Coronavirus Update – April 1, 2020

Coronavirus updates for Wednesday, April 1, 2020. Our guests today are Stephen Lindsey and Mary Stone of the Future Forge Makerspace (thefutureforge.org). The organization has been working on developing personal protective equipment for frontline health workers.

Coronavirus Update is a local radio show that provides the latest information you need to know on local community strategies to slow the spread of the Coronavirus and protect yourself, your family and our community during this public health crisis. Brought to you by Gila-Mimbres Community Radio, Gila Resources Information Project, Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities Grant County and National Center for Frontier Communities.

Send us your updates to coronavirusupdategrantcounty@gmail.com

NM Dept of Health COVID-19 Hotline 1-855-600-3453 or visit cv.nmhealth.org

Coronavirus Information Hotline at 1-833-551-0518 or visit newmexico.gov

Message from Grant County’s health care providers – video

Donations to Community COVID-19 Response – Grant County Community Foundation

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CVU is broadcast live weekdays at Noon and
rebroadcast following Democracy Now! at 6pm and 8am

Or listen to this episode at your convenience via this link…
CVU / Coronavirus Update – April 1, 2020

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As of Today – Wednesday, April 1

There are 315 positive cases of COVID-19 and 5 deaths in the state according to the NM Dept. of Health. 24 individuals have been hospitalized in New Mexico for the virus, and 26 COVID-19 cases are designated as having recovered.

According to the Silver City Daily Press, Grant County has its first positive case of coronavirus, although this case is not included on the Department of Health’s website yet as of today’s report. Go to the Silver City Daily Press website for more information – First COVID-19 case reported in Grant County

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham held a press conference yesterday (watch the recording on Facebook) announcing that her stay-at-home order will stay in place until the end of April in order to continue social distancing that will help flatten the curve of COVID-19 cases to prevent the state’s hospitals from becoming overwhelmed.

State health officials discussed updated forecasts that predict significantly more cases of COVID-19, hospitalizations and deaths than the best-case scenario for New Mexico released by the University of Washington. Dr. David Scrase, the Secretary of the New Mexico Human Services Department, discussed the state’s projections that 250,000 to 1.25 million New Mexicans would become infected and that between 2,500 and 12,500 deaths would occur if social distancing practices are not observed.

These new estimates mean that New Mexico may not have enough capacity to deal with COVID-19. The state is working on a number of efforts to expand its hospital capacity around New Mexico.

According to the social distancing scoreboard developed by Unacast, New Mexico is rated a grade of C for its social distancing activity. Governor Lujan Grisham reminded New Mexicans that in order to save lives, all New Mexicans have been instructed to stay home except for outings absolutely necessary for health, safety and welfare. These additional restrictions have been enacted to aggressively minimize person-to-person contact and ensure spread is mitigated. All businesses except those deemed essential have been ordered to close. New Mexicans are strongly urged to limit travel to only what is necessary for health, safety and welfare. Visit cv.nmhealth.org for more information.

CENSUS 2020

Today is Census Day. People across America are keeping their families and communities safe and healthy by providing essential services or staying home due to COVID-19. Responding to the census yourself — online, by phone, or through the mail — is another way to do your part to help keep your community strong. When we fill out the census form, and we make sure that all of us are counted, we can help our communities get the schools, hospitals, and roads we need. If we don’t get counted, we don’t count. And we’ll miss out for the next 10 years.

The easiest way to get counted is to go online to 2020census.gov and fill out the on-line questionnaire. You can also fill out your paper questionnaire that you should have received in the mail. If you do not have access to the internet or have not received a paper questionnaire, you can call the 2020 Census Assistance line at 1-844-330-2020. Due to the coronavirus outbreak, all public locations for census taking are closed. To date only 18% of Grant Countians have responded, so please get counted today! Thank you!

WIFI HOTSPOTS

WNM Communications’ has announced several WiFi Hotspots throughout southwest New Mexico. The company reminds everyone that For the safety of all, please remember to practice social distancing and stay in your vehicle while using WiFi at any of its sites.

Locations currently up and running include:
Santa Clara – Splash Park
Silver City – Gough Park
Cliff – WNMC Office
Hurley – Ball Park
Bayard – Community CenterIn Mimbres, the San Lorenzo Elementary School WiFi Hotspot is under construction, but will be available soon. For more info and a complete list of hotspots visit https://www.wnmc.com/wifi/

DONATIONS TO COMMUNITY COVID-19 RESPONSE

If you’d like to help Grant County’s most vulnerable people during the coronavirus pandemic, please make a donation today to the Grant County Community Foundation at https://grantcountycommunityfoundation.org/. You can decide how you’d like to help: assisting with food distribution efforts, shelter and housing, childcare or an emergency fund. Do your part to help our community through this challenging time. Thank you for stepping up!

Please visit our website at GMCR.org for all of today’s updates and additional resources. And remember to send us your updates and questions — email us at coronavirusupdategrantcounty@gmail.com or post on facebook @GilaMimbresCommunityRadio.

RESOURCES FROM TODAY’S INTERVIEW WITH THE FUTURE FORGE

Future Forge Makerspace – thefutureforge.org