Coronavirus Update

Coronavirus Update – September 2, 2020

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Coronavirus updates for Grant County for Wednesday, September 2, 2020.  Our guest today on Coronavirus Update is Jamie Wagner, kitchen manager at the Silver City Gospel Mission, and we’ll be talking about how they have been operating during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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 info@grantcountycoronavirusupdate.org

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

NM Crisis & Access Line, 24/7, 1-855-662-7474; nmcrisisline.com

Message from Grant County’s health care providers –video

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

Grant County Coronavirus Update website – grantcountycoronavirusupdate.org


Coronavirus Update is broadcast live on Gila/Mimbres Community Radio 89.1 FM Silver City on Wednesdays at Noon and rebroadcast Wednesdays at 6 pm and Thursdays at 8 am

Or listen to this episode at your convenience via this link…


As of Today – Wednesday, September 2nd, 25,460 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in New Mexico, with 787 deaths, 72 currently hospitalized individuals, and 13,073 recoveries according to the New Mexico Department of Health.

New Mexico health officials reported 110 newly confirmed cases of COVID-19 and eight related deaths on Tuesday. Grant County has 7 new cases of coronavirus in the past week for a total of 83.

The seven-day rolling average of daily new cases in New Mexico has decreased over the past two weeks, from 156 new cases per day to 127 new cases per day. That’s according to an analysis by The Associated Press of data collected by Johns Hopkins University Center for Systems Science and Engineering.

On average, each person in New Mexico with COVID is infecting 0.91 other people. Because this number is around 1.0, it means that COVID continues to spread, but in a slow and controlled fashion.

The rolling average of statewide daily deaths fell during the same period from 4.1 to 3.6.
New Mexico confirmed 88 new coronavirus cases per 100,000 people over the past two weeks, far fewer than neighboring Texas with 250 but more than Colorado’s 71 new coronavirus cases per 100,000 people.

In total, 765,399 COVID-19 tests have been performed in New Mexico, with 7,068 having been conducted in Grant County.

More information at cv.nmhealth.org.

NEW EMERGENCY PUBLIC HEALTH ORDER IN EFFECT

As part of the new emergency public health order that took effect on Saturday, New Mexico relaxed some occupancy restrictions while maintaining the essential public health framework for mitigating and responding to the incidence and spread of COVID-19.

  • Houses of worship may operate at 40 percent of maximum occupancy of any enclosed building, an increase from 25 percent, in accordance with COVID-Safe Practices. Houses of worship may, as before, conduct services outdoors or provide services through audiovisual means.
  • Food and drink establishments (including restaurants, breweries, wineries, distillers, cafes, coffee shops or other similar establishments) may provide indoor dining service at 25 percent of maximum occupancy, in accordance with COVID-Safe Practices. Food and drink establishments may continue to provide physically-distant outdoor dining options, carryout and delivery services, in accordance with COVID-Safe Practices. Tables – inside or outside – must be spaced at least six feet apart, and no more than six patrons are permitted at a single table.
  • While museums with interactive and/or immersive displays, categorized as “close-contact recreational facilities,” must remain closed, museums with static displays may operate at 25 percent capacity.
  • Mass gatherings of more than 10 individuals are prohibited.

The order is effective through Sept. 18.  More information at newmexico.gov

LOCAL COVID-19 TESTING SCHEDULE

Grant County Public Health Office will provide free testing every Tuesday from 8:30a.m. to 11:00a.m for anyone.

Testing is free, but those who have insurance should bring their card with them.
Throat swab and nasal swab testing options are available.

Appointments can be scheduled by registering on the following website: cvtestreg.nmhealth.org Once registered, you will receive a code. Please save this code and use it when making your appointment by calling: 575-538-5318 (ext. 4).

The Grant County Public Health Office is located at 2610 N. Silver Street (across the street from the Swimming Pool).

CVS Pharmacy Drive-thru in Silver City is making Self-swab tests available to individuals meeting CDC criteria, in addition to state and age guidelines. Patients must register in advance at CVS.com

Hidalgo Medical Services (HMS) in Silver City is doing testing on weekdays except for Tuesday at their clinic at 1007 Pope Street in Silver City and at their Lordsburg clinic on weekdays except for Thursdays at 530 De Moss Street. Call 1-888-271-3596 for an appointment. Testing is free and expanded to everyone via a drive-up testing approach.

DFA APPROVES $150 MILLION IN CARES ACT GRANTS TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

The Department of Finance and Administration announced $150 million in CARES Act grants to local governments. 83 local government applications for $100 million were made available for local governments and 66 applications for $50 million were made available for small business grants via local governments. Press release

Applications were open to almost all of New Mexico’s local governments, excluding only the city of Albuquerque and Bernalillo County, which received CARES Act funds directly from the federal government.

