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Photo by Dr. Madiha Yazdani“It’s not like the flu. It’s“I feel that in apandemic weshould all try towork togetherto minimizeunnecessary lossof life. I wishthat we could allband together,get throughit together,and recovertogether,” saysDr. Tim Tran,in response torecent protests.Tran, picturedin his personalprotective equipment (PPE), is ananesthesiologistwho specializesin cardiothoracic critical care atUCH.Rocky Mountain Arsenal Five-Year ReviewBy Martina Will, PhDhe 1980s anthem “Don’t StopBelievin’” has taken on new meaning for Kimberly Schmitten, an RNat St. Joseph Hospital in Denver. “It is thegreatest feeling,” she says, when she hearsJourney’s familiar tune over the hospitalintercom at the end of a day. The songsignals that there’s been a success in thehospital’s efforts to help a patient overcomeCOVID-19. “Success” may mean that apatient has been extubated and can leavethe ICU to step-down care.“People hear that it’s a virus and thinkthat we’re being overly cautious, but it’s notlike the flu.It really goes for your lungs .and it’s way more deadly,” says Schmitten, aStapleton resident who has been working inthe ICU as needed since the pandemic began. She volunteered to care for COVID-19patients as an ICU Extender, a supportposition for ICU nurses.She had misgivings and fears beforetaking on this new role, but her calling as anurse ultimately took precedence. “It’s like, ifTyou have a lifeboat and everybody is drowning why would you not help. I am able tohelp people when they really need me now.”Though she feared getting the virus herself or possibly passing it on to her family,“Once I got over that initial fear, my drive tohelp this community kind of took over.”She loves the new mural of a nurse inboxing gloves on E. Colfax, and says nursesthink the image is “awesome” and “motivating.” One co-worker, however, says she“doesn’t want to be hero-worshipped, andwishes people would focus their energy onfixing the problems that the government hadin response to the virus.”Schmitten follows a thorough decontamination routine after work, leaving herscrubs at the hospital, wiping down her car,and showering “before I even breathe in thegeneral direction of my husband and mykids.” Schmitten says the speed with whichthe disease progresses is frightening. Peoplemay walk into the Emergency Departmentshort of breath and need to be intubated afew hours later. Intubation in turn requiresSTAY SAFEThe U.S. Army is starting its Five-Year Review (FYR) process for theRocky Mountain Arsenal (RMA) environmental cleanup. This processincludes a statutory, policy, and technical review of RMA’s 1995 Off-Postand 1996 On-Post Records of Decision (ROD). The RODs provide detaileddescriptions of the cleanup approach implemented for the site.STAPLETONThe purpose of the FYR is to determine whether RMA’s cleanup approachcontinues to be protective of public health and the environment. A criticalpart of the FYR is to update any changes to standards and determine if theremedy outlined in the RODs and subsequent ROD change documentsremains protective in light of these new standards.We’re Reopening Soon!Visit our website for updates.This is the fifth FYR document to be prepared for RMA. FYRs at RMAwill be required for the foreseeable future, since the cleanup approachincluded on-site landfills and consolidation areas that hold contaminatedwaste from RMA’s cleanup. The Army manages and monitors these areas,which total approximately 1,000 acres.In keeping with its commitment to public involvement, the Army is seekingpublic input during this process. Community members are encouraged tosubmit, in writing, any concerns or issues they would like to see addressedduring the FYR. Once the FYR is complete, a draft document summarizingthe findings will be made available for public review.All public comments received during this process will be reviewed andconsidered in the final report.ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR INFANTS / TODDLERS / ECE PRESCHOOLPlease submit comments and questions to: Patty LeeRocky Mountain Arsenal6550 Gateway Road, Commerce City, CO 80022Phone: 303-289-0300 E-mail: Patty.l.lee6.civ@mail.milFor more information about the Five-Year Review,visit online at ) 377-8855facebook: @creativelearningdenver BASEMENT FINISHKITCHENS BATHSWHOLE HOUSE REMODELS303.355.5666 DIANEGORDONDESIGN.COMMay 2020 6 Front Porch – NE Denver

