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On today’s Coronavirus Update, Jamie Newton interviews public health consultant Dr. Renee Despres and environmental scientist Dr. Ken Sexton, both of whom have dedicated their professional skills and a great deal of time and effort to educating our community and developing local initiatives to control the coronavirus pandemic since it began.
The program begins with an assessment of where we are now in the course of the pandemic, and what we are likely to face in the future. Dr. Sexton and Dr. Despres consider the implications of the increasing dominance of more infectious new variants of the virus – the variants that are largely responsible for dramatic spikes of new infections in India and Michigan, and for the surge that has locked down France again – and the importance of achieving a high percentage of vaccinated people in the population.
Myths and realities about vaccination are explored, along with the need to maintain the full range of “coronavirus-safe practices” that we’ve all learned through the past year of experience with the pandemic. Listen below:
Right click and select “Save Link As” to download
Grant County Coronavirus Update is broadcast live on Gila/Mimbres Community Radio KURU 89.1 FM in Silver City every Wednesday at 10 AM.
Grant County 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 Vaccine Registration hotline 1-855-600-3453 or visit vaccinenm.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
Donations to Community COVID-19 Response – Grant County Community Foundation
Grant County Coronavirus Update website – grantcountycoronavirusupdate.org
Grant County Vaccine Information – 575-597-7029 or visit vaccinegrantcounty.org
The New Mexico Department of Health on Tuesday announced 1,451 new cases of coronavirus from last week, for a total of 195,615 cases, with 22 additional deaths for a total of 4,010 deaths in New Mexico.
121 individuals remain hospitalized in New Mexico, which is an increase of 18 from last week.
Source: https://cvprovider.nmhealth.org/public-dashboard.html
As of Wednesday, 56.6% of New Mexicans have received their first dose of the two-shot vaccine for COVID-19, while 38.8% have been fully vaccinated, according to the COVID-19 Vaccine Dashboard.
Source: https://cvvaccine.nmhealth.org/public-dashboard.html
In Grant County, the Department of Health reported 14 new COVID cases since last week, for a total of 1,677 cases.
No new deaths have been reported in Grant County in the last week. 36 people in Grant County have lost their lives due to COVID since the pandemic began a year ago.
Source: cvprovider.nmhealth.org/public-dashboard.html
The Department of Health also reports that 54.1% of Grant County residents are partially vaccinated and 40.2% are fully vaccinated. 58.6% of the county is registered for the vaccine as of Wednesday.
Source: https://cvvaccine.nmhealth.org/public-dashboard.html
The Grant County Public Health Office announced the availability of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine today April 21 between 8 am and 5pm at the Grant County Public Health Office, 2610 N. Silver Street.
If you are 16 years of age or older, you can schedule your vaccine appointment online at vaccinenm.org using special event code D60VXCE.
The New Mexico Department of Health on Tuesday announced that Johnson & Johnson COVID vaccine distribution will be paused following federal Center for Disease Control and Food and Drug Administration recommendations. These announcements follow reports of six “rare and severe” blood clots – out of 6.8 million doses given – among women between the ages of 18 and 48 in the United States. Symptoms occurred 6 to 13 days after vaccination.
Scheduled J&J events and vaccinations will be paused or shifted to Pfizer and Moderna.
People who have received the J&J vaccine who develop severe headache, blurred vision, seizure, abdominal pain, leg pain, or shortness of breath within three weeks after vaccination should contact their health care provider. Health care providers should report adverse events to the Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System at https://vaers.hhs.gov/reportevent.html. Please note: these adverse events are extremely rare – less than one per million.
Source: https://www.nmhealth.org/news/awareness/2021/4/?view=1451
The New Mexico Department of Health has launched a COVID-19 Exposure Notification System, called the NM Notify App. When activated on a Smartphone, the app alerts individuals when they have been exposed to someone who has verified that they are infected with COVID-19.
The app was designed in a first-of-its-kind partnership between Google and Apple. Once downloaded, the app uses Bluetooth technology to communicate with other phones that have activated the app. Then, if one of the users verifies an infection of COVID-19, all users that have been in contact with the infected person within a 14-day period will receive a notification of possible exposure. The app then directs users on next steps to prevent additional spread of COVID-19.
