COVID-19 Governor Polis issues state-wide stay at home order (Denver: ski resorts, fit in)

[Vision67]

https://gazette.com/news/restaurant-...7926b1f89.html

"Colorado Gov. Jared Polis announced a 30-day halt to dine-in service at restaurants and bars and the temporary closure of gyms, theaters and casinos to slow the spread of the coronavirus, which grew by 29 additional cases in the state Monday.

Polis' order came the same day Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers' declared a state of emergency for the city, making it eligible for federal aid and allowing him to take actions such as setting curfews and closing some venues.

The governor's order allows restaurants to provide delivery and carry-out services, subject to public health guidelines, Polis said at a Monday afternoon news conference at the state Capitol.

"We want to be ahead of the curve in Colorado," he said.

The statewide order, which takes effect 8 a.m. Tuesday, comes hours after Denver Mayor Michael Hancock announced a ban on gatherings of 50 or more people, and the closure of bars and restaurants' indoor seating in the city. Both Denver restrictions are to last for eight weeks.

The Colorado Restaurant Association, a trade organization supporting the industry, announced Polis' move to its members shortly before the governor's announcement.

"We are working on a compiled list of resources to aid your businesses and your employees in the wake of this announcement," association representative Sonia Riggs said.

Colorado had about 11,800 eating and drinking locations employing 285,000 workers in 2019, according to the association. Last year, Colorado restaurants generated about $348 million in state taxes, plus any taxes collected by local jurisdictions.

Polis said unemployment insurance is available for those laid off, as well as a state work-share program that pays half the cost of an employee's wages.

The governor dismissed the idea of closing day care centers, as has been undertaken in other states.

"They're open out of necessity," he said. "Families have kids and they need these services."

While 29 new cases of the virus were announced Monday, bringing the state total to 160, there are likely thousands of undiagnosed cases of coronavirus in the state, Polis warned, calling everyone who is taking the threat of the virus seriously "a hero."

The state did not provide the gender, locations and transmission modes for any of the newly announced cases, stating in a news release that the lab had not provided a statistical breakdown. Colorado appears to remain fifth in the nation for diagnoses, according to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control website.

There will again be a day when Coloradans will gather in public spaces, and will celebrate, Polis said, but "that day is not today, it's not tomorrow, it's not going to be next week or the week after."

Polis urged state residents to "calm down" and not hoard toilet paper or grocery items. "There is no immediate need to purchase those items; the supply chain is safe," he said.

Suthers also urged residents to stay calm and not interpret the city's emergency declaration as alarming.

“This should not be cause for further alarm, but a signal that our city continues to monitor the situation and respond in a prudent, efficient and effective manner,” Suthers said in a statement.

It is unknown how much federal aid Colorado Springs could receive, Suthers said. But it is expected to help small businesses, laid-off workers and health departments. It is not to help with city budget shortfalls, which could be large, he said."

[nmnita]

I am sure there are many other states to follow. Our little town here in AR is almost completely shut down. And in this region of the state we have had no outbreaks anywhere close. So far about the only thing that has not closed are most of our churches.

[JD59]

Lines of cars were filmed close to Colorado’s Loveland Ski Area on Saturday, March 21, despite calls from state officials for people to practice social distancing in an effort to slow the spread of the new coronavirus, COVID-19.

Colorado ski resorts were closed by order of Governor Jared Polis amid the pandemic, but the Loveland Ski Area remained open for uphill skiers. The Colorado Sun reported that the closure of resorts prompted a surge in demand for uphill ski equipment, and social media posts indicated heavy traffic around the closed Loveland Ski Area on Saturday.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/cars-line...185620152.html

[Phil P]

Originally Posted by JD59

Lines of cars were filmed close to Colorado’s Loveland Ski Area on Saturday, March 21, despite calls from state officials for people to practice social distancing in an effort to slow the spread of the new coronavirus, COVID-19.

Colorado ski resorts were closed by order of Governor Jared Polis amid the pandemic, but the Loveland Ski Area remained open for uphill skiers. The Colorado Sun reported that the closure of resorts prompted a surge in demand for uphill ski equipment, and social media posts indicated heavy traffic around the closed Loveland Ski Area on Saturday.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/cars-line...185620152.html

There's wrong with this, the news just likes to make a story. The main problem with ski areas was the ticket counter and lunch halls. Back country people are at least 6' away in an outdoor environment, AND they are probably healthy enough to battle the virus just fine if they got it. If the state has problems with this, they might as well shut down all hiking areas.

I was up by Mt. Evans / Echo Lake on Sunday. The lots were kinda full, ran into very few actual people, none of which actually got close.

[Robert5]

yahoo "news"
not seeing the problem.
And I think they mean cross country skiing.

[Westerner92]

Yeah, sorry, but there’s absolutely nothing wrong with people going outdoors, though some of the people in that video in the article are absolutely parked like jerks and absolutely should be heavily ticketed. I understand urban areas with lots of stagnant indoor air and commonly used surfaces should be avoided, but strangers are not coming into contact with each other skiing Loveland Pass. The amount of unqualified jag offs that could cause an avalanche is a bigger danger.

