Pondering Social Distancing On Valle Grande Trail
The essence of social distancing can be found on the Valle Grande Trail off N.M. 4. Relaxing on the Valle begs for contemplation, and possibly some sort of clarity regarding our current situation, and a great spot for a picnic. It’s only a 2-mile round trip and a pretty good hike back up to the highway, but it’s well worth it. Photo by Jim O’Donnell Read More
McQuiston: COVID-19 And Car Insurance
By ALLEN MCQUISTON
The Jemez Agency
The coronavirus pandemic has forced people to spend more time at home, resulting in a lot less driving.
Car insurance companies are recognizing how these changes are affecting Americans and how they are driving. Less miles being driven means less accidents and less claims.
Just in the last week or so, several insurance companies have stated they will be refunding a portion of premiums back to consumers.
Here is a list of companies that I have seen offer refunds. There may be more or more to come, but as of this writing, the companies are:
- Safeco;
- Liberty Mutual;
Mom Creates Joyful Birthday Despite Social Distancing
Amparo Wulf wanted to make her daughter Margo’s 12th birthday special despite the ‘home town shut down’, so she conspired with 11 families to make the day grand. She dropped off baggies with crafts for friends to make colorful posters a week before the big day. On her birthday, Margo’s friends lined the street waving their posters, holding balloons and blowing whistles. They sang happy birthday as the birthday girl rode by in the sole car of a specially designed parade. ‘I thought the experience was outstanding,’ Margo said. ‘My mom was vague when I’d ask her questions about why she was decorating Read More
Los Alamos JJAB Launches Community Gift Card Program
JJAB News:
…Connecting, Los Alamos and White Rock, community members in need with gift cards to local restaurants
Would you like to support a local restaurant and help a community member?
During the pandemic, we are all looking for ways to assist others. Los Alamos JJAB has developed the Community Gift Card Program to do just that, assist community members in need, recognize helpers in our community, and support local eating establishments.
How does the program work? Gift cards are purchased, by community members, directly from the participating local restaurants. Currently, Secret Read More
Daily Postcard: Oppie & Groves Wearing Protective Masks
Daily Postcard: The Dr. J. Robert Oppenheimer and General Leslie Groves historic sculptures spotted late Thursday afternoon wearing protective masks on the south lawn of Fuller Lodge. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com Read More
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham Addresses White House ‘Opening Up America Again’ Guidelines
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham
STATE News:
SANTA FE – Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham issued the following statement this afternoon regarding the Trump administration’s distribution of “Opening Up America Again” guidelines:
“The White House – like states across the country, including ours – is considering what a plan to reopen our economy might look like. We appreciate their suggestions, and we will evaluate them thoroughly, but the plain overriding fact is we cannot put the cart before the horse.
“As CDC, FEMA, and public health experts across the country have made clear, we are not at a point Read More
New Mexico Highlands University Navajo RN-BSN Student Tanya Tohtsoni Works On Front Lines Of COVID-19 Pandemic
Tanya Tohtsoni
NMHU News:
LAS VEGAS, NM — Tanya Tohtsoni, a Navajo woman and RN-BSN student at New Mexico Highlands University, is on the front lines as a nurse serving the hard-hit Navajo Nation during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tohtsoni also won a $1,000 Florence Nightingale Foundation scholarship in April 2020, the second year in a row she has received the honor. She has maintained a 4.0 GPA to date and is on track to graduate in December 2020.
Tohtsoni, who has been a nurse for 10 years, said her Navajo heritage motivates her every day. She is a nurse discharge specialist overseeing the COVID-19 unit Read More
Chart 32: COVID-19 Daily Cases By County In New Mexico
Statewide counts. Shown are the cumulative numbers of tests, diagnoses, and deaths in New Mexico. Created by Eli Ben-Naim
Time evolution of the doubling time. The doubling time was estimated by comparing the number of diagnoses on a given day with the corresponding number one week before. Created by Eli Ben-Naim
Read More
New Mexico COVID-19 Cases At 1,597 & 8 More Deaths
STATE News:
SANTA FE – New Mexico state health officials have announced today 116 additional positive tests for COVID-19.
Update includes eight additional deaths related to COVID-19.
Per the New Mexico Department of Health, the most recent cases announced today include:
- 17 new cases in Bernalillo County
- 1 new case in Cibola County
- 1 new case in Colfax County
- 4 new cases in Doña Ana County
- 1 new case in Grant County
- 1 new case in Luna County
- 23 new cases in McKinley County
- 31 new cases in Sandoval County
- 29 new cases in San Juan County
- 1 new case in Santa Fe
- 4 new cases in Socorro County
- 3 new cases
Udall Calls For Immediate Bipartisan Action To Fix Paycheck Protection Program, Provide Additional Funding For Small Businesses, Healthcare Providers, State, Local, Tribal Governments On Front Lines Of COVID-19 Crisis
U.S. Sen. Tom Udall
From the Office of U.S. Sen. Tom Udall:
SANTA FE – Today, U.S. Sen. Tom Udall (D-N.M.) issued the following statement calling for immediate bipartisan action to address gaps in the recently passed CARES Act that would provide additional funding and fixes for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), shoring up our hospitals and other health care providers as they fight COVID-19 while losing regular revenue, and provide relief to state, local and Tribal governments as they continue to experience severe financial losses caused by the coronavirus pandemic:
“For nearly Read More
New Mexico Unveils App For Behavioral Health Support
NMBHC News:
SANTA FE — The state of New Mexico has launched NMConnect, a new phone app that provides free 24-hour crisis and non-crisis support and access to behavioral health professionals who can text or talk via phone with individuals needing a listening ear or referrals to longer-term support.
