Multiple districts cancel elections COVID-19 coverage Nominees elected – A9 Town, county, courts, pets, more – A6, A7, A9, A15, A16, A18 50¢ The Pagosa Springs PAGOSA SPRINGS, ARCHULETA COUNTY, COLORADO 81147 www.PagosaSUN.comSUN VOLUME 112 — NO. 26, THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2020 When COVID-19 basketball testing ends, the sportsmanship criteria continues A lesson in positivity changes By Randi Pierce Staff Writer locally Few could have predicted the end to the Colorado 3A Preparations continue basketball season. After competing in the Great for possible influx of 8 at the University of Den- serious cases ver’s Hamilton Gym, the win- ning teams — including the By Randi Pierce Pagosa Springs High School Staff Writer Lady Pirates — weren’t left to determine how to best compete Medical providers continue to against their next opponent in make changes as the COVID-19, or the Final 4. coronavirus disease 2019, pandemic Instead, they were told the continues to evolve, with emergency remainder of the tournament orders in effect at the local, county, would not be played after the regional, state and national levels. Colorado High School Activities Locally, medical providers con- Association (CHSAA) office was tinue to be cautious testing indi- informed by the University of viduals due to the shortages of test kits, masks and other protective Denver that the school would Photo courtesy Michael Pierce no longer be able to host the equipment. The Pagosa Springs High School Lady Pirate basketball team ended its run for a state title in an unusual way: heading home with the final two As of mid-day Wednesday, Pagosa n See Lesson A8 days of the tournament canceled due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Springs Medical Center (PSMC) CEO n See COVID-19 A8 First responders taking extra precautions due to COVID-19 By Chris Mannara Rockensock explained that the direc- Staff Writer tions to PSPD staff will depend on how severe the situation is. As the COVID-19, or coronavirus “If it’s just one case, it’s probably disease 2019, pandemic affects the the same thing. If we have some- world and country, local law en- thing more than that and it starts to forcement agencies are taking extra spread, then we’re going to have to precautions to keep themselves and look at some different options,” he the public healthy. said. “But as of right now, we’re not Pagosa Springs Police Chief Bill shutting down, we’re not limiting Rockensock explained in an inter- contact as of right now.” view on Monday that the Pagosa All PSPD officers have personal Springs Police Department (PSPD) protective equipment (PPE) and has not changed how it operates, they are all trained on how to use it, “other than officers are being advised Rockensock noted. to use universal precautions and be These PPE items include masks, more smart about what they do as face shields, gloves and shoe protec- far as keeping themselves healthy.” tors, Rockensock described. Those universal precautions “It’s standard-issue equipment. include hand-washing and hand We have it all the time. We just don’t sanitizing, as well as keeping equip- use it all the time,” he said. ment clean. If PSPD had to interact with an “Just, more or less, they’ve been individual who had COVID-19, the SUN photos/Terri House given some more advice about keep- department would make it man- ing their workplace clean, their cars datory to use those PPE items, he Pagosa Springs Medical Center hosts a meeting with regional governmental entities to support community-wide preparation to address COVID-19 on March 12. Attendees clean, keeping their selves healthy explained. contributed to a community preparedness discussion including controls or closures so that they can properly respond,” According to a press release from he said. that would help the community stay well and minimize a spike in cases that could the Centers for Disease Control and exhaust the available hospital care in southwest Colorado. In the event of a case of COVID-19 in the town or Archuleta County, n See Precautions A8 Local schools close, move to Photos courtesy Jeff Laydon Ilona Huck holds up a package of toilet paper to be auctioned off at the Pagosa Springs Girls Choir’s online learning in response annual fundraiser on Friday. Inset: Huck gives her grandfather, Tom Audetat, a hug for making the to COVID-19 pandemic high bid of $350 in support of the choir’s educa- Index Opinion A2 tional programs. the buildings on March 30, Reed By Chris Mannara Letters A3 Staff Writer explained in her email. Obituary A5 “We have communicated to par- Steven Dale Oelschlaeger With Archuleta School District ents and staff to