Coronavirus Update – April 17, 2020

Coronavirus updates for Grant County for Friday, April 17, 2020.  Our guest today on Coronavirus Update is Charmeine Wait, executive director of the Silver City MainStreet Project and she’ll be talking about the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis on downtown businesses as well as resources and programs available to help businesses get through the emergency.

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

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

Coronavirus Update Resource Page – gmcr.org/coronavirus-resources

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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 17, 2020

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April 17, 2020 – Updates as of 10 am – Please note: Because we are producing this show remotely, these updates are current as of 10 am. Information on this page can change quickly, including Coronavirus Updates from previous days. Please visit gmcr.org/category/coronavirus-update to see the latest updates.

As of Today – Friday, April 17 – 1,597  people have tested positive for COVID-19 in New Mexico, with 44 deaths, 90 hospitalized individuals, and 353 recoveries according to the New Mexico Department of Health. 

Grant County currently has 12 positive cases of coronavirus. 34,448 COVID-19 tests have been performed in the state.

Visit cv.nmhealth.org for more information.

As a reminder — New Mexicans who report symptoms of COVID-19 infection, such as fever, cough, or shortness of breath, are advised to call their health care provider or the COVID-19 hotline immediately at 1-855-600-3453

New Mexicans who have non-health-related questions or concerns can also call 833-551-0518 or visit newmexico.gov, which is being updated regularly as a one-stop source for information for families, workers and others affected by and seeking more information about COVID-19.

In response to the Trump administration’s distribution of “Opening Up America Again” guidelines, New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham released a statement yesterday stating that her “administration is working doggedly to develop robust economic recovery plans alongside a plan for a thoughtful, staged and flexible reopening of our state – and the moment we can safely implement those plans, they will be implemented with the same dedication and focus that we are using to contain this pandemic. But first things first. And our state’s partnership with the White House to be part of a federal pilot program to demonstrate the effectiveness of aggressive testing and contact-tracing capacity is an enormous step forward. Doing the work to defeat the virus in this way will set the stage for New Mexico to be in the driver’s seat, nationally, for economic recovery – and I believe it will ultimately help state businesses reopen faster and stay open for longer.”

More information at governor.state.nm.us

ASSISTANCE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES

The New Mexico Small Business Development Center is offering help for small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 health emergency.  If you have specific questions and need to speak to a Counselor or if you are looking for live trainings on new Federal programs, The New Mexico Small Business Development Center provides free counseling, a one-stop show for all COVID-19 assistance programs for small business, including free live trainings on how to apply for federal coronavirus emergency funding.  Visit nmsbdc.org for more information.

REQUEST AN ABSENTEE/MAIL-IN BALLOT TO VOTE IN THE JUNE 2 PRIMARY ELECTION

On Tuesday, The NM Supreme Court ordered that every county clerk and Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver must mail to NM voters applications for an absentee ballot for the June 2 primary election. To make sure that your address and other voter registration information is current, and that you receive an application for a mail-in or absentee ballot, you can go to nmvote.org to check your voter information and request an absentee ballot. This is the easiest and surest way to get your absentee ballot. You can also call the Grant County Clerk and request an absentee ballot at:  575-574-0042. Note that your current address must be the address that is in your voter registration file. 

May 5, 2020 is when absentee or mail-in ballots will be sent to those eligible New Mexico voters who requested them. An absentee ballot must be requested no later than May 28, 2020.

More information at sos.state.nm.us   

A reminder from NM Aging and Long-term Services Department…

If you are a senior or disabled adult and cannot access groceries, please call 1-800-432-2080. Leave a message with your name, telephone number, and the city/town you reside in. We will be in contact with you within 2 hours of your call if not sooner.

 Here’s a reminder of FOOD PANTRY schedules:

The Gospel Mission, located at 111 South Texas Street, Silver City has its Food Pantry Monday thru Friday, 8:30am-1:30pm.

St. Francis Associates at The Newman Center located at 914 W. 13th St. in Silver City has its next Food Pantry this coming Monday April 20 at 4pm. The group also provides cash assistance for rent, utilities, bus passes and prescription drugs. Call 575-388-4933 for more information.

The Silver City Farmers’ Market will be open Saturday, April 18, 10am-1pm. All vendors have been informed of proper precautions to keep themselves and customers healthy to stop the spread of COVID-19. The Silver City Farmers’ Market says It is important during times such as these that we keep availability to local food possible. cash and EBT cards are accepted.  M0re information at silvercityfarmersmarket.info or on Facebook @silvercityfarmersmarket.

And remember you can Double your SNAP benefits with Double Up Food Bucks at the Silver City Farmers’ Market. Get more fruits and vegetables when you spend your SNAP EBT Card dollars at participating farmers’ markets, farm stands, mobile markets, and grocery stores. 

For example, if you spend $10 from your SNAP EBT Card at a participating outlet, we give you another $10 to buy fresh fruits and veggies grown in New Mexico.

 More information at www.doubleupnm.org/

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 @GilaMimbresCom munityRadio.

If you missed part of today’s show, Coronavirus Update is rebroadcast at 6pm and 8 am Monday through Friday and past shows are available 24/7 at gmcr.org.