Anson Stevens-Bollen
Cover, April 29: “Native Voices vs. Virus”
Spell It Nanbé
The Nanbé Tewa Language Revitalization Program thanks Ms. Katherine Lewin and the SF Reporter for recognizing the need to discuss the challenge New Mexico nations and pueblos have to ensure their indigenous languages are living and that they are passed on to future generations.
There are two corrections we wish to report. Nanbé is the correct spelling of the tribal name. Nambe has been used for decades, but it is incorrect. Its representation reflects what we recognize as English and Spanish interpretations. "Nanbé" means "mound of earth in the corner." Nanbé Ówîngeh is the accurate spelling. Ówîngeh means "community." "Pueblo" is a Spanish word.
The Program recognizes the linguistic expertise of Melissa Axelrod, Ph.D., UNM Professor Emerita for being its champion and the other UNM consultants who are part of the Program's mission. Among the many are: Drs. Evan Ashworth, Andrés Sabogal, Joanne Scheibman and Logan Sutton.
The caption should read: Cora McKenna (left) and Evelyn Anaya-Hatch during the Indigenous Language Institute & NM State Youth Conservation Corps project.
Cora and Brenda McKenna,
Nanbé language revitalization program
COVID-19 in Santa Fe
Please require masks
Recently a worker at the Albertsons on St. Francis in Santa Fe tested positive for COVID-19. On April 12, over 1500 grocery workers had already tested positive nationally; over 40 had died. Despite efforts to reduce the number of shoppers in stores, social distancing is inevitably compromised. In a United Food and Grocery Worker poll of 5000 workers, 85% had seen distancing guidelines violated. A Walmart manager told me, "30% of the people come in without masks—sometimes, the same person three or four times a day."
Antony Fauci has stated that "between 25% and 50% of people may be asymptomatic carriers" of COVID-19. Data shows that masks, even cloth masks, protect the wearer from COVID-19 droplets and prevent the mask-wearer from infecting others. The Center for Disease Control now advises wearing masks in public. We need to look at this research and the data, particularly from abroad, and require New Mexicans to wear masks in grocery stores and other places of essential services.
At the end of March, Austria required grocery store shoppers to wear masks. Austria's daily rise in positive cases dropped dramatically. On March 28, 1001 new cases were reported; on April 26, 58 new cases. Now, as they reopen the country, shoppers are still required to wear masks in grocery stores and on public transit. South Korea provided masks to all citizens, part of a strategy that checked the transmission rate of COVID-19.
A preliminary report from the CDC earlier in April showed over 9,000 health care workers had been infected with COVID-19, the majority women in their 40s. Over 60 nurses have died from COVID-19. We must, despite pressure to reopen businesses, protect workers and the public until better treatment options for COVID-19 emerge.
Michael Lehrer
Santa Fe
Burn him
I am proposing that Zozobra be made from worn and wobbly corona masks this year. Let him burn, and ¡Que viva Santa Fe!
Chris McCarty
Santa Fe
Thanks, Post Office
The recent coronavirus has forced most of us to observe social distance and stay home. I agree that this is a very safe way to protect ourselves. Our personal protection is our responsibility. During this pandemic, I see a good and important aspect of a tragic situation. People are noticing the good things that people are doing to help others even though some of these everyday activities occurred right along.
I'm speaking about health care workers, grocers, truck drivers, etc. This is wonderful, but what about the postal workers? I wonder what we would do without the ability to pay bills, to receive correspondence, etc. I plan to place a sign in my yard about my appreciation to this fine group of people. I challenge you all to show your feelings as well.
Maria Allbritton
Santa Fe
What an opportunity
I have lived in Santa Fe for 20 years, and I have always viewed the Reporter as cutting-edge and willing to push the envelope in search of some sort of verified "truth."
Please continue in that tradition and conduct some high quality investigative journalism about COVID-19…fact checking, and unbiased research into science in order to inform the public, not just a regurgitation of what the mainstream media who have a vested interest in large corporations have to say.
Jane Dickinson
Santa Fe
Movies, April 29: “Planet of the Humans review”
Only one hat
First off I have to say I have not watched Planet of the Humans and won't. I am neither a climatologist, a journalist nor a film critic. But, I believe you were only wearing your film critic hat while watching Planet of the Humans. From your review and your rating it seems like you accepted everything that the film offered.
I would like to inform you that there are a number of articles disputing portions of the film, particularly the wind and solar sections. Much of the "information" about solar and wind power is based on climate denier arguments circa 2010.
Douglas Lonngren
Santa Fe
Elements, April 25
Ode to being green
Excellent reporting and very good writing in your beginning thoughts. Remember that in a supreme drought, the juniper is the greenest tree on the landscape. It is water hungry and has a tap root in the water table probably. In Texas where they have removed the "cedar" trees, the springs are running again. The juniper is producing oxygen but at this altitude we are used to less anyway. Aren't we in a high desert? We could get used to less green in our landscape and certainly we would find that we have more water "under" us. Keep up the good journalism, Leah.
Andy Ritch
Santa Fe
