school graduates , returning college students and their families may now need to set aside their dreams of a college degree .
And , for those graduating college or entering the job market , things look much different now .
We ’ ve gone from a thriving economy to an economy that is edging towards depression-era unemployment rates .
But in the midst of darkness , light persists and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well .
Celebrities and leaders like Bill Gates , LeBron James , and Oprah Winfrey are delivering inspiring and memorable commencement speeches to graduates streamed in podcasts , social media and on television .
They are , in essence , collectively passing the torch to a new generation of leaders .
In homage to Sesame Street , the class of 2020 should be sponsored by the letters B and T. T , because it is their turn and time , to re-shape history .
It is highly doubtful that they can make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former President Barack Obama , “ more than anything , this pandemic has fully , finally torn back the curtain on the idea that so many of the folks in charge know what they ’ re doing .
A lot of them aren ’ t even pretending to be in charge .
If the world is going to get better it ’ s going to be up to you.
” B , is for bold , because it is time for bold action .
Franklin Roosevelt , campaigning for president in 1932 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” in his commencement address at Oglethorpe University in words that ring true today .
One of my favorite quotes is from Marianne Williamson , yes , the one that ran unsuccessfully for the Democratic nomination for president .
“ Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate .
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure .
It is our light , not our darkness , that most frightens us .
We ask ourselves , Who am I to be brilliant , gorgeous , talented , fabulous ?
Actually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
.
Your playing small doesn ’ t serve the world .
There ’ s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won ’ t feel insecure around you .
We are all meant to shine … .
” Go get ‘ em class of 2020 .
Doug Friednash is a Denver native , a partner with the law firm Brownstein Hyatt Farber and Schreck and the former chief of staff for Gov .
John Hickenlooper .
To send a letter to the editor about this article , submit online or check @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by email or mail .

This first episode of “Sesame Street — sponsored by the letters W, S and E and the numbers 2 and 3 — aired in 1969.
Like today, those were turbulent times.
The country was rocked by the Vietnam War and shaken from the assassinations of Dr. Martin Luther King and Bobby Kennedy the year before.
Like many of you, I grew up with Sesame Street and watched it religiously. Through the years, its programming captured the challenges of the day and talked honestly about difficult subjects.
To help kids after 9/11, the first educational show on television, depicted a kitchen fire breaking out in Hooper’s Store. Elmo, the youngest character of the show was left traumatized by the fire, and a friendly FDNY employee named Bill, reassured Elmo that no matter how scary things might look, firefighters are there to help.
And in the year of the meme, there is one that has captured my attention. It is an image of Ernie from Sesame Street, looking downwards, with his hand over his face and the caption, “The Year 2020…brought to you by the letters W, T and F.”
That’s exactly how it must feel to the graduating class of 2020.
Their rite of passage is unlike any other in recent modern history.
They have been stripped of all of the traditional pomp because of the COVID-19 circumstances. No high school prom, signing yearbooks, graduation precession and while every day is senior ditch day, students can’t even celebrate that together.
Seniors will have a very different virtual ceremony, but they will have difficulty saying proper goodbyes to classmates and roommates.
After all of the hard work and educational accomplishments, this must be heartbreaking for high school and college seniors.
The path forward for higher education is challenging as well.
Students, parents, colleges and universities are facing a triple threat: unresolved plans to fully reopen, uncertain students and parents about attending, and the reduced ability of states to offset the costs of college.
Chalkbeat Colorado reported earlier this week that Colorado’s Joint Budget Committee slashed $493 million from next year’s higher education budget, a massive 58% cut from last year’s funding levels to help fill the state’s whopping $3.3 billion revenue shortfall. Gov. Jared Polis issued an executive order softening the blow by providing $450 million to public higher education institutions from the CARES Act, but the use of that money is restricted and must be related to the pandemic. In other words, it can’t be used to backfill the budget.
Some smaller schools across the state, which are economic drivers for their communities, could close. And, private universities are not benefactors of any of these funds.
Given the economic impact of the pandemic, many high school graduates, returning college students and their families may now need to set aside their dreams of a college degree.
And, for those graduating college or entering the job market, things look much different now. We’ve gone from a thriving economy to an economy that is edging towards depression-era unemployment rates.
But in the midst of darkness, light persists and the pandemic is clearly a teachable moment as well.
Celebrities and leaders like Bill Gates, LeBron James, and Oprah Winfrey are delivering inspiring and memorable commencement speeches to graduates streamed in podcasts, social media and on television.
They are, in essence, collectively passing the torch to a new generation of leaders.
In homage to Sesame Street, the class of 2020 should be sponsored by the letters B and T.
T, because it is their turn and time, to re-shape history. It is highly doubtful that they can make matters worse. In the words of former President Barack Obama, “more than anything, this pandemic has fully, finally torn back the curtain on the idea that so many of the folks in charge know what they’re doing. A lot of them aren’t even pretending to be in charge. If the world is going to get better it’s going to be up to you.”
B, is for bold, because it is time for bold action. Franklin Roosevelt, campaigning for president in 1932, called for “bold, persistent experimentation” in his commencement address at Oglethorpe University in words that ring true today.
One of my favorite quotes is from Marianne Williamson, yes, the one that ran unsuccessfully for the Democratic nomination for president. “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be?. Your playing small doesn’t serve the world. There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine … .”
Go get ‘em class of 2020.
Doug Friednash is a Denver native, a partner with the law firm Brownstein Hyatt Farber and Schreck and the former chief of staff for Gov. John Hickenlooper.
To send a letter to the editor about this article, submit online or check out our guidelines for how to submit by email or mail.