monitor their email Business A6 (ASD) closing school for students towards the end of spring break to County unemployment rises to and staff on March 17 due to the CO- see if those plans are still in place,” 3.6 percent in January VID-19 pandemic, Superintendent Reed wrote. Sports A10 Linda Reed gave an update to The However, due to the fluidity of the Lady Pirates end shortened SUN on March 17 via email on how COVID-19 pandemic, ASD is being season with win at state playoffs the district is handling the situation. vigilant and will follow directions Public Notices A16-A17 ASD announced on March 15 from national, state and or local PREVIEW that the district would be in session governments as they are received, SUDOKU 12 and operating under its regular Reed added. schedule on March 16, according to Word Search 13 In conjunction with San Juan Ba- Crossword 18 ASD’s website. sin Public Health (SJBPH), ASD made Classifieds 24 However, on March 17, the dis- the determination to close school, trict would begin “distance learning” Reed explained. PagosaSUN.com for its students, according to ASD’s “I was in regular communication ExplorePagosa.com website. with the director of San Juan Basin Pagosa.info This closure extends into the Health during last week and over week of March 23, which is the the weekend. Because there were no district’s spring break, the district’s active cases, we were trying to follow website states. the guidelines that were established Currently, ASD is planning on having staff and students report to n See Schools A8 A2 — The Pagosa Springs SUN — Thursday, March 19, 2020 Opinion GUEST EDITORIAL LEGACIES By Shari Pierce A message from Mayor Don Volger 100 years ago Taken from SUN fi les of Yesterday, as the mayor of Pagosa The coronavirus will not be fatal for other. Here is what I am doing. March 19, 1920 Springs, I signed Resolution No. 2020-05, the majority who contract it, but may take I’ll do what I can to fulfi ll my responsi- The Stockmens and Merchants new ©Copyright 2020 “declaring a local disaster emergency due the physical life of many who are most bilities and assume my authority. I will con- bank building was disclosed this week, The Pagosa Springs SUN Publishing, Inc. to imminent danger and impact of the vulnerable. Many of those deaths can be tinue to love and support others regardless presenting a fi ne pressed brick front. coronavirus disease (COVID-19).” prevented by making responsible and of their level of fear and anxiety. I’ll work All of the interior decorating has been (970) 264-2100 Medical professionals and disease prudent decisions. We can all be respon- with others, and listen to those who know completed and the institution is only PagosaSUN.com experts agree that this virus spreads easily sible and prudent about social distancing, much more than me. I will act prudently awaiting the arrival and installation of Physical address: 457 Lewis Street by touch, and progresses rapidly. Some avoiding unnecessary contact, frequently and wisely to the best of my ability, with the new fi xtures before it is moved into Mailing address: PO Box 9 victims don’t even realize they’ve been washing hands, covering our mouths when my God’s guidance and grace. I’ll not ask the new building. W.D. Ewing of the Pagosa Springs, Colorado infected, but some become seriously ill we cough or sneeze, and being respectful others to believe what I believe, but will be Galbreath Tie and Timber Co., who is the and die. This disease can affect so many, to others who choose not to have physical there for them as often as possible. I will designer and contractor, is busy receiv- “HOME OF THE WORLD’S DEEPEST so quickly, that our medical resources contact during this challenging time. I’m pray the “Serenity Prayer”: ing compliments for his artistic work. HOT MINERAL SPRINGS” could be consumed in a brief span of time, a hugger and that’s hard for me, but I will “God, grant me the SERENITY to accept Harry Tackett was an arrival Tuesday resulting in less care for those with other avoid offending others by subjecting them the things I cannot change, the COURAGE from Montezuma county, where he and problems. When “triage” decisions become to unwanted contact. I will support them. to change those things I can, and the WIS- his father have each taken up home- 2020 necessary, the consequences can be deadly. I can love and encourage others, without DOM to know the difference.” steads, to which they will shortly move. We may be able to prevent the draining physical touch, by being understanding I hope you will follow my lead. J.O. Sullivan of Dyke was a pleasant of resources, and “fl atten the (epidemio- and helping as needs arise.