Coronavirus Update – March 17, 2020

Coronavirus updates for Grant County for March 17, 2020. Our guest today is Dr. Chris Engdahl of Silver Health Care. We’ll be talking about the coronavirus, the latest guidance to reduce exposure and minimize spread of COVID-19, testing 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 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

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CVU is broadcast live weekdays at Noon
on KURU 89.1 FM, streamed at GMCR.org/CVU
and rebroadcast following Democracy Now! at 6pm and 8am

Or listen to this episode at your convenience via this link…
CVU / Coronavirus Update – March 17, 2020

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As of Tuesday 17 March 2020 / Noon

There are 23 positive cases of coronavirus disease in New Mexico according to the NM Dept. of Health. There have been no deaths due to the corona virus in NM. Grant County currently does not have any positive cases of corona virus. (cv.nmhealth.org)

The Department of Health and Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham encourage all New Mexicans to practice social distancing procedures: stay home, particularly if you are sick. Every New Mexican must work together to stem the spread of COVID-19.

More information on the state’s response to the coronavirus outbreak can be found at the New Mexico Department of Health website at http://cv.nmhealth.org

Gov. Lujan Grisham has issued five executive orders authorizing up to $3.25 million of additional funding for emergency response and disaster relief efforts to address the effects of the COVID-19 public health emergency. The funding will be used to assist in humanitarian relief, public health measures and to benefit families and children impacted by school closures. (Press release)

If you are a senior or disabled adult and cannot access groceries, please call the NM Aging and Long-term Services Dept. 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 state has made a series of temporary changes to New Mexico’s early childhood policies that include expansion of child care for first responders and health providers, expansion of child care access to families, and enabling family, friends and neighbors to provide paid child care services. For more information, call the Coronavirus Information Hotline at 1-833-551-0518 or visit http://newmexico.gov

There is also state assistance available for workers and businesses affected by the coronavirus. Call the Coronavirus Information Hotline at 1-833-551-0518 or visit http://newmexico.gov

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

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 the week of March 16 – 20 from 11:30 – 12:30 at Bayard Post Office, Viola Stone Park in Santa Clara, Hurley Post Office and Mimbres Post Office. Meals are pick-up only and they cannot be eaten on site. Children must be present to pick up meals. For updates, check the Cobre Consolidated Schools facebook page.

Silver Consolidated Schools will be providing grab & go meals beginning today. For Spring Break, non-perishable, “grab and go” meal distribution will begin on March 17, 2020 from 10AM to 12PM for the remainder of Spring Break week at the following locations:

G.W. Stout Elementary Loading Dock (off Silver Street)

Tyrone Community Center (off of Malachite Avenue)

Information is forthcoming for the schedules starting Monday March 23.
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…

Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd
(615 North Texas Street, Silver City)
Lunch will be provided March 17 and 19 for Sixth Street Elementary Students and Families
Contact the Church for exact times and procedures at 538-2015

Harvest Church (1500 North Hudson Street, Silver City)
Will be providing Dinner: 5PM-6PM all during shutdown
Contact Harvest Church for more details regarding pick up at 538-3619

For Cliff Students, Duck Creek Café will be 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 on April 6, 2020
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 exact details and requirements at 388-4920 or check Revel’s Facebook page for more information.

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.

Latest Event Cancellations

• The Wild River Film Festival scheduled for tonight at the Silco Theater is postponed until the fall.
• World Water Day on Saturday March 21 in Big Ditch Park is cancelled.
• Freeport-McMoRan’s Chino-Cobre operations meeting scheduled for Thursday March 19 has been cancelled. The next meeting is scheduled for June 18 from 4 – 6 at the Hanover Outpost. In the meantime, if there are any questions or concerns related to Freeport-McMoRan Chino-Cobre and Tyrone mines please call Freeport’s Grievance line at 877-629-2609.
• Gila Earth Day scheduled for April 18 in Gough Park is cancelled, but the event will take place digitally this year. Visit Gila Earth Day on Facebook for more information.
• SWNM Audubon Society announced today that There will be NO program on April 3rd (Men Behind the Birds w Brian Dolton) and Birds and Brews scheduled for April 23rd is cancelled.
• The Mimbres Region Arts Council announced that the Blues Festival scheduled for Memorial Day weekend is going ahead as planned. However, they will make a final decision by April 15 based on public health recommendations at that time.

Grocery Store Schedules

• Silver City Walmart – new hours are 6 am to 11 pm
• Food Basket in Silver City – no changes to the schedule 7 am to 10 pm
• Food Basket in Bayard – no changes to schedule 7 am to 9 pm
• Silver City Food Co-op – no changes 9 am – 7 pm
• Albertson’s will be open today from 8am – 10 pm and starting tomorrow 7am to 9pm

If you have an update for us, please post to Gila / Mimbres Community Radio facebook page or email the show at: coronavirusupdategrantcounty@gmail.com