Coronavirus Update – March 20, 2020

Coronavirus updates for Grant County for March 20, 2020. Our guest today is Curtis Clough, Associate Superintendent with Silver Consolidated Schools. We’ll be talking about meal distribution during the school shutdown, internet access and distance learning, and more.

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 co**************************@gm***.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

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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 – March 20, 2020

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March 20, 2020 @ 12 noon

There are 35 positive cases of COVID-19 in New Mexico according to the NM Dept. of Health. There have been no deaths due to the coronavirus in NM. Grant County currently does not have any positive cases of coronavirus. [Please note: As of 3pm 3/20/20 – the number of positive cases has risen to 43. cv.nmhealth.org]

New Mexicans who report symptoms of COVID-19 infection, such as fever, cough, or shortness of breath, please call your health care provider or the NMDOH COVID-19 hotline immediately (1-855-600-3453). 

Here is what you need to know to get care here in Grant County if you have symptoms of coronavirus.

Silver Health Care will be assisting people who have symptoms of COVID-19 at clinics in Bayard and Silver City.  People are asked to please first call the Silver Health Care Triage Hotline at 575-956-1320. The schedule is 4 – 5pm Monday through Friday at the Silver Health Care Bayard Clinic and 4 – 5 pm on Saturday and Sunday at the Main Clinic in Silver City.

Hidalgo Medical Services is screening for COVID-19 per CDC recommendations telephonically, via TeleHealth and through their clinics. Please call HMS first toll-free at  (888) 271-3596 and you will be directed to the appropriate location. HMS will also be conducting home visits for the most vulnerable patients. Please contact HMS for more information. 

Here is the latest guidance from Gila Regional Medical Center 575-538-4000 (3/20/20, 11 am)

“With regards to emergency care, if one feels they are having a potential life threatening emergency we recommend going to the closest emergency department or calling 911 for emergency medical care.

If guidance is needed regarding a non life threatening condition or injury, we recommend calling your primary care physician’s office. Please recognize, the emergency department is unable to provide medical advice over the phone, and will advise callers to contact their primary care physician for non-life threatening condition or injury or to go to closest emergency department or call 911 for emergency medical care.

EMS crews respond to emergencies as an extension of the emergency department.  EMS will evaluate and transport patients when responding to 911 calls. EMS crews will not “determine whether” transport or care is needed.

If one is ill, but not requiring emergency care, the single best thing one can do is stay at home, practice diligent hand washing, and limit close personal contact.

Routine viral testing on patients who are not ill is not being performed in the emergency department. Specific guidelines are being followed as to testing within the hospital at this time.”

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham also issued a public health order (press release) for mandatory closures and guidelines to stem the spread of COVID-19 in New Mexico.   The order took effect on Thursday and prohibits gatherings of more than 10 people, as well as:

• Restaurants, bars, breweries, eateries and other food establishments must close to dine-in customers; take-out and home delivery are permitted
• Indoor shopping malls, Recreational facilities, health clubs and resort spa, theaters and Flea markets must close.

Typical business environments that are not engaged in the provision of an essential service should limit operations to the greatest extent possible and minimize employee contact.

Hotels, motels and other places of lodging shall not operate at more than 50 percent of maximum occupancy.

Grocery stores and other retailers are directed to limit the sale of over-the-counter medications, durable medical equipment, baby formula, diapers, sanitary care products and hygiene products to three packaged items per individual.

If you are a senior or disabled adult and cannot access groceries, please call the state’s Seniors and Disabled Adults Food Hotline at 1-800-432-2080. Leave a message with your name, telephone number and city that you reside in and you will be contacted within 2 hours of your call.