thedenverpost--2020-05-23--Brooks: The first invasion of America

Brooks: The first invasion of America

I was an American history major in college , back in the 1980s .
I ’ ll be honest with you .
I thrilled to the way the American story was told back then .
To immigrate to America was to join the luckiest and greatest nation in history .
“ Nothing in all history had ever succeeded like America , and every American knew it , ” Henry Steele Commager wrote in his 1950 book , “ The American Mind.
” To be born American was to be born to a glorious destiny .
We were the nation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the last best hope of mankind .
“ Have the elder races halted ?
” Walt Whitman asked , “ Do they droop and end their lesson , wearied over there beyond the seas ?
We take up the task eternal.
” To be born American was to be born boldly individual , daring and self-sufficient .
“ Trust thyself : Every heart vibrates to that iron string , ” Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote in an essay called , very Americanly , “ Self-Reliance.
” To be born American was to bow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : I ’ m no better than anyone else , but nobody ’ s better than me .
Tocqueville wrote about the equality of condition he found in America ; no one putting on airs over anyone else .
In 1981 , Samuel Huntington wrote that American creed was built around a suspicion of authority and a fervent rejection of hierarchy : “ The essence of egalitarianism is rejection of the idea that one person has the right to exercise power over another.
” I found it all so energizing .
Being an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It was a vocation , a call to serve a grand national mission .
Today , of course , we understand what was wrong with that version of American history .
It didn ’ t include everybody .
It left out the full horrors of slavery and genocide .
But here ’ s what has struck me forcefully , especially during the pandemic : That whole version of the American creed was all based on an assumption of existential security .
Americans had the luxury of thinking and living the way they did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on either side .
The United States was immune to foreign invasion , the corruptions of the old world .
It was often spared the plagues that swept over so many other parts of the globe .
We could be individualistic , anti-authority , daring and self-sufficient because on an elemental level we felt so damn safe .
University of Maryland scholar Michele Gelfand has spent her career comparing national cultures .
Some nations grow up relatively spared from foreign invasion and the frequent devastation of infectious disease .
Gelfand finds that these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but also disordered , uncoordinated and reckless .
Other nations have not been so lucky .
Harsh necessity has made them tight nations .
Hardship has taught them to pull together , to be more conformist , but also better at building social order and self-control .
Gelfand wrote a book called “ Rule Makers , Rule Breakers.
” We Americans have been rule-breakers , the classic loose nation .
But what happens to a loose nation when the sense of existential security disappears ?
Over the first two decades of the 21st @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of safety , the calm confidence that the future is ours , that our institutions are sound or even minimally competent .
And if there was any shred of existential safety left , surely the pandemic has taken it away — around 100,000 dead so far , an economy ravaged .
We ’ ve had threats before , a few foreign incursions like in 1812 , even pandemics when America was less just than it is today .
But we ’ ve never had them smack in the middle of a crisis of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plus social and spiritual crises all at once .
So in that sense , this is the first invasion of America .
This is the first time that a menace has crossed our borders , upended the daily lives of every American and rocked our ancient sense of safety .
Welcome to life in the rest of the world .
Aside from a few protesters and a depraved president , most of us have understood we need to suspend the old individualistic American creed .
In the midst of a complex epidemiological disaster @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ignorant .
In the midst of a contagion , to act as if you are self-sufficient is just selfish .
But something more profound is going on .
We are undergoing a more permanent shift in national consciousness , a reconstruction of meanings , symbols , values and narratives .
If the old American creed grew up in an atmosphere of assumed security and liberty , the new one is growing up in an atmosphere of vulnerability and precariousness .
In this atmosphere , economic resilience will be more valued than maximized efficiency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minimizing downside risks than maximizing upside gains .
The local and the rooted will be valued more than the distantly networked .
We ’ ll value community over individualism , embeddedness over autonomy .
Something lovely is being lost .
America ’ s old idea of itself unleashed a torrent of energy .
But the American identity that grows up in the shadow of the plague can have the humanity of shared vulnerability , the humility that comes with an understanding of the precariousness of life and a fierce solidarity that emerges during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
David Brooks has been a columnist with The Times since 2003 .
He is the author of “ The Road to Character ” and , most recently , “ The Second Mountain.
” To send a letter to the editor about this article , submit online or check out our guidelines for how to submit by email or mail .

I was an American history major in college, back in the 1980s.
I’ll be honest with you. I thrilled to the way the American story was told back then. To immigrate to America was to join the luckiest and greatest nation in history. “Nothing in all history had ever succeeded like America, and every American knew it,” Henry Steele Commager wrote in his 1950 book, “The American Mind.”
To be born American was to be born to a glorious destiny. We were the nation of the future, the vanguard of justice, the last best hope of mankind. “Have the elder races halted?” Walt Whitman asked, “Do they droop and end their lesson, wearied over there beyond the seas? We take up the task eternal.”
To be born American was to be born boldly individual, daring and self-sufficient. “Trust thyself: Every heart vibrates to that iron string,” Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote in an essay called, very Americanly, “Self-Reliance.”
To be born American was to bow down to no one, to say: I’m no better than anyone else, but nobody’s better than me. Tocqueville wrote about the equality of condition he found in America; no one putting on airs over anyone else. In 1981, Samuel Huntington wrote that American creed was built around a suspicion of authority and a fervent rejection of hierarchy: “The essence of egalitarianism is rejection of the idea that one person has the right to exercise power over another.”
I found it all so energizing. Being an American was not just a citizenship. It was a vocation, a call to serve a grand national mission.
Today, of course, we understand what was wrong with that version of American history. It didn’t include everybody. It left out the full horrors of slavery and genocide.
But here’s what has struck me forcefully, especially during the pandemic: That whole version of the American creed was all based on an assumption of existential security. Americans had the luxury of thinking and living the way they did because they had two whopping great oceans on either side. The United States was immune to foreign invasion, the corruptions of the old world. It was often spared the plagues that swept over so many other parts of the globe.
We could be individualistic, anti-authority, daring and self-sufficient because on an elemental level we felt so damn safe.
University of Maryland scholar Michele Gelfand has spent her career comparing national cultures. Some nations grow up relatively spared from foreign invasion and the frequent devastation of infectious disease. Gelfand finds that these are loose nations: individualistic, creative but also disordered, uncoordinated and reckless.
Other nations have not been so lucky. Harsh necessity has made them tight nations. Hardship has taught them to pull together, to be more conformist, but also better at building social order and self-control.
Gelfand wrote a book called “Rule Makers, Rule Breakers.” We Americans have been rule-breakers, the classic loose nation.
But what happens to a loose nation when the sense of existential security disappears? Over the first two decades of the 21st century, America has lost its sense of safety, the calm confidence that the future is ours, that our institutions are sound or even minimally competent.
And if there was any shred of existential safety left, surely the pandemic has taken it away — around 100,000 dead so far, an economy ravaged. We’ve had threats before, a few foreign incursions like in 1812, even pandemics when America was less just than it is today. But we’ve never had them smack in the middle of a crisis of confidence, a crisis of authority, plus social and spiritual crises all at once.
So in that sense, this is the first invasion of America. This is the first time that a menace has crossed our borders, upended the daily lives of every American and rocked our ancient sense of safety. Welcome to life in the rest of the world.
Aside from a few protesters and a depraved president, most of us have understood we need to suspend the old individualistic American creed. In the midst of a complex epidemiological disaster, to be anti-authority is to be ignorant. In the midst of a contagion, to act as if you are self-sufficient is just selfish.
But something more profound is going on. We are undergoing a more permanent shift in national consciousness, a reconstruction of meanings, symbols, values and narratives. If the old American creed grew up in an atmosphere of assumed security and liberty, the new one is growing up in an atmosphere of vulnerability and precariousness.
In this atmosphere, economic resilience will be more valued than maximized efficiency. We’ll spend more time minimizing downside risks than maximizing upside gains. The local and the rooted will be valued more than the distantly networked. We’ll value community over individualism, embeddedness over autonomy.
Something lovely is being lost. America’s old idea of itself unleashed a torrent of energy. But the American identity that grows up in the shadow of the plague can have the humanity of shared vulnerability, the humility that comes with an understanding of the precariousness of life and a fierce solidarity that emerges during a long struggle against an invading force.
David Brooks has been a columnist with The Times since 2003. He is the author of “The Road to Character” and, most recently, “The Second Mountain.”
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thedenverpost--2020-05-23--A decade after tragic car crash, Ponderosa’s “Behn Family Field” is a lesson in legacy, healing and

A decade after tragic car crash, Ponderosa’s “Behn Family Field” is a lesson in legacy, healing and community

