Recap of New Mexico COVID-19 news (6/22/20 edition)

This morning recap of COVID-19 news from New Mexico is available in a free email every weekday. Sign up here. See all of our COVID-19 coverage here. As of Sunday, the state has 10,565 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 469 deaths related to the disease. Read more here. The cases continue to grow in a southern […]

Recap of New Mexico COVID-19 news (6/22/20 edition)

This morning recap of COVID-19 news from New Mexico is available in a free email every weekday. Sign up here.

See all of our COVID-19 coverage here.

  • As of Sunday, the state has 10,565 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 469 deaths related to the disease. Read more here.
  • Human Services Department Secretary spoke to members of the media on Friday and said things look to be improving in New Mexico, but said New Mexicans should still wear masks and remain socially distanced. Read more here.
  • The Las Cruces Sun-News wrote about how places of worship in Las Cruces have dealt with the services during the pandemic. Under the current state public health order, places of worship can have in-person services at 25 percent capacity with COVID-safe precautions in place.
  • The CEO of the San Juan Regional Medical Center praised hospital workers, the Farmington Daily Times reported. The hospital is in the hardest-hit region of the state and hit a peak in hospital usage on May 15.
  • A Navajo Police Department officer died from COVID-19, the Arizona Republic reported.
  • Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez said lockdowns and other COVID-19 safety precautions led to the decrease in total cases, the Navajo Times reported.
  • The Navajo Times closed its doors for two weeks after two staff members tested positive for COVID-19; there will be no physical paper during that time, but the news outlet will continue to post stories online.
  • The Alamogordo-based company NoWClean donated 500 gallons of its disinfectant product to the Navajo Nation, the Alamogordo Daily News reported.
  • The state of New Mexico is donating masks to businesses, KRQE-TV reported.
  • The Gallup Sun reported on the socially distanced Indigenous Pride gathering.
  • KRQE-TV spoke to a University of New Mexico Hospital nurse, who is also a father, about his time helping those with COVID-19.
  • The Sandoval County Clerk spoke to the Rio Rancho Observer about the primary election, which saw a record number of voters cast ballots by absentee, and she said it largely ran smoothly in the county. 
  • Don’t expect any alcohol delivery; a bill that would have allowed the governor to OK alcohol delivery during a pandemic went nowhere during the special session that is slated to wrap up on Monday, the Albuquerque Journal reported.