The New Mexico Crisis and Access Line is available to help throughout the coronavirus emergency situation, and anyone feeling overwhelmed should call 855-NMCRISIS or visit nmcrisisline.com for help and tips.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

The Town of Silver City has instituted the following measures that will become effective as of 5:00 p.m., Thursday, March 19, 2020 and will be re-assessed on Friday, April 10, 2020.  Press release

• Town Offices will not provide direct services to the public. This includes City Hall at 101 W. Broadway; City Hall Annex at 1203 N. Hudson; and Municipal Court at 215 N. Bullard. The offices will operate during normally scheduled business hours; however, business will need to be conducted electronically via email, by mail or by telephone. Citizens who would like to meet with a Town Official or Department Head will be seen on a “by-appointment-only basis” by calling the Town Clerk at 575-534-6346. All scheduled meetings will occur at the first-floor meeting room at City Hall. As a precautionary measure to protect the public and the staff, there will be a few screening questions prior to the scheduling of an appointment. Visit townofsilvercity.org for more information.
• All payments for services will need to be done via check or money order and may be mailed or placed in the drop box that will be located on the East side of City Hall in the next few days or in the drive-through of the NM Gas Company complex. No cash payments will be accepted during this period. 
• All events that were scheduled to take place on Town property have been cancelled through April 10, 2020. 
• All Town committee and Board meetings have been cancelled through April 10, 2020. 
• The Town Council Meetings scheduled the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month are still as scheduled, but will be assessed a week prior based on the direction from the Town Council. 
• The Town will continue to work closely with Grant County Administration, the State of New Mexico, and the Federal Government throughout this public emergency. 

Grant County has instituted the following measures that will become effective as of 5:00 p.m. Thursday, March 19, 2020 and will be re-assessed on Friday, April 10, 2020. Press release

• County Government Offices that include Administration & Finance, Clerk, Assessor, Treasurer, DWI Compliance, Planning, and Probate Judge will not provide direct services to the public. The offices will operate during normally scheduled business hours however; business will need to be conducted electronically via email, by mail or by telephone. Under certain circumstances, citizens will be seen on a “by appointment only basis” by calling the respective office. As a precautionary measure to protect the public and the staff, there will be a few screening questions prior to the scheduling of an appointment. 
• All payments for services and payment of taxes will need to be done via check or money order may be mailed or placed in the drop box located in front of the Grant County Administration Building located at 1400 Highway 180 East. No cash payments will be accepted during this period.
• Procedures for each department may be found on the Grant County webpage: www.grantcountynm.gov 
• All events at the Grant County Veterans Memorial Conference Center have been cancelled or postponed until April 10, 2020. 
• The Silver City – Grant County Airport remains open for business but in an effort to support social distancing we will be limiting access to the commercial service terminal to just those flying on Advanced Air. For friends and family who may be dropping off or picking up a passenger, please wait for the traveler in your vehicle
• Effective immediately Corre Caminos will be suspending all fixed and modified routes in Grant County and Luna County. We will continue to provide demand response services on a limited basis, only allowing four passengers per bus. We will continue to enforce our policy on reservations; prior day notice must be provided. Only essential trips will be allowed. Essential trips are defined as grocery, pharmacy, doctor appointments, dialysis, job access and bank. Passengers will be limited to one trip per week to grocery stores and banks. In order to limit driver contact with passengers we will operating on a fare free basis. The route that runs between Deming and Silver City will be suspended. Cantinas services will be suspended. Social distancing will be enforced 
• Bataan Park, Grant County Fairgrounds and Grant County Shooting Range are closed through April 10, 2020.
•  The Silver Street Complex, with the exception of Grant County Regional Dispatch and the Department of Health Public Office, will also be closed to the public. 
• All County committee and task force meetings have been cancelled through April 10, 2020. 
• The County Commission Meetings scheduled for April 14 and April 16 are still as scheduled but will be assessed a week prior based on the direction from the State of New Mexico. 
• These measures will exclude the Detention Center, Sheriff’s office deputies and the Road Department.
• County maintenance employees will continue to clean and maintain County property. 

Please contact the county at 574-0000 or grantcountynm.gov for more information. 

There are a number of places providing meals for Grant County kids throughout the school closure period.

Cobre Consolidated Schools will be providing breakfast and lunch to its students today and next week — March 23 through March 27 from 11:30 – 12:30 at Bayard Post Office, Viola Stone Park in Santa Clara, Hurley Post Office and Mimbres Post Office.  For updates, check the Cobre Consolidated Schools facebook page.  