PARKER — When the Ponderosa community lost two student-athletes and their parents to a tragic car crash a decade ago , the school saw potential for a memorial — and hope for healing — in a weedy , switchgrass-laden drainage ditch .
On that plot of rugged land , adjacent to the varsity baseball field , is where Ponderosa would honor the Behn family .
Jordan , the team ’ s first baseman who had just graduated , died in a fiery head-on collision on Aug. 1 , 2010 , near the Texas-Oklahoma border , along with his 15-year-old sister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well as parents Robert and Lisa .
Behn Family Field was constructed in 2011 out of the tragedy caused by a wrong-way drunk driver .
The auxiliary turf infield , used by all levels of the high school program as well as by local youth teams , has Jordan and Morgan ’ s numbers stitched into the turf .
And an archway at the entrance of the field serves as a reminder of the family that Parker lost that fateful August .
“ The impact and the healing of that field has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tim Ottmann said .
“ As you drive down Highway 83 and look over , you can see it , so aesthetically it ’ s been a major improvement to our facility .
And the design and the structure itself is a long-lasting tribute to the Behn family and their contributions to our baseball program , our softball program and our school in general .
“ Since the whole family passed away , they ’ ve been remembered daily and hourly during the baseball season with regards to the impact they made .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ reflection and a lot of prayer at that field that we extend to the Behn family.
” Jordan , a two-year varsity starter who was headed to play at Lamar University in Texas , had his number retired posthumously in 2011 .
A No .
12 banner still hangs on the outfield fence each spring .
And in the past few seasons , Ponderosa baseball coach Bob Mahoney has allowed one player at each level of the program to don it .
Whoever gets the honor of wearing No .
12 is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and off the field , as Jordan did .
“ The kids really buy into it , even though it ’ s been about 10 years and not everyone coming into the program knows of the Behn family , ” Mahoney said .
“ Every year , we try to instill in them what this field means and what it means to the community .
We want those kids to understand why we have his jersey hanging out there , and why certain kids get to wear his jersey.
” The field cost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ funded mainly by a donation from Arrow Electronics , for whom Robert worked .
After it opened in 2011 , the next year Ponderosa completed phase two of the project with landscaping around the field and a walkway connecting the varsity diamond with the auxiliary one .
Ponderosa also considered an indoor hitting facility as another option to memorialize the family , but the auxiliary infield turned out to be the better option from both a cost and legacy standpoint .
“ I wanted something that would be there 20 years from now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 50 years from now , and this field will do that , ” said Jarod Nicholson , Ponderosa ’ s baseball coach at the time and an assistant principal at the school .
“ It ’ s such a cultural piece of this program , so I ’ m confident that future generations will have the same respect for it as the teams who first played on it.
” Senior first baseman/pitcher Ty Martens echoed Nicholson , noting “ it ’ s the job of the upperclassmen to teach the underclassmen who might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ practiced on the Behn Family Field while playing youth baseball as a member of the Parker Colts .
“ We want to honor Jordan and Morgan ’ s legacy , so whenever someone enters the Behn Family Field , we demand that players , coaches and parents enter through the archway to pay respect to Jordan and his family and what he means to us , ” said Martens , who wore No .
12 during this spring ’ s brief varsity season .
“ I yell at people every time they try @ @ @ @ @ @ @ planning to bring back a memorial tournament for the Behns that was staged every year from 2011 to 2017 .
It originally took place over Father ’ s Day weekend , but Mahoney wants to revive it as a fall event in 2021 .
Meanwhile , the memory of Jordan , one of his team ’ s best players and a popular classmate , continues to loom large in the program .
“ The most important legacy Jordan left to us at Ponderosa is that winning is important , but choosing how you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ Winning with class and integrity , like he did and would ’ ve wanted now , means a lot more .
That belief , and the field that represents it , is something that ’ s extremely important to us at Ponderosa .
”

PARKER — When the Ponderosa community lost two student-athletes and their parents to a tragic car crash a decade ago, the school saw potential for a memorial — and hope for healing — in a weedy, switchgrass-laden drainage ditch.
On that plot of rugged land, adjacent to the varsity baseball field, is where Ponderosa would honor the Behn family. Jordan, the team’s first baseman who had just graduated, died in a fiery head-on collision on Aug. 1, 2010, near the Texas-Oklahoma border, along with his 15-year-old sister Morgan (a varsity softball player) as well as parents Robert and Lisa.
Behn Family Field was constructed in 2011 out of the tragedy caused by a wrong-way drunk driver. The auxiliary turf infield, used by all levels of the high school program as well as by local youth teams, has Jordan and Morgan’s numbers stitched into the turf. And an archway at the entrance of the field serves as a reminder of the family that Parker lost that fateful August.
“The impact and the healing of that field has been remarkable,” Ponderosa principal and ex-athletic director Tim Ottmann said. “As you drive down Highway 83 and look over, you can see it, so aesthetically it’s been a major improvement to our facility. And the design and the structure itself is a long-lasting tribute to the Behn family and their contributions to our baseball program, our softball program and our school in general.
“Since the whole family passed away, they’ve been remembered daily and hourly during the baseball season with regards to the impact they made. There’s always a lot of reflection and a lot of prayer at that field that we extend to the Behn family.”
Jordan, a two-year varsity starter who was headed to play at Lamar University in Texas, had his number retired posthumously in 2011. A No. 12 banner still hangs on the outfield fence each spring. And in the past few seasons, Ponderosa baseball coach Bob Mahoney has allowed one player at each level of the program to don it.
Whoever gets the honor of wearing No. 12 is a player who best represents the program on and off the field, as Jordan did.
“The kids really buy into it, even though it’s been about 10 years and not everyone coming into the program knows of the Behn family,” Mahoney said. “Every year, we try to instill in them what this field means and what it means to the community. We want those kids to understand why we have his jersey hanging out there, and why certain kids get to wear his jersey.”
The field cost about $75,000 to build and was funded mainly by a donation from Arrow Electronics, for whom Robert worked. After it opened in 2011, the next year Ponderosa completed phase two of the project with landscaping around the field and a walkway connecting the varsity diamond with the auxiliary one.
Ponderosa also considered an indoor hitting facility as another option to memorialize the family, but the auxiliary infield turned out to be the better option from both a cost and legacy standpoint.
“I wanted something that would be there 20 years from now with kids playing on it, and 50 years from now, and this field will do that,” said Jarod Nicholson, Ponderosa’s baseball coach at the time and an assistant principal at the school. “It’s such a cultural piece of this program, so I’m confident that future generations will have the same respect for it as the teams who first played on it.”
Senior first baseman/pitcher Ty Martens echoed Nicholson, noting “it’s the job of the upperclassmen to teach the underclassmen who might not know the story.” Martens routinely practiced on the Behn Family Field while playing youth baseball as a member of the Parker Colts.
“We want to honor Jordan and Morgan’s legacy, so whenever someone enters the Behn Family Field, we demand that players, coaches and parents enter through the archway to pay respect to Jordan and his family and what he means to us,” said Martens, who wore No. 12 during this spring’s brief varsity season. “I yell at people every time they try to take a shortcut.”
Ponderosa is planning to bring back a memorial tournament for the Behns that was staged every year from 2011 to 2017. It originally took place over Father’s Day weekend, but Mahoney wants to revive it as a fall event in 2021. Meanwhile, the memory of Jordan, one of his team’s best players and a popular classmate, continues to loom large in the program.
“The most important legacy Jordan left to us at Ponderosa is that winning is important, but choosing how you win is more important,” Martens said. “Winning with class and integrity, like he did and would’ve wanted now, means a lot more. That belief, and the field that represents it, is something that’s extremely important to us at Ponderosa.”


thedenverpost--2020-05-23--Saunders: During a difficult time, Jerry Schemmel appeals to the better angels of our nature