I doubt it’ll happen, but if any government agencies try to shut off trailheads for backcountry skiing and hiking, I will gladly flaunt it and pay the consequences. You will not shut off one of the only things that keeps Coloradans safe, active and sane.

Originally Posted by Robert5

yahoo "news"
not seeing the problem.
And I think they mean cross country skiing.

They mean backcountry. Cross country skiing is propelling yourself on relatively flat ground wearing long, skinny skis. Backcountry is skiing terrain not accessible from a resort lift.

[StealthRabbit]

Going to the boonies and buying all our TP is not kind.
But we know how to get along without TP. Seems the 'message' got out and there was an abnormal 'run' on many rural stores this last weekend. Our next supplies will be secondary to urban, so this just places additional hardship and risk on rural dwellers. We will probably get replacement shipments in 6+ weeks rather than the normal 2-4 weeks. We had left the stuff on the shelves for our elderly to have access, because they don't buy in bulk.

Happened in France and Spain too.
Poof, all who could... left the cities and overcrowded rural areas, hospitals, EMS and services.

"Not-Welcome" signs were posted at rural train stations.

[SkyDog77]

Originally Posted by StealthRabbit

Going to the boonies and buying all our TP is not kind.
But we know how to get along without TP. Seems the 'message' got out and there was an abnormal 'run' on many rural stores this last weekend. Our next supplies will be secondary to urban, so this just places additional hardship and risk on rural dwellers. We will probably get replacement shipments in 6+ weeks rather than the normal 2-4 weeks. We had left the stuff on the shelves for our elderly to have access, because they don't buy in bulk.

Happened in France and Spain too.
Poof, all who could... left the cities and overcrowded rural areas, hospitals, EMS and services.

"Not-Welcome" signs were posted at rural train stations.

What does this have to do with people going skiing? Just another self aggrandizing post from stealthrabbit.

[pikabike]

Originally Posted by Westerner92

Yeah, sorry, but there’s absolutely nothing wrong with people going outdoors, though some of the people in that video in the article are absolutely parked like jerks and absolutely should be heavily ticketed. I understand urban areas with lots of stagnant indoor air and commonly used surfaces should be avoided, but strangers are not coming into contact with each other skiing Loveland Pass. The amount of unqualified jag offs that could cause an avalanche is a bigger danger.

I doubt it’ll happen, but if any government agencies try to shut off trailheads for backcountry skiing and hiking, I will gladly flaunt it and pay the consequences. You will not shut off one of the only things that keeps Coloradans safe, active and sane.



They mean backcountry. Cross country skiing is propelling yourself on relatively flat ground wearing long, skinny skis. Backcountry is skiing terrain not accessible from a resort lift.

The problem is when people get into trouble and signal for rescue services. The help comes from both volunteers (who are supposed to practice social distancing like anyone else) and from professionals considered essential, such as EMTs, ambulance drivers, helicopter operators, and law enforcement. This latter group is already stretched thin as it is, without people taking unnecessary risks that can deplete resources intended for true emergencies within the local community.

That is why San Juan County is warning nonresidents to just do what they need (pass through town or stop for gas or food if needed) and not make discretionary trips into the county when their resources are already strained. I don’t blame them one bit and wish my county would also hang out the Not Welcome sign. We keep seeing out-of-state plates (WA, FL, NV, others) parked. The “local plates” here include three neighboring states that are very close to town, but these others do not fit into the category of “local.”

[Westerner92]

Originally Posted by pikabike

The problem is when people get into trouble and signal for rescue services. The help comes from both volunteers (who are supposed to practice social distancing like anyone else) and from professionals considered essential, such as EMTs, ambulance drivers, helicopter operators, and law enforcement. This latter group is already stretched thin as it is, without people taking unnecessary risks that can deplete resources intended for true emergencies within the local community.

That is why San Juan County is warning nonresidents to just do what they need (pass through town or stop for gas or food if needed) and not make discretionary trips into the county when their resources are already strained. I don’t blame them one bit and wish my county would also hang out the Not Welcome sign. We keep seeing out-of-state plates (WA, FL, NV, others) parked. The “local plates” here include three neighboring states that are very close to town, but these others do not fit into the category of “local.”

I personally think a “use at your own risk” rule, as in no rescue operations, for land we already own is acceptable. It’s already any experienced outdoorsmans’ protocol anyway. Counties in the mountains dedicate most of their rescue operations to out-of-state tourists (who won’t be visiting anymore), and counties in the Front Range dedícate most of their operations to find dementia patients.

Trying to forbid popular, healthy activities that conform to social distancing protocol is an unnecessary risk to everyone’s well-being itself. I know some salivate at the opportunity to ban others from leaving the house for a year, but it would very likely backfire, even from those of us who have taken this crisis seriously from the beginning.