COVID-19 by the numbers
Yesterday, New Mexico officials reported 80 additional positive COVID-19 tests, bringing the state total to 1,484. During a public briefing, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham also announced 90 people have been hospitalized, with 22 on ventilators. The health department has designated 353 COVID-19 cases as having recovered. Yesterday brought no new deaths; 36 fatalities have occurred since the coronavirus' onset in the state.
The governor, Health Secretary Kathy Kunkel and Human Services Secretary David Scrase also discussed the state's growing capacity for providing tests—up to 3,500 per day, according to Kunkel—its efforts to secure Personal Protective Equipment for frontline workers and what the latest epidemiological models show for the state. As to the latter, New Mexico's doubling time has slowed to 4.6 days as the result of mitigation efforts such as social distancing. In Santa Fe, those efforts have essentially flattened the curve. "What the modeling for Santa Fe County shows is that Santa Fe County is the role model for the rest of the state," Scrase told SFR yesterday afternoon. You can read about some of Santa Fe's first responders' work during the shut-down in this week's SFR cover story. Lujan Grisham says the state's overall success with testing, social distancing and preparations has made it a candidate for a federal pilot project on surveillance and contact-tracing. She also says she's pondering possible solutions for plant nurseries seeking to operate in some capacity.
You can read all of SFR's COVID-19 coverage here. If you've had experiences with testing or the virus, we would like to hear from you.
Native impact
The Navajo Nation has extended its weekend curfew for the remaining weekends in April as its COVID-19 cases reached 921 across New Mexico, Arizona and Utah. While New Mexico's state health department has not been reporting which of its cases are part of the Navajo Nation, data does show Native Americans disproportionately impacted by the virus: 36.68% of the state's cases. The northwest region of the state—San Juan, McKinley and Sandoval counties—accounted for 75% of the new cases at the beginning of the week; the Navajo Nation counts those cases among its own reporting. Human Services Secretary Scrase said those areas include some of the state's most vulnerable citizens; the governor reported the state has delivered 80,000 pounds of food to the Navajo nation, 800 boxes to San Felipe Pueblo, and "enough food" to Isleta pueblo to feed 800 children.
Employees sue DA
Three women—current and former employees at the Santa Fe District Attorney's office—filed suit against DA Marco Serna Tuesday, claiming violation of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act. The case, filed in US District Court, alleges Serna did not pay Anai Reyes, Elisha Evridge and Connie Warren overtime for their work as victims' advocates. When they complained, the situation was not rectified and they say they "were retaliated against in the form of hostile treatment by managers, belittling language from managers, denial of workplace benefits, and threats of discipline." Serna's office would not comment to the Santa Fe New Mexican, saying it had not received the complaint (although, according to the Word's early morning internet search, court records indicate a summons was issued on April 13). Serna is a Democratic candidate for the June 3rd Congressional District primary race.
Help in isolation
The State of New Mexico has launched a new behavioral health app—NMConnect—which provides free 24-hour crisis and non-crisis support and access to behavioral health professionals. The app links users to the New Mexico Crisis Access Line (which also is still available via phone 24/7 toll-free by calling 1-855-NMCRISIS). The app is available for iPhone and Android. "As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to force physical isolation, many people may experience challenging behavioral health symptoms, some perhaps for the first time," Bryce Pittenger, CEO of the New Mexico Behavioral Health Collaborative, said in a statement. "This app connects to NMCAL, which is a one stop shop for any and all behavioral health resources across the state of New Mexico."
Listen up
Episode 43 of the "Your New Mexico Government" podcast features New Mexicans who remain employed due to their essential status, but are not compensated as such. Somos un Pueblo Unido Director Marcela Diaz, Marian Mendez-Cera from El Centro de Igualdad y Derechos and Stephanie Welch from the New Mexico Center on Law and Poverty talk about their working conditions and concerns regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. Your New Mexico Government is a collaboration between SFR, KUNM and New Mexico PBS.
Connect program
The City of Santa Fe and Santa Fe County yesterday announced a new joint initiative—CONNECT—intended to help residents access "unmet, non-medical social needs." The program "connects" people to networks at area clinics and community organizations, along with city and county programs. Those so-called "navigators"—community health workers, volunteers or social workers—link applicants to services and resources. "New Mexicans have always known how to take care of each other, especially in difficult times," Kyra Ochoa, director of Community Services for the City of Santa Fe, says in a statement. "CONNECT is a way for the City and County to support the agencies doing such good work in our communities, and to respect and champion the expertise of those people who help the people." Meanwhile, the city announced this week it has received nearly 100 donated home-made masks, the first batch of which will be laundered, bagged and provided to staff at the Midtown Shelter.
Rise up
If you're taking the time at home to get busy baking bread, chances are you're not alone. SFR Editor Julie Ann Grimm shares her adventures with artisan sourdough, which sound laborious, if ultimately rewarding. Inspired by social media posts of other's bread success, Grimm persevered, aided by texted support from local therapist and home cook Naja Harrell Druva, who notes: "Bread is this powerful metaphor for survival…I don't know what's going to happen in just about any aspect of my life. But today I have bread, and bread enough for tomorrow." Rumor has it, the Word will be receiving a loaf of this bread and not a moment too soon.
Walking weather
As predicted, today should be sunny, with a high near 65 degrees and south wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon. If you don't like the wind, head out early for your daily constitutional. If you enjoy the wind…we don't understand you. It's looking mostly sunny and in the 60s through the weekend, with our next slight chance of rain coming next Tuesday—a lifetime away.
Thanks for reading! The Word hopes you enjoy these artists' tributes to Dr. Anthony Fauci, head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and a member of the White House coronavirus task force.