These are difficult , polarizing times .
The coronavirus pandemic has brought out the best in us .
And the worst .
In recent days , I ’ ve received a lot of nasty emails and Twitter rants in the wake of my Q & A with Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado and my story about Gov .
Jared Polis ’ desire for baseball ’ s swift return .
Greedy , entitled , fascist — along with multiple expletives deleted — were common words and themes .
Then an email from Jerry Schemmel popped into my inbox , reminding me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Amazing Americans.
” Sunday morning ’ s episode ( on FM 104.3 The Fan ) features Sean Swarner .
As a teenager , Swarner survived two potentially deadly forms of cancer .
He underwent multiple surgeries , had a lung removed , was given a prognosis of 14 days to live , and was in a medically-induced coma for a year .
And yet , he conquered Mt .
Everest , becoming the first cancer survivor to reach the world ’ s highest peak .
Next month , “ Amazing Americans ” will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Morris , the aging relief pitcher featured in the feelgood movie “ The Rookie , ” starring Dennis Quaid .
Morris ’ life after baseball and beyond the movie was not easy .
He suffers from Parkinson ’ s disease and has battled alcohol problems .
And yet he ’ s emerged a better man .
“ I love these stories and I love sharing them , ” Schemmel said .
“ I think they are inspiring and they are a reminder that we all need to get the most out of our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and I hope it sparks others , too.
” Schemmel lives by that credo .
He appeals to the better angels of our nature .
In January , he was unceremoniously laid off by KOA radio after 10 years calling Rockies games .
I was ticked off when I got the news .
I couldn ’ t believe that anyone as professional , hard-working , funny and kind as Schemmel could be treated so shabbily .
He was laid off as part iHeartMedia ’ s massive job cuts around the country .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I don ’ t hold any bitterness , ” Schemmel said .
“ I ’ ll admit that I had some pings of bitterness when it happened .
I wanted to keep broadcasting baseball and I certainly would have written the script differently .
I miss baseball every day .
But it was time to move on and find something new.
” Schemmel says his profound Christian faith enables him — inspires him — to look at life that way .
That ’ s been the case ever since he survived @ @ @ @ @ @ @ July 19 , 1989 , in Sioux City , Iowa .
Of the 296 onboard , 112 died .
These days , Schemmel , an avid and accomplished cyclist , spends a lot of time on his bike .
He had been scheduled to compete in the Race Across America in June , an epic challenge covering 3,000 miles on a bike over 12 days .
The coronavirus canceled that race , but Schemmel still rides nearly every day .
Three or four days a week , he can be found at Adventure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Columbine High School graduate Erik Swanson .
“ They call me ‘ the bike concierge , ’ so I guess it makes me sound important , ” Schemmel said with a laugh .
“ I greet people , do a little bit of light maintenance and offer some cycling advice .
I really enjoy it .
Man , I haven ’ t worked an hourly job in 35 years .
It ’ s amazing what life can bring to you .
”

These are difficult, polarizing times. The coronavirus pandemic has brought out the best in us. And the worst.
In recent days, I’ve received a lot of nasty emails and Twitter rants in the wake of my Q&A with Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado and my story about Gov. Jared Polis’ desire for baseball’s swift return. Greedy, entitled, fascist — along with multiple expletives deleted — were common words and themes.
Sigh.
Then an email from Jerry Schemmel popped into my inbox, reminding me about his weekly radio series, “Amazing Americans.” Sunday morning’s episode (on FM 104.3 The Fan) features Sean Swarner. As a teenager, Swarner survived two potentially deadly forms of cancer. He underwent multiple surgeries, had a lung removed, was given a prognosis of 14 days to live, and was in a medically-induced coma for a year. And yet, he conquered Mt. Everest, becoming the first cancer survivor to reach the world’s highest peak.
Next month, “Amazing Americans” will feature Schemmel’s interview with Jim Morris, the aging relief pitcher featured in the feelgood movie “The Rookie,” starring Dennis Quaid. Morris’ life after baseball and beyond the movie was not easy. He suffers from Parkinson’s disease and has battled alcohol problems. And yet he’s emerged a better man.
“I love these stories and I love sharing them,” Schemmel said. “I think they are inspiring and they are a reminder that we all need to get the most out of our lives. It gives me a spark and I hope it sparks others, too.”
Schemmel lives by that credo. He appeals to the better angels of our nature.
In January, he was unceremoniously laid off by KOA radio after 10 years calling Rockies games. I was ticked off when I got the news. I couldn’t believe that anyone as professional, hard-working, funny and kind as Schemmel could be treated so shabbily. He was laid off as part iHeartMedia’s massive job cuts around the country. It seemed so impersonal and so coldly corporate.
“I don’t hold any bitterness,” Schemmel said. “I’ll admit that I had some pings of bitterness when it happened. I wanted to keep broadcasting baseball and I certainly would have written the script differently. I miss baseball every day. But it was time to move on and find something new.”
Schemmel says his profound Christian faith enables him — inspires him — to look at life that way. That’s been the case ever since he survived the crash of United Flight 232 on July 19, 1989, in Sioux City, Iowa. Of the 296 onboard, 112 died.
These days, Schemmel, an avid and accomplished cyclist, spends a lot of time on his bike. He had been scheduled to compete in the Race Across America in June, an epic challenge covering 3,000 miles on a bike over 12 days. The coronavirus canceled that race, but Schemmel still rides nearly every day.
Three or four days a week, he can be found at Adventure Cycling in Aurora, a store owned by Columbine High School graduate Erik Swanson.
“They call me ‘the bike concierge,’ so I guess it makes me sound important,” Schemmel said with a laugh. “I greet people, do a little bit of light maintenance and offer some cycling advice. I really enjoy it. Man, I haven’t worked an hourly job in 35 years. It’s amazing what life can bring to you.”


thedenverpost--2020-05-23--Suicides in Colorado dropped 40% during first 2 months of coronavirus pandemic — but calls to crisis

Suicides in Colorado dropped 40% during first 2 months of coronavirus pandemic — but calls to crisis line spiked

Colorado recorded a 40 % decrease in suicides in March and April as social-distancing policies aimed at slowing the spread of the novel coronavirus kept residents home , according to provisional death-certificate data from the state health department .
The data helps paint a complex picture of the mental and emotional toll of the COVID-19 pandemic .
While suicides are down from 2019 levels , Colorado Crisis Services saw an almost 48 % increase calls in March and April compared to last year , with most callers seeking help for anxiety , depression and suicidal ideation .
And experts are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on by the pandemic and subsequent economic collapse will exacerbate an already existing public health crisis by leading to an increase in suicides and mental health issues nationally in the coming months .
“ People ’ s lives have been disrupted in a severe way , ” said Tony Wood , chair of the board at the American Association of Suicidology .
“ Many people have lost their jobs .
There ’ s no clear way forward for a lot of people.
” “ We don ’ t think that we can possibly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he added .
“ But we ’ re definitely raising a signal for a call to action.
” Suicides have steadily increased in recent years , rising from 1,175 deaths in 2017 to 1,287 deaths in 2019 , according to death certificate data from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment .
But so far , suicides are down this year , most notably in March and April , when there were 139 such deaths , compared to the 233 deaths during the same months in 2019 , according to the data @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sign yet that suicides are contributing to the 20 % increase in overall deaths Colorado is experiencing either directly or indirectly because of the coronavirus pandemic .
The potential for an increase in suicides has been cited by individuals , including President Donald Trump , as an argument for ending severe social-distancing policies .
Trump has claimed that there will be a jump in suicides if the U.S. economy is not reopened .
However , mental health experts say that while the crisis is amplifying risk factors for suicide , the coronavirus outbreak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and emotional well-being is complex .
Suicide is multifaceted , and while economic loss is risk factor , so are depression , isolation and fear of the future .
In fact , experts said , it ’ s possible that the crisis is creating a sense of belonging for individuals at risk for suicide as stress and anxiety are normalized and people come together to better support one another during a crisis .
“ That may put things in a different kind of perspective for people who might be vulnerable to suicide , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officer of Mental Health Colorado .
“ That could end up having a preventive effect on suicide rates.
” Another potential reason suicides have decreased could come from the fact that what many people are experiencing is similar to what happens in the first few weeks following the death of a loved one , said Steve Fisher , director of outpatient expansion and special projects at the Mental Health Center of Denver .
Right now , he said , people are focusing on the logistics of surviving each day , such as how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans settle more into the so-called “ new normal , ” the adrenaline will drop away and their bodies will start to allow them to access more of the emotional pain they are experiencing .
“ Part of them are shutting down their body , and their psyche shuts down their emotions , ” he said .
“ Then you start to see that emotional release.
” Most people with suicidal ideation do not harm themselves , and it is difficult to predict who will act on those thoughts .
And many people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emotional and mental distress that will come from the outbreak .
Others will face more difficulty and struggle with excessive substance use or suicidal ideation .
They could also lash out at others , which is partly why there is expected to be an increase in domestic violence , Fisher said .
While suicide rates are down , experts , caution that individuals are still experiencing mental health issues , such as depression and anxiety .
Colorado Crisis Services fielded 39,770 calls and text messages from people seeking help in March and April @ @ @ @ @ @ @ text messages during the same months last year .
Wood , from the American Association of Suicidology , said he expects a serious mental health crisis in the coming months , and is concerned the health care system is not prepared for the influx of patients , in part because there are not enough mental health clinicians .
“ We don ’ t have enough capacity to care for a large number of people who have suicide ideation and behavior in the best way possible , ” he said .
Social distancing measures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ methods , such as via phone .
But some people need residential treatment or other in-person help .
For example , Colorado Crisis Services has experienced a drop in the number of times it deploys a mobile crisis unit to someone ’ s home .
It ’ s unclear if the decrease is because people are afraid of having others at their home right now or another reason , said Camille Harding , division director for community behavioral health at the state Department of Human Services .
“ Some people are not getting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , partly because of fear , ” said Travis Atkinson , a crisis systems consultant with TBD Solutions .

