NACo Calls On Congress To Make Counties Eligible For Stabilization Fund In COVID-19 Package
NACo News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Association of Counties (NACo) has called on federal policymakers to ensure America’s 3,069 county governments are eligible for the State Stabilization Fund and other essential supplemental federal aid resources.
“Counties are on the front lines of responding to the coronavirus pandemic,” NACo Executive Director Matthew Chase said. “We are investing huge sums in immediate public health and public safety needs, and at the same time, we will be experiencing massive declines in revenue.”
America’s counties employ about one percent of the Read More
Skolnik: The Costs Of Unpreparedness
By RICHARD SKOLNIK
Los Alamos
There is a price for everything and, one way or another, the price must always be paid. The economic impact of coronavirus will be exceptional, even if it were to kill only a relatively small number of people. We could save ourselves an enormous amount of economic hardship and ill health if we had invested wisely on a continuous basis in preparedness against emerging diseases. This is a lesson we have foolishly failed to learn from one emerging disease after another, such as SARS and Ebola.
Many Americans don’t understand what we should expect our federal government Read More
Chart 6: COVID-19 Cases By County In New Mexico
Chart shows between March 11 and March 21 the daily cases of COVID-19 by county in New Mexico. Courtesy/Eli Ben-Naim
Chart shows the cumulative number of COVID-19 cases to date statewide. Courtesy/Eli Ben-Naim
Chart shows the number of COVID-19 cases statewide by age. Courtesy/Eli Ben-Naim Read More
New Mexico COVID-19 Cases Now At 57
STATE News:
SANTA FE – New Mexico state health officials today announced 14 additional positive tests for COVID-19.
Per the New Mexico Department Of Health, the most recent cases are:
Nine new cases in Bernalillo County:
- A female in her 70s
- A female in her 60s
- Two males in their 40s
- Two males in their 30s
- A female in her 30s
- A female in her 20s
- A male infant
- A female in her 20s
- A male in his 70s
- A female in her 40s
- A male in his 50s
- A female in her 50s
Trump Urges Citizens To Donate Protective Gear To Hospitals
President Donald Trump urging citizens to donate unused PPE to local hospitals today during a briefing at the White House. Screenshot/LADP
By CAROL A. CLARK
Los Alamos Daily Post
caclark@ladailypost.com
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic causing a critical need in hospitals across the nation, President Donald Trump this afternoon in his daily Coronavirus Task Force briefing at the White House is urging citizens to donate unused Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) immediately.
PPE includes masks, gloves, protective clothing, helmets, goggles and other garments and equipment designed Read More
Early Childhood Education Depart. Offers Free Parentivity Accounts For Online Learning During Self-Isolation
Secretary Elizabeth Groginsky
STATE News:
SANTA FE — New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Secretary Elizabeth Groginsky announced that the state Wednesday is providing free 30-day accounts to Parentivity for all parents of New Mexico’s young children.
Parentivity is a web-based system that provides 24/7 customized information for parents of children from birth to age five. Parentivity includes 2-3-minute learning experiences in the form of interactive games, videos, and research-based resources.
The system is designed for all families and covers topics such as health and Read More
New Mexico Extends Income And Payroll Tax Deadlines
Taxation & Rev. Secretary Stephanie Schardin Clarke
STATE News:
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and Taxation and Revenue Department Secretary Stephanie Schardin Clarke announced today that New Mexicans will have an extra 90 days to file and pay their 2019 personal income taxes in recognition of the economic hardships many are facing as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Taxpayers will have until July 15 to file and pay any taxes due.
The deadline for 2019 corporate income taxes also will be extended until July 15. In addition, the state is extending deadlines for employers to remit withholding Read More
New Mexico Environment Department Requests Public’s Help To Prevent Clogged Sewers And Overflows
NMED News:
The New Mexico Environment Department is requesting the public’s help in preventing clogged sewers and overflows Increased flushing of wipes, paper towels causes issues in sewer systems and treatment plants
Sewer back-ups and overflows may be on the rise due to an increased use and flushing of sanitary wipes and paper towels.
Clogged sewers cause back-ups and overflows at residences, businesses and wastewater treatment facilities, creating an additional public health risk in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. These events also threaten the health of the environment and Read More
U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich Urges Trump Administration To ‘Put Our National Labs To Work’ On COVID-19 Response
U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich
From the Office of U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich:
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) issued the following statement urging the Trump administration to do everything possible to engage the researchers and scientists at New Mexico’s national laboratories to find solutions to the coronavirus pandemic:
“Our national labs employ some of the best and brightest minds on Earth, and they have played a leading role in finding solutions to past public health crises. Sandia National Labs trained their high-powered electron microscopes on anthrax spores after Read More
Updated Emergency Public Health Order Increases Restrictions Of New Mexico Food Establishments
NMDOH News:
It has been announced that food establishments in New Mexico may only serve customers using take-out and delivery options, as of 9 a.m. Thursday, March 19.
