NEWS | COMMUNITY | SPORTS | CULTURE | OPINION Crested Butte News the News never sleeps | www.crestedbuttenews.com VOL.60 | NO.13 | MARCH 27, 2020 | 50¢ County reports one death related to COVID-19 “We will get through this…” [ BY MARK REAMAN ] While numbers of coronavirus cases con- tinue to rise in Gunnison County, the county is reporting that there is at least one early in- dication that public health orders are having a positive impact. On the Tuesday morning update, the county reported, “We are beginning to see symptom start-date taper off. This coincides with the strict Public Health Orders. We ap- plaud you as a community for self-isolating and slowing the spread of this virus.” Initial numbers indicate most people WHO IS BEHIND THE MASK? Local medical professionals and volunteers stepped up to help run the North Valley COVID-19 self-reporting symptoms say their symptoms screening site at the Crested Butte Community School on Tuesday, March 24 where they dealt with 48 vehicles. Pictured are Nicole were first noticed in mid-March. As March Stone, Nicole Savarese and Amy Anderson who gathered initial information from people who came to the drive through. The Crested has gone on, fewer people noticed new symp- Butte screening site is scheduled for Tuesdays and Thursday from 10 a.m. to noon. photo by Mark Reaman toms after about March 20. “While we are on the right trajectory, we must continue to ad- here to the Public Health Orders,” the report Governments stated. Local EMTs and firefighters at Gunnison County Public Health Director Joni Reynolds emphasized that the numbers ponder the the front of the outbreak only are positive if the community continues to be serious about stopping the spread of the Protocols being followed and been a smooth operation with people virus. “We have to remain vigilant. Our com- deferring of it’s working respecting the rules and taking the nec- munity remains at risk as we are continuing essary precautions. He said during any to see critically ill patients at our hospital and [ BY MARK REAMAN ] two-hour screening session, the medical across our State and Nation,” she said. “The tax payments team expected to see between 40 and 50 virus is silent and easily transmitted. Col- Expecting tax revenue losses More than a dozen medical volun- vehicles. lectively our valley can keep this virus from for the year teers, all wearing masks and some in “The team is doing great,” Weis- spreading across our communities.” complete personal protective equipment, baum said Tuesday afternoon. “Everyone The Gunnison County Department of [ BY MARK REAMAN, KENDRA WALKER, were spread out over the high school is really stepping up in our time of need Health and Human Services on Monday KATHERINE NETTLES ] parking lot of the Crested Butte Commu- and ensuring that the schedule is covered confirmed that a Crested Butte man died in nity School Tuesday morning. Crested to handle multiple calls. The team is resil- connection to the coronavirus two weeks ago. In an effort to assist local businesses Butte marshals monitored vehicles as ient and is maintaining a great attitude.” Members of his family confirmed over social hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic, the they lined up for the drive-through coro- The CBFPD is doing its best to staff media that the male in his 50s was longtime county and local municipalities are consid- navirus screening station for the north eight people every day with volunteers, local Mike Larson. ering ways to defer certain tax payments. end of the valley, making sure people part-time staff and overtime from the Gunnison County coroner Michael The town of Crested Butte will be al- had used the call center before showing full-time staff. Weisbaum said that the Barnes said the official cause of death was lowing local businesses to defer their sales up to be screened. district has been successful in meeting “complications of COVID-19.” tax payments due in a couple of days. Town Several work stations had been set that goal. Larson was tested for COVID-19 post- manager Dara MacDonald said she and fi- up to gather information, evaluate the se- He said so far, no one on the team mortem. The test result came back positive nance director Rob Zillioux are informing riousness of a potential patient, adminis- has been tested positive for COVID-19. nine days later on Monday, March 23. businesses that February sales tax due in ter potential tests and educate those who “We did have six members go into a “We offer our deepest condolences to the March can be put off until April. The hope drove by between 10 a.m. and noon. A precautionary self-isolation and work re- family, friends and entire community,” said