With some much information being announced daily about the COVID-19 pandemic, here is a review and preview of what is going on in Southern Colorado as it pertains to the virus:
The Review
Gradisar to serve on Gov. Polis' newly created COVID-19 advisory council
Last Monday, Colorado Governor Jared Polis announced that Pueblo Mayor Nick Gradisar will serve on his newly created COVID-19 advisory committee for cooperation and implantation.
The group will work with the governor and Colorado's Public Health department to come up with policies and regulations as the state moves through the 'Safer at Home' phase.
El Paso County sends request to Gov. for approval of in-person graduation ceremonies
El Paso County Commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to forward a variance request to the Governor's Office for approval of in-person graduation ceremonies for individual high schools.
School districts have been working with El Paso County Health to create guidelines for in-person ceremonies.
If the request is approved, the ceremonies would be outdoors and only students and minimal staff would be allowed at events. No parents, guests, or observers would be allowed on site.
County health department moves forward with cease and desist order
The El Paso County Health Department said Thursday it is proceeding forward with a "cease and desist" order against Karen's Kafe And Stephanie's Bar and Grill in Calhan.
The pair of family-owned restaurants took a stand against Gov. Jared Polis's safer-at-home executive order by letting their customers take a seat. The Western Omelette 3, Karen's Kafe And Stephanie's Bar and Grill both invited customers to dine-in on Wednesday. The safer-at-home order, signed April 26, limits restaurants to only offering take out, delivery and drive through service.
Colorado counties that extended stay-at-home orders will move to 'safer at home' on Saturday
The counties of Denver, Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Pitkin and Jefferson have all moved to safer at home Saturday.
The counties extended their stay-at-home orders through May 8 in order to further flatten the curve of COVID-19 in their areas and to take more time to prepare for businesses to reopen in the heavily-populated counties. But much of the rest of the state moved to the safer-at-home phase starting April 27, when retailers were allowed to open to curbside delivery.
Almost 420K Coloradans have filed initial unemployment claims over past 7 weeks
Nearly 420,000 Coloradans have filed initial unemployment claims over the past seven weeks, and the state paid out about $315 million in regular unemployment benefits last month – triple the previous monthly record, which was set at the height of the Great Recession in May 2009.
The Preview
The Rebound is coming: We're all in this together
News 5 is working with you to "Rebound."
This week, News 5's Elizabeth Watts talks with the owners of Relax the Back in Colorado Springs. They take a look at what specialty stores have to navigate during this time and how they're adapting to make things work.
KOAA, Denver 7 to host COVID-19 Rebound Town Hall with Gov. Polis, Dept. of Labor and CDPHE
KOAA is proud to partner with Denver7, our Denver sister station, for a special town hall featuring Governor Jared Polis, the head of the Department of Labor and leaders with the Colorado Department of Public Health.
The panelists will join Denver7’s Anne Trujillo and KOAA’s Elizabeth Watts for the town hall on Wednesday, May 13.
We’ll carry the town hall over the air, on our streaming apps, on our website and social media pages. It will air Wednesday night in place of News 5 at 6 and 6:30.
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For the latest information, be sure to download our News 5 App, check our social media and live streaming platforms.
News 5 is embarking upon a new journey with all of you in The Rebound Colorado. Our will be helping you connect with job opportunities. News 5's team will be here to answer your questions, bringing you expert advice to balance the books, pay the bills, and rebuild savings accounts. E-mail us any time at rebound@koaa.com with your suggestions, feedback, frustrations, ideas, suggestions, and anything else you need.
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