Coronavirus Update – April 22, 2020

Coronavirus updates for Grant County for Wednesday, April 22, 2020.  Our guest today on Coronavirus Update is Martyn Pearson, co-owner of Gila Hike and Bike, based in downtown Silver City. Martyn will be talking about the shop’s response to COVID-19. 

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 22, 2020

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April 22, 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 – Wednesday , April 22 – 2,072 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in New Mexico, with 65 deaths, 119 hospitalized individuals, and 529 recoveries according to the New Mexico Department of Health.

Grant County currently has 14 positive cases of coronavirus. In total, 40,877 COVID-19 tests have been performed in the state.

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

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

New Mexicans who have non-health-related questions or concerns can also call the COVID-19 Information Hotline at 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.

PLANT NURSERIES ARE ALLOWED TO SERVE PUBLIC

The Governor’s office announced yesterday that plant nurseries – including floral shops – selling live product will be allowed to operate for curbside or delivery service only. They must take all necessary social distancing precautions and must continue to abide by the mass gathering rule which prohibits a public or private gathering that brings together five or more individuals in a single room or connected space or an outdoor space where people are within 6 feet of each other. The order banning mass gatherings was extended to April 30.

For more information, visit cv.nmhealth.org

NEW REQUIREMENTS FOR HEALTH INSURANCE CARRIERS 

The New Mexico Office of Superintendent of Insurance (OSI) on Monday announced new requirements for all major health insurance carriers that are subject to New Mexico jurisdiction to cover expenses for out-of-network care received as a result of COVID-19. In recognition of capacity restraints on providers, the new guidance also orders insurance carriers to cover out-of-network bills where a consumer can’t receive in-network care for other conditions due to the COVID-19 crisis.

The new guidance directs carriers to grant in-network providers the flexibility to refer patients to appropriate care, which may be out-of-network, as pressures on the healthcare system grow during the COVID-19 crisis. As the COVID-19 emergency continues, and triage systems are put in place, hospitals may route those seeking care to other facilities, including out-of-network facilities or providers; insurance carriers have the responsibility to cover these services.

Effective immediately, carriers shall reimburse out-of-network providers, including facilities, using the surprise billing rate. A health care provider that knowingly surprise bills a patient for out-of-network care may be subject to a fine.

For more information, visit newmexico.gov

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.

NATIVE AMERICAN RELIEF FUND

The coronavirus has hit Native American communities hard: 41.5 % of New Mexicans with COVID-19 are Native American.

The Santa Fe New Mexican (article) reports that nonprofit groups and state government leaders have teamed up to launch the Native American Relief Fund, which will provide emergency grants to organizations serving the state’s hardest-hit tribal communities, including the Navajo Nation and the Zuni, Zia and San Felipe pueblos.

Tax-deductible donations can be made to the Native American Relief Fund at nmcf.org/programs/native.

Those who wish to donate or who seek the fund’s support can call 505-356-4110.

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

If you aren’t registered to vote or would like to vote by mail in the upcoming June 2 primary,  visit nmvote.org – a one-stop shop for voting information! You can use the site to register to vote or update your current voter registration, request an absentee ballot online, find a voting location, view important election dates, request a military or overseas ballot, or look up third-party voter registration agents.

If you want to vote in the June 2 primary via absentee ballot, you need to make sure that your address and other voter registration information is current and that you receive your mail-in or absentee ballot in time, visit 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.

More information at www.sos.state.nm.us

NOTE: All county clerks in New Mexico will provide early in-person voting on Saturday, May 30, 2020. Because of the nature of postal delivery, the Secretary of State encourages any voter considering making an absentee ballot request on Thursday, May 28, 2020, to consider voting in-person during early voting hours on Saturday, May 30, 2020, or to vote in-person on Election Day, Tuesday, June 2, 2020. https://www.sos.state.nm.us/voting-and-elections/voter-information/absentee-and-early-voting/

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.