$1.00
March 26, 2020
FIND INTERVIEWS WITH CANDIDATES FOR THE ELIZABETH BOARD OF TRUSTEES AT ELBERTCOUNTYNEWS.NET
ELBERT COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
Elbert County reacts to COVID-19 County, town, school leaders describe changes; food banks, businesses share plans BY TABATHA STEWART SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
Like most municipalities and counties in Colorado and many across the nation, Elbert County declared a local disaster emergency March 16, after three presumptive cases of COVID-19 were declared in the county. A teenage boy, a woman in her 30s and a man in his 30s were the first to be identified in the county. In an effort to keep residents safe and slow the spread of the virus, Elbert County officials are utilizing state and federal resources. “This declaration allows Elbert County to tap into a broad array of state and federal resources to mitigate, respond and recover from potential effects of COVID-19,” said County Commissioner Chris Richardson in a press release. “Commissioners, elected officials and staff share a single focus — to reduce the opportunities to spread, and to safeguard our citizens and employees while still providing essential services.” SEE COVID-19, P10
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis said it is unlikely students will return to classrooms this spring.
FILE PHOTO
State orders more social distancing Colorado schools will be closed at least through April 17 BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
With Colorado’s number of COVID-19 cases continuing to spread to more counties Gov. Jared Polis announced the state will issue more “social distancing” guidance and that school likely will not resume this spring. “In the short term, the social distancing is likely to get more severe,” Polis said at a March 18 news conference. Social distancing means taking steps to put more space between people and avoid the spread
of COVID-19, the disease caused by a widespread coronavirus. Later that day, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment ordered that all gatherings be limited to 10 people or less, including any kind of events as well as “leisure” gatherings, according to the order. Contrasting with the state’s earlier language about limiting crowds — when it used words such as “recommend” and “guidance” — this action is a legal requirement. It doesn’t apply to normal operations at airports and transit stations, the state Legislature or Colorado courts, or stores and pharmacies — or work environments where people maintain at least 6 feet between each other. Restaurants may continue to offer delivery and take-out food service.
The order is effective for 30 days starting March 19 but could be extended. The governor’s office also announced an executive order that suspends normal classes for all public and private P-12 schools, including public preschools on public school campuses, from March 23 to April 17. The governor’s comments came a couple days after the state ordered a month-long shutdown of dine-in service at restaurants and bars, along with the closure of theaters, gyms and casinos. Without even further measures, the damage to Colorado’s economy and the loss of life caused by the virus could be “far worse” in the long term, Polis said. Bay Area counties in California announced a shelter-in-place order SEE DISTANCING, P10
THE BOTTOM LINE PERIODICAL
“The world seems like a bit of a jigsaw puzzle right now doesn’t it?” Michael Norton, columnist | Page 8 INSIDE
VOICES: PAGE 8
ElbertCountyNews.net
VOLUME 125 | ISSUE 8