The Legislature Is Back And The Partisan Droplets Are Flying

10 Comments

by: Colorado Pols

UPDATE #2: Jesse Paul of the Colorado Sun:

Masks showcased a partisan divide in the Capitol. All Democratic lawmakers wore masks, but many Republicans did not.

State Sen. Vicki Marble, R-Fort Collins, said she didn’t wear a face covering because it inhibits her breathing and she has allergies. She also questioned their efficacy, even though the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend them.

—–

UPDATE:

I asked Rep. Matt Soper of Delta why he, like several of his fellow Colorado Republican lawmakers, is not wearing a mask.

“My district doesn’t really buy the whole mask thing,” he said. He added that his glasses fog up when he wears a mask and that this makes it hard to read.

— Alex Burness (@alex_burness) May 26, 2020

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We’re monitoring from a safe distance as the Colorado General Assembly gets back underway:

Sitting on the House floor. The chamber is subdued. Plexiglass between the seats. All Dems are wearing masks in their seats some Republicans are. #coleg #copolitics #cogov #coronavirus

— Bente Birkeland (@BenteBirkeland) May 26, 2020

Watch this space for updates inside (and outside) the building today.

10 thoughts on “The Legislature Is Back And The Partisan Droplets Are Flying”

JohnInDenver says:

May 26, 2020 at 9:24 am

JBC’s bill brings the dripping corpse of the state budget to the Capitol Building, with distinct possibilities for further meddling that ought to be considered a violation of the state’s Abuse of Corpse Law. It is a class 2 misdemeanor for actions which “treats the body or remains of any person in a way that would outrage normal family sensibilities.”

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kickshot says:

May 26, 2020 at 9:41 am

I'm concerned for Sen Foote.

He not only reaches across the aisle to work w/Rs, he sits with them on their side of the chamber.

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Mr. L. Prosser says:

May 26, 2020 at 9:58 am

Sure glad the guy gave himself a haircut before attending.

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allyncooper says:

May 26, 2020 at 11:34 am

To mask or not to mask? That is the question. Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of pro maskers, or to take arms against those that do. And by opposing, end them?

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Conserv. Head Banger says:

May 26, 2020 at 11:45 am

"my district doesn't really buy the whole mask thing……"

Sounds like Matt Soper can be scratched off the list of effective legislators who lead by example.

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1. Diogenesdemar says:
  
  May 26, 2020 at 1:01 pm
  
  Your District isn’t buying the whole mask thing? . . .
  
  . . . maybe then you need to try our very latest, the all new MAGAmaskⓇ
  
  Proudly show your true American colors for everyone to see. . . Now in Righty Red, patriotic Red-White-and-Blue, and our very latest color, Ttump Tangerine! Or, why not wear all three at once??
  
  From the makers of TtumpyBear, and other fine, patriotic, real American* products.
  
  *Made in Malayasia.
  
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Erik Maulbetsch says:

May 26, 2020 at 11:59 am

It turns out the Delta County Public Health Department, does in fact "buy the whole mask thing." Here's the public order DCHD issued last Friday:

https://www.deltacounty.com/DocumentCenter/View/11802/Delta-County-Health-Dept-Public-Health-Order-DCHD2020-01

"Use cloth face coverings for interactions where physical distancing of 6 ft. is not possible or when entering public places."

"Personnel whose duties include close contact with members of the public shall wear a non-medical cloth face covering over the nose and mouth."

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spaceman65 says:

May 26, 2020 at 1:11 pm

CDPHE report from today:

"SUMMARY OF MAIN FINDINGS

● Beneficial effect of Stay at Home measures still evident with R0 below 1.

● Just beginning to have indication as to effects of Safer at Home; more time needed to estimate with the model.

● Future disease burden depends on degree of distancing maintained in the coming months and the extent to which older people maintain greater distancing.

● Absent use of all strategies, Colorado could face a second peak by late summer."

And the report also said, "High levels of social distancing (60-65%) needed, plus mask wearing and increased case detection & isolation to avoid exceeding hospital capacity."

So, GOP, keep up the "no mask" BS. The virus will thank you

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doremi says:

May 26, 2020 at 8:40 pm

What did I miss?

In Denver, we are required to wear masks when in public buildings (check out the signs at Safeway, King Soopers, etc.),

The capitol is in Denver. How can these Republican Senators and Reps and their staff ignore the Denver requirements?

It’s not only ignorance and self-centeredness, it is ignoring Denver’s public health measures.

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1. JohnInDenver says:
  
  May 26, 2020 at 9:16 pm
  
  I'm pretty certain that state law supercedes county and city laws on state property.
  
  I am certain the legislative chambers get to set their own rules for their members.
  
  The Governor gets to decide what goes on in the Executive offices.
  
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