CO Governor COVID announcements 9/1/20
Governor Jared Polis, September 1, 2020:
Governor Jared Polis applauded Colorado citizens for keeping the rate of confirmed cases of COVID-19 down to around two percent.
In mid-August, the governor extended the time bars could serve drinks from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m.
The governor wanted to make clear that the money you contribute to www.HelpCO.org is 100 percent given to entities helping those in need, with no administrative costs deducted.
FREE TESTING SITES:
He announced additional places to get free quick testing for those who are experiencing symptoms. It now takes about 15 – 20 minutes to take the test, and one to two days to get a text response as to the results! He advised that if you have been exposed to the virus, wait seven days, and then get tested; and which case, you do not have to have symptoms.
Citizens can go to free testing centers at: Pueblo Fair Grounds, Citadel Mall (CoSp), Pepsi Center, Aurora Sports Park, and Water World Parking Lot. While you can go to your doctor or hospital, you may have a longer waiting period and might be charged for the test. For more details on testing and symptoms, go to the State web site.
(Update 9/11/20: The Pepsi Center site are reducing the number of lanes by one half, and eventually will be completely replaced by smaller, moving, Community Testing Sites)
SCHOOL WI-FI NEWS:
About half of the schools now have at least some in-person classroom teaching. The state has supplied medical grade masks to each teacher and staff, which are good for a week. This was made possible by ActivArmour converting its facilities to make N-95 masks. All students wear masks.
Gov. Jared Polis, and Education Commissioner Katy Anthes and Attorney General Phil Weiser on 9/1/20 announced two major school initiatives. The first is its partnership with T-Mobile which will offer WiFi hotspots of up to 100 gigabits to students in low-income households. It is estimated that there are more than 65,000 homes that are not connected or do not have WiFi-enabled devices, and 34,000 low-income households will now get access for $10 a month. to connect Colorado’s low-income families with broadband services and help close the digital divide.
The second is that the Colorado Department of Education pledged $2 million to support school districts in helping get their students online. The funds come from federal coronavirus emergency aid designated for state-level activities.
Eligibility is based on the students being previously qualified for free or reduced-price school lunches. One mother spoke at the press conference stating that they had lost their internet connection for a week, and were unable to do the school work.
SMALL BUSINESS AID
The governor and other speakers listed a great many helpful projects going on to bring Colorado back up to where it should be. This includes training in new work fields, artists and self-employed help, and more. Go to the State’s page for more details on all programs. Check out their Jobs and Training pages.
Local small businesses and nonprofits (under 25 employees) can go to EnergizeColorado.com for GAP relief from the economic impact of COVID-19 in the amount of $25 million in loans and grants. As of this week, 8,000 have registered. Not everyone who applies will get the grant. Priority will be given to those who did not get the original PPE grants, and also to businesses owned by women, minorities and veterans.
STOPPING EVICTIONS
Colorado officials anticipate that most evictions in the state will be stopped starting this week, following an order Tuesday from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC announced it is drafting plans to suspend the eviction of tenants earning no more than $99,000 a year from September 4 until December. 31.
VISITING NURSING HOMES
The Governor announced that people can visit their relatives in nursing homes now in counties that have low virus numbers. For more information go to: Nursing Home visitation criteria.
LABOR DAY WEEKEND
Gov. Polis urged people to be careful over the Labor Day weekend and to wear masks where social distancing is not easily obtainable as they go out and mix with groups of people. He recalled how there was a spike the case number following the 4th of July holiday.
EDITOR’s NOTE=== I have contacted the Governor’s office to try and obtain a link to the new program they have started to train unemployed people in new fields of work, and will add it as soon as I find out more. Write lyonsrecorder.editor@gmail.com if you would like this information sent to your email box.