Photo by Jessica Patel, RNfar more deadly.”sedation to synchronize respiration with the ventilator, and patients are kept in isolation.Both Schmitten and Dr. Tim Tran, who is ananesthesiologist specializing in cardiothoracic criticalcare at UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital(UCH), say that it takes several nurses as well as arespiratory specialist to turn a patient, which has tobe done every two hours. To minimize exposure, themedical team must be extremely efficient in all of itsinteractions. For the 2-3 weeks someone is on a ventilator, contact is minimal, a reality that is exceptionally hard on family waiting at home for news, as wellas for healthcare workers.Schmitten reflects on one of her patients, whosewife called her frequently for updates on his condition. She learned about his life and family throughtheir conversations, and when she went into hisroom, “even though he was intubated and sedated, Iwould talk to him about his wife and kids,” she says.Photo by Micheal AndersonWhen she’s not caring for COVID-19 patients, KimberlySchmitten cares for her 7-month old twins with her husband,Chris. He is active military but now provides “daddy daycare” so she can serve on the frontlines.She hoped that hearing his name and a kind voicetalking to him about his wife and children wouldsomehow reach the sedated man. He has since beenextubated and Schmitten hopes he gets to returnhome soon.While patients and their families long for a returnhome, a small vocal minority is getting impatient staying at home. April’s protests over thestay-at-home orders in Denver and elsewheredisturb and sadden these healthcare professionals. “It’s personal. I am putting my life and myfamily on the line to protect the community,and for them to completely disregard it, gathering in large groups, not wearing masks, it’s aslap in the face,” says Schmitten.“I am empathetic to people who want to beindependent and return to ‘normal,’ says Tran,who lives in Stapleton. He cautions, though,that “this is a very serious disease still, and Ithink that the unnecessary risk right now ofcarrying the virus and passing it to other peopleis still very high. We don’t have great labs yet toconsistently test fast and test everybody so I’mkind of saddened by that [the protests].”Intermittent news stories about differentmedications and treatments offer flashes ofhope, but Tran says at this point “There’s nosilver bullet. As of now there’s nothing that’s aguaranteed cure or treatment for any of this.”In early April, UCH became the first Coloradohospital to treat a COVID-19 patient with convalescent plasma. To date, 17 patients at UCHhave received transfusions of convalescentplasma, but data on outcomes is insufficient atthis point and more plasma donors are needed,according to Jessica Berry, Senior Media Relations Specialist with UCH.Tran sees room for optimism as the curves inNew York and Washington states slowly flatten.“We can overcome the pandemic with appropriate measures,” he says. Unlike the Journeysong, however, beating this disease is not merelya matter of “believin’.” Re-opening businesses and beginning a return to “normal” willrequire more testing capability than currentlyavailable in Colorado. “You would need 1) theability to test for the virus itself rapidly andwidely and 2) the ability to test for the antibodylevels as well, to see if you actually developedsome kind of immunity,’ says Tran.COMING SOONJUST LISTED8720 E. 24th Ave. Contact us for details5 Bed 5 Bath 2,921 SF 1,166 BSMT4061 E. 19th Ave. 1,975,0004 Bed 3 Bath 4,519 SF 830 BSMTJUST LISTEDACTIVE355 Adams Street 2,100,0004 Bed Loft 5 Bath 3,814 SF 1,941 BSMT3131 E. Alameda Ave. Unit 905 510,0002 Bed 2 Bath 1,658 SF 1,166 BSMTSchmitten, who works at St. JosephHospital, bristles at comparisons tothe flu: “It’s not like the flu. It’s muchmore contagious, and if it hits youhard, it’s far more deadly.”Colorado Hospitalizations and Deaths Due to COVID-19These statistics as of April 23 show the percent of Colorado COVID-19patients who were hospitalized or died in each age range. While the riskof death remained relatively low before age 50, then jumped dramatically,the rate of hospitalization increased steadily from the 20s to age 70.Statistics from Colo. Dept. of Public Health and EnvironmentHome Is WhereThe Heart Is.SOLD2678 Geneva Court*Buyer RepresentativeDuring these challenging times, we are here tohelp! If you’re getting ready to sell or buy, we havenew Virtual Services and tools to assist you. Or ifyou’re just starting to think about a move, contactus to get a market snapshot or to discuss yourneeds. Stay safe and stay healthy! #coloradostrongJudy Wolfe303.549.6406Jay Epperson303.886.6606wolfe-epperson.comCompass is a licensed real estate broker and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemedreliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdrawal without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footages are approximate. This is not intended to solicit property already listed. Nothing herein shall be construed as legal, accounting or other professional advice outside the realm of real estate brokerage.Front Porch – NE Denver 7May 2020