The NM Notify app is completely safe and anonymous, and fully protects users’ privacy. No personal data is collected through the app. The app is in wide use in many states and around the globe. According to Google and Apple data, every two downloads of the app can prevent one infection.
To learn more about the NM Notify Exposure Notification app, go to NMNotify.com.
Source: https://www.nmhealth.org/news/awareness/2021/3/?view=1418
As reported by CBS Morning, Valisure, an independent pharmacy and lab that tests drug products for quality, says it tested 260 products and found elevated levels of benzene in more than 20 of them.
Benzene is a known human carcinogen, and exposure to it is known to cause blood disorders, including leukemia.
Below is a list of the hand sanitizer brands that this study found have levels of benzene above allowable levels.
See below for links to the CBSNews article and the laboratory testing results.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/hand-sanitizer-benzene-cancer-chemical/
COVID-19 vaccine self-scheduling for New Mexicans 40 years and older now available
The New Mexico Department of Health on Monday announced that vaccineNM.org registrants who are 40 years and older can now schedule their own COVID-19 vaccine appointments. To do so, users simply log in to vaccineNM.org using their confirmation code and date of birth, choose their location, and then select from available appointments in their area. Event codes for New Mexicans 40+ are no longer required, though they are required for younger populations.
In the event that a user does not immediately find an available appointment, DOH encourages them to check back again. Providers are continually updating their appointment schedules.
All New Mexicans 16+ now eligible for vaccine
The Department of Health announced last that all New Mexicans 16+ are eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccine.
DOH will continue to prioritize vaccine invitations for Phase 1A, New Mexicans 75 years and older, and New Mexicans 60 years and older with a chronic condition. The Department has chosen to open Phase 2 – the final distribution phase – because providers in some parts of the state are no longer able to fill appointments within Phases 1A, 1B, and 1C.
DOH encourages all New Mexicans to register at vaccineNM.org. New Mexicans who have vaccine questions can visit vaccineNM.org/facts (vaccineNM.org/hechos en español).
DOH also announced that all New Mexicans can self-schedule their boosters without an event code. If users in these groups are asked for an event code, DOH encourages users to refresh their browser (Ctrl + F5 for most browsers).
Source: https://www.nmhealth.org/news/awareness/2021/4/?view=1440
The New Mexico Department of Health (DOH) announced that New Mexicans 40 years and older who are registered at vaccineNM.org will no longer need event codes to schedule vaccine appointments.
Instead, people will receive invitations to schedule appointments. At that point, they will log in to vaccineNM.org using their confirmation code and date of birth and schedule an appointment at a time and location that is convenient for them. No event code will be required, but they will still need to make an appointment to receive their vaccine.
Those requiring additional assistance with registration or scheduling can dial 1-855-600-3453, press option 0 for vaccine questions, and then option 4 for tech support.
The NM Department of Health encourages all NM residents to register for their COVID-19 Vaccine.
New Mexico is distributing vaccines as swiftly, efficiently, and equitably as possible.
ONLINE REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED at www.vaccineNM.org
If you do not have access to the internet you can call 1-855-600-3453.
And for Grant County residents, a vaccine hotline has been set up to assist you and answer any questions. Call 575-597-7029.
Talking with family and friends about the benefits of getting a COVID-19 vaccine can be hard. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers some tips. You can help by listening without judgement and identifying the root of their concerns. Things to remember to help open the discussion include:
Source: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/talk-about-vaccines.html
Side Effects of the COVID-19 Vaccine
The COVID-19 vaccine helps your body learn how to defend itself from the disease. You may feel uncomfortable for two or three days after you receive the vaccine. After being vaccinated, you may feel some side effects such as:
Side effects are a sign that your body is building up protection from COVID-19. They may be uncomfortable, but they are much less harmful than having COVID-19.
Source: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/expect/after.html
People are considered fully vaccinated for COVID-19 two weeks after they have received the second dose in a 2-dose series (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna), or 2 weeks after they have received a single-dose vaccine (Johnson and Johnson [J&J]/Janssen ).