The Department of Finance and Administration scored applications based on criteria related to local government revenue lost due to expenses made responding directly to the health crisis. The total amount requested exceeded the funds made available by the federal government; awards were therefore prorated based on need as articulated by the entity’s application. All requests for amounts less than $50,000 for direct local government grants were awarded in full.

The awards for our local area are as follows:
Grant County received $118,125
City of Bayard received $556,661
Town of Silver City received $489,375
Village of Santa Clara received $50,000
Town of Hurley received $20,000

Local governments asked for funding for a wide range of coronavirus-related activities, such as senior meal programs, equipment upgrades, personal protective gear, equipment sanitization and housing assistance.

$573,770 in total grant awards were approved for local small businesses via Grant County, Bayard, Hurley and Silver City. The small-business applications included requests for expenditures in areas such as employee wages, rent, personal protective gear and technological improvements.

Local governments will administer the small-business grants, so stay tuned for more information.

FEMA FUNDS NEW MEXICO LOST WAGES ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

The New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions (NMDWS) has received approval and grant funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency or FEMA for lost wages due to COVID-19. Eligible individuals will receive $300 in addition to their regular weekly unemployment benefit amount. (press release)

Currently, New Mexico has only been approved for up to three weeks of payments, beginning July 26, 2020, through Aug. 15, 2020. The department has applied for an additional week of funding to extend the supplemental benefit through August 22. NMDWS will continue to apply for grant funding from FEMA for as many weeks as possible in order to maximize the supplemental benefits provided to New Mexicans.

Individuals are eligible for Lost Wages Assistance if their weekly unemployment benefit amount was at least $100 including dependent allowance, they were eligible for one of the standard unemployment programs, and they self-certify that they were unemployed, or partially unemployed, as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Benefits will be automatically calculated and distributed based on unemployment claims received; individuals do not need to call or apply separately for this benefit.

NMDWS is currently making necessary system programming changes to deliver these critical benefits to eligible claimants. The system changes are expected to be completed soon with benefit payments to begin the second week of September.

For more information, visit https://www.dws.state.nm.us/COVID-19-Info.

NM HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AND PNM PROVIDE FUNDS TO HELP LOW-INCOME FAMILIES WITH ELECTRIC BILLS

New Mexico Health and Human Services and PNM Good Neighbor Fund program are working together to help low income families with as much as $550 to pay their electric bill. Follow the two step process to maximize the amount of utility bill assistance.

The first step is to contact the health and human services department for the LIHEAP energy assistance program at yes.state.nm.us. LIHEAP can help you with more than $400 toward your utilities and is processed in approximately three days.

The second step is to contact the PNM GOOD NEIGHBOR FUND at 844-378-5792 to get another $150 toward your electric bill.

Assistance through these programs is only available while it lasts. Go to www.pnm.com for more information.

NM ABSENTEE BALLOTS CAN NOW BE REQUESTED ONLINE

New Mexico absentee ballots can now be requested online at www.nmvote.org

Request your absentee ballot and ensure that you can take part in this fall’s general election safely by voting from home. You will need your driver’s license or state identification number; social security number; and birth date to make the request. You can also request an absentee ballot through the Grant County Clerk’s Office. The deadline to request an absentee ballot is October 20.

Do you still need to register to vote or update your registration? You can do it all at www.nmvote.org.

Voter registration and absentee ballot applications are also available at Silver City Farmers’ Market on Saturdays 9am-noon at the corner of Pope and College through September.

October 6 is the last day to register to vote via paper/voter registrars.
From October 6–31 you can still register to Vote at the Grant County Clerk’s Office and Bayard Community Center.

Election Day is Nov 3, 7 am–7 pm

In Grant County, Early Voting will take place at the following locations:

Grant County Clerk’s Office 1400 Highway 180 East in Silver City Monday through Friday, 8 am–5 pm from October 6–30, 2020 and Sat. October 31st from 8am–5 pm

Bayard Community Center 290 Hurley Avenue in Bayard on Sat. October 17th. 9 am–6 pm Tues-Sat., October 20–31 from 9 am–6 pm

More information at the Grant County Clerk’s office at grantcountynm.gov

2020 CENSUS REMINDER

If you haven’t responded to the 2020 Census yet, now is the time.

The deadline for the census is now September 30.

The results of the 2020 Census will help determine how hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funding flow into communities every year for the next decade. That funding shapes many different aspects of every community, no matter the size, no matter the location.

