Coronavirus Update – April 10, 2020

Coronavirus updates for Grant County for Friday, April 10, 2020. Our guest today is Andrea Warner, manager of the Silver City Farmers’ Market. She’ll be talking about the market’s response to the COVID-19 crisis.

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 10, 2020

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April 10, 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.

989 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in New Mexico, with 17 deaths, 59 hospitalized individuals, and 201 recoveries according to the New Mexico Department of Health. Grant County currently has 4 positive cases of coronavirus. (press release)

The Department of Health reports that given the infectious nature of the virus it is likely other residents are infected but yet to be tested or confirmed positive. To that end, all New Mexicans have been instructed to stay home except for outings absolutely necessary for health, safety and welfare.

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

For more information, go to cv.nmhealth.org

Mental Health Resources for First Responders and Medical Professionals has been made available by consulting organization “Reloveution”, who have created a bank of mental health professionals from around the country who are volunteering clinical hours to virtually support COVID-19 first responders and healthcare professionals. All sessions are completely free and you can request as many as you need for as long as it takes! Any first responder or healthcare professional can request a support session and will be matched with a professional within twenty-four hours. Scheduling and the mode of virtual meeting will be handled directly between the requester and the mental health professional. For more information and to sign up go to: bit.ly/FRSP_signup  truereloveution.com/

If you’re wondering how to obtain a cloth face mask…..

The CDC has issued new guidelines recommending that people wear cloth face coverings in public settings like grocery stores and pharmacies where it could be difficult to maintain social distancing. 

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham yesterday in her weekly press conference encouraged New Mexicans to wear face masks when leaving home to prevent community spread of coronavirus. 

There is a local group of volunteers working to make cloth face masks for workers and front line medical staff. They are also making masks for people who request them. You can make a request on the Grant County COVID Supplies Support Facebook page or personal message Diana Cameron who is coordinating requests.  

We also have a list of resources on how to make a face mask — either sew or no sew alternatives — found at gmcr.org/coronavirus-resources.

2020 CENSUS

If you haven’t responded to the 2020 Census yet, now is the time. The U.S. Census happens once every decade and counts everyone in the U.S. An accurate census is critical because the data is used to determine the distribution of federal dollars and political representation for the next ten years. Grant County receives money through federal programs which benefit the community from health care, to nutrition, to education, to housing, to jobs, and more. 

To date, only 27% of Grant County residents have responded to the census.

The easiest way to get counted is to go online to 2020census.gov and fill out the on-line questionnaire. It takes about 10 minutes. 

You can also fill out your paper questionnaire that you should have received in the mail.

Due to the coronavirus outbreak, all public locations for census taking are closed. 

So if you do not have access to the internet or have not received a paper questionnaire, you can call the 2020 Census Assistance line at 1-844-330-2020. 

Priscilla Lucero of the Southwest New Mexico Council of Governments has offered to help walk anyone through the form. You can reach her at 575-388-1509.

Again, to date only 27% of Grant County residents have responded, so please get counted today! That’s 2020census.gov

REQUEST AN ABSENTEE BALLOT FOR JUNE 2 PRIMARY ELECTION

Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver has created an online absentee ballot portal in an effort to ensure the state’s 2020 elections proceed as efficiently and normally as possible in light of New Mexico’s ongoing public health emergency. The online absentee ballot application portal can be accessed directly through the Secretary of State’s Voter Information Portal at NMvote.org. New Mexico’s primary election will take place on June 2, 2020. The deadline for requesting your absentee ballot is May 28. For more information, visit the Secretary of State’s website at sos.state.nm.us.

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 13 at 4pm. The group also provides cash assistance for rent, utilities, bus passes and prescription drugs. Call 575-388-4933 for more information.

St. Vincent De Paul Catholic Church at 414 Bayard St. Silver City has its food pantry open Monday – Thursday 9 am-11:30 am and 1 pm-4 pm. They take applications to help with utilities on Tuesdays from 1 pm-2 pm. Call 575-538-9373 for more information.

RESOURCES FROM INTERVIEW WITH ANDREA WARNER

Silver City Farmers’ Market – silvercityfarmersmarket.info

Silvercityfarmersmarket@gmail.com

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 @GilaMimbresCommunityRadio.

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.