Thread by @KyleClark

NEW: @GovofCO Polis begins #COVID19Colorado briefing saying he hopes increased restrictions in 20 counties "will change the trajectory" but notes that will take weeks to appear in trends. Will thread new details and lukewarm takes here. Live feed: 9news.com/article/news/h… #9NEWS

Polis echoes guidance to limit social gatherings, consolidate grocery trips, avoid outdoor dining and do take-out instead.

Polis says the first Coloradans will get the vaccine in December. Most won't receive the vaccine until sometime in 2021. "The end is in sight but it is still a long time from now until then," Polis says.

lol

https://twitter.com/pcjon3s/status/1329887057657774082

"I know a lot of people have to go into work every day," Polis said. "Just take those common sense workplace precautions." From his lips to your bosses' ears.

Lots of familiar warnings without new info from this Polis briefing. As we've said, sometimes he hides the new details deep in the briefing, like the baby in the King Cake. So sit down, grab a slice, chew carefully, don't want to chomp on the child.

That last tweet is going to bring the QAnon people out of the woodwork, isn't it? My bad.

"This is a very concerning trajectory in this state," Polis said. "Avoid interactions with others to the extent you can. Especially indoors." Polis says treat every interaction, no matter how trusted the person, as if they are contagious.

Polis says Colorado had more than 6k COVID-19 cases yesterday. I believe that's a first.

NEW: Gov Polis says ICU capacity is near 90% in many of Colorado's Level Red counties. Weld County has three remaining ICU beds, per Polis. Weld County's GOP commissioners have vowed to ignore new Level Red public health restrictions. #9NEWS #COVID19Colorado

Dr. Michael-Alan Vargas from the Western Slope is participating remotely. He's reading from prepared remarks about what it's like to be a practitioner in rural Colorado where some thought COVID-19 was an urban problem.

Polis has concluded the prepared portion of the briefing. On to remote Q&A. It appears there are technical difficulties. Journalists are putting questions in the chat.

Polis is asked about Weld County's GOP commissioners saying they'll ignore new Level Red restrictions. He offers boilerplate language about local community leaders being "trusted partners." Mentions again Weld County is down to 3 ICU beds and zero non-ICU beds.

.@alex_burness asks why some counties can avoid Level Red while other counties with better metrics get restrictions. "I did see you article. I didn't agree with your article. I wouldn't agree that it's political," Polis says.

Polis says he wants to give counties a chance to implement local protocols to stop the spread. "Before any county is moved, give them a chance," Polis said.

Polis is asked what he's doing to increase outreach to Hispanic community, based on rate of spread. Polis noted paid ads, his outreach in Spanish. Says the focus is on multigenerational households.

"Weld County does not have a mitigation plan and refuses to do so," Polis says. Again, this is the county with three remaining hospital beds and leaders that are refusing to acknowledge Level Red public health restrictions.

https://twitter.com/alex_burness/status/1329895009898913792

Hey now. EF0s and 1s are tornados, too.

https://twitter.com/islivingston/status/1329895453106823169

NEW: Polis asked about 34% of Colorado hospitals which expect a staffing shortage in the next two weeks. "This is a national outbreak," Polis said. "We cannot count on out-of-state nurses and medical staff helping." #COVID19Colorado #9NEWS

"It's simple, folks," Polis concludes. "It's not about red or purple or orange - it's about people, individually, making the right decisions."

That's it folks.

Bottom line:
- Colorado had 6k new cases yesterday
- Weld County down to 3 ICU beds, zero regular beds as county leaders laugh off new restrictions
- Gov not counting on health care help from other states
- Buckle up.