Happy New Year! I managed to avoid writing another COVID update in December, but Colorado just moved from level Red to level Orange on the COVID-19 dial, so let’s talk about that. This is primarily good news, but it comes with a large grain of salt.
The Good News
Governor Polis announced this change on December 30, 2020, citing “a sustained decline for 13 days.” As a result, the 31 counties (of 64) that were level Red were allowed to move to level Orange on January 4, 2021. What does that mean? Here’s a handy table to illustrate the main changes:
| Category | Level Red | Level Orange |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurants | Indoor dining prohibited, last call at 8p | Indoor dining limited to 25% capacity, last call at 10p |
| Gyms | Limited to 10% capacity | Limited to 25% capacity |
| Personal Gatherings | Prohibited | No more than 10 people from no more than 2 households |
| Schools | Remote learning suggested, extracurricular activities prohibited | In-person learning suggested, extracurricular activities prohibited |
| Offices | Limited to 10% capacity, remote work encouraged | Limited to 25% capacity, remote work encouraged |
| Indoor Events and Entertainment | All indoor entertainment prohibited, few exceptions with strict capacity limits | Limited to 25% capacity |
| Outdoor Events and Entertainment | Limited to 25% capacity, attendance only with members of your household | Limited to 25% capacity, no household restriction |
Source: CPR News; Colorado Coronavirus Restrictions Are Loosening Up. Here’s what That Means For You.
The Grain of Salt
It would have been logical to wait a little longer to see the impact of the holiday weekend, but I imagine Governor Polis is under intense pressure from the business community. So, he makes the announcement on December 30 (see red arrow) and the data is in fact trending downward at the time.
Predictably, however, the trend immediately reverses following the announcement. From the date of the announcement to the date it became effective, the 7-day average of COVID-19 cases rose a whopping 26%. WTF Colorado?!
For Simplifya
The ease in restrictions will be very short-lived at the current rate, so Simplifya’s policy remains unchanged. We’ll just wait and see what happens. Stay safe at home because it’s apparently a jungle out there!
Though we’re likely still several months away from widespread vaccinations, there’s encouraging news from the 1A group. The vaccine is currently making its way through doctors, nurses, first responders, etc. I’m hearing from friends (3 in the 1A group) that it caused less soreness than the typical flu shot, did not produce any serious side effects, and is working (so far).
The staff of the school that my wife and I own are in the 1B group, so I’ll be sure to keep you apprised of status. So far, we’re being told “not yet.” So helpful.
To end on a humorous note, my mother-in-law is part of the 1A group so Tia has been encouraging her to get the vaccine. It’s been a process because she has become increasingly forgetful in recent years and being isolated at home has accelerated her decline. Anyway, she finally went to the doctor last week and Tia called her that night, like she does every night to remind her to take her medications. Here’s a brief snippet of the conversation:
Tia: Hi Mom, how’d it go at the doctor’s today?
Mom: Great, I got my flu shot just like you asked.
Tia: You already got your flu shot in October. You mean the COVID-19 vaccine shot?
Mom: No, I mean the flu shot. In-FLU-enza. COVID-19 is influenza, right?
I know, it’s kind of sad, but I laughed anyway. We can’t get mad at her when she really thinks she did the right thing. Needless to say, Tia will be taking some PTO to accompany her on her next doctor’s appointment!
Thanks for the update Rick!
Oh, man. I feel bad for laughing! Thanks, Rick!