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Morning Word
COVID-19 by the numbers
New Mexico health officials yesterday reported 968 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the statewide total so far to 222,927. Yesterday’s daily case count exceeded worst-case forecasts from Los Alamos National Laboratory, which modeled the state reaching close to 1,000 cases daily by the end of the month into September.
Bernalillo County had 199 new cases, followed by Lea County with 158 and Chaves County with 104. Santa Fe County had 20 new cases.
The state also announced four additional deaths yesterday, three recent and one from more than 30 days ago; there have now been 4,463 fatalities. As of yesterday, 356 people were hospitalized with COVID-19; hospital leaders held a news conference yesterday morning urging New Mexicans to get vaccinated as COVID-19 cases continue to increase at their facilities—overwhelmingly among unvaccinated residents—adding to already crowded conditions.
Currently, 75.4% of New Mexicans 18 years and older have had at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 66.1 % are fully vaccinated. In the 12-17-year-old age group, 55.9% people have had at least one dose and 43.1% are fully inoculated. In Santa Fe County, among those 18 years and older, 86.8% have had at least one dose and 76.6% are fully inoculated.
New Mexico’s new health order, mandating masks for everyone regardless of vaccine status within indoor spaces, goes into effect today.
You can read all of SFR’s COVID-19 coverage here.
City ethics committee throws out complaint
On a split vote, the City of Santa Fe’s Ethics and Campaign Review Board yesterday dismissed mayoral candidate Alexis Martinez Johnson’s complaint against Mayor Alan Webber, which alleged the mayor had used “taxpayer events and coordinating taxpayer resources to promote personal mayoral campaign via campaign email distribution” in his Nov. 2 re-election bid. Specifically, Martinez Johnson objected to Webber’s use of his campaign logo on flyers for two city-sponsored events with the Fire Department. Webber’s attorneys, Egolf + Ferlic + Martinez + Harwood, filed a motion for the complaint to be dismissed for failing to cite which code Webber allegedly had violated. The board did just that, although two members voted against dismissal, with Chairman Justin Miller telling SFR that “the board did not decide the complaint on its merits.” Paul Biderman, who also voted against dismissal, said he thought Martinez Johnson’s lack of specificity regarding statue was insufficient grounds for dismissal: “If a set of facts is stated that reflects a violation of the law, then in fact it is the role of the court to pick up on that and bring justice,” Biderman said. “I think that’s about the kind of thing we are...supposed to do.” Martinez Johnson said she was disappointed in the outcome, but doesn’t have the resources to pursue the complaint. The ethics board is expected to take up a second complaint—this time from Webber against Union Protectíva de Santa Fé and a local VFW and Foreign Legion Post, which he accused of illegal political activity.
NM schools revise COVID-19 closure rules
The New Mexico Education Department announced yesterday it will not require schools to close upon reaching four rapid responses to COVID-19 cases within a 14-day period as has been the policy (view the complete COVID-19 rapid response watchlist, maintained by the state environment department, here; SFR counted more than 100 schools across the state that have had at least two rapid responses in the last 14 days, two in Santa Fe). According to a news release, the department is evaluating updated guidance and processes with the state’s Medical Advisory Team. “Our medical advisors have noted that schools currently are not hotbeds of COVID-19 infections,” Secretary Designate Kurt Steinhaus said in a statement. “At this point, we are not closing schools. The caveat is that the virus could change things, but we need to do what’s best for kids, which is to keep in-person learning to the extent possible.” Thus far, 18 schools have voluntarily returned to remote instruction.
Zozobra limits tickets, adds new requirements
The Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe announced yesterday that due to rising COVID-19 cases, the annual Burning of Zozobra on Sept. 3 will limit general admission tickets to 10,000 (nearly 64,000 people attended during the last in-person event in 2019). According to a news release, Public Service Company of New Mexico and AVANGRID, a company with a pending proposal to merge with PNM, have each committed $50,000 to offset the loss of ticket sales to the event. PNM will also provide a line crew and equipment. “PNM has long supported the annual Zozobra event because of its ties to our community traditions,” PNM Chairman, President and CEO Pat Vincent-Collawn said in a statement. “Zozobra is all about defeating our gloom and allowing this year’s event to run a deficit would run counter to both the event’s goals and the Kiwanis Club’s mission to support our Santa Fe youth and community.” Zozobra Event Chairman Ray Sandoval said in a statement he had spent “sleepless nights trying to figure out how to balance the need of our community to burn its gloom with the overwhelming responsibility of hosting a safe event.” The $100,000 from the two companies, he added, “means a smaller crowd will have a safer experience and helps Kiwanis ensure that the Zozobra tradition comes out whole without needing tens of thousands of ticket sales.” In addition, KOAT 7 will broadcast and webcast the burning for free. Lastly, the event will require proof of vaccination or a negative test within 72 hours of attending for admission, with masks required for anyone who is unvaccinated and encouraged for everyone else. Kiwanis has also added a $15 “I’m Not Going, So I’m Pitching In” donation ticket on the Zozobra website. Proceeds from Zozobra benefit local nonprofits.
