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Morning Word
COVID-19 by the numbers
New Mexico health officials on Friday reported 914 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total number of cases to 235,390. DOH has designated 203,750 of those cases as recovered. Bernalillo County had 171 new cases, followed by Chaves County with 96 and Lea County with 82. Santa Fe County had 21 new cases.
The state also announced eight additional deaths; there have now been 4,552 total fatalities. As of Friday, 396 people were hospitalized with COVID-19. DOH is expected to provide a four-day update on COVID-19 cases, fatalities and hospitalizations this afternoon.
Currently, 78% of New Mexicans 18 years and older have had at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 68.1% are fully vaccinated. In the 12-17-year-old age group, 60.9% people have had at least one dose and 48.7% are fully inoculated. In Santa Fe County, among those 18 years and older, 88.9% have had at least one dose and 78.6% are fully vaccinated.
You can read all of SFR’s COVID-19 coverage here.
DOH seeks $53.9 million budget boost
The state health department last week announced it is seeking an additional $53.9 million for its fiscal year 2023 budget. “For many years prior to 2019, the state of New Mexico cut back funding in public health, and did not substantially fund services for the elderly and for people with developmental disabilities,” DOH Acting Secretary Dr. David Scrase said in a statement. “Under Gov. [Michelle] Lujan Grisham, we’re changing that. In addition, the maintenance and operations of state healthcare facilities has been chronically underfunded…and addressing this challenge is a key priority for DOH.” The budget request includes more than $10.4 million to increase rates for developmental disability service providers; $7.5 million to ensure services for 347 individuals from the Home and Community Based Services waivers program waiting list, and to reduce waiting time for those remaining on the list; and $828,400 to ensure adequate staffing, oversight and licensing of medical facilities. Other top priorities in the budget request include close to $2 million to fund key positions, including data scientist, Emergency Medical Systems Bureau investigator, epidemiologist and climate change epidemiologist. The department also seeks funds in the areas of public health, including $750,000 to provide ongoing supplies of naloxone to emergency responders; $1 million for teen suicide prevention and $152,500 to fund sexual violence prevention/interventions. “The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed deeper truths about the state of our public health infrastructure, and it has highlighted key opportunities to invest for the benefit of all New Mexicans,” Scrase said.The state Legislative Finance Committee recently forecasted all-time revenue in the next few years. State agencies submitted their budget proposals last week to the Department of Finance Administration, with the state education department seeking $21.3 million for what it described as “‘fuel’ for education moonshot.” Among other items, PED’s budget includes money to hire more teachers. “This is an ambitious budget to meet ambitious goals,” Public Education Secretary-Designate Kurt Steinhaus said in a statement. “We have a historic opportunity to solve many of the problems that have long plagued New Mexico’s education system, to close learning gaps and to invest in a bright future for our children.”
SFPS appoints new board member
The Santa Fe Public Schools Board of Education has appointed Sascha Anderson to represent District 5, a seat that became vacant following the recent death of Lorraine Price. Anderson, a communications professional, SFPS parent and Mayor Alan Webber’s re-election spokeswoman, had filed to run for the seat in the Nov. 2 election and is unopposed (Price had not filed to run for re-election). Board President Kate Noble, who also is unopposed for her District 3 seat, proposed Anderson begin immediately, rather than in January. “This way we won’t really spend any time without District 5 having its own board representative,” Noble said. “Which I think is very important, as that is the system we have in a representative democracy.” The board unanimously approved Anderson at its meeting last Thursday, and will swear her in Sept. 16. Board members also held a memorial for Price, a former educator and advocate for school equity—a legacy Anderson tells SFR she plans to continue. “I do not have her experience, just her incredible experience,” Anderson said, “but I think we share a lot of the same values. I just hope that I honor the work that she’s done within the district.” During the same meeting, the board heard from the National Education Association-Santa Fe, whose members are asking the district to make vaccines mandatory for all staff and students over the age of 12. While there is no indication that will occur, the district is working to relaunch remote learning options for students sent home to quarantine either with COVID-19 or as the result of exposure.