The following recommendations apply to non-healthcare settings.
Fully vaccinated people can:
For now, fully vaccinated people should continue to:
Source: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated.html
The state’s red-to-green public health order in which counties are evaluated over a two-week period for daily cases and test positivity rate will be updated next Wednesday. Counties not meeting daily case thresholds of eight or fewer cases per 100,000 population and test positivity rates below 5% follow the strictest Red guidelines; those meeting one of these benchmarks have some expanded capacity at Yellow; Green counties—those meeting both requirements —have fewer restrictions. And the new color of turquoise indicates counties that have reached the Green Level for two consecutive biweekly updates.
The red to green framework was last updated April 7. The next update to that framework will be today April 21. As of now, Grant County remains in the yellow category. Applicable restrictions include:
Source: https://cv.nmhealth.org/public-health-orders-and-executive-orders/red-to-green/
Please consider getting tested for COVID-19 if you are experiencing one or more of the following symptoms:
Provides free testing every Tuesday from 8:30-10:30a.m. Testing is free, but insurance will be requested upon registration at https://cvtestreg.nmhealth.org/
Once registered, you will receive a code. Please save this code and arrive during the designated times. Please remain in your vehicle and wear a mask.
Testing may be delayed or cancelled due to inclement weather.
Testing will be conducted every Thursday from 9:00-10:00a.m. Please remain in your vehicles. Testing is free, but insurance will be requested upon registration at at https://cvtestreg.nmhealth.org/
Once registered, you will receive a code. Please save this code and arrive during the designated times. Please remain in your vehicle and wear a mask.
Testing may be delayed or cancelled due to inclement weather.
Patients will be required to stay in their cars and will be directed to the pharmacy drive-thru window. Testing is available every day.
Patients must register in advance at CVS.com Self-swab tests will be made available to individuals meeting CDC criteria, in addition to state and age guidelines. Testing is free, but those who have insurance should bring their card with them.
Saliva Test- Cost $120.00 (not covered by insurance). Procedure: Recipients register online via the Albertson’s website, then receive a tube for saliva collection. The specimen is then mailed to a lab and results are sent back within three to five days.
Testing is now available Monday through Friday 8:30 am to 2:30pm (closed 12-1pm for lunch) in all HMS locations — Animas, Cliff-Gila, Mimbres, Mining District, Lordsburg, Silver City, Bayard, and Santa Clara.
Testing expanded to everyone at both sites via a drive-up testing approach. Testing is free, but those who have insurance should bring their card with them. Call 575-388-1511 for an appointment in Silver City, 1-888-271-3596 for an appointment in Lordsburg.
At-home, self-administered COVID-19 saliva tests offer accurate laboratory-confirmed results returned within 24-48 hours of receipt of the sample.
The free tests are available to New Mexico residents regardless of exposure risk– whether they are symptomatic or asymptomatic, and whether they have come into close contact with a confirmed COVID-19 positive individual or not.
To order a test, and for more information, visit learn.vaulthealth.com/nm/.
The principal mode by which people are infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 is through exposure to respiratory droplets carrying infectious virus. It is possible for people to be infected through contact with contaminated surfaces or objects (fomites), but the risk is generally considered to be low. (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/more/science-and-research/surface-transmission.html)
The most reliable way to prevent infection from surfaces is to regularly wash hands or use hand sanitizer.
Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces can also reduce the risk of infection.
Always follow standard practices and appropriate regulations specific to your type of facility for minimum standards for cleaning and disinfection. This guidance is indicated for buildings in community settings and is not intended for healthcare settings or for other facilities where specific regulations or practices for cleaning and disinfection may apply.
$600 Income Tax Rebate now available under Working Families Tax Credit
The New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department has begun issuing $600 rebates for certain eligible recipients of the Working Families Tax Credit. The rebates were authorized by the Legislature earlier this year and signed into law by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham.
