Coronavirus Update – June 17, 2020

Coronavirus updates for Grant County for Wednesday , June 17, 2020.  Our guest today on Coronavirus Update is Julie Dunning Farmer, a fourth grade teacher at Stout Elementary, and we’ll be talking about how kids are adapting to the incredible changes that are happening and what school might look like next year.

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

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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 – June 17, 2020

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Updates as of  Wednesday, June 17 at 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 – Wednesday, June 17 – 9,933 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in New Mexico, with 447 deaths, 156 currently hospitalized individuals, and 4,217 recoveries according to the New Mexico Department of Health.

Grant County has 16 cases of COVID-19 with 15 recovered.

In total, 271,553 COVID-19 tests have been performed in the state, with 2,223 having been conducted in Grant County.

For a full breakdown of COVID-19 cases by county and demographic information, visit the state’s COVID-19 data dashboard at: cvprovider.nmhealth.org/public-dashboard

New Mexicans who report symptoms of COVID-19 infection, such as fever, cough, shortness of breath, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, and/or loss of taste or smell should call their health care provider or the NMDOH COVID-19 hotline immediately (1-855-600-3453).

As a reminder, the state’s extended public health order that took effect on June 1 still requires that face coverings must be worn in public settings; Mass gatherings of more than 5 people are still unsafe and prohibited and New Mexicans are still urged to stay home, especially if sick or in a high-risk group, and to maintain a 6-foot physical distance from others if you must go out.

More COVID-19 health information is available at cv.nmhealth.org

COVID-SAFE PRACTICES CERTIFICATION PROGRAM NOW AVAILABLE TO NEW MEXICO BUSINESSES

In response to the COVID-Safe Practices for Individuals and Employers (CSPs) released by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham on May 15, the New Mexico Tourism Department (NMTD) has issued a $50,000 grant to the New Mexico Society of Association Executives (NMSAE) to administer a COVID-Safe Practices training program in an effort to help businesses operate in a COVID-19 world.

The initiative, tabbed the NM Safe Certified Program, offers free on-demand virtual COVID-Safe Practices training modules designed to help businesses create a safe and responsible environment for employees and customers. The NM Safe Certified Program officially went live on June 15, 2020, and is available to businesses that qualify.

The program will be piloted through the tourism sector, and training modules for additional business sectors will be developed in the future. Training modules for restaurants, lodging businesses, retail businesses, tour operators, golf courses, spas and salons are currently available.

Upon completion of the training modules, businesses will be awarded special recognition. Businesses can then display the “NM Safe Certified” badge on their website or storefront to show visitors and residents it is equipped to offer safe and responsible service in a COVID-positive world.

More information at www.nmsafecertified.org

NEWS FROM THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE

As the July 15 tax-filing deadline − postponed from April 15 due to COVID-19 − draws near, the Internal Revenue Service is reminding all taxpayers who have yet to file their 2019 federal tax return to file electronically now, choose direct deposit for their refund, or pay any tax owed electronically.

Taxpayers who owe for tax year 2019 or need to pay 2020 estimated taxes originally due for the first quarter on April 15 or the second quarter on June 15 can schedule an electronic payment up to the July 15 due date. (press release)

Additionally, the Internal Revenue Service has advised that new rules under the CARES Act provide flexibility for health care spending that may be helpful in the current environment where more people may need at-home services due to measures to fight the coronavirus. Under the CARES Act, a high deductible health plan (HDHP) temporarily can cover telehealth and other remote care services without a deductible, or with a deductible below the minimum annual deductible otherwise required by law. The CARES Act also modifies the rules that apply to various tax-advantaged accounts, such as Health Savings Accounts, so that additional items are “qualified medical expenses” that may be reimbursed from those accounts. (press release)

More information at IRS.gov

FOOD PANTRY TODAY

The Mimbres Valley Health Action League Mobile Food Pantry will be held today from Noon to 2pm at the Roundup Lodge, 94 Acklin Hill Rd. Call 575-574-7674 for more information.

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