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FEBRUARY 2021 ISSUE
Published on the first Monday of each month by Bob Yates, Boulder City Council
 
Subscribers this month: 6,143
  VIEWPOINT 

I have COVID
By Bob Yates
 
It started with sniffles and a slight headache, the arrival of a mid-winter cold, no doubt. But, the next day, there were body aches and a slight fever. More like the flu. The fever grew worse over the next few days, rising to 102°, then 103°, and at one point spiking to 104°. My wife, Katy, felt ill too, although not nearly as bad as me. A trip to the temporary testing site at the Stazio ball fields quickly confirmed our suspicions: We both tested positive for COVID.

The next few days were a blur of naps, interrupted by coughing fits. Up to 20 hours a day was spent in bed in mental fog. Food was uninteresting. I lost 13 pounds. Breathing became increasingly difficult. Katy, who is a retired respiratory therapist, keeps an oxygen saturation monitor handy. A good reading is in the mid to upper 90s, a measure of the blood’s actual oxygen level compared to its carrying capacity. I was hovering in the low 90s. I felt, literally, like a fish out of water, gasping for each gulp of oxygen. My oxygen-starved brain was muddled and confused. 
 
Finally, my labored breathing turned to panic. My breathing had devolved into short, rapid pants. I hit 79 on the oxygen monitor. I needed help. Katy rushed me to Boulder Community Hospital, where I was immediately admitted. I was put on oxygen. Glorious oxygen. 
 
Over the next several days, the hospital administered daily doses of Remdesivir, the anti-viral drug that has significantly increased survival among severely-ill COVID patients. In parallel, I was given shots to prevent clots, with pulmonary embolism a real risk among those with COVID. My supplemental oxygen was gradually tapered down from three liters per minute, to two, and then one. The brain fog lifted. I regained my appetite. A few days ago, after five days in the hospital, I was discharged, to begin a long recovery at home. I had survived. I have survived. 
 
Normally, I’m a pretty private person, particularly when it comes to medical matters. I get a bit squeamish over this stuff. There’s a reason I became a lawyer and not a doctor. But, I share my story with you as a cautionary tale, to let you know how much it sucks to have COVID. I realize that we seem to be on the downside of this year-long terror, with vaccines rolling out and the prospect of some return to normalcy by the middle of the year. My warning: Don’t let down your guard. 

You’ll, of course, want to know how I contracted COVID...
 Read more ☞
  OUR COMMUNITY 

They love their jobs
 
This is the last in a seven-part series on how Boulder city departments 
continue to provide services to the community during the coronavirus crisis.
Previous pieces were on
ParksTransportationArtsOpen SpaceHousing & Human Services and the Library
 
Over the last 12 months, we’ve learned to get by with less. When COVID decimated the municipal budget, we had to cut services in every department. Road repairs were deferred, libraries were shuttered, recreation programs were cancelled, trail maintenance was postponed, arts grants were terminated. Hundreds of city employees were furloughed, and dozens permanently laid off. In public safety—police and fire protection—we knew we couldn’t cut corners that would put people at danger. But, even there, cuts of discretionary programs were necessary. Everyone bears their burden. 

Fire Chief Mike Calderazzo explains that COVID drove two types of changes for the Fire Department: Operational and financial. Operationally, the department needed to figure out how to respond to emergency calls while keeping both the public and the firefighters safe. “Normally, responding to a call at a residence, we would send in everyone from the crew at the same time,” Mike explains. “Now, we send in just one person to assess whether more advanced care is necessary. We want to avoid exposing too many people to the potential of COVID.”

The firefighters wear personal protective equipment when responding to any call. And, to ensure that coronavirus is not brought back to the station, the Fire Department procured electrostatic disinfecting equipment to clean the fire apparatus between calls and between shifts.  The precautions seem to have worked. “We haven’t had any cases of COVID arise from any responses to calls,” Mike says. “And, none of the changes slowed the speed of response. Most people probably didn’t notice changes at all.”

Financially, the Fire Department shared in the budget cuts. Implementation of a long-planned Advanced Life Saving (ALS) program was deferred. Public safety courses with the schools were cancelled, because the schools were largely not in session. And the water rescue budget was cut, with reliance shifted to
...
 Read more ☞
Recent Votes & Positions:

Macy’s Redevelopment: At the January 5 meeting, I joined a majority on council in approving the plans to redevelop the Macy’s site at Twenty Ninth Street.  What was I thinking ☞

Camping Ban: At the January 19 meeting, I joined a majority on council in reaffirming our commitment to the enforcement of the city’s public spaces camping ban.  What was I thinking ☞
In the News:

January 6: Boulder leaders approved Macy's redevelopment plans

January 12: Budget cuts, resiliency top Boulder City Council annual update with city boards, commissions

January 20: Boulder will continue with current camping ban enforcement

January 20: Macy's affordable housing donation approved, project moving forward

January 22: Boulder City Council retreat highlights decorum

January 23: Boulder won't look at occupancy limits until after election


January 25: City begins Boulder Direct Democracy Online

January 25: City Attorney Tom Carr retiring this summer

January 26: Boulder rethinking neighborhood parking permits, pricing

January 26: Boulder recruiting for Xcel Energy partnership advisory panel

January 28: Legal representation and rental assistance now available through Boulder's Eviction Prevention and Rental Assistance Service

City of Boulder Community Newsletter

January 2021 issue on the municipal camping ban here
Find other recent past issues here
Next monthly issue March 1

Council Meetings & Study Sessions

Unless otherwise noted, all council meetings and study sessions and other meetings begin at 6:00 at City Council Chambers, second floor, 1777 Broadway. Information current as of first Monday of the month, but subject to change.
Confirm agendas 
here.

NOTE: UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE, THE MUNICIPAL BUILDING WILL BE CLOSED AND COUNCIL MEETINGS WILL BE BROADCAST ON CHANNEL 8 AND STREAMED AT CHANNEL 8 ONLINE.
 
Tuesday, February 2: Council Meeting  
South Boulder Creek flood mitigation

Tuesday, February 9: Study Session
Police master plan; tax measures for 2021 ballot

Tuesday, February 16: Council Meeting 
Racial equity plan; mobile home protections

Tuesday, February 23: Study Session
Library district; Xcel partnership

Tuesday, March 2: Council Meeting
Site review criteria

Contact Bob 
Email: yatesb@bouldercolorado.gov
Voice Message: 720.310.5829
Office: 1777 Broadway, Boulder (email in advance for appointment)
 
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