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September 23, 2021
ELBERT COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
ElbertCountyNews.net
VOLUME 126 | ISSUE 32
Mask rules drive parents’ demand for doctor notes Colorado pediatricians are being bombarded with requests
Newly crowned Queen Josie Thomas and Attendant Hannah Thomas pose with past royalty. From left, Kayla Bailey, Hannah PHOTO BY CHANCY J. GATLIN-ANDERSON Thomas, Josie Thomas, and Breanna Eddy.
County public health director, in a phone interview Sept. 15. “Logic would dictate that there are more than 48 based on the prevailing low vaccination rate among eligible folks within the 80107 zip code.” The superintendent of the Elizabeth School District argued, however, that the Elbert County Health Department’s COVID-19 data was incorrect and that there was not an
Colorado parents are seeking an end-run around mask requirements at their children’s schools: Doctor’s notes exempting them for dubious medical reasons. And in mask-averse Douglas County, where elected leaders already opted to create their own health department to sidestep unpopular COVID-19 public health orders, some parents aren’t taking “no” for an answer. Hundreds of parents have called Pediatrics at the Meadows in Castle Rock to request doctor’s notes — some who turned angry when their requests were denied and promised “physical, financial and political revenge.” “We understand and empathize with families who are looking for ways to help their children avoid the burden of mask-wearing. Trust me, I get it,” Dr. Michael Milobsky said in a Facebook post about the flood of calls that left staff members feeling “under attack.” But Milobsky said the clinic would continue to side with American Academy of Pediatrics’ recommendations regarding mask-wearing for children — that, with rare exceptions, they can be “safely worn” by children 2 and older. “If I issue a mask exemption for
SEE SCHOOLS, P13
SEE MASKS, P8
Elizabeth Stampede royalty is crowned For 1st time ever, siblings are named queen and attendant BY CHANCY J. GATLIN-ANDERSON SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
It was a day fit for royalty on Sept. 11 at Casey Jones Park in Elizabeth as the Elizabeth
Stampede Rodeo held its annual Royalty Competition to crown its 2022 Queen and Attendant. The park was alive with excited energy on competition day as the girls, their parents, the judges and the royalty committee were preparing for the day’s events. Three outside judges were brought in to judge the competition in order to eliminate any bias toward one contestant or another.
This year’s event was the first time in two years that the Elizabeth Stampede has held the Royalty Competition. The 2020 competition was canceled due to COVID-19, leaving Queen Breanna Eddy and Attendant Kayla Bailey serving a two-year reign. “Since we had to cancel last year due to COVID, we are all really looking forward to this year,” SEE STAMPEDE, P4
Elizabeth schools’ COVID policies draw scrutiny Health agency, some parents disagree with stance BY CHANCY J. GATLIN-ANDERSON SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
The Elizabeth School District were at odds with the Elbert County Public Health Department over
whether or not the latest influx of COVID-19 cases is considered an official outbreak. According to the Elbert County Health Department, as of Sept. 15, 48 students within the school district had confirmed cases of COVID-19. “There were three times as many known, confirmed infections among students, faculty, and staff as is needed to identify an outbreak,” said Dwayne Smith, Elbert
INSIDE: CALENDAR: PAGE 11 | VOICES: PAGE 12 | LIFE: PAGE 14
BY OLIVIA PRENTZEL THE COLORADO SUN
PANDEMIC FASHIONS
Sustainability shapes style trends
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