The one-time rebates are available to taxpayers who are not dependents, who receive the Working Families Tax Credit, and who have an adjusted gross income of $31,200 or less (single filers) or $39,000 (married filing jointly, heads of household).
Taxpayers who have already filed their 2020 New Mexico Personal Income Tax returns and are eligible for the $600 rebate do not need to take further action. The $600 rebate will be mailed to them or delivered by direct deposit if they selected that option when they filed their 2020 tax return.
Source: https://www.tax.newmexico.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Working-Families-Rebates-Sent.pdf
The temporary Gross Receipts Tax relief authorized by Senate Bill 1 allows many restaurants, bars, breweries and similar businesses a Gross Receipts Tax deduction for sales of prepared food and drinks made after March 1, 2021 and prior to July 1, 2021.
The tax relief is intended to help businesses that have been especially hard hit financially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the four-month period that the deduction is available, eligible businesses may choose either to not charge Gross Receipts Tax on the deductible receipts, or to charge the tax but keep the amount charged.
Fast food restaurants are not eligible for the deduction, but mobile food services do qualify.
More information, including how the deduction will be claimed, is available on the Forms & Publications page of tax.newmexico.gov.
Source: https://www.tax.newmexico.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Release-Bulletin-on-COVID-relief.pdf
It’s tax season.
If you qualify for a 2020 Economic Stimulus Payment (EIP), also known as the individual payment from the COVID relief bill, but have not received it yet, make sure to claim your Recovery Rebate Credit on your 2020 tax return. Visit irs.gov for more information
Source: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit
Printed copies of the federal Form 1040, instruction books, and New Mexico tax forms are available outside the Silver City Public Library’s Cooper Street doors during curbside pickup hours. We also have the AARP free tax assistance program packets in a box by the doors. You can also get online tax help from AARP by clicking here. The local AARP tax help number is 575-342-1892.
You can download tax forms here: https://www.irs.gov/forms-instructions
New Mexico tax forms can be found here: https://www.tax.newmexico.gov/forms-publications/
Consider filing your federal taxes online at https://www.irs.gov/filing . For income below $72,000, you can use their Free File offer, available here: https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free . Go to https://tap.state.nm.us/tap/_/ for New Mexico online tax filing.
The United Way offers free tax filing with expert assistance at myfreetaxes.com.
Western New Mexico University is also offering tax help free of charge to faculty, staff, students, and community members through their Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program.
The Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service announced that the federal income tax filing due date for individuals for the 2020 tax year will be automatically extended from April 15, 2021, to May 17, 2021. The IRS will be providing formal guidance in the coming days.
Individual taxpayers can also postpone federal income tax payments for the 2020 tax year due on April 15, 2021, to May 17, 2021, without penalties and interest, regardless of the amount owed. This postponement applies to individual taxpayers, including individuals who pay self-employment tax. Penalties, interest and additions to tax will begin to accrue on any remaining unpaid balances as of May 17, 2021. Individual taxpayers will automatically avoid interest and penalties on the taxes paid by May 17.
More information at IRS.gov
The New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department announced it will extend the
deadline for filing and paying 2020 New Mexico Personal Income Taxes until May 17,
2021 in accordance with the federal extension announced this week.
The Provider Relief Fund supports families, workers, and the heroic healthcare providers in the battle against COVID-19. Health and Human Services (HHS) is distributing $178 billion to hospitals and healthcare providers on the front lines of the coronavirus response.
Check out this website for more information: https://www.hhs.gov/coronavirus/cares-act-provider-relief-fund/index.html
The New Mexico State Bar is holding a consumer debt/bankruptcy workshop from 6-8 p.m., April 28, via video and teleconference.
At the workshop, an attorney will give a group presentation on bankruptcy, according to a news release. After the presentation, a one-on-one free consultation will be given by phone to people who register in advance. Call 505-797-6094 to register.
CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky signed a declaration determining that the evictions of tenants could be detrimental to public health control measures to slow the spread of COVID-19, and has issued a temporary halt in residential evictions through June 30.
