NEW: @GovofCO Polis starts a briefing for journalists by urging people not to misinterpret coming increase in COVID-19 deaths as a spike when it’s a reclassification or non-COVID deaths. Will thread new details from briefing here. #9News #COVID19colorado
Polis says the “Safer at Home” phase will last through May and June will have “similarities.”
Polis says 33k face masks from the Colorado Mask Project were delivered to people serving the homeless community.
Polis asks Coloradans getting outside to stay within 10 miles of home. WATCH OUT, COMMERCE CITY! ILL SEE YOU SATURDAY!
Before the outrage muppets pounce, I’m not going to Commerce City this weekend. I’m staying at home and in my neighborhood.
Polis says he talked with VP Pence again. Says state will need to augment federal PPE shipments. Wasn’t critical of federal effort, just said the need is greater.
This is a new format for briefings where it’s just Polis and a web camera. Questions from journalists are coming in via audio, like his press conferences at the mansion. Some hiccups as the Gov waits on Qs without in person reporters to call on. But going pretty smoothly.
GJ Sentinel’s Charles Ashby says state wont be storming businesses who don’t comply with state’s orders, so how will they be enforced? Polis says local buy-in is key (Mayors, Police Depts, Health Depts) because they will be the enforcers.
NEW: @GovofCO Polis warns that he will take action against Weld County, which is allowing all businesses to open in defiance of state orders. “They do not have any kind of unilateral ability to jeopardize the health of residents,” Polis said. #9News #covid19colorado
Polis says Weld County’s plan to allow restaurants to reopen would be a danger. Says counties can’t ignore state guidelines to inspect restauranra, so they can’t allow them to reopen now.
@AnushaRoy9News asks if there’s state guidance for employees who fear returning to work without COVID-19 precautions. Polis says telecommuting must be prioritized for at-risk people. Polis says Coloradans must balance if they can go without income. Imagine that’s a small cohort.
NEW: @GovofCO Polis, in his strongest language yet, says Weld County “cannot” proceed with its plan to allow restaurants to open Monday. #9News #covid19colorado
NEW: @GovofCO Polis says Colorado “absolutely will use every mechanism we have” to prevent Weld County from ignoring public health orders, including withholding funding and stripping business licenses of businesses that open in violation of state orders. #9News #COVID19Colorado
Gov Polis praises municipalities with public mask wearing requirements. But Polis is hesitant about a statewide mask order. Perhaps because it’s clear that if he were to mandate breathing, some Coloradans would choose to asphyxiate in protest of tyranny. #9News #COVID19colorado
That concludes the briefing and this thread. But outrage is welcome to continue in the replies. Be well.
