Strange. Extraordinary. Unprecedented.
Many adjectives have been applied to the coronavirus pandemic — a crisis that simultaneously affects the whole world and the smallest details of our daily lives.
To describe how the world has changed almost overnight in Colorado, for Coloradans, we tapped Jon Murray, a veteran reporter, avid skier and native of the state. He captures this moment both as a human being and as a trained journalist.
The Denver Post already has published some 400 stories on COVID-19 in Colorado, and we will publish thousands more. The virus and its aftereffects are going to be with us for a long while, as war was for some previous generations.
But you’ll want to hold onto this story from Jon that so perfectly captures these first days.
— Cindi Andrews, politics editor
In Colorado, coronavirus deals a blow to life as we know it
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Five in-depth looks at Colorado in the age of coronavirus
“How am I supposed to live?” Coronavirus leaves Colorado’s working class anxious and afraid
In the past week, about 1% of Colorado’s labor force has filed for unemployment, Alex Burness reports. Many of those hit hardest by the steep economic decline wrought by efforts to slow the spread of the virus are, like Liam Buschel, in the service industry. Buschel works as a cook at Denver Chophouse at the airport, which is closed right now.
“We’re all really scared of getting sick, but we’re all at a point where we don’t know if we’re going to stop having a job,” he said
RELATED: Colorado unemployment filings skyrocket as coronavirus takes its toll on businesses
Learning in the age of coronavirus: Colorado kitchen tables become school desks
The Wallaces are among the tens of thousands of families in Jeffco Public Schools pioneering an impromptu transition to remote learning triggered by the arrival in Colorado of the global coronavirus pandemic. The second-largest school district in the state was the first to flip the switch to in-home learning after scores of districts closed their doors this month to help stymie the spread of COVID-19, the highly contagious respiratory illness cause by the new virus. Read more from Elizabeth Hernandez.
RELATED: Virtual religion: Denver houses of worship go online after coronavirus closures
Coronavirus’ increased isolation can hit hard for Colorado’s vulnerable older population
The new coronavirus poses unique threats for people over 60 and those with chronic health problems because they are more susceptible and more likely to die at higher rates. But increasing social restrictions may hit older residents the hardest, exacerbating existing unease. Read more from Bruce Finley.
As recession grips economies around the globe, Colorado appears more vulnerable than other states
If public health efforts are successful, most people will evade the coronavirus, Gov. Jared Polis said. But the social distancing required to achieve that carries a huge economic cost, from decimated stock portfolios and delayed retirements to thousands of business failures and thousands of service workers in the state, many already vulnerable, made jobless. Read more from Aldo Svaldi.
RELATED: Businesses find insurance may not cover closures related to coronavirus
Colorado parks and trails fill up as coronavirus leads to cabin fever
Coloradans are flocking to parks and trails to reduce the stress brought on by a global pandemic that shows no signs of slowing, John Aguilar and John Meyer report. The coronavirus has shuttered Rocky Mountain National Park, ski slopes, restaurants, movie theaters and gyms in Colorado in the past week but so far Colorado hasn’t issued a statewide shelter-in-place directive, as other states have.
RELATED: Rocky Mountain National Park closes
A few stories not related to the pandemic
As you might imagine, the vast majority of our resources are spent covering COVID-19, but here are a handful of other important stories that we reported on this week.
+ Gannon Stauch case: Missing boy’s remains found in Florida; 9 new charges filed against Letecia Stauch
+ Drugs, guns and blacked-out tattoos: An informant describes life inside Denver’s Hells Angels chapter
+ Southern Poverty Law Center says number of anti-LGBTQ groups are growing in U.S., with four in Colorado
+ Denver airport pays nearly $184 million to finalize breakup with contractor
+ First-in-Colorado medical marijuana delivery coming to Boulder this spring
+ Columbus Day no longer a state holiday in Colorado
+ Colorado’s college athletes can profit from name, image beginning in 2023
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