Nurse At Aspen Receives First COVID Vaccine At LAPS
Aspen Elementary School Nurse Miceala (Misha) Brown, RN, BSN, is the first LAPS employee to receive the Pfizer COVID vaccine. She also works at the Los Alamos Medical Center. Courtesy/LAPS
LAPS News:
With FDA approval of the Pfizer COVID vaccine, New Mexico DOH has developed a state vaccination plan.
It is posted on this website.
The plan may soon change because an FDA panel has recently recommended emergency authorization of a second vaccine, which was developed by Maderna.
Here is a high-level summary of the NMDOH plan:
Phase 1: Health Care workers (currently being implemented);
Phase 2: Read More
Environment Department COVID-19 Watchlist Update Dec. 17
NMED News:
The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) has updated its daily Rapid Response COVID-19 Watchlist, which includes New Mexico places of employment that have had two or more rapid responses in the last 14 days.
There are currently 173 establishments on the Watchlist.
The current Rapid Response COVID-19 Watchlist and closure list, which includes all establishments that have been required to close, are posted here.
The state initiates a rapid response when it learns of a positive COVID-19 case in a workplace. The state agency initiating the rapid response will offer direction Read More
New Mexico COVID-19 Update: 1,702 New Cases, Total Now 126,045 With 48 New Deaths And 50,784 Patients Recovered
SANTA FE – New Mexico state health officials announced this afternoon 1,702 additional positive tests for COVID-19.
Los Alamos County reports 5 more case today … the total is now 224 people who have tested positive for COVID-19.
Today’s update includes 48 new deaths in New Mexico related to COVID-19.
The New Mexico Department of Health reported today the most recent cases:
- 537 new cases in Bernalillo County
- 28 new cases in Chaves County
- 15 new cases in Cibola County
- 8 new cases in Colfax County
- 31 new cases in Curry County
- 2 new cases in De Baca County
- 140 new cases in Doña Ana County
- 38 new
LAMC Frontline Workers Begin Receiving COVID-19 Vaccine
Lori Coffelt, RN, administers the very first vaccine Tuesday to Sarah Newton, RN at Los Alamos Medical Center. LAMC CEO John Whiteside said, ‘We received our initial doses Tuesday morning and began vaccinating our frontline workers. We received a very limited amount, but we are grateful to be one of the first in the state to receive them. As more supply comes into the state, we expect to get another round of vaccines so we can continue protecting those who are caring for our community.’ Courtesy/LAMC
Lori Coffelt, RN, administers the vaccine to Constance Caruthers, RN, Tuesday at Los Alamos Medical Read More
Chamisa Elementary School Is All In For COVID Safety
By BONNIE J. GORDON
Los Alamos Daily Post
bjgordon@ladailypost.com
Officials from the New Mexico Public Education Department did a site check of Chamisa Elementary School recently.
“We passed with flying colors!” Principal Craig Washnok told members of the School Board at the Dec. 8 meeting.
Chamisa has fully implemented its hybrid education plan. While Los Alamos elementary schools have moved to the hybrid model, the middle and high school are still in the remote learning model. Read More
From Grumpy Skeptic To Recovering Patient: Local Pastor’s Heartfelt And Honest Journey With COVID-19
By Pastor David Taylor
First Baptist Church – Los Alamos
Like most of the world in January and February I watched as we were introduced to COVID-19 from the corners of the globe. In the months to come I watched as it infiltrated its way into our lives and activities.
I must admit that initially I watched with a bit of skepticism, however that did change. I thought, I am a 41-year-old healthy pastor in a small mountain community in Northern, New Mexico. I thought the likelihood of me ever encountering this virus or it affecting my life in this small town, off the beaten path, was a slight and even negligible Read More
Children’s Montessori Preschool Of Los Alamos Seeks Help From Community To Survive Impacts Of COVID Pandemic
Children’s Montessori Preschool students Nora Magee and Elias Davila playing Friday in the school’s playground at 1060 Nugget St. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com
Children’s Montessori Preschool is working hard to navigate through all the challenges COVID-19 has presented. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com
By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com
Pre-schools in Los Alamos are facing a whole new ball game, Children’s Montessori Preschool Owner Shelli Petty said.
COVID-19 is dwindling enrollments in local pre-kindergarten schools and emptying Read More
U.S. Sen. Tom Udall Applauds House Passage Of Two Bills Improving Services For Native American Veterans
U.S. Sen. Tom Udall
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Tom Udall (D-N.M.), vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, Wednesday applauded the unanimous House vote to pass two bills he cosponsored to uphold federal treaty obligations to Native veterans, the Native American Veteran Parity in Access to Care Today (PACT) Act and the VA Tribal Advisory Committee Act.
The legislation now moves to the president’s desk to be signed into law.
Native Americans serve in the United States military at five times the national average, representing the highest number of service Read More
Environment Department COVID-19 Watchlist: Dec. 16
NMED News:
The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) has updated its daily Rapid Response COVID-19 Watchlist, which includes New Mexico places of employment that have had two or more rapid responses in the last 14 days. There are 163 establishments on the Watchlist.
The current Rapid Response COVID-19 Watchlist and closure list, which includes all establishments that have been required to close, are posted here.
The state initiates a rapid response when it learns of a positive COVID-19 case in a workplace. The state agency initiating the rapid response will offer direction to establishments Read More
New Mexico Students Send Videos To Isolated Seniors
NMPED News:
SANTA FE — New Mexico students have created almost 90 video greetings to cheer people in isolation during the holiday season through a partnership between the Public Education Department and Hobbs High School.
Students from elementary through high school contributed videos in both English and Spanish to the project. They are often joined by teachers, parents and school staff as they sing holiday songs, read stories and perform quick little dances.
All are heartfelt. Some are hilarious.