Colorado recorded a 40% decrease in suicides in March and April as social-distancing policies aimed at slowing the spread of the novel coronavirus kept residents home, according to provisional death-certificate data from the state health department.
The data helps paint a complex picture of the mental and emotional toll of the COVID-19 pandemic. While suicides are down from 2019 levels, Colorado Crisis Services saw an almost 48% increase calls in March and April compared to last year, with most callers seeking help for anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation.
And experts are concerned that the fear and uncertainty brought on by the pandemic and subsequent economic collapse will exacerbate an already existing public health crisis by leading to an increase in suicides and mental health issues nationally in the coming months.
“People’s lives have been disrupted in a severe way,” said Tony Wood, chair of the board at the American Association of Suicidology. “Many people have lost their jobs. There’s no clear way forward for a lot of people.”
“We don’t think that we can possibly support them as a nation,” he added. “But we’re definitely raising a signal for a call to action.”
Suicides have steadily increased in recent years, rising from 1,175 deaths in 2017 to 1,287 deaths in 2019, according to death certificate data from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
But so far, suicides are down this year, most notably in March and April, when there were 139 such deaths, compared to the 233 deaths during the same months in 2019, according to the data.
As such, there is no sign yet that suicides are contributing to the 20% increase in overall deaths Colorado is experiencing either directly or indirectly because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The potential for an increase in suicides has been cited by individuals, including President Donald Trump, as an argument for ending severe social-distancing policies. Trump has claimed that there will be a jump in suicides if the U.S. economy is not reopened.
However, mental health experts say that while the crisis is amplifying risk factors for suicide, the coronavirus outbreak’s affect on individuals’ mental and emotional well-being is complex. Suicide is multifaceted, and while economic loss is risk factor, so are depression, isolation and fear of the future.
Suicide prevention resources Colorado Crisis Line : Chat online or text TALK to 38255. Call 1-844-493-8255, coloradocrisisservices.org.
: Chat online or text TALK to 38255. Call 1-844-493-8255, coloradocrisisservices.org. Mental Health First Aid : Get trained to recognize the signs and how to respond. mhfaco.org.
: Get trained to recognize the signs and how to respond. mhfaco.org. American Foundation for Suicide Prevention : Join one of their upcoming walks for awareness in Colorado. afsp.org.
: Join one of their upcoming walks for awareness in Colorado. afsp.org. Crisis Text Line : Text 741741 from anywhere in the nation to reach a counselor. crisistextline.org.
: Text 741741 from anywhere in the nation to reach a counselor. crisistextline.org. Second Wind Fund: Links students to mental health professionals and pays for up to 12 counseling sessions. thesecondwindfund.org.
In fact, experts said, it’s possible that the crisis is creating a sense of belonging for individuals at risk for suicide as stress and anxiety are normalized and people come together to better support one another during a crisis.
“That may put things in a different kind of perspective for people who might be vulnerable to suicide,” said Vincent Atchity, chief executive officer of Mental Health Colorado. “That could end up having a preventive effect on suicide rates.”
Another potential reason suicides have decreased could come from the fact that what many people are experiencing is similar to what happens in the first few weeks following the death of a loved one, said Steve Fisher, director of outpatient expansion and special projects at the Mental Health Center of Denver.
Right now, he said, people are focusing on the logistics of surviving each day, such as how to buy groceries safely. But as Americans settle more into the so-called “new normal,” the adrenaline will drop away and their bodies will start to allow them to access more of the emotional pain they are experiencing.
“Part of them are shutting down their body, and their psyche shuts down their emotions,” he said. “Then you start to see that emotional release.”
Most people with suicidal ideation do not harm themselves, and it is difficult to predict who will act on those thoughts.
And many people will be able to work through the emotional and mental distress that will come from the outbreak. Others will face more difficulty and struggle with excessive substance use or suicidal ideation. They could also lash out at others, which is partly why there is expected to be an increase in domestic violence, Fisher said.
While suicide rates are down, experts, caution that individuals are still experiencing mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety.
Colorado Crisis Services fielded 39,770 calls and text messages from people seeking help in March and April, up from the 26,928 calls and text messages during the same months last year.
Wood, from the American Association of Suicidology, said he expects a serious mental health crisis in the coming months, and is concerned the health care system is not prepared for the influx of patients, in part because there are not enough mental health clinicians.
“We don’t have enough capacity to care for a large number of people who have suicide ideation and behavior in the best way possible,” he said.
Social distancing measures have pushed many therapy sessions to tele-health methods, such as via phone. But some people need residential treatment or other in-person help.
For example, Colorado Crisis Services has experienced a drop in the number of times it deploys a mobile crisis unit to someone’s home.
It’s unclear if the decrease is because people are afraid of having others at their home right now or another reason, said Camille Harding, division director for community behavioral health at the state Department of Human Services.
“Some people are not getting their mental health needs met right now, partly because of fear,” said Travis Atkinson, a crisis systems consultant with TBD Solutions.


