Coronavirus Update
Public Health References
CDC * Colorado * Jefferson County * City of Golden
Jefferson County’s case count page says that as of 3PM yesterday, there have been 2,734 cases in Jefferson County (up from 2,694). There have been 178 deaths (up from 173) and 375 have been hospitalized (up from 373). There are 232 known cases in Golden (up from 222).
The Safer at Home protocol is now in effect. Check the City’s site to learn more about what that entails. Everyone is still requested to wear a mask that covers the nose and mouth when leaving the house. City and County fire restrictions are in place.
City News
As of today, the Creek is open to kayaks and canoes. It’s still closed to tubers, waders, and swimmers. The playgrounds and skate park are also open as of today. Learn more about which City facilities are open or closed.
The downtown streets will be closed to traffic this weekend from 6PM tonight till Sunday evening, to allow the restaurants to spread their dining areas into the street. This is a social distancing step.
The City has ordered 5,000 masks so our businesses, the City, and the Visitors Center can hand them out to visitors. They may arrive as early as today.
City Council had a spirited discussion last night on balancing safety, whether to require masks, how to best support our businesses, how to minimize inconvenience to residents and whether we should try to enforce our public health guidelines. There were a lot of thoughtful comments of all sides of all issues.
On the topic of masks, some feel strongly that we should require them. Will that support our businesses or hurt them? Would it alienate their customers? Would it help the business owners by allowing them to blame the City for the mask rule?
Is it enough to put up signs explaining how mask-wearing supports Golden’s community values, or do we need to provide mechanisms to actively enforce it as a requirement–not just a guideline?
Can we influence behavior by trying to make it fun–handing out gift cards to people wearing masks or have a design contest for banners? Can we influence behavior by having pro-mask citizens walk around with rangers to help educate the public? Should we post a lot more signs?
Some visitors are militantly opposed to wearing masks and are harassing business owners who ask them to wear them. Should the businesses call the cops, or just let it go?
If we let people walk around without masks, will that scare away people who feel that a downtown without masks is an unsafe place?
Should we make masks in the grocery stores mandatory, because people must have groceries, but not require masks in “optional” businesses?
Should we tell older/higher risk people to just stay home and minimize their risk? Should we encourage them to go outside but avoid people?
In Other Council News:
There were references to a planned protest or vigil in Parfet Park this weekend. There was discussion about whether we could expand the 50 person limit on assemblies to accommodate the event. The conclusion was that the City won’t disrupt any such event–first amendment rights trump public health guidelines. They’ll just encourage the crowd to try to maintain social distance. If I learn more, I’ll write about it tomorrow.
Virtual Golden
6:30-7:25AM Virtual HIIT
9-10AM Virtual Power Training
Real Life Golden
1-2PM Highlights Tour at the Railroad Museum
6PM Washington Avenue will close to traffic and open for dining
7PM Live Music: Jack Hadley at Buffalo Rose
THE MOON IS FULL TONIGHT. It will set at 5:27 this morning and rise at 8:37 this evening.
Preview of Saturday Events
8AM-1PM The Golden Farmers Market opens tomorrow. Check their website to learn more about safety protocols.
9AM-3PM Coronavirus Antibody Testing at Calvary Church by appointment
9:30AM Virtual Coffee with Real Councilors Trout and Brown
Join the Zoom Meeting online. Or you can join by phone only by calling 346-248-7799. Meeting ID: 879 6655 6005 Password: 742373
10AM, 1:30PM, and 5PM Golden History Tours
There’s a max of 6 people per tour, and they are donating $5 from every reservation to BGoldN. Learn more!
Golden History Moment
Thursday morning, Golden citizens awoke to find that the Billy Drew bridge had been turned into a temporary installation recognizing George Floyd’s death. The bridge was lined with names of black people killed by police officers. Each was tagged with #BLACKLIVESMATTER. We are living through momentous historical events.