“It’s real, not edited, and sometimes the kids are messing up. That’s what makes them so endearing,” Read More
Chart 277: COVID-19 In New Mexico Dec. 16, 2020
The state of New Mexico updated today the COVID-19 map with county risk designations applicable for the two-week period Dec 16-Dec 29. New Mexico’s ‘Red to Green’ framework consists of two gating criteria: (1) Average daily cases below 8 per 100,000 residents, and (2) test positivity rate below 5 percent. The ‘Red to Green’ has three risk designations: (a) RED, none of the gating criteria are met, (b) YELLOW, one gating criteria met, (c) GREEN, both gating criteria are met. Los Alamos County, with average daily cases of 26 per 100,000 people and test positivity of 7 percent remains in the RED. SanDepartment Of Health Map Update: All 33 Counties Operating At Red Level Dec. 16
Data listed here is sampled from Dec. 1 to Dec. 14. The next update is Dec. 30. Courtesy/NMDOH
NMDOH News:
- Vast majority of counties see marked improvements toward Yellow, Green since ‘reset’
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Health announced today the updated statewide COVID-19 map for the two-week period beginning today, Dec. 16, with all 33 counties at the Red Level.
Twenty-seven counties, however, improved in at least one of the two health gating criteria metrics, and 23 improved in both metrics, underscoring an improving COVID-19 outlook across the state.
No counties meet the criteria Read More
LAPS Shares Tips For Safe And Enjoyable Holiday
LAPS News:
Working toward a safe and enjoyable holiday is one of our objectives for all students, staff and families.
We recognize that the current global situation and the upcoming holidays can be a time of heightened stress for many people. It is natural to feel anxious during this pandemic, and if you are feeling stress, know that you are not alone.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has put together a list of ways to make the holidays safer and less stressful.
Here are a few ideas:
- Celebrate virtually or with the people you live with.
- Stay home or cancel your gathering especially if you or
Positive COVID Case At White Rock Senior Center
LARSO News:
The Los Alamos Retired Senior Organization (LARSO) announced this afternoon that there has been a positive COVID-19 case in the White Rock Senior Center.
The building is closed today, Thursday and Friday.
White Rock seniors are welcome to call 505.662.8920 and reserve a lunch at the Betty Ehart Senior Center in Los Los Alamos for Thursday ONLY and the lunch must be picked up there as well.
The annual holiday lunch sponsored by Enterprise Bank & Trust in White Rock is rescheduled for Friday, Jan. 8.
“Your reservations still stand, ONLY the date has changed. We apologize for the inconvenience,” Read More
New Mexico Emergency Public Health Order Amends Capacity Requirements For Essential Retail Spaces
From the Office of the Governor News:
SANTA FE – The New Mexico state emergency public health order was amended today to accommodate slightly increased capacity inside essential retail spaces, such as grocery stores and certain other large big box retailers that generate a percentage of their revenue from consumable food and drink products, as cold weather grips most of New Mexico.
In accordance with the state’s graduated red-to-green system of measuring the risk of viral spread in specific counties, the changes establish that essential retail spaces:
- May operate at 50 percent of maximum
New Mexico COVID-19 Update: 1,275 New Cases, Total Now 122,557 With 28 New Deaths And 48,105 Patients Recovered
SANTA FE – New Mexico state health officials announced this afternoon 1,275 additional positive tests for COVID-19.
Los Alamos County reports 1 more case today … the total is now 216 people who have tested positive for COVID-19.
Today’s update includes 28 new deaths in New Mexico related to COVID-19.
The New Mexico Department of Health reported today the most recent cases:
- 444 new cases in Bernalillo County
- 54 new cases in Chaves County
- 7 new cases in Cibola County
- 4 new cases in Colfax County
- 18 new cases in Curry County
- 1 new case in De Baca County
- 75 new cases in Doña Ana County
- 70 new cases
Chart 276: COVID-19 In New Mexico Dec. 15, 2020
The bars in this chart show the number of COVID-19 diagnoses in Los Alamos County versus date, and the line shows the seven-day average. Source: New Mexico Department of Health. Created by Eli Ben-NaimEnvironment Department COVID Watchlist Update: Dec. 15
The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) has updated its daily Rapid Response COVID-19 Watchlist, which includes New Mexico places of employment that had two or more rapid responses in the last 14 days.
There are 157 establishments on the Watchlist.
The current Rapid Response COVID-19 Watchlist and closure list, which includes all establishments that have been required to close, are posted here.
The state initiates a rapid response when it learns of a positive COVID-19 case in a workplace. NMED or the state agency initiating the rapid response will offer direction to establishments
EMNRD’s Oil Conservation Division Issues Civil Penalty To Harvest Midstream Co. For Failing To Report Major Release
OCD Director Adrienne Sandoval
EMNRD News:
…OCD proposes $187,400 penalty for Harvest’s alleged spill rule violation
SANTA FE — The Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department’s Oil Conservation Division (OCD) announced Monday that it has issued a notice of violation (NOV) and associated administrative civil penalty to Harvest Midstream Company (Harvest) for failing to report a major release.
The OCD considers failing to report a release, particularly a major release, to be a serious violation because it undermines OCD’s ability to ensure that a release is promptly mitigated Read More
Skolnik: How Much Better It Could Have Been
By Richard Skolnik
Los Alamos
A Day to Remember – with Sadness
The US hit a tragic milestone today – 300,000 deaths due to COVID-19. This is about 75 percent of the number of American military personnel killed in World War II. Yet, it did not have to be this way.
How did this happen in the US?
The Chinese did fail to transparently provide in a timely manner all of the information they had about an emerging infectious disease.
However, this cannot be an excuse for America’s failure to suppress the virus. A number of countries, such as Australia, New Zealand, S. Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam, for Read More