Source: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/covid-eviction-declaration.html
The state of New Mexico will grant approximately $170M of federal aid to New Mexicans for rental and utility assistance to households experiencing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) will administer the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) in partnership with the City of Albuquerque. New Mexicans can apply for assistance at www.RentHelpNM.org beginning April 5, 2021.
Renters across the state are eligible for the program — except for residents of Bernalillo County, Dona Ana County, and those who live in a pueblo or tribal area. Those two counties, as well as tribal governments, will administer their own Rental Assistance Programs. Those seeking assistance should review the current FAQ at www.RentHelpNM.org to learn more about eligibility and documentation needed for their application.
The state of New Mexico will either pay the landlord and/or the utility provider directly depending on the financial assistance request by the applicant. Landlords and utility providers are encouraged to download a W9 and submit it to DFA via ERAVendor.Relations@state.nm.us as soon as possible to ensure a streamlined process for receiving payment.
For more information visit www.RentHelpNM.org
Senior Utility Assistance
Seniors 60+ in need of financial assistance may apply for this support, and may qualify if they do not exceed the 200% income threshold. Call the NM Aging and Long-term Services Department at 1-800-432-2080 to check eligibility.
Help with Internet Expenses — the Emergency Broadband Benefit
The Emergency Broadband Benefit is an FCC program to help households struggling to pay for internet service during the pandemic. This new benefit will connect eligible households to jobs, critical healthcare services, and virtual classrooms.
There will be a webinar tomorrow April 15 at 3:00pm EST, and will include an overview of the Emergency Broadband Benefit including what it is, who is eligible, how it works, and how to help people enroll. A brief question and answer period will follow the presentation. To submit a question in advance of the webinar, please email: broadbandbenefit@fcc.gov.
Register here for the webinar.
The COVID-19 Housing Cost Assistance Program provides emergency housing grants to income-eligible households and residents of tribal lands experiencing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 health crisis.
These grants are housing assistance payments made on behalf of income-eligible applicants and residents of tribal lands, up to $1,500 per month for a period of up to three (3) consecutive months, to maintain housing and/or to reduce housing cost delinquency due to the COVID-19 health crisis.
The NM Mortgage Finance Authority will pay your past-due housing payments directly to your landlord, mortgage or loan servicer, escrow company or other housing provider. The assistance does not have to be repaid.
Applications will be accepted beginning March 4, 2021. Click here to apply. To request that a paper application be mailed to you, call 505.308.4206 or 866.488.0498.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there is assistance available to those who are not traditionally eligible for unemployment benefits. As relates to that need, the NM Dept of Workforce Solutions will open applications for Mixed Earners Unemployment Compensation (MEUC) starting Wed, March 10.
Mixed Earners Unemployment Compensation (MEUC) provides $100 in extra benefit to individuals with at least $5,000 in net income from self-employment in the tax year prior to their initial unemployment insurance claim.
Note: Under the American Rescue Plan Act, the deadline for MEUC applications has been extended to the first week of September.
Source: https://www.dws.state.nm.us/COVID-19-Info
USDA Temporarily Suspends Debt Collections, Foreclosures and Other Activities on Farm Loans for Several Thousand Distressed Borrowers Due to Coronavirus
Due to the national public health emergency caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced the temporary suspension of past-due debt collections and foreclosures for distressed borrowers under the Farm Storage Facility Loan and the Direct Farm Loan programs administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA).
The temporary suspension is in place until further notice and is expected to continue while the national COVID-19 disaster declaration is in place.
Source: https://www.usda.gov/
Silver City Farmers’ Market accepts EBT and Pandemic-EBT cards and offers Double Up Food Bucks to double your SNAP benefits. Use your EBT card and get half off all purchases.
Winter Farmers’ Market is held weekly every Saturday 9 am — 12 pm, at the corner of Pope St. and College Avenue in the old Life Quest parking lot.
Double your SNAP Benefits at Silver City Farmers Market
Silver City Farmers’ Market accepts EBT and Pandemic-EBT cards and offers Double Up Food Bucks to double your SNAP benefits. Use your EBT card and get half off all purchases.
Winter Farmers’ Market is held weekly every Saturday 9 am — 12 pm, at the corner of Pope St. and College Avenue in the old Life Quest parking lot.
