John Scarffe, Peak to Peak. Due to the threat of the COVID-19 illness, Nederland Area Seniors will be congregating meals and canceled the annual Pancake Breakfast in association with the Frozen Dead Guy Days festival on March 14 and 15. In addition, the Nederland Board of Trustees scheduled an emergency meeting on March 10, 2020, to discuss Governor Polis’s state of emergency and the upcoming Frozen Dead Guy Days festival on March 14-15 and will reconvene on Wednesday, March 11, to take action.

Boulder County Public Health released early data suggesting older people are twice as likely to have serious COVID-19 illness, according to an NAS news release.

“NAS is saddened to announce we will be cancelling our annual pancake fundraiser during FDGD weekend, due to the undeniable risk congregate meals bring to our older adult community members, and in support of the CDC who suggest older adults should ‘stay at home as much as possible’ amid the coronavirus outbreak,” according to the release.

NAS also will be canceling its weekly congregate lunches beginning this week, March 9, 2020, and until further notice. NAS is prepared to deliver meals to any isolated older adult, aged 60 and over and living in the mountain region between Jamestown and Central City.

Contact MountainPeakLife.Nicole@gmail.com, if you know someone who needs food.

Meanwhile, Frozen Dead Guy Days has been authorized to move forward with the event on March 13 to 15. Frozen Dead Guy Days event organizers and Town of Nederland administrators received a letter from Jeff Zayach, executive director, on March 6, 2020, regarding hosting large events in the context of the threat of COVID-19. 

“In consultation with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), it has been determined that a change in context is not strongly anticipated to occur in Colorado prior to the scheduled event; however, event organizers should have contingency plans in place, should the current context change prior to or during the event,” according to the letter.

At this time, four cases of COVID-19 illness have been identified in Colorado, and widespread community transmission has been identified in four countries. In the United States, 164 cases have been identified in 19 states, according to the letter.

“The potential public health threat posed by COVID-19 is high, both globally and to the United States. Individual risk is dependent on exposure,” according to the letter.

Public Health recommendations for the Frozen Dead Guy Days Event include the following. Event organizers should ensure that handwashing stations and hand sanitizers are available to meet event participant demand. Event organizers should monitor staff and not allow any staff with respiratory illness to work during the event.

Event organizers should ensure that COVID-19 prevention messaging is made available in event messaging platforms. Posters and other resources are available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

Event organizers should inform the following groups that they should not attend the event: people who traveled to one of the areas identified with widespread sustained transmission within the past 14 days; people who have symptoms of respiratory illness; people at high risk of complications from COVID-19 illness due to age or a severe underlying medical condition; older adults and persons who have severe chronic medical conditions. 

“If, however, in the coming days prior to or during the event, it’s determined that there is community transmission of COVID-19 that is not linked to known cases or to travel, Public Health would recommend cancelling all event activities. The latter scenario is possible but not highly likely at this time.” 

If you have questions or need additional information, please contact BCPH Communicable Disease Control Program Coordinator Carol Helwig at chelwig@bouldercounty.org or 303-591-7931.

At the Tuesday, March 10, emergency Trustees meeting, Helwig addressed the Board and public at the Community Center Theatre at 5:30 p.m. with the full Board in attendance. Mayor Kristopher Larsen said that no decisions will be made tonight. He has been on the phone with Congressman Joe Neguse and the Gorvernor. It is very complicated moving forward.

Carol Helwig said she is a Nederland resident and her children go to the Nederland Elementary School. She shared information about what’s going on and the decision not to cancel FDGD. The Governor is now requiring cases with the potential virus be released within 15 minutes. 

The state has 15 cases, all are travel related, Helwig said. Boulder County hast tested a few and none positive. They have cases related to travel, and then clusters from a related case. Public Health works hard to control clusters, but Colorado is not at that stage, Boulder County Public Health recommended that the event not be canceled and shared a lot of information about controlling it. They recommend that people who are older not attend.

Trustee Dallas Masters asked about the amount of testing that has been done, and is it accurate. Helwig said the State Health Department has the capability to test 160 people per day, and private labs also are testing. 

Tomorrow, Wednesday, March 11, 2020, a drive through testing lab will open in Lakewood. Masters said that relying on any data seems to be tenuous. “We know this is moving very quickly and community spread could be wider than we know.” 