The app links users to the New Mexico Crisis Access Line (NMCAL), which provides safety net services statewide. NMCAL is still available via phone 24/7 toll-free by calling 1-855-NMCRISIS (1.855.662.7474).
“As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to force physical isolation, many people may experience Read More
Sen. Martin Heinrich To Serve On White House Task Force
U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON (April 16, 2020) – U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) issued the following statement on agreeing to serve on a White House task force comprised of Senators and Members of the House of Representatives to provide counsel to the President on the reopening of the American economy in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic:
“This public health crisis is like nothing any of us have ever experienced. As elected leaders and policymakers, we will rightly be measured by how we responded. I’m committed to bringing all of our country’s Read More
The Women Behind The Masks
Brittany Dowd and her 3-year-old daughter make masks to help protect others from the COVID-19 virus. Courtesy photo
The intrepid mask makers who outfitted Smith’s. From left, Kelly Vallejo, Lissie Ham, Teresa Boyd. Second Row: Roberta Idzorek, Thao Nguyen, Lauren Coupland. Third Row: Stefanie Pipis, Barbara Kaldi, James and Brittany Dowd. Courtesy photo
By BONNIE J. GORDON
Los Alamos Daily Post
bjgordon@ladailypost.com
Everyone said someone else was doing more. This tireless group of folks making masks for essential workers in Los Alamos, Espanola and other places, are rolling Read More
Council Chair Scott Shares COVID-19 Response Update
By Chair SARA SCOTT
Los Alamos County Council
I’ve got a few updates I’d like to share but first I want to say thank you Los Alamos and White Rock. We’ve continued to work hard to protect each other through taking the Stay at Home Instruction and other important measures seriously.
These actions are having a real impact and they show that we respect and care for each other and our community.
Let’s keep on it and make more progress on social distancing of six feet and on wearing face coverings when we must be out in public. Face coverings are an important additional personal measure we can and should take Read More
Alme: 70-75 Percent Of New Positive Tests Are From McKinley, Sandoval, San Juan Counties, While 22-Day Doubling Time Characterizes Rest Of New Mexico
Cumulative number of positive tests in the 30 other counties of New Mexico, the cumulative number of positive tests in Sandoval, San Juan and McKinley Counties and the cumulative number of positive tests in New Mexico. Created by Marv Alme
By MARV ALME
Los Alamos
Except in the Northwest corner of New Mexico, the currently implemented stay-at-home policy is working well.
Unfortunately, over the past three days, the number of new COVID-19 positive tests in Sandoval, San Juan and McKinley counties has been 70-75 percent of the total number of new COVID-19 positive tests in New Mexico. (See the Read More
NWS: Today’s High Near 62; Tonight’s Low Around 35
The National Weather Service forecasts today’s high in Los Alamos near 62 with sunny skies and tonight’s low around 35. Courtesy/NWS Read More
Highlands Employee Uses 3-D Printer To Create Face Masks
A 3-D printer producers a plastic protective face mask that will be fitted with a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter to cover the nose and mouth. Mariano Ulibarri of New Mexico Highlands University is operating the printer. Photo by Mariano Ulibarri
Protective face mask mask produced by 3-D printer. Photo by Mariano Ulibarri
NMHU News:
LAS VEGAS, NM — Mariano Ulibarri of New Mexico Highlands University is producing reusable plastic protective face masks on a 3-D printer for the campus and broader community to use during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ulibarri is making the masks at home Read More
UNM-LA Responds And Adapts To COVID-19 Pandemic
Spring has arrived on the UNM-LA campus, brightening up the empty campus while students, faculty and staff all work remotely. Photo by Nancy Coombs/UNM-LA
UNM-LA News:
Similar to other colleges and universities, UNM-LA shifted to remote operations in mid-March in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The physical campus is closed except for essential personnel, but operations are continuing remotely.
Classes are now being delivered in an online format, with additional support provided for students and for faculty who may not have worked previously in online environments. Personnel in Read More
Chart 31: COVID-19 Daily Cases By County In New Mexico
Statewide counts. Shown are the cumulative numbers of tests, diagnoses, and deaths in New Mexico. Also shown is the number of active hospitalizations. Created by Eli Ben-Naim
Diagnoses per capita. Shown is the number of diagnoses per 1,000 residents by county. Created by Eli Ben-Naim Read More
Forest Service Takes Steps To Reduce Human-Caused Wildfire During Pandemic … No Campfires April 15-June 30
SANTA FE – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service, Southwestern Region today enacted a campfire restriction to protect the health and safety of employees and communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
From April 15 through June 30, campfires are prohibited on all five national forests in New Mexico and national grasslands on the Cibola in Oklahoma and Texas.
Forest Service officials are taking necessary steps to ensure first responders are available to safely respond to and manage incidents. This campfire restriction will prevent the drawdown of fire and medical resources Read More
