Chaffee County Expands COVID-19 emergency declaration, towns and cities following suit.
In a video conference meeting on Tuesday morning, March 17 that included representation from Salida, Poncha Springs, Buena Vista elected officials and staff, as well as both the Buena Vista and Salida School Districts and the Chaffee Visitors’ Board, the Chaffee Board of County Commissioners extended the COVID-19 emergency declaration to April 7, and expanded upon the directives. Among the new directives: no gatherings of more than 10 people and a clear message for visitors to the county; go home.
“As of this morning, Colorado has 160 people who have tested positive,” said Chaffee Director of Public Health Andrea Carlstrom, who reinforced that Chaffee is surrounded by counties with the highest rate of infections per 1,000 people in the state. She has already gone on the record that Chaffee County will see COVID-19 cases.
“I want to frame that so we understand how quickly this is spreading. On March 10 we [the state] had eight cases. On Friday March 13 it was 137. Now it is 160 cases – that’s as of yesterday … we [public health entities] issued a letter to the governor about things we can do – this includes staying calm, don’t spread rumors,” said Carlstrom. “I can tell you that Colorado’s medical community is starting to express concerns over the existing medical load. They are asking all people to stay home.”
In emergency situations, county elected official have authority over the entire county, including municipal residents; so the municipal emergency declarations that followed that session closely mirror the county emergency declaration.
Commissioner were clear about their priorities; their first focus is on the health and safety of county residents, then the economic impact on the county. The declaration also authorizes the Chaffee Department of Public Health to lead the response to address the health crisis and the Chaffee Office of Emergency Management to move personnel and resources as needed to confront the COVID-19 response.
“As soon as we are able to get our epidemiology done, we are going to turn our attention to what we can do economically….right now we have families impacted by this. I know that [Chaffee Director of Human Services] Dave Henson is putting together a list of all the resources available to help families – the state is working toward mobilizing programs to help our front line service workers who have been put out of work.”
As of 8 a.m. Tuesday morning, Governor Jared Polis limited group gathering size to no more than 10 people. He also ordered all food establishments, all bars, restaurants, theaters, gyms and casinos closed to service guests onsite until April 30. Those who can do take-out and carry-out service can continue that service. The county declaration mirrors the state’s directive.
The county discussed the grey area that the school districts face regarding child care and the urgent need for child care locations for front line workers. Buena Vista School Superintendent Lisa Yates explained that while school’s first role is education – and most Colorado school districts are closed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic — they also qualify to keep limited child care service for first respond-ers at hospitals and on fire and rescue teams. The county approved that function, and also noted that schools are filling a nutritional role — getting grab and go lunches to needy families.
The county also responded to municipal and school district leaders to establish a clear communications line for them. “Can the county cleanup the chain of command for communication for all of us,” asked Salida School Superintendent David Blackburn. “If I make a decision to extend the closing of school, I shouldn’t have to call everyone on the phone currently.”
The county announced that Mikki Hodge, who has been Event Manager at the Chaffee County Fairgrounds is transitioning to the COVID-19 communications role (since all events at the fairgrounds are cancelled until further notice).
All the county and municipal elected officials expressed concerns for the local economic impact, especially on small businesses and hourly workers. “Our biggest concern is our safety net – we will be working on it this week, trying to figure out if there are any options for the city to help those folks who need help,” said Salida Mayor P.T. Wood. “We’ll be talking as a city tonight, about the city’s steps to keep city employees employed for as long as possible. We’re hoping this is a short thing, not a long thing.”
The county’s business community, heavily dependent upon tourism, is reeling. Visitor Board representative Scott Peterson offered a recap of what other Colorado counties and municipalities are doing to help workers.
“Our business community has been reaching out to city council, expressing a tremendous amount of concern – how to pay employees,” said Salida City Administrator Drew Nelson. “We have a tremendous number of service workers who will be incredibly stretched in the next 30 days. We’re exploring whether through the Small Business Administration or the Chaffee County Economic Development Corp. they can step up. Unemployment is not going to cover what people need to cover their businesses. This is a pretty significant hit to the local economy. It will have far reaching impacts.”
Carlstrom reiterated the state’s stance: “This is the best given the landscape – and it responds to our community needs, gives clear guidelines – to try to stay ahead of it rather than let it get the best of us. We’re taking a collaborative approach. At the end of the day our county needs this guidance – at this point they don’t care who it’s coming from – they want to know where we stand to protect our citizens. The clock is ticking , our community is asking questions and I want to give them answers.”
The county declaration is in place through April 7, when it will be reassessed. In the meantime the county’s message is: stay home … Help this county do its part to ‘flatten the curve’ to stop the spread of COVID-19.
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