Helwig said that we know in Colorado we haven’t had any deaths. Mayor Larsen asked for thoughts from the Board and suggested an additional meeting tomorrow night, Wednesday, March 11, when they would take action. 

Trustee Alan Apt said he had received an overwhelming number of emails. With 20,000 people to town, what are the odds of bringing in the virus? 

Masters said it is a difficult decision given the lack of data and difficult position to be put into with the state only starting testing last week. “I’m leaning toward canceling this event and think it’s prudent to eliminate the spread of this disease.”

Trustee Karen Blakemore said the priority is the health and safety of the community, and everyone will be exposed to it. “If we can control the spread of the disease, it won’t have such a great impact on our community.”

Trustee Jonathon Baumhover said he is not inclined to cancel the event, but he would like to get statements from every business in town and would like the community to make this decision by tomorrow night. Trustee Kristen Conrad said she has spent a number of hours reading material, and everything she read came down to it’s not time to panic or cancel events in Colorado, “We cannot take the chance by canceling event,” she said.

Trustee Julie Gustafson said she likes the idea of requesting feedback from the business community and to rely on the expertise of people who have it. Boulder County Health Department has done its diligence, and the work that has been done is accurate and what we should make our decision on.

Larsen said the Board was pretty evenly split. One of main goals is looking after the health and safety of the community including its economic health. He agreed the Board should get more information. 

“I’m leaning toward the idea of cancelation but this board is not in a position to make a clear decision tonight,” Larsen said. The Board agreed to meet Wednesday, March 11, 2020, at the Nederland Library after gathering more information from businesses. 

In the meantime, emergency agencies, towns and counties continue to make preparations for an outbreak. Nederland Fire Chief Rick Dirr told the Nederland Fire Department Board of Directors on March 4 that he has been in conference calls from people with the state regarding the Covid19 outbreak. He has ordered gowns, masks, swabbing and ambulance decon procedure. He has an upcoming conference call in case responders get ill. 

“If we have a potential exposure, I’m working with when we get contacted whether positive or negative.” They could have to isolate someone of suspected being infected for three days. Dirr said he is actively working with the state and sent out state guidelines to Fired Department membership.

According to a news release, the Town of Nederland is working closely with the Office of Emergency Management and Boulder County Health to monitor and track the potential spread of the Coronavirus in the state, county and mountain area. Boulder Public Health is aware of the Frozen Dead Guy Days and is communicating with the town daily regarding their recommendations and guidance for the festival. The Town will provide an update on this as information is received. For more information, call 303-389-1687 or email BoCO.org/COVID-19.

In Gilpin County, Public Health, in collaboration with Jefferson County Public Health and CDPHE, is closely monitoring the coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak that was first reported from Wuhan, China. CO-HELP is Colorado’s call line for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). 

The Sheriff’s Office is working very close with Gilpin County Department of Health on a daily bases, according to Sheriff Kevin Armstrong. “Our response to calls for service will not change other than deputies may put on personal protection equipment (gloves and mask) if there is any indication Coronavirus (COVID-19) may be present.  

The Sheriff’s Office staff members are actively making plans for possible infections within the Sheriff’s Office and in the jail.  Bonnie Albrecht with Gilpin County Department of Health and Nate Whitington, emergency manager, are constantly monitoring and communicating with CDC and other jurisdictions to get the most up to date information.

For all Coloradans, take everyday actions to protect yourself and those you love. Frequently and thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol.

Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash, or use your inner elbow or sleeve. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands. 

Stay home if you’re sick, and keep your children home if they are sick. Clean surfaces in your home, and personal items such as cell phones, using regular household products. Be calm and prepared.

​ Employers should take steps to make it possible for employees to minimize close contact with large numbers of people when necessary. Make sure flex place options are available. Urge employees to stay home when they are sick, and be flexible with sick leave benefits. Model and encourage everyday actions to limit the spread of illness.

If you are considering postponing or canceling events and gatherings, coordinate with your local public health agency and other community decision-makers to align with community preparedness and mitigation practices.

Emergency agencies, town and county governments are preparing for the potential threat of the Corona Virus. People who have general questions about COVID-19 can call CO HELP at 303-389-1687 or 1-877-462-2911, for answers in many languages, or email them at COHELP@RMPDC.org for answers in English. 

Other helpful websites: FEMA: Guidance for COVID-19 preparednesshttps://www.ready.gov/ CDC: Getting your household ready for COVID-19https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/home/get-your-household-ready-for-COVID-19.html.