thedenverpost--2020-05-23--Ask Amy: Friend’s tolerance is tested by tardiness

Dear Amy : I moved to a new city about a year ago .
I ’ ve made one really great friend here , but there ’ s a hitch : our incongruous approaches to timeliness .
“ Sam ” has been , without fail , late to everything we ’ ve ever planned .
His tardiness ranges from one to three hours .
Sometimes , I wait an hour and politely ask , “ What ’ s your ETA ?
” and he replies with , “ Sorry , I ’ m just going to do 15 things and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ !
” Recently , he and I were studying at his place and I got hungry , so I said , “ I ’ m going to go to the grocery store next door , I ’ ll be back in five.
” I would have been back in five , except he wanted to join me .
First , he had to change his contact lenses and fix his hair , and then he started telling me this story about his mom that I didn ’ t pay much attention to because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ things and 25 minutes later , we finally left his place .
At the store , he spent about 30 minutes trying to decide on a snack to purchase .
I ’ m a very structured person and need him to try and follow a schedule .
What makes everything worse is that he apologizes ALL the time — and he is aware that his tardiness is a problem .
I ’ ve been told I can be abrasive , and I ’ d really like to avoid conflict since he ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , so I ’ m not sure how to move forward .
Dear Annoyed !
: You report : “ I ’ m a very structured person , and need him to try to follow a schedule.
” Nope .
That is not going to happen .
“ Sam ” has been Sam as long as you have been “ Annoyed.
” He is already aware of his behavior and its impact on you — and you know this because he is constantly apologizing .
You two seem like a classic mismatch — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ different temperaments .
One perspective on this is that Sam was sent into your life to test your patience .
Will you pass this test ?
( You seem to be working hard on it . )
You do need to decide on some commonsense boundaries , as well as a useful way of communicating those boundaries , including the consequences when Sam lets you down .
Don ’ t act annoyed or judgmental – but do be honest with him about the impact of his behavior on you .
Will you wait @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Maybe .
Should you wait for three hours ?
No .
The amateur diagnostician in me believes that your friend might have ADHD .
For many adults , identifying their scattered focus and attention challenges as ADHD ( rather than a character flaw ) can be a gamechanger .
Dear Amy : I am struggling in these uncertain times .
I am finding people are showing their true colors with how they are responding to “ stay at home ” orders and how the government is trying to reduce the risk associated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ political ideals are also being exacerbated because of this .
People who I thought were good people are now deliberately ignoring orders , traveling across state lines , having gatherings of more than 10 people , dismissing hygiene practices , and posting polarizing things on social media .
I have started to block and hide these people from social media and other virtual interactions — to escape the negativity .
Clearly , I have no intent to control these people ’ s views and actions , but how can I cope with this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ am losing all faith in people that I once considered to be close friends .
— Trying to Do Right Dear Trying : Now is the time to adopt the axiom “ you be you ” with a vengeance .
In this regard , you should continue to disengage on social media .
That means disengaging from people you disagree with , but also avoiding the bubble of anxiety that can come from connecting with people who are enraged and afraid .
Drop back .
Read a good novel .
You be you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a bit frazzled about her sister ’ s obsession with her and her children ’ s IQ scores .
I come from a family of higher scores ( mine included ) .
In 10th grade we were tested in school and then met with our assigned teacher to discuss .
I ’ ll admit I was showing off .
My teacher looked me in the eye and said , “ Don ’ t get cocky , kid .
You got that brain from your parents .
Now what you do with it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Show , don ’ t tell .
”

Dear Amy: I moved to a new city about a year ago.
I’ve made one really great friend here, but there’s a hitch: our incongruous approaches to timeliness.
“Sam” has been, without fail, late to everything we’ve ever planned. His tardiness ranges from one to three hours. Sometimes, I wait an hour and politely ask, “What’s your ETA?” and he replies with, “Sorry, I’m just going to do 15 things and I’ll be on my way!”
Recently, he and I were studying at his place and I got hungry, so I said, “I’m going to go to the grocery store next door, I’ll be back in five.”
I would have been back in five, except he wanted to join me. First, he had to change his contact lenses and fix his hair, and then he started telling me this story about his mom that I didn’t pay much attention to because I was annoyed.
About 10 more things and 25 minutes later, we finally left his place.
At the store, he spent about 30 minutes trying to decide on a snack to purchase. I’m a very structured person and need him to try and follow a schedule.
What makes everything worse is that he apologizes ALL the time — and he is aware that his tardiness is a problem.
I’ve been told I can be abrasive, and I’d really like to avoid conflict since he’s is one of my closest friends here, so I’m not sure how to move forward.
Advice?
— Annoyed!
Dear Annoyed!: You report: “I’m a very structured person, and need him to try to follow a schedule.” Nope. That is not going to happen.
“Sam” has been Sam as long as you have been “Annoyed.” He is already aware of his behavior and its impact on you — and you know this because he is constantly apologizing.
You two seem like a classic mismatch — but many great friendships thrive despite very different temperaments.
One perspective on this is that Sam was sent into your life to test your patience. Will you pass this test? (You seem to be working hard on it.)
You do need to decide on some commonsense boundaries, as well as a useful way of communicating those boundaries, including the consequences when Sam lets you down. Don’t act annoyed or judgmental – but do be honest with him about the impact of his behavior on you. Will you wait an hour for him to meet you? Maybe. Should you wait for three hours? No.
The amateur diagnostician in me believes that your friend might have ADHD. For many adults, identifying their scattered focus and attention challenges as ADHD (rather than a character flaw) can be a gamechanger.
Dear Amy: I am struggling in these uncertain times. I am finding people are showing their true colors with how they are responding to “stay at home” orders and how the government is trying to reduce the risk associated with the novel coronavirus.
Unfortunately, political ideals are also being exacerbated because of this. People who I thought were good people are now deliberately ignoring orders, traveling across state lines, having gatherings of more than 10 people, dismissing hygiene practices, and posting polarizing things on social media.
I have started to block and hide these people from social media and other virtual interactions — to escape the negativity.
Clearly, I have no intent to control these people’s views and actions, but how can I cope with this better?
It feels as if I am losing all faith in people that I once considered to be close friends.
— Trying to Do Right
Dear Trying: Now is the time to adopt the axiom “you be you” with a vengeance. In this regard, you should continue to disengage on social media. That means disengaging from people you disagree with, but also avoiding the bubble of anxiety that can come from connecting with people who are enraged and afraid.
Drop back. Read a good novel. You be you.
Dear Amy: “Wondering” was a bit frazzled about her sister’s obsession with her and her children’s IQ scores.
I come from a family of higher scores (mine included).
In 10th grade we were tested in school and then met with our assigned teacher to discuss. I’ll admit I was showing off.
My teacher looked me in the eye and said, “Don’t get cocky, kid. You got that brain from your parents. Now what you do with it will show how smart YOU are. Show, don’t tell.”
— Best Advice Ever!
Dear Best: Smart teacher!
(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--2020-05-23--NHLPA approves going forward with 24-team playoff talks