THE NEIR TEAMis herefor you.As you navigate this unprecedentedtime, you may need real estate advice.Call us today for a free consultation.Tour these homes from the comfort of your couch.9371 E. 59th N. Place 850,0009604 E. 60th Place HomeForSale.comWE HAVE THE LATEST TECHNOLOGYAll of our homes feature: 3D Matterport technology Cinematic Home Video Tour Drone Footage Schematic Floorplans Zoom or Facetime walk-thru5066 Valentia Street 699,000StapletonParkwoodHome.comW E S U P P O R T L O C ALS T AP L E T O N B U S IN E S S E S !For every Stapleton home we sell for therest of 2020 we will donate 500 to theStapleton small business of your choice!We are still open for business!SOLD 1,186,000SOLD 1,060,000UNDERCONTRACT*SOLD* 895,000*SOLD* 710,000*SOLD* 644,432*SOLD* 624,000SOLD 555,000OUR SOLDS IN 2020THE NEIR TEAMLaura Fuller Alex Neir Stacy am.comAll information deemed reliable but not guaranteed and should be independently verified. All properties are subject to prior sale, change or withdrawal.Neither listing broker(s) nor Kentwood City Properties shall be responsible for any typographical errors or misinformation,Properties with the *asterisk* symbol were buyer represented.A View From Someone Who Used to Clean Your Home:“Being Undocumented, You Don’t Have a Voice”By Martina Will, PhDfelt a little outraged,”says “Linda” whendescribing how clientsbegan canceling her housecleaning services, before either the local or state stay-at-home orderswere announced.* In her fiveyears cleaning homes for familiesin Stapleton and beyond, Lindahad built up a strong client listof ten households. Though shewas healthy and prepared tocontinue cleaning and disinfecting kitchens and homes as partof her regular workday, at a timewhen many people were stillsocializing in parks, about halfof Linda’s clients had canceled.Linda appreciates people’sconcerns and precaution, butsays that in many cases all shereceived was a text saying “youcan’t come until further notice.”No phone call. No “thank youfor your service.” No reassurance that they would return toher client list at a future date.Given her longstanding relationship with many of the families,she felt disappointed.“If we come and clean your house,we’re part of your household, because it’ssomething very private; you’re openingthe doors to your house and inviting us in,and you can’t just set us aside as though wedon’t matter,” she says. “We make your bed,pick up your clothes off the floor, clean yourbathrooms .we know your pets,” she says,emotion in her voice.Linda enjoys her work, and takes pridein it. Each month, she sends money backto family members in Chihuahua, Mexico,who rely on these remittances. “As a Latino,the tradition is to help one’s parents; I grewup with this mentality,” she says. Chihuahua, a northern border state famous forPancho Villa, the Copper Canyon, cattleranching, and cowboy boots, is also one ofthe epicenters of cartel activity. Linda left toescape the violence and “to fight for a betterfuture” for herself and her family. Alreadyon tenuous footing as someone workingwithout work authorization in the US, losing her clients has left her unable to supportherself or send money to her sister.Like the families that employed Linda,many industries in Colorado and acrossthe nation rely on undocumented workersin construction, accommodation and foodservices, childcare, and manufacturing.The Pew Research Center estimates about130,000 undocumented immigrants callthe Denver metro area home. One localbusiness owner, who requested anonymity,estimates that about 60% of the workers intheir industry are undocumented, observing: “They truly are the hardest workers.”Most file taxes using an ITIN (IndividualTaxpayer Identification Number). “I often“I20 Years ofExperience“We’re part of your household;because it’s something veryprivate.you can’t just setus aside as though we don’tmatter.”Image from iStockPhotowonder where all this money goes,” says thebusiness owner.Despite paying into the system and despitebusinesses’ widespread reliance on this laborpool, which includes millions nationwide,these individuals cannot access governmentbenefits or many services. “They’ll lose theirchance of ever becoming legal, and that’s thedream,” says the business owner. The CARESAct does not extend to these approximately4.3 mill. taxpayers, even though many of theirestimated 3.5 million children are US citizens.Linda accepts this reality. “Being undocumented, you don’t have a voice,” she says,acknowledging the challenge of negotiatingdeferred or lowered rent with her landlord,who knows she has no legal recourse. “Youhave the stress of the virus, the bad economy,and the racism,” she says, enumerating thechallenges before her now.