Coronavirus Update – April 13, 2020

Coronavirus updates for Grant County for Monday, April 13, 2020. Our guest today is Alicia Edwards, coordinator of Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities Grant County and we’ll be talking about food insecurity during 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 13, 2020

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April 13, 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.

1245 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in New Mexico, with 26 deaths, 80 hospitalized individuals, and 295 recoveries according to the New Mexico Department of Health. Grant County currently has 9 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. Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham over the weekend reiterated her public health order that 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

The Governor announced on Saturday that houses of worship must now abide by a public health order banning mass gatherings to mitigate COVID-19 spread. Houses of worship were previously exempt from the public health emergency order banning mass gatherings, defined as five or more people in a single confined space. (press release)

The NM Office of Outdoor Recreation issued guidance on Friday regarding outdoor activities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Because the No. 1 priority is the health of others, New Mexicans can still hike, bike, jog or rollerblade outdoors during the COVID-19 emergency, but are advised to stay close to home, not recreate in groups and always practice social distancing. Avoid crowded trailheads and parking lots, and don’t carpool with people outside your family unit.

More detailed guidance on how to follow social distancing guidelines while recreating can be found at www.nmoutside.com/covid19-response

The Food and Drug Administration or FDA on Friday issued information and best practices for retail food stores, restaurants, and pick-up and delivery services during the pandemic to protect both workers and customers. Information shared includes smart food safety practices that employers can consider at any time. It is being issued in two convenient formats. (press release)

The FDA and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued a warning letter to one company for selling fraudulent COVID-19 products, as part of the agency’s effort to protect consumers. The FDA warned, Free Speech Systems LLC, DBA Infowars.com that offers unapproved and misbranded products for the prevention or treatment of COVID-19. There are currently no approved preventatives or treatments for COVID-19. Consumers should not purchase or take any product to prevent or treat COVID-19 unless it is prescribed by their health care provider and acquired from a legitimate source.  (warning letter)

More information at fda.gov

Friday was the first day that independent contractors and self-employed individuals can apply for the Paycheck Protection Program. The program provides $350 billion to small businesses under the Coronavirus Emergency Relief and Economic Security Act or CARES Act. You can apply through your participating local bank for a loan designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll. The Small Business Administration will forgive loans if all employees are kept on the payroll for eight weeks and the money is used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest, or utilities.

The Payroll Protection Program is administered by lenders on a first come, first served basis, so New Mexico small businesses are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

More information at SBA.gov. A list of participating Grant County banks can be found at the Coronavirus Update resource page at www.gmcr.org/coronavirus-resources under

U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich will be hosting a teleconference on Tuesday, April 14 at 10 a.m. MT to help small business owners and nonprofit leaders access new funding included in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The new law contains major provisions to provide relief to small businesses and nonprofits hurt by the coronavirus pandemic and its required public health responses. Register for the teleconference by 5 pm today at Senator Heinrich’s website at www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/blog/invite-small-business-and-nonprofit-forum-

New Mexico Human Services Department (HSD) on Friday announced it is distributing an enhanced payment of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to households that did not receive the maximum SNAP benefits during the months of March and April. The additional SNAP payment is intended to provide some relief for families impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. Eligible individuals include current SNAP customers who received less than the maximum SNAP benefit for the months of March and/or April. These customers will receive the new payment in addition to their existing benefits beginning on April 12, 2020. New applicants approved for SNAP benefits during the months of March and April will receive the maximum SNAP benefit for both months. More information on this announcement can be found at newmexico.gov.

Want to help save a local business? Purchase a gift card from local small businesses through New Mexico’s Buy for Tomorrow Today program. Visit buynmlocal.com to get connected to participating businesses. If you are a local business, sign up to get your business listed. It’s easy. Just visit buynmlocal.com

In response to Governor Lujan Grishams’s extension of the state’s public health order in response to the COVID-19 crisis, the Town of Silver City and Grant County followed suit and extended their closures through April 30. More information can be found at townofsilvercity.org and grantcountynm.gov

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.