COVID-19 by the numbers
New Mexico health officials yesterday reported 257 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the statewide total so far to 187,487. The health department has designated 160,142 of those as recovered. Bernalillo County had 94 cases, followed by Doña Ana County with 39 and Otero County with 20. Santa Fe County had 17 new cases.
The state also announced nine additional deaths, including a man in his 20s from Otero County with underlying conditions; there have now been 3,839 fatalities. As of yesterday, 134 people were hospitalized with COVID-19.
Today marks the one-year anniversary of New Mexico's first four COVID-19 cases. SFR takes a look back at some of the landmark moments in the last year. We also asked Human Services Secretary Dr. David Scrase to reflect on the pandemic. Scrase, along with Health Secretary Dr. Tracie C. Collins and other cabinet secretaries will talk about the last year in the pandemic today at 3 pm; the conversation will stream on the New Mexico Human Services Department's Facebook page and SFR's homepage.
You can read all of SFR's COVID-19 coverage here. If you've had experiences with COVID-19, we would like to hear from you.
Santa Fe County turns green
As anticipated, Santa Fe County progressed to green yesterday under the state's red-to-green public health framework. Every other week, the health department evaluates counties' case and test positivity rates. Counties with fewer than eight cases per 100,000 and test positivity rates of less than 5% are classified as green and allowed larger business capacities and other activities. Those meeting one criteria are considered yellow and those meeting neither are red and face the most restrictions. Two weeks ago, the state added an even more expansive turquoise level for those counties that maintain their green status for two consecutive evaluations. Santa Fe County has had 5.90 cases per 100,000 over the last two weeks and a test positivity rate of 1.40%, both well below the criteria. With green status comes new business opportunities. For instance, indoor dining capacity will now increase from 33% to 50% capacity. Outdoor dining capacity remains at 75%, but the 10 pm required closing time for restaurants serving alcohol no longer applies. Bars and clubs, barred from operating at all under yellow, can now operate at 25% of maximum capacity of any outdoor space on premises, but can still not open indoors (that will change when Santa Fe County reaches turquoise, which allows for 33% indoor capacity for bars and clubs). The entire list of changes at each level can be viewed here, and the categories of businesses are located here.
NM delegation touts pending relief package
Most of New Mexico's congressional delegation, along with Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, yesterday extolled President Joe Biden's $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan, which includes $1,400 stimulus checks for individuals making less than $80,000; $350 billion for state, local and tribal governments; along with $45 billion in rental, utility and mortgage assistance; and $14 billion for vaccine distribution. Analysts also say the plan has the potential to cut childhood poverty in half (read a breakdown of the bill here). "Today is the beginning of the end for this pandemic," US Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-NM, said during a news conference with local media. Heinrich also said the bill represents the "single greatest infusion of dedicated resources to Indian Country in American history." In prepared remarks, US Rep. Deb Haaland, D-NM, who wasn't on the call, said: "As someone who lived in poverty and didn't have a savings for most of my adult life," she understands "what it's like to be one emergency away from being homeless." The bill, Haaland, said, which also includes extended unemployment benefits, will help jump start an "equitable recovery." "Everyone in our state deserves to feel whole again," she said. Biden is expected to sign the bill tomorrow.
NM Civil Rights Act heads to Senate
The Senate Judiciary Committee yesterday narrowly passed on a 5-4 vote a controversial bill that would allow New Mexico residents to sue public entities for violating their civil rights. The New Mexico Civil Rights Act now heads to the Senate floor. "We are one step closer to giving the people of New Mexico a meaningful way to vindicate their rights under the New Mexico Bill of Rights," co-sponsor and Speaker of the House Brian Egolf, D-Santa Fe, said in a statement. "At every step of the way, we have worked to make sure that the New Mexico Civil Rights Act will be available to make New Mexicans' access to justice in state court a reality." Egolf faces a pending ethics complaint that he stands to benefit from the bill; he filed a motion earlier this month asking the state Ethics Commission to dismiss the complaint. The bill's latest version specifies that no individual teacher, law enforcement officer or other public employee can be sued—only government agencies will be held accountable under the act—and it also places a $2 million cap, including attorney's fees, on judgements. "New Mexicans deserve their day in court if their civil rights are violated regardless of race or background," co-sponsor Rep. Georgene Louis, D-Albuquerque, said in a statement. "Through this committee process, I believe we are fine-tuning a bill that takes into account the needs of stakeholders while we hold to account the systems that continue to perpetuate civil rights violations of our state's diverse communities."
Listen up
The Santa Fe Art Institute hosts a panel discussion at 6 pm today titled "Sifting through the Sediment," featuring the SFAI's Tilt podcast hosts Alicia Inez Guzmán, SFAI Story Maps Fellows Diego Medina and Christian Gering, and guests from the "Unsettled" series, which unpacked issues of conquest and colonialism in Santa Fe and New Mexico's history. Guests include: Samuel Villarreal Catanach, Moises Gonzales, Felicia Garcia, Miguel Torrez, Juan Luis Longoria Granados, Beata Tsosie Peña, Fatima Van Hattum and Artemisio Romero y Carver. The event is free on Zoom and will also be available in Spanish; register here.
Affordable housing FAQ
ICYMI, New Mexico Inter-Faith Housing Executive Director Daniel Werwath took over SFR's Instagram yesterday by invitation in order to share information on Santa Fe's housing crisis and respond to questions. Those questions ran the gamut and the answers addressed topics ranging from services for the homeless to supply-side economics. Werwath's housing FAQ accompanies the second in SFR writer Leah Cantor's two-part Santa Fe housing series this week, "Home Game," which focuses, in partnership with the Solutions Journalism Network, potential solutions that could help Santa Fe move forward in its ever-increasing housing crisis.
Songs for the future
Tonight at 6 pm, the Santa Fe Opera will present Songs for the Future, a special online program to benefit its singing and technical apprentice programs. Former SFO apprentices renowned mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato and Academy Award-winning costume designer Ruth E. Carter will host the event, which will feature performances by former apprentice singers Emily Fons (mezzo-soprano), Will Liverman (baritone), and Jack Swanson (tenor). The benefit also will feature interviews with notable SFO alumni. Songs for the Future is free to watch—no registration is required—and it can be viewed on the opera's website here, where it will remain available for 30 days. Donations can be made here.
Fly a kite weather
Today: Sunny with a high near 57 degrees and north wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon. So a teensy bit less windy than yesterday! Looking ahead to the weekend—as one does—some snow and rain may be in our future.
Thanks for reading! The Word looks forward to increased interaction with actual people, but until then reading about the fictional ones will have to do.
