VA recruiting volunteers for COVID-19 clinical trials

As part of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, the department announced today its nationwide effort to recruit volunteers for COVID-19 clinical trials at select VA facilities across the country.

More than 50 VA medical centers are participating in trials to test vaccines and treatments for COVID-19.

“VA is eager to play a role in this important endeavor,” said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. “Volunteering for our trials is a way people can help our country more quickly find vaccines and treatments to end the pandemic and get life back to normal.”

VA’s volunteer list is open to Veterans and non-Veterans, 18 years old or older. Participation in any research study is strictly voluntary. Volunteers go through an informed-consent process that ensures they understand the risks and benefits to joining a study before they make the decision to participate.

Vaccines being studied by VA include candidates developed by Moderna, AstraZeneca, Pfizer and Janssen. VA’s trials for COVID-19 treatments include remdesivir, monoclonal antibodies, Tocilizumab and others.

Sign up for VA’s volunteer list and get more information about VA’s COVID-19 clinical trials and research studies.

UFCW Local 7 and Safeway, Albertsons, “wear masks”

Following reports of increasing COVID-19 cases across Colorado and Wyoming, UFCW Local 7 and Safeway, Albertsons joined forces to remind grocery store customers to wear masks while shopping.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, essential workers have been on the front lines to provide families in Colorado and Wyoming with the food and services they need. Closely following the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control, the region’s Safeway and Albertsons stores have implemented health and safety protocols to make each shopping trip as safe as possible, including requiring customers to wear masks.

The Centers for Disease Control recommends mask-wearing in all public spaces to prevent the airborne passage of COVID-19. The virus can be spread by people who do not know they are infected, even if they are not showing any symptoms.

Safeway and Albertsons recognize that following the CDC’s guidance to wear masks can help protect their communities and their customers. As such, they require associates to wear face coverings, including masks or shields, at all times while at work.

Safeway and Albertsons have been committed to reinforcing the safety of all associates and customers throughout this pandemic. They have established cleaning protocols, installed new equipment such as Plexiglas barriers at the check stands, and implemented a zero-touch checkout experience with Contactless Pay through their store apps.

Our Government

White House

Presidential Message on America Recycles Day, 2020: “Recycling conserves natural resources, creates new jobs, and protects our environment for future generations. On America Recycles Day, our Nation renews its commitment to bolstering our waste management infrastructure with innovative solutions that make recycling cost-effective, while increasing accountability and continuing to support our environment.”

Colorado Governor

Local municipalities and business leaders from across Colorado join Governor Jared Polis in continuing or moving their workforces to remote work. With more than 4,000 cases on average per day and a 7 day positivity rate of more than 12 percent, it is imperative that Coloradans lessen their interaction with one another.

“Coloradans working remotely when possible will save lives,” said Governor Jared Polis. “Every Coloradan needs to step up and do our part to keep our communities healthy and our economy running, and they include working from home whenever possible these next few weeks.”

Denver Mayor

The U.S.’s three primary bond ratings agencies today announced they are reaffirming the City and County of Denver’s AAA/Aaa/AAA General Obligation (GO) bond rating with a stable outlook, the highest achievable bond rating for governments and companies. A bond rating is meant to indicate a government’s credit quality and is used to inform investors as to the the likelihood that the debt will be repaid on time and in full. Bond ratings are important because they affect the interest rates government agencies pay on their issued bonds.