Silver Consolidated Schools will be providing non-perishable grab & go meals during  Spring Break and the shutdown from 10AM to 12PM at the following locations:

• G.W. Stout Elementary Loading Dock (off Silver Street)
• Tyrone Community Center (off of Malachite Avenue)

Other locations in the county will be added, but have not been officially announced. Contact Curtis Clough for any additional food-related needs (575) 956-2000. For updates, check Silver Consolidated Schools website at silverschools.org

In addition, the following local entities have stepped up to provide “grab and go” meals in Grant County:

Harvest Church (1500 North Hudson Street, Silver City)

Will be providing Dinner:  5PM-6PM all during shutdown. Call 538-3619

Duck Creek Café in Cliff

Providing meals (during Spring Break/Shutdown); Monday-Tuesday 8AM-1PM; Wednesday-Thursday 8AM-7PM. Contact the restaurant 535–4800 or go to their Facebook page for details.

Los Victor’s Mexican Restaurant (901 North Hudson Street, Silver City)

Will provide Free Meals to kids with Adult Purchase of ONE Item (For families who may not be able to pay so children are able to eat, a donation has been made to cover the adult purchase for a limited time). Times are  11AM-2PM until students return. Call restaurant for more details at 575-538-4399

Revel Restaurant (304 North Bullard Street, Silver City)

Meal pick up from 11-4 Weekdays during shutdown for children 14 or younger. Call the restaurant for details at 388-4920 or check Revel’s Facebook page for more information.

There is a new group set up on Facebook – Silver City + Grant County Restaurants and Takeout – to find out which restaurants are offering takeout and their menus. 

UTILITIES

PNM announced that due to the coronavirus the company is temporarily suspending disconnections for non-payment as well as waiving late fees. To learn more, visit PNM.com/help.

The Town of Silver City is also suspending disconnections of water service for non-payment.  All payments for services will need to be done via check or money order and may be mailed or placed in the drop box located on the East side of City Hall or in the drive-through of the NM Gas Company complex. No cash payments will be accepted during this period.  The  drop box at city hall will be installed on Monday or Tuesday of next week.  Citizens are encouraged to use the drive through payment box at the NM Gas Company in the meantime. For more information, visit the Town’s website at townofsilvercity.org for its coronavirus response.

Comcast announced that to help connect more low-income families to the Internet during the coronavirus outbreak, they are offering any new Internet Essentials customer two months of complimentary internet service, effective immediately. They are also increasing the speed of the program’s internet service for no additional fee. To sign up, applicants should go to www.internetessentials.com.

EDUCATION

NM Public Education Department Family Distance Learning Toolkit  

Visit webnew.ped.state.nm.us/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Families-Distance-Learning-Toolkit_Final.pdf for families looking for resources on how to support student learning at home.

2019 TAX FILING SCHEDULES EXTENDED

Federal Tax Filing Deadline – The federal government announced today that the deadline for tax filing was extended from April 15 to July 15. Visit the Internal Revenue Service website at irs.gov for more information.

State of New Mexico Tax Filing Deadline – The state Taxation and Revenue Department announced New Mexicans will have an extra 90 days to file and pay their 2019 personal income taxes in recognition of the economic hardships many are facing as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Taxpayers will have until July 15 to file and pay any taxes due. Press release.

GROCERY STORES

Silver City Walmart – changed its hours. New hours are 7 am to 8:30 pm. 

Silver City’s Food Basket has started a grocery delivery service for Seniors and High Risk individuals.  There is a $50 minimum purchase per order, with no additional delivery charge. You can pay via cash, debit or credit card. Call 538-2819, 534-9006 or 538-2956 before 2 p.m. to place an order. 

Albertsons is allowing seniors to shop during a reserved time from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. The grocer also initiated efforts to limit hoarding per Governor Lujan Grisham’s order that takes effect today. All customers including seniors will be limited to 1 package each of toilet paper, Clorox, milk, bread, paper towels, cases of water, and hand sanitizer. Albertsons store hours are 7am to 10 pm.