The NHL Players ’ Association ’ s executive committee authorized moving forward in talks with the league on returning to play from the coronavirus suspension , approving 24 teams making the playoffs with other aspects still to be negotiated .
The NHLPA did not provide a breakdown of the vote of its 31 player representatives in making the announcement Friday night , a day after the proposal was presented to the union ’ s executive board .
In giving the format the green light , the NHLPA stressed several details still need to be negotiated before games can begin .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ NHL board of governors , which is expected to approve the plan in the next few days .
Once approved , the proposal effectively ends the season of the league ’ s bottom seven teams .
Under the plan proposed by the NHL/NHLPA Return To Play committee , the top four teams in each conference would play each other in a mini-tournament for seeding while the remaining 16 teams face off in a best-of-five series play-in round to set the final 16 to compete for the Stanley Cup .
Though the approval is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a path to getting players back on the ice remains challenging .
The next step would have the Return To Play committee sort out a host of other issues , ranging from health and safety protocols to determining where games will be played , with the league preparing to group teams in a select number of hub cities .
Las Vegas has become the city most mentioned as a potential site , particularly because of its large concentration of hotels that could house numerous teams .
Other cities mentioned include Columbus , Ohio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ North Carolina ; St. Paul , Minnesota ; and Edmonton , Alberta .
Numerous other questions remain unanswered , including when players can return to their respective teams and what non-playoff teams will be allowed to do during what could potentially become a 10-month break between games .
NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said the league has a plan in place , but stopped short of providing details by saying it would be premature to do so at this time .
“ All good questions and all questions with answers .
But not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them at this point in time , ” Daly wrote in an email .
“ If and when we are in a position to make an announcement , we will try to make sure they are answered in that context.
” At the very least , the league has the framework of a plan on which to build off for the first time since the regular season was placed on pause on March 12 .
Games would likely be played without fans present .
It ’ s unclear how the league will address @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stretches of time in self-isolation away from their families .
Both sides agree there is no ideal plan , while acknowledging the limitations they face because of the uncertainty created by the pandemic .
The NHL ’ s regular season was paused on March 12 , with 189 games remaining and its 31 teams having played an uneven number of games .
“ Obviously , it ’ s not ideal , but I think in a time like this , how can anything be super traditional ?
” Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Tyson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think we all have to adapt and be willing to adapt and kind of realize that it ’ s not going to be this perfect , classic NHL playoffs .
I think for the situation we ’ re in , for a year , I think that ’ s fine.
” Under the proposed 24-team format , Montreal would be the final team to qualify in the East based on a slim points-percentage margin .
With 71 points in 71 games ( .500 ) , the Canadiens edge out Buffalo , which had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) and would extend the league ’ s longest active playoff drought to a ninth consecutive season .
The difference in the West is much larger , with Chicago ( .514 ) beating out Anaheim ( .472 ) .
All three California teams would miss the playoffs for the first time since 1995-96 .
A person with what would be one of the seven non-playoff teams told The AP the performance staff is already preparing workout programs for players during what will be a long layoff .
“ Overall , I think players @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” the person said , speaking on the condition of anonymity because the return to play format has not been approved .
“ Finding creative ways to keep them motivated in the fall will be the challenge.
” The NHL is open to having the playoffs extend into September and pushing the start of the 2020-21 season as late as January — or when fans can begin attending games in some capacity .
Whatever it takes , Winnipeg Jets forward Patrik Laine said Friday .
“ I just want to play , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decide , ” Laine said .
“ It ’ s just still hockey , but I don ’ t mind the format .
It ’ s not an issue for me.
” Carolina Hurricanes player representative Jordan Martinook said finishing the season and awarding the Stanley Cup would be a considerable feat .
“ In a year of such negativity and uncertainty , for you to have that kind of celebration , I feel like it would be a big positive for you , your family , your team , your city , @ @ @ @

The NHL Players’ Association’s executive committee authorized moving forward in talks with the league on returning to play from the coronavirus suspension, approving 24 teams making the playoffs with other aspects still to be negotiated.
The NHLPA did not provide a breakdown of the vote of its 31 player representatives in making the announcement Friday night, a day after the proposal was presented to the union’s executive board. In giving the format the green light, the NHLPA stressed several details still need to be negotiated before games can begin.
The proposal will now go to the NHL board of governors, which is expected to approve the plan in the next few days. Once approved, the proposal effectively ends the season of the league’s bottom seven teams.
Under the plan proposed by the NHL/NHLPA Return To Play committee, the top four teams in each conference would play each other in a mini-tournament for seeding while the remaining 16 teams face off in a best-of-five series play-in round to set the final 16 to compete for the Stanley Cup.
Though the approval is considered significant, the task of establishing a path to getting players back on the ice remains challenging.
The next step would have the Return To Play committee sort out a host of other issues, ranging from health and safety protocols to determining where games will be played, with the league preparing to group teams in a select number of hub cities.
Las Vegas has become the city most mentioned as a potential site, particularly because of its large concentration of hotels that could house numerous teams. Other cities mentioned include Columbus, Ohio; Nashville, Tennessee; Raleigh, North Carolina; St. Paul, Minnesota; and Edmonton, Alberta.
Numerous other questions remain unanswered, including when players can return to their respective teams and what non-playoff teams will be allowed to do during what could potentially become a 10-month break between games.
NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said the league has a plan in place, but stopped short of providing details by saying it would be premature to do so at this time.
“All good questions and all questions with answers. But not in a position to answer any of them at this point in time,” Daly wrote in an email. “If and when we are in a position to make an announcement, we will try to make sure they are answered in that context.”
At the very least, the league has the framework of a plan on which to build off for the first time since the regular season was placed on pause on March 12.
Games would likely be played without fans present. It’s unclear how the league will address players’ concerns over spending potentially lengthy stretches of time in self-isolation away from their families.
Both sides agree there is no ideal plan, while acknowledging the limitations they face because of the uncertainty created by the pandemic. The NHL’s regular season was paused on March 12, with 189 games remaining and its 31 teams having played an uneven number of games.
“Obviously, it’s not ideal, but I think in a time like this, how can anything be super traditional?” Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Tyson Barrie said this week. “I think we all have to adapt and be willing to adapt and kind of realize that it’s not going to be this perfect, classic NHL playoffs. I think for the situation we’re in, for a year, I think that’s fine.”
Under the proposed 24-team format, Montreal would be the final team to qualify in the East based on a slim points-percentage margin. With 71 points in 71 games (.500), the Canadiens edge out Buffalo, which had 68 points in 69 games (.493) and would extend the league’s longest active playoff drought to a ninth consecutive season.
The difference in the West is much larger, with Chicago (.514) beating out Anaheim (.472). All three California teams would miss the playoffs for the first time since 1995-96.
A person with what would be one of the seven non-playoff teams told The AP the performance staff is already preparing workout programs for players during what will be a long layoff.
“Overall, I think players will be fine during the summer months,” the person said, speaking on the condition of anonymity because the return to play format has not been approved. “Finding creative ways to keep them motivated in the fall will be the challenge.”
The NHL is open to having the playoffs extend into September and pushing the start of the 2020-21 season as late as January — or when fans can begin attending games in some capacity.
Whatever it takes, Winnipeg Jets forward Patrik Laine said Friday.
“I just want to play, and I can do whatever format they decide,” Laine said. “It’s just still hockey, but I don’t mind the format. It’s not an issue for me.”
Carolina Hurricanes player representative Jordan Martinook said finishing the season and awarding the Stanley Cup would be a considerable feat.
“In a year of such negativity and uncertainty, for you to have that kind of celebration, I feel like it would be a big positive for you, your family, your team, your city,” Martinook said.


thedenverpost--2020-05-23--Disinfected dice: Las Vegas casinos getting ready to roll

