Resources

July 27, 2021

Public Education Department Releases COVID-19 School Re-entry Protocols

Monday, July 26th, the state Public Education Department released its back-to-school reentry guide, or “toolkit,” for the 2021/2022 school year.

The new protocols require masks for everyone in an elementary school while in a school building, on school transportation or at an indoor school-sponsored event.

At secondary schools, however, students, staff, volunteers and visitors who are fully vaccinated and provide documentation don’t have to wear masks. Anyone who is unvaccinated (or lacking documentation of vaccination) will have to wear masks in all those places (here’s a PED FAQ on masks).

The plan also requires social distancing for unvaccinated students and staff in schools, with adults required to maintain 6 feet of social distance from others and unvaccinated students required to maintain 3 feet of social distance “to the extent possible, except when eating, exercising, taking mask breaks, playing wind instruments and singing or shouting, in which case 6 feet of social distance is required.”

As for determining the vaccination status of students, individual schools are required to come up with plans for doing so, as well as new disciplinary measures for mask-wearing violations. In the case of Santa Fe Public Schools, classes start Aug. 6. According to the district’s website, it is in the process of reviewing the state guidance and will publish a guide for the district in the coming days and hold community and staff meetings prior to students’ return.

July 27, 2021

Resources Available in Silver City/Grant County during COVID-19 (food, utilities, shelter, medical, etc)

These flyers (English) are for printed distribution to agencies and clients, and list resources of all kinds — community food support, shelter and utility assistance, options for transportation.

There are also medical contacts (including the VA, HMS, Family Support Services, and more) and resources listed for Counseling & Support (including sexual assault, mental health, suicide prevention and others).

There are websites listed that can offer more information on diverse subjects, including COVID-19 updates.

And there are specific descriptions detailing how to sign up for the COVID-19 vaccine, as well as how to get tested.

So please share these flyers (English, Spanish) with all who might make use of them!

July 23, 2021

Financial Resources for New Mexicans During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Recovery

The pandemic and economic crisis have created financial hardships for many New Mexicans. Many families have had difficulty accessing the financial resources available to help meet basic needs. In response, we have created the Financial Resource Guide During COVID-19.

The guide is a comprehensive source of information about assistance—and New Mexicans’ rights to access it—available across the state now and in the future.

The guide includes information about programs funded through federal legislation like the American Recovery Plan Act, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, as well as long-standing state and local programs that can help families with food, housing, healthcare, child care, and more.

Access the resource guide here: http://nmpovertylaw.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/NMCLP-COVID-Guide.pdf

July 6, 2021

Pandemic Restrictions Lifted!

July 1st was the last day under New Mexico’s color-coded, county-by-county COVID health restriction program, the “Red to Green” program. With the state reaching the 70% COVID vaccination rate for New Mexicans 16 and older, all pandemic restrictions have been lifted. All pandemic-related occupancy restrictions on all forms of commercial activity will be lifted. All businesses across the state may once again operate at 100 percent of maximum capacity.

Businesses may still adopt and require additional precautions for employees and/or patrons, at their discretion, and are still advised to enact whatever social distancing and facemasking measures may be appropriate to ensure the health and safety of customers and staff, in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance.

All limitations on mass gatherings will be gone. Businesses, large events and organizations may operate at 100 percent of maximum capacity, whether indoor or outdoor.

There have been no state travel restrictions or requirements since mid-February.

Facemasks, in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance, have not been required in New Mexico for individuals who have completed their vaccination series since May 14.

The state will continue to follow CDC guidance with respect to face-coverings: Masks will remain required for unvaccinated individuals, and businesses, workplaces and tribes may continue to require masks for employees, customers or visitors on the premises, regardless of vaccination status, at their discretion.

Source: https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2021/06/18/n-m-pandemic-restrictions-gone-july-1/

June 3, 2021

Hidalgo Medical Services New COVID-19 Community Clinics in Grant County and Hidalgo County

Hidalgo Medical Services has opened COVID-19 Community Clinics in Grant County and Hidalgo County. These are walk-in clinics with no appointment necessary for COVID-19 vaccinations and COVID-19 testing.

Grant County COVID-19 Community Clinic
1304 E 32nd Street, Silver City, NM 88061
Hours: 9:00 am to 6:00 pm (Closed 12-1 Lunch Break)
Days of Operation: Open 5 days a week. Open one Saturday a month, with the following Monday closure. (See schedule on the website)

Hidalgo County COVID-19 Community Clinic
109 Poplar Street Lordsburg, NM 88045
Hours: 9:00 am to 6:00 pm (Closed 12-1 Lunch Break)
Days of Operation: Open rotating days of the week. Open one Saturday a month. (See schedule on the website)

For more information, visit Hidalgo Medical Services website at hms-nm.org

Source: https://hms-nm.org/hms-covid-messages/

April 15, 2021

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

April 15, 2021

Mental Health Resources

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

April 12, 2021

New Mexico Gas Company COVID-19 Relief for Small Business Customers

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.

Applications will be accepted through March 31, 2022 or until all funds have been allocated, whichever comes first.

Program Requirements – To qualify, a small business must be:

Registered with the New Mexico Secretary of State.
An active non-residential, Small Volume Rate 54 customer. Please refer to page 2 of your NMGC bill.
A NM, locally-owned business with 50 or fewer employees.
Experiencing financial hardships due to COVID-19, with an account at least 30 days in arrears.
Able to pay at least 15% of the past due balance and agree to enter into a payment arrangement for the remaining past due balance.

Source: https://www.nmgco.com/SmallBusiness/CovidRelief

April 12, 2021

Restaurant Revitalization Funding Available Now

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

April 12, 2021

CDC Update About Surface Cleaning Effectiveness

The principal mode by which people are infected with SARS-CoV-2 (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.

Source: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/disinfecting-building-facility.html#other-facilities