As a reminder the Food Pantries at the Gospel Mission and St. Francis Newman Center are open every week
Open for drive thru only on Wednesdays 8:30 am – 9:30 am. Emergency Dry Food Boxes are available once a month to individuals upon request. There is also a Daily soup kitchen: Breakfast takes place from 9:00-10:00 Mon-Fri and Lunch occurs every day from 12-1 pm. Showers and clothes are also made available to those in need. Call 575 388-5071 for more information.
Open every Monday at 4 pm. Cash assistance for rent, utilities, bus passes and prescription
Mimbres Valley Health Action League Mobile Food Pantry, Roundup Lodge, 94 Acklin Hill Rd
Held the 3rd Wednesday of the month, the next Mimbres Valley Health Action League Mobile food Pantry will be held today, April 21, 12pm – 2pm at the Roundup Lodge. Call 575-574-7674 for more information.
Open the first Saturday 10:00 – Noon OR Last Wednesday 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. Users must choose one OR the other. For residents in 88061, 88065, 88022, 88053
Please have your pantry card available or bring a picture ID and separate proof of physical address.
The next regular food pantry distributions for Silver City, Tyrone and Arenas Valley will be the last Wednesday of the month, a week from today, April 28th from 4pm-6pm and the next Saturday, May 1, from 10 am to noon.
The Commons is located at 501 East 13th Street, just off Swan Street behind the Knights of Columbus. For more information please contact The Commons at 575-388-2988 or visit the website https://thecommonsgrantcounty.org
An eligible business may receive a tax-free federal grant equal to the amount of its pandemic-related revenue loss, calculated by subtracting its 2020 gross receipts from its 2019 gross receipts.
An eligible business may receive a tax-free federal grant equal to the amount of its pandemic-related revenue loss, calculated by subtracting its 2020 gross receipts from its 2019 gross receipts.
Eligible expenses are those incurred from February 15, 2020 to December 31, 2021, or a date determined by the SBA. If all grant funds are not spent by the business, or the business permanently closes before the end of the covered period, the business must return unused funds to the Treasury.
For more information, check out: https://restaurant.org/downloads/pdfs/advocacy/understandingrrf
Qualified accounts will be eligible for a one-time credit of 0.50 cents for every dollar paid, up to $250, not to exceed the total balance on the account on a first come first served basis.
Program Requirements – To qualify, a small business must be:
Source: https://www.nmgco.com/SmallBusiness/CovidRelief
The U.S. Small Business Administration announced that the deadline to apply for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program for the COVID-19 pandemic disaster declaration has been extended to Dec. 31, 2021.
If you are a small business, nonprofit organization of any size, or a U.S. agricultural business with 500 or fewer employees that have suffered substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic, you can apply for the COVID-19 EIDL.
EIDL loan applications will continue to be accepted through December 2021 pending the availability of funds. Loans are offered at a 3.75 percent interest rate for small businesses and a 2.75 percent interest rate for nonprofit organizations, with a 30-year maturity and an automatic deferment of one year before monthly payments begin.
For loans approved starting the week of April 6, 2021: 24-months of economic injury with a maximum loan amount of $500,000.
Eligible small businesses and nonprofits can apply for the program at https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/covid-19-relief-options/covid-19-economic-injury-disaster-loan .
SVOG is a federal economic assistance program for arts organizations, administered through the Small Business Administration. If you are a theatrical producer, talent rep, venue promoter, operate a live venue, live performing arts organization, movie house, or cultural institution you may be eligible to apply.
Pivotal NM has uploaded a webinar to help businesses prepare for SVOG.
New Mexico businesses in all sectors are encouraged to receive training in COVID-safe practices to help ensure everyone’s safety as New Mexico reopens for business and recreation.
Source: https://nmsafecertified.org/
If you need assistance in navigating the process for the Paycheck Protection Program or PPP or any other relief programs, please contact the Las Cruces office of Senator Martin Heinrich at (575) 523-6561 for assistance. You can also visit this Covid-19 Resource Center at www.heinrich.senate.gov/coronavirus
The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) provides loans to help businesses keep their workforce employed during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. Borrowers may be eligible for PPP loan forgiveness.