LAS VEGAS — Free parking , but no valet service .
Bartenders , blackjack dealers and waiters wearing masks .
Hand sanitizer everywhere .
Yes , dice will roll , cards will be dealt and slot machines will beckon .
But poker rooms ?
Closed .
Tourists returning to Las Vegas will see changes since gambling stopped in mid-March for the first time ever to stem the spread of the coronavirus .
The stakes could not be higher , said Robert Lang , executive director of the Brookings Mountain West think tank at the University of Nevada , Las Vegas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ known as the place where people go and get sick , ” he said .
Nevada Gov .
Steve Sisolak has set a tentative June 4 date for reopening casinos .
The Democratic governor said in a statement Friday that Nevada has continued to see decreasing cases of the coronavirus and hospitalizations of COVID-19 when some restrictions began to be eased nearly two weeks ago .
Sisolak ’ s office said he plans to hold a news conference on Tuesday to offer more details about the next phase of reopening , assuming those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weekend .
Nevada ’ s gambling regulators also plan to meet Tuesday and will consider reopening plans submitted from casinos , which need to be approved at least seven days before reopening .
“ We all know what we ’ ve gone through for the last 10 weeks .
No one ’ s having fun , ” said Bill Hornbuckle , acting chief executive and president of casino giant MGM Resorts International .
“ The simple idea that I could get out , come to a resort , lay at a pool , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a blackjack table .
There ’ s something to be said for all of that.
” Many properties have aimed for an early June restart in the gambling mecca closed almost overnight in the middle of a hot streak — three consecutive $ 1 billion months in statewide casino winnings .
The city had been drawing more than 40 million annual visitors .
Once given the green light , the marquees and the managers will welcome people back to this 24/7 town built for crowds , excitement and excess .
But not every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , dayclubs , buffets and large venues will remain closed .
Cirque du Soleil shows will stay dark , at least for now .
Signs everywhere will remind guests of new rules : Wash your hands ; keep distance from others ; limit your elevator ride to your sanitized room to just four people .
“ You ’ re going to see a lot of social distancing , ” said Sean McBurney , general manager at Caesars Palace .
“ If there ’ s crowding , it ’ s every employee ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distancing.
” Dice will be disinfected between shooters , chips cleaned periodically and card decks changed frequently .
At some resorts guests will be encouraged to use cellphones for touchless check in , as room keys , and to read restaurant menus .
Wynn Resorts properties and The Venetian , owned by Las Vegas Sands , plan to use thermal imaging cameras at every entrance to intercept people with fevers .
Smaller operators in Las Vegas and Reno will offer hand-sanitizer .
“ A gondola pilot wearing a face mask will be on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Venetian protocol says .
“ Gondoliers stationed along the canal will serenade passengers from an appropriate distance.
” New state Gaming Control Board regulations require surfaces to be disinfected according to federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines and “ increased attention ” to high-touch hotel items like television remote controls and light switches .
Guests will get free masks at large resorts , but won ’ t be forced to use them .
For blackjack dealers , bellhops , reservation clerks , security guards , housekeepers and waiters , masks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the most visual thing .
Every employee will be required to wear a mask , ” McBurney said .
His footsteps echoed walking with a reporter past marble statues in the lobby toward a gilded casino vacant for the first time since it opened in 1966 .
A slot machine cried “ Wheel of Fortune !
” in the void .
Seats on both sides of the game had been removed .
“ Visually , you ’ ll still see a lot of color and activity , but you won ’ t be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McBurney said .
At the neighboring Bellagio , Hornbuckle showed new hand-washing stations installed where banks of slot machines were removed .
His company is losing almost $ 10 million a day during the shutdown , he said .
Other rules : four players only at roulette , six at craps .
Plastic partitions will separate dealers from players and players from each other at the Bellagio , three at each table .
MGM Resorts plans to open just two of its 10 Strip properties at first : Bellagio and New York-New York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dancing fountains will restart as soon as the governor sets a date .
Still , just 1,200 of the hotel ’ s 4,000 rooms will be rented and casinos will be limited to 50 % of capacity .
“ You ’ re going to see less people , by control and by design , ” he said .
Caesars Entertainment plans to open Caesars Palace and the Flamingo Las Vegas at first , followed later by Harrah ’ s Las Vegas and the casino floor at the LINQ hotel-casino .
Lang called it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and said resort operators with deep pockets “ will probably allow a bargain moment ” until business improves .
“ First will be residents of Las Vegas .
Then people getting here by car from California .
Then domestic air flights .
Then international , ” the researcher predicted .
McBurney said that with nearly 4,000 rooms at Caesars Palace , he expected just one of six towers will be occupied .
“ Once people know there ’ s an opening date … demand will increase , ” he said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speculate .
”

LAS VEGAS — Free parking, but no valet service. Bartenders, blackjack dealers and waiters wearing masks. Hand sanitizer everywhere.
Yes, dice will roll, cards will be dealt and slot machines will beckon. But poker rooms? Closed.
Tourists returning to Las Vegas will see changes since gambling stopped in mid-March for the first time ever to stem the spread of the coronavirus.
The stakes could not be higher, said Robert Lang, executive director of the Brookings Mountain West think tank at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
“Las Vegas can never be known as the place where people go and get sick,” he said.
Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak has set a tentative June 4 date for reopening casinos. The Democratic governor said in a statement Friday that Nevada has continued to see decreasing cases of the coronavirus and hospitalizations of COVID-19 when some restrictions began to be eased nearly two weeks ago.
Sisolak’s office said he plans to hold a news conference on Tuesday to offer more details about the next phase of reopening, assuming those positive trends continue through the Memorial Day weekend. Nevada’s gambling regulators also plan to meet Tuesday and will consider reopening plans submitted from casinos, which need to be approved at least seven days before reopening.
“We all know what we’ve gone through for the last 10 weeks. No one’s having fun,” said Bill Hornbuckle, acting chief executive and president of casino giant MGM Resorts International. “The simple idea that I could get out, come to a resort, lay at a pool, enjoy a nice dinner, sit at a blackjack table. There’s something to be said for all of that.”
Many properties have aimed for an early June restart in the gambling mecca closed almost overnight in the middle of a hot streak — three consecutive $1 billion months in statewide casino winnings. The city had been drawing more than 40 million annual visitors.
Once given the green light, the marquees and the managers will welcome people back to this 24/7 town built for crowds, excitement and excess. But not every resort amenity will be open. Nightclubs, dayclubs, buffets and large venues will remain closed. Cirque du Soleil shows will stay dark, at least for now.
Signs everywhere will remind guests of new rules: Wash your hands; keep distance from others; limit your elevator ride to your sanitized room to just four people.
“You’re going to see a lot of social distancing,” said Sean McBurney, general manager at Caesars Palace. “If there’s crowding, it’s every employee’s responsibility to ensure there’s social distancing.”
Dice will be disinfected between shooters, chips cleaned periodically and card decks changed frequently. At some resorts guests will be encouraged to use cellphones for touchless check in, as room keys, and to read restaurant menus.
Wynn Resorts properties and The Venetian, owned by Las Vegas Sands, plan to use thermal imaging cameras at every entrance to intercept people with fevers. Smaller operators in Las Vegas and Reno will offer hand-sanitizer.
“A gondola pilot wearing a face mask will be on board to steer the vessel,” a Venetian protocol says. “Gondoliers stationed along the canal will serenade passengers from an appropriate distance.”
New state Gaming Control Board regulations require surfaces to be disinfected according to federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines and “increased attention” to high-touch hotel items like television remote controls and light switches.
Guests will get free masks at large resorts, but won’t be forced to use them. For blackjack dealers, bellhops, reservation clerks, security guards, housekeepers and waiters, masks are mandatory.
“That’s the most visual thing. Every employee will be required to wear a mask,” McBurney said.
His footsteps echoed walking with a reporter past marble statues in the lobby toward a gilded casino vacant for the first time since it opened in 1966. A slot machine cried “Wheel of Fortune!” in the void. Seats on both sides of the game had been removed.
“Visually, you’ll still see a lot of color and activity, but you won’t be able to play every machine,” McBurney said.
At the neighboring Bellagio, Hornbuckle showed new hand-washing stations installed where banks of slot machines were removed. His company is losing almost $10 million a day during the shutdown, he said.
Other rules: four players only at roulette, six at craps. Plastic partitions will separate dealers from players and players from each other at the Bellagio, three at each table.
MGM Resorts plans to open just two of its 10 Strip properties at first: Bellagio and New York-New York.
Hornbuckle promised Bellagio’s iconic dancing fountains will restart as soon as the governor sets a date. Still, just 1,200 of the hotel’s 4,000 rooms will be rented and casinos will be limited to 50% of capacity.
“You’re going to see less people, by control and by design,” he said.
Caesars Entertainment plans to open Caesars Palace and the Flamingo Las Vegas at first, followed later by Harrah’s Las Vegas and the casino floor at the LINQ hotel-casino.
Lang called it unlikely that big crowds will return quickly, and said resort operators with deep pockets “will probably allow a bargain moment” until business improves. “First will be residents of Las Vegas. Then people getting here by car from California. Then domestic air flights. Then international,” the researcher predicted.
McBurney said that with nearly 4,000 rooms at Caesars Palace, he expected just one of six towers will be occupied. “Once people know there’s an opening date … demand will increase,” he said. “How much? I can’t speculate.”