ABQ shoot-out injures four police
Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller yesterday described “the entire Central New Mexico area” as in either “a state of shock, state of grieving or, frankly, a state of fear” following a shooting incident that left four policemen injured. As reported by the Albuquerque Journal, Albuquerque police say four officers were injured, one critically, during a shootout next to a crowded drive-through lane of a coffee shop near Mountain and Juan Tabo. Hospital officials later in the day said one officer had been shot in the neck above his bulletproof vest and remained in critical condition. Another officer was shot in the forearm, while a third officer was hit in his bulletproof vest, avoiding “catastrophic injuries” as a result. Lastly, “shrapnel” hit a fourth officer in the eye. The incident, stemming from an armed robbery, appears to have involved two suspects. One, treated for a gunshot wound, was in custody, while another—who reportedly did not fire at police—”was either arrested on warrants nearby, involved in a fatal rollover near East Central or is still on the loose,” the Journal reported. The Albuquerque Police has both a phone number and portal where people can submit information on the incident.
Listen up
It’s not too late to buy tickets for AMP Concert’s Ghost Ranch Music Weekend (Aug. 20-21, and you will need proof of vaccination or a negative test to attend), which will feature performances by Roseanne Cash, Neko Case, Shannon McNally and many more. A portion of proceeds from the two days of music “celebrating pioneering women in the arts” will go to support the work of Tewa Women United. If you can’t make it and/or you need some tunes for the road trip north, be sure to bookmark AMP Concerts Executive Director Neal Copperman’s AMP Concerts Spotify playlist.
Ready, set, Indian Market
The Southwestern Association for Indian Arts resumes Santa Fe’s Indian Market this weekend for the 99th time (this would have been the 100th anniversary were it not for last year’s COVID-19 cancelation). KUNM reports on adjustments SWAIA made to the large event this year, such as ticketing to cut down on crowd-size and assist with contact tracing; allowing artists to participate virtually; and adding hand washing stands, as well as vaccine and testing facilities. SWAIA also decreased the number of participating artists from 800 to 500. That still leaves plenty of artists to see. SFR profiles 11 Indigenous artists chosen by curator Nina Sanders (Apsáalooke), who says the group came together to “celebrate and rep their connection and commitment to Native art and Indian Market, each with prodigious talent, a legacy to draw from and protect and a community of Native people to support them.” Vogue magazine also profiles 15 artists to watch for at this year’s market; Forbes magazine highlights this year’s Indigenous fashion show; and Native News Online talks with SWAIA Executive Director Kim Peone about some of the changes for this year’s market. Find the complete schedule of events here.
Heading outside
New Mexico’s Outdoor Recreation Division yesterday announced this year’s recipients for its Outdoor Equity Fund, an initiative geared at increasing equitable access to the outdoors for all youth (SFR wrote about the approach in this 2019 cover story). According to a news release, an evaluation committee reviewed more than 80 applications. Ultimately, 57 programs will receive about $898,000, which OEF says will get nearly 22,000 youth outdoors over the next 18 months. That’s an increase from last year’s awards of approximately $260,000 to 25 programs. In Santa Fe, recipients include Audubon Southwest; The Global Warming Express; New Mexico School for the Arts; Reunity Resources; River Source Inc.; the Santa Fe Conservation Trust; and YouthWorks. “With about 3.5 times the funding this year versus last, the Outdoor Equity Fund will reach more than eight times as many youth,” ORD Director Axie Navas said in a statement. “And while we still weren’t able to invest in all the amazing programs submitted, we came much closer. This group of 57 awardees is doing truly amazing work throughout New Mexico to make outdoor access more equitable. The rest of the country is taking note.”
Digging into the past
The Smithsonian Magazine delves into the filming of Canyon Del Muerto, described as an “archaeological epic,” which tells the story of archaeologist Ann Axtell Morris, who worked at that canyon, part of Canyon de Chelly National Monument, in the 1920s and 1930s. She was married to archaeologist Earl Morris, who was from Chama, and the two met in Shiprock and married in Gallup. The film marks the first time the Navajo Nation has allowed filming in the Canyon de Chelly area, with liaison John Tsosie (Diné) saying the Navajo Nation has had bad experiences in the past with film crews. “They came in with hundreds of people, left their trash, disturbed sacred sites, and acted like they owned the place. It’s the opposite with this production. They’re very respectful of our land and people. They’ve hired quite a few Navajos, put money into local businesses and helped our economy.” While director and writer Coerte Voorhees had wanted to film all the Canyon de Chelly scenes at the authentic locations, doing so wasn’t financially feasible, so he took advantage of the tax incentives offered by New Mexico, where he and his crew are based, and used Red Rock Park, outside Gallup, as a “double” for Canyon de Chelly. The film stars Santa Fe resident, award-winning actor Wes Studi (Cherokee), and Navajo President Jonathan Nez portrays the time-traveling incarnation of an Anasazi. He participated in the movie, he tells the Smithsonian, “to represent our people and our belief system, which is shown through the scene that I’m going to be part of. Ann is sick and we believe the ancient spirits made her sick. If you disturb that negative energy, it comes back on you. That’s what she did when she was excavating. You don’t mess around with this stuff. And she messed around with this stuff.”
TGIF forecast
Santa Fe has a mostly sunny weekend in the works, starting today, with highs in the low to mid 80s and winds 5 to 15 mph blowing in various directions. Our next slight chance for rain comes on Sunday, with a 20% probability, after noon.
Thanks for reading! The Word generally avoids promoting religious content, but is making an exception for news of the Satanic Temple’s $666 Devil’s Advocate scholarships (because it made her laugh), awarded to four students who participated in a competition to show, through either creative writing or art, how compulsory schooling had stifled their creativity. Don’t miss the winning entries.