These restrictions are being implemented under an emergency public health order from the New Mexico Department of Health in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19.
The Department of Health and the Environment Department, which regulates food establishments, strongly encourage businesses to utilize curbside take-out and drive-through options when possible and ask that customers call in orders ahead of time.
If customers Read More
Secretary Of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver Announces Today’s Early Launch Of Online Absentee Ballot Request Tool
Udall, Heinrich Call On Major Health Insurers To Fully Cover Testing, Treatment For COVID-19 Without Cost Sharing
U.S. Sen. Tom Udall
U.S. SENATE News:
Udall, Heinrich Ask Insurers to Allow Americans to Receive Care Without Fear of Unexpected Bills to Help Fight Pandemic
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich are calling on health insurance companies to remove barriers to care for Americans who find themselves diagnosed with COVID-19.
In a letter to CEOs for Kaiser Permanente, Aetna, Humana, Cigna Corporation, Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, Anthem, and UnitedHealth Group, the senators specifically asked the insurers to cover all COVID-19 related treatment and services Read More
New Mexico COVID-19 Cases Now At 43
STATE News:- A female in Bernalillo County in her teens
- Two males in Bernalillo County in their 40s
- A male in Doña Ana County in his 20s
- A male in McKinley County in his 30s
- A female in Sandoval County in her teens
- A male in Sandoval County in his 80s
- A female in Taos County in her 70s
- Bernalillo County: 23
- Doña Ana County:
Udall, Heinrich Co-Sponsor Bill To Ensure Americans’ Ability To Vote During National Emergencies Such As Coronavirus
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) joined Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) to introduce legislation that would ensure New Mexicans and all Americans are still able to vote safely.
The bill expands early in-person voting and no-excuse absentee vote-by-mail to all states, and allows voters who did not receive an absentee ballot to use a printable ballot currently only provided for military and overseas voters.
The legislation comes following widespread confusion surrounding Ohio’s primary this week, Read More
Bureau Of Land Management Suspends Entrance Fees On All Public Lands Across America Until Further Notice
BLM News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — After careful consideration and at the direction of Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will temporarily suspend the collection of all entrance fees until further notice.
As a result, site-specific standard amenity and day-use fees at BLM recreation sites and areas will be waived for the foreseeable future. Other fees, such as overnight camping, cabin rentals, group day use, and use of special areas, will remain in effect.
“I’ve directed the Bureau of Land Management to waive entrance fees at recreation sites and national Read More
Updated Emergency Public Health Order Includes Further Restrictions On New Mexico Food Establishments
STATE News:
Effective immediately, food establishments in New Mexico may only serve customers using take-out and delivery options.
These restrictions are being implemented under an emergency public health order from the New Mexico Department of Health in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19.
The Department of Health and the Environment Department, which regulates food establishments, strongly encourage businesses to utilize curbside take-out and drive-through options when possible and ask that customers call in orders ahead of time.
If customers must enter the facility to order Read More
Chart 4: COVID-19 Cases By County In New Mexico
Chart shows between March 11 and March 19 the daily cases of COVID-19 by county in New Mexico. Courtesy/Eli Ben-Naim
Chart shows the cumulative number of COVID-19 cases to date statewide. Courtesy/Eli Ben-Naim Read More
Skolnik: ‘Marshall Plan’ Is Needed To Get States, Counties, Municipalities Financing Needed To Fight COVID-19 Outbreak
By RICHARD SKOLNIK
Los Alamos
Dear Senators and Members of Congress:
I write urgently to you, as a New Mexican who has spent 45 years working on global health and is the author of the leading textbook on that subject. I take account in my comments below of discussions with some of the leading economists and medical scientists who work on global health.
An economic stimulus plan may be warranted. However, no amount of economic stimulus can calm the economy in a crisis that is engendered by a disease outbreak. An economic stimulus may be necessary, but it will never be sufficient.
What is needed at least Read More
New Mexico Governor Orders Agencies To Develop Child Care Plan For First Responders, Key Personnel
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. Courtesy photo
STATE News:
SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced three measures Wednesday to safeguard against COVID-19 and strengthen insurance protections for New Mexicans.
Encouraging Medicaid Enrollment
“Right now, 56,000 New Mexicans are uninsured and eligible for Medicaid — including children who may be eligible even if their parents are not. Even if we weren’t facing a public health emergency, we would want to enroll those folks. Given the current situation, it’s all the more important that we help every New Mexican get insured,” Read More