“We as Latinos are honorable, respectful,and punctual and we came here to work andfind an opportunity.” Two families gave her aparting tip to help mitigate the lost wages. “Iam not alone,” Linda says. Her friends whowork cleaning houses had similar experiences,receiving some payment from 3 or 4 of the15-20 homes they clean. “I feel that the valueof the person is missing it’s not that youneed to pay every week, but in this time, 10or 20 makes a difference, so you feel thatsomeone values you, values your work,” saysLinda. When asked if she thinks her clientswill call her after the pandemic, she says “Idon’t know. I wouldn’t have thought theywould have treated me this way .nothing iscertain.”*To protect her identity, we are using the pseudonym“Linda”; the interview was conducted in Spanish andtranslated by the author.HOUSE CLEANINGMany Stapleton & Park Hill ReferencesDetail Oriented Ironing Included Move-in/Move-out Cleaning SpecialistsOffices/Apts./Homes Park Hill Resident paulinaleon22@hotmail.com#1 IN CLEAN: Paulina Leon 720-628-6690May 2020 8 Front Porch – NE Denver

RESTAURANTSCattivella’s EliseWiggins (left) andIntersections’ RickHumbert (right)share a love forfood’s ability tounite people andnurture community.Both are thinkingcreatively abouthow to maintainboth their staff andtheir customersduring the pandemic.Confronting the PandemicABy Martina Will, PhDt first glance, Intersections, Northfield’s cozy breakfast spot, andCattivella, Eastbridge’s sophisticatedItalian dinner locale, seem to have little incommon. Their menus are at very differentprice points. One specializes in breakfast andthe other in dinner. A month into the stay-athome orders, however, as both owners speakto how they are adapting, some commonthemes emerge: gratitude for their customersand concern for their valued employees.“People like the atmosphere, and theycome to meet other people and have aconversation,” says Rick Humbert, who ownsIntersections. The stay-at-home orders makethat impossible, so he has had to shift totakeout orders. Delivery did not prove to bea great option: “Trying to deliver eggs is nota good idea .They’re great hot, but they’renot good cold.”Intersections now relies on carryout tosustain the business, offering a free kid’sbreakfast with every adult breakfast to enticepeople. Humbert or his remaining staffmember meets people at the door with theirorders, disinfecting the keypad after eachcustomer. “The good news is. [people] likewhat they like and that’s what they comehere for—items on our menu like chickenand waffles or shrimp and grits with the redsauce,” draw regulars in from as far away asEvergreen. “Even though we don’t get a lotof volume,” he says, “the community is very,very generous.” He is already thinking howhe can expand the menu and include morelunch options post-pandemic.For the present, Humbert is partneringwith several nonprofits, both to help feedthe homebound and to keep his doors open.Intersections recently gave away 100 Easter“basket” meals with support from the Epworth Foundation. He continues to explorecreative ways to provide meals to hospitalworkers and low-income folks. Still, Humberthas had to let go of all but one of his staffas he reduced days and hours of operation;he says many are eligible for unemployment,and he is optimistic that the very specialteam he has put together over the years willreturn to work when things return to normal.“We’ve been blessed,” he says, talking abouthis staff, sharing the story of one “kid” whohad come up through a really challengingThese especially hard-hit businesses arefighting to survive and to save their staff.home situation: “He wanted abreak and he’s been with me fortwo and a half years now, andhe’s never missed a shift no onewould give him a shot, and I gavehim a shot he’s like an officialpart of the family.”Cattivella’s owner and Executive Chef Elise Wiggins speaksof her staff in a similar way, asfamily. Like Humbert, she’s cuther hours of operation and herpayroll to keep her doors open.“I’ll rotate a cook or a prepcook or dishwasher to come in

DENVER, COLORADO MAY 2020 NORTHEAST DENVER Stapleton, Park Hill, Lowry, Montclair, Mayfair, NW Aurora, East Colfax Ode to Nurses Artist Austin Zucchini - Fowler created a larger-than- life mural of a nurse wearing box-ing gloves as a tribute to the frontline workers. It's visible driving west on E. Colfax in the alley at Williams. The New World