The easiest way to get counted is to go online to 2020census.gov and fill out the on-line questionnaire. It takes about 10 minutes.

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.

If you live in Grant County and need personal assistance filling out your census form, you can get help at:

Village of Santa Clara City Hall, 105 Bayard Street, Village of Santa Clara, NM Monday through Friday 8:30 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. & 1:00 P.M. to 4:30 P.M. Any other time call for an appointment at (575) 537-2443

Grant County Administration Building/Planning and Mapping Department from 8:00 A.M to 5:00 P.M. located at 1400 Highway 180 East, Silver City. 575-574-0000

Additionally, Belinda Jones of the El Refugio is offering to help walk anyone through the form. You can reach her at 575-538-2125 extension 17.

There are fewer than 30 days left to complete the census, so please get counted today at 2020census.gov

NM LEGAL AID TEMPORARY COMMUNITY JUSTICE WORKER POSITIONS AVAILABLE

New Mexico Legal Aid seeks four full-time temporary community justice workers to conduct outreach and education about the legal rights of low-income residents of New Mexico as those rights are affected by the COVID pandemic. The initial concentration of the outreach will be on housing law but may extend to other areas.

The Community Justice Workers will organize and strategize to reach the most vulnerable populations, and then conduct outreach and training on the rights of low-income households in the community. These outreach and training sessions will be conducted mostly online. Community Justice Workers will also assist with direct services to clients, including helping with gathering documents, helping clients to connect with needed resources and assisting attorneys in communicating with clients who have COVID-related legal issues.

New Mexico Legal Aid provides free services to eligible low-income New Mexico residents with civil (non-criminal) matters. Their services range from education, advice and brief services, to full representation in some cases. No one is denied access on the basis of race, age, gender, religion, political affiliation, beliefs, or disability. Find out more at newmexicolegalaid.org

FREE RESUME REVIEW AND OTHER EMPLOYMENT SERVICES FROM GOODWILL INDUSTRIES OF NEW MEXICO

If you are looking for FREE, professional guidance to help you find a job, check out Goodwill’s Free Resume Review tool at goodwillnm.org. This tool is among many offered by Goodwill that improves your chances for success in landing a job offer.

You can also request help from a career specialist. Goodwill also offers over 200 free classes. Among these resources are job opportunities for you and skills to increase your chance of landing a job offer. More information at www.goodwillnm.org

FOOD PANTRY SCHEDULES

The Commons regular food pantry distribution will be this Saturday September 5th from 10am to 12pm. The Commons is located at 501 East 13th Street, next door to Knights of Columbus. For more information please contact The Commons at 575-388-2988.

The Food Pantry at the Gospel Mission located at 111 South Texas Street in Silver City is open for drive thru only on Wednesdays 8:30 am – 9:30 am. There is a also a Daily soup kitchen: Breakfast takes place from 8:30-9:30 Mon-Fri and Lunch occurs every day from 12-1 pm. Call 575 388-5071 for more information.

St. Francis Newman Center Food Pantry located at 914 W. 13th St. Silver City is open every Monday at 4 pm. Cash assistance for rent, utilities, bus passes and prescription drugs is also provided. Call 575-388-4933 for more information.

SILVER CITY LOTUS CENTER FREE ONLINE CLASSES SEPTEMBER 12

The Silver City Lotus Center is offering a day of free live online classes on Saturday, September 12. Please join Lotus Center for Yoga, Qigong, and/or Meditation Classes as they celebrate the roll-out of the Fall Online Schedule! There’s no cost and no registration required. Everyone is welcome! A complete schedule of the day’s classes is available at https://lotuscentersc.org/events/

Please visit our website at GMCR.org for all of today’s updates, as well as replays of today’s and past shows.

And be sure to visit our new website, grantcountycoronavirusupdate.org, a clearinghouse of local, state and federal information and resources to help keep you, your family and our community safe in these times.

While you’re there, you can also join our mailing list to receive these daily updates via email.

And don’t forget that you can send us your updates via our new email address at info@grantcountycoronavirusupdate.org or on facebook @ Gila Mimbres Community Radio.

Written by: Allyson Siwik

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Coronavirus updates for Grant County for Wednesday, August 26, 2020.  Our guest today on Coronavirus Update is Ben Rasmussen, Program manager for the Southwest New Mexico FOOD HUB at the National Center for Frontier Communities. Today he will be talking to us about the re-launch of the South West New Mexico Seed Library taking place virtually on Friday September 4th from 2-4pm. Coronavirus Update is a local radio show that provides […]

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