Commission OKs zoning “edge” for small cannabis businesses
ICYMI, the City of Santa Fe’s Planning Commission last Thursday passed a cannabis zoning ordinance that will allow cannabis micro-businesses—producers with 200 or fewer plants—to operate in several commercial zones that exclude larger producers. The ordinance, approved unanimously by the Planning Commission, will now require full City Council sign-off to become law. “We felt by allowing them in some of the commercial zones that we’re not allowing the larger producers in, that would give them a competitive edge to kind of go in line with the intent of the state law to protect equity,” Commissioner Pilar Faulkner said. With the state now accepting producer license applications, the pressure is on for the City Council to pass a zoning ordinance, although staff said at a July meeting that the council likely won’t take a final vote until October.
Listen up
The COVID-19 pandemic has given everyone endless fodder about which to think and talk. Now, it’s time to sing about it. Or so say the folks at the New Mexico-based nonprofit The Children’s Hour, which has just re-released ICKY: A Radio Musical, first devised in 2020 as a response to COVID-19, now available with an updated playlist and described as “a perfect way to kick off the new school year.” Plot: With the help of a dreamer named Halley, a team of super heroes discovers that unity and togetherness can get them through any sicky situation. The playbook was written by Sarin West, with songs composed by Jules Latimer Warren and lyrics penned by Hakim Bellamy. An accompanying learning guide also is available.
NM sculptor in NY
The New York Times spotlights New Mexico artist Rose B. Simpson (Santa Clara Pueblo), whose sculpture is part of the Bronx Museum of the Arts exhibit, “Born in Flames: Feminist Futures.” The show itself is included in a roundup of 3 Art Gallery Shows to See Right Now, and described as “work by some of the best artists you’ll see anywhere in the city right now.” Simpson has two sculptures—one is photographed in the story, “The Remembering,” constructed with ceramic, metal, wood sticks and leather. In her work, the Times writes, “humanlike forms seem to be simultaneously shaped from and melting back into earth, a reminder that environmental awareness has always been intrinsic to feminist art, and still is.” This, by the way, is the Times’ second notice of Simpson in less than a month. Her sculptures also are part of a 21-artist show called “Feedback,” a 21-artist show at the upstate New York gallery The School, and were described by the Times in an August piece on that show as “extraordinary.” And as long as we’re cheering on Simpson—which we are— here’s an SFR interview with her from the archives, in which she talks about her love for working on cars.
Speaking of November
Town and Country magazine concluded August with a feature titled, “Vacation Inspiration: 9 Best Places to Visit in November,” and, yes, Santa Fe made this exclusive list. Reasons: First, we are “undoubtedly one of the most unique cities in America.” Plus, we have a “rich Native American history, strong Spanish influences and a vibrant arts scene.” We also have the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, Canyon Road and Ghost Ranch (which is in Abiquiu, but close enough). Last, but presumably not least, Santa Fe is now home to Bishop’s Lodge, the most recent luxury hotel in the Auberge Resorts collection, which recently declared bankruptcy. OK, Town and Country doesn’t mention the bankruptcy bit. Nor does the magazine precisely pinpoint why any of these assets are of particular note in November should the story’s title mislead one into thinking this is a seasonal guide. Rather, “The long weekend in November makes for a particularly good excuse for a pre- or post-Thanksgiving jaunt” (for the record, we like Santa Fe in October). Still, it’s nice to be on a list with Venice, Italy; Playa del Carmen, Mexico; and Oracabessa, Jamaica.
Still summer
Hot and dry look like the watchwords for the week. The National Weather Service forecasts a sunny day with a high near 90 degrees and north wind 10 to 15 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Thanks for reading! The Word spent Labor Day laboring, reading tributes to actor Michael K. Williams and starting to rewatch The Wire. RIP.
