Coronavirus Update – May 5, 2020

Coronavirus updates for Grant County for Monday, May 4 2020.  Our guest today on Coronavirus Update is Alicia Edwards, coordinator for Healthy Kids healthy Communities Grant County and a co-producer of Coronavirus Update, and we’ll learn about some changes to the SNAP Program – Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program otherwise known as food stamps.

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 – May 5, 2020

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As of Today – Tuesday, May 5- 4,031 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in New Mexico, with 156 deaths, 181 hospitalized individuals, and 842 recoveries according to the New Mexico Department of Health.

Grant County has 15 positive cases of coronavirus.

In total, 81,720 COVID-19 tests have been performed in the state, with 604 having been conducted in Grant County.

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

A reminder that Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham extended the modified stay-at-home order through May 15 as the COVID-19 pandemic remains a grave risk to residents of all ages and in all communities across New Mexico.

All New Mexicans have been instructed to stay home except for outings absolutely necessary for health, safety and welfare. These additional restrictions have been enacted to aggressively minimize person-to-person contact and ensure spread is mitigated. New Mexicans are strongly urged to limit travel to only what is necessary for health, safety and welfare.

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 call the Coronavirus 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.

More information is available at cv.nmhealth.org

NM CONNECT APP FOR CRISIS AND NON-CRISIS SUPPORT

A reminder that the state of New Mexico has launched NMConnect, a new smartphone app that provides free 24-hour crisis and non-crisis support and access to behavioral health professionals who can text or talk via phone with individuals needing a listening ear or referrals to longer-term support. The app links users to the New Mexico Crisis Access Line, which provides safety net services statewide. The NM Crisis Access Line is also available via phone 24/7 toll-free by calling 1-855-NMCRISIS (1-855-662-7474).

You can download the app from the App Store for iPhones or from the Google Play app store for Android phones.

More information at www.nmcrisisline.com

13 WEEKS OF EXTENDED UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS NOW AVAILABLE

For unemployed workers — A reminder that an additional 13 weeks of benefits is available to individuals who have exhausted their regular state Unemployment Insurance claim with a benefit year that ended on or after July 1, 2019.

The additional weeks of benefits are provided by Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation or PEUC. Once a claimant’s benefit year ceases, they can then establish a new benefit year to requalify for regular unemployment.

PEUC is for individuals who have exhausted 26 weeks of regular Unemployment Insurance benefits; are able to work, available to work, and actively seeking work; or are partially unemployed.

Eligible individuals will receive the same amount of Unemployment Insurance benefits as the previous weeks they received. They will also receive Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation or FPUC, an additional $600 to their weekly benefits up until July 25.

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance , FPUC, and PEUC benefits are 100% federally funded and employers will not be charged for any benefits paid under a CARES Act program.

Go to the New Mexico Workforce Connection Online System at www.jobs.state.nm.us to apply online or call the Unemployment Insurance Operations Center at 1-877-664-6984 from 7am – 7pm Monday through Friday.

ECONOMIC INJURY DISASTER LOANS OPEN TO AGRICULTURAL BUSINESSES

The U.S. Small Business Administration opened applications on Monday for agricultural businesses in New Mexico to apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans. The loan program has been closed to agricultural businesses for 30 years, but authorizing legislation by Congress now allows the loans as part of the CARES Act.

Agricultural businesses include businesses engaged in the legal production of food and fiber, ranching and raising livestock, aquaculture, and all other farming and agricultural related industries. Eligible agricultural businesses must have 500 or fewer employees.

Under the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program, a small business can borrow up to 2 million dollars, with an immediate grant advance up to $10,000 that can be distributed in just three days. Repayment of the loans can stretch over 20 years.

Go to SBA.GOV for more information.

www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options

2020 CENSUS REMINDER

Did you know that census results affect planning and funding for education—including programs such as Head Start, Pell Grants, school lunches, rural education, adult education, and grants for preschool special education?

If you haven’t responded to the 2020 Census yet, now is the time. The results of the 2020 Census will help determine how hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funding flow into communities every year for the next decade. That funding shapes many different aspects of every community, no matter the size, no matter the location.

Here in Grant County, Only 35.4% of residents have responded to date as compared to 50% back in 2010.

Thank you if you’ve responded to the census, but if you haven’t: Our community needs you to get counted!

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.

Additionally, 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 35.4% of Grant County residents have responded, so please get counted today! That’s 2020census.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.