This latest round will be much easier for small businesses to access, with some necessary flexibility to allow businesses to address their specific needs and still get their loans forgiven. That includes new provisions that allow restaurants, hotels, and other businesses in related services to calculate a higher PPP forgivable loan amount in order to aid industries that have been severely impacted by state and local restrictions. Also eligible for this round of PPP are housing cooperatives, local newspapers and TV and radio broadcasters, and 501(c)(6) nonprofits, including local chambers of commerce and tourism organizations.
>>>You can find more information about how to apply for the Paycheck Protection Program at sba.gov
Additional program changes have been announced to make access to PPP loans more equitable, allowing sole proprietors, independent contractors, and self-employed individuals to receive more financial support.
SBA is currently offering PPP loans until May 31, 2021.
For more information, click here.
Seeking Substitute Teachers!
Silver Consolidated Schools is looking for qualified individuals to serve as substitute teachers for the district. Individuals will have flexibility in areas to substitute and buildings to serve. Pay is based on educational background and experience. Those who are interested should contact Samantha Madrid at smadrid@silverschools.org or by calling 575-956-2000.
Places to Call for Help
American Psychological Association COVID-19 www.apa.org/topics/covid-19
Crisis Text Line – Text ‘Home’ to 741-741. Crisis Text Line is free, 24/7 support for those in any type of crisis.
Text TalkWithUs to 66746 (TTY 1-800-846-8517) if you or someone you care about is feeling overwhelmed with emotions like sadness, depression, or anxiety, or feel like you want to harm yourself or others.
Visit the Disaster Distress Helpline, call 1-800-985-5990
Visit the National Domestic Violence Hotline, call 1-800-799-7233
To Find A Therapist – Psychology Today’s Find a Therapist tool is a wonderful resource for discovering therapists in your area and according to your needs. You can also find quality inexpensive licensed professional therapists using a popular resource called BetterHelp.
If you want to hurt yourself, reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.
Call 911 if you are in an EMERGENCY SITUATION. If you feel like you’re going to hurt yourself, it is an emergency!
In New Mexico, you can talk to trained staff if you have mental health or substance abuse concerns: call the NM Crisis and Access Line at 1-855-NMCRISIS (662-7474) 24 hours a day / 7 days a week. You are not alone and it is normal to feel anxious and worried! You can confidentially reach out to talk to someone anytime and anyplace.
If You Just Want Someone to Hear You Out…
Call the Peer-to-Peer Warmline at (855) 466-7100. They are available to talk every day from 3:30p – 11:30p MT. They are available by text from 6:00p – 11:00p MT
Self-Harm – An Elevated Risk For Students During COVID-19
Resources for Youth and Families:
Youthline is a 24-hour peer-to-peer helpline for teens to talk through any issues they may be facing, including navigating eating disorders, relationship or family concerns, bullying, sexual identity, depression, self-harm, anxiety, and/or thoughts of suicide. Text teen2teen to 839863 or call 1-877-968-8491.
The Trevor Project: LGBTQIA+ kids, teens, and young adults can contact The Trevor Project for support during a crisis, if they feel suicidal or need a safe space to talk. You can also chat via their website or by text. The hotline is 24/7; texting Mon-Fri 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. EST. Call 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678678.
Go to the COVID-19 Information Resources For Families website below that contains parent training and support resources: www.autismspeaks.org/covid-19-information-and-resources-families
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network created a resource to help families manage the challenges associated with the current Coronavirus outbreak. This includes age-appropriate tips for helping children cope with stress and uncertainty at this time. www.nctsn.org
This week on Earth Matters, GRIP Executive Director and Earth Matters co-producer Allyson Siwik talks to Sarah Pierpont, Executive Director of the NM Recycling Coalition and Chris Lemme, President of Silver City Recycles about what is being done here in the US, in NM and Grant County to address the serious problem of waste. One of the major problems confronting our global environment is the production and management of waste. […]