is to give at least a small cash flow boost to big blue tent was the hub of activity and striction because of contact with a couple Reynolds. “Gunnison County has recruited businesses that aren’t even allowed to be some testing was being conducted out of of known cases. They all have since been a talented and tireless team to help inform open. a Crested Butte Fire Protection District cleared to return to work and no one ever and treat the public during this global pan- “It buys some time and hopefully gives (CBFPD) vehicle. showed any symptoms.” demic, and we’re working nonstop to prevent some relief to small businesses struck by this The CBFPD is on the front lines of The CBFPD isn’t yet getting a heavy another death in our community related to coronavirus outbreak that has shut many this coronavirus outbreak and the local volume of calls related to the corona- COVID-19. businesses down,” MacDonald explained firefighters and emergency medical tech- virus. “We are averaging maybe three “We recognize these are trying times,” to the Town Council during the Monday, nicians (EMTs) are ready for when things a day that are showing signs consistent Reynolds continued in a press release. “How- March 16 meeting. pick up, which they expect will happen. with COVID-19 or influenza,” Weisbaum ever, in a region known somewhat for its MacDonald said she also sent an email CBFPD EMS and fire chief Rob Weis- said. collective grit, I am confident—with the full to Amazon asking them to not prioritize baum said the Tuesday screening had CONTINUED ON PAGE 16 cooperation of the Gunnison Valley commu- their deliveries to the Crested Butte post of- nity—that we will one day get through this fice and instead use carriers like UPS and Fe- crisis.” dEx that deliver directly to people’s homes. As of Wednesday, Gunnison County was She said a response was received that the reporting 52 official positive cases, 57 negative mega-corporation will try to do that. Staff [ Overheard ] cases with 68 tests still pending. Nearly 500 is also starting to relook at the 2020 budget. people in the county have self-reported be- Some trimming is inevitable. Does this mask make my butt look big? ing symptomatic of COVID-19. Eight people The council will hold a special meeting were hospitalized in Gunnison Wednesday on March 30 to consider other relief options. -Somewhere in CB... again, from 6’ away of course morning and seven had respiratory symp- Its next regular meeting is scheduled for toms. Three patients were moved Wednesday April 6. afternoon to hospitals with ICU capability. CONTINUED ON PAGE 12 2 | March 27, 2020 EDITORIAL Crested Butte News WORLD NEWS WORLD Summer Olympics to be postponed to 2021 The International Olympic Committee and Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe agreed this week to postpone the Olympics until 2021. The IOC has been facing mounting pressure to delay the Games, which were originally scheduled to take place from July 24 to August 9, amid the novel coronavirus outbreak.—information compiled from CNN NATION Free Yale happiness course now available As you’re spending more time at home and working to stay sane during the coronavirus pandemic, you might be able to find solace in Yale Uni- versity’s mega-popular “happiness” course, which is available for free on- line through Coursera. “We’re in a particularly challenging time not just for this health crisis, this physical health crisis, but also a potential mental health crisis as well,” said course creator Laurie Santos, a Yale psychol- ogy professor. Anyone can audit the course, “The Science of Well Being,” for free, and $49 lets you complete assignments, submit them for a grade and earn a certificate of completion. —information compiled from CNN photo by Robby Lloyd Movie releases delayed until late summer Life—it’s not the same Warner Bros. is postponing the release of “Wonder Woman 1984,” the sequel to the 2017 “Wonder Woman,” to August 14 from June 5. The In case you didn’t realize, may be left by the door and your carrier and you could spread this studio is also delaying “In the Heights,” scheduled to open in theaters things are a little different at the to-go dinner found on the curb. insidious virus. Do not let your on June 26, until further notice. These latest postponements are signs moment. And we’re at the tip of People walk eight feet apart. The guard down. The mental stress that many industries and cultural events could remain halted until at the spear. By the time the feds get trailheads are crowded but the will soon start to show, as worry least early summer in response to the spread of COVID-19. Marvel’s organized we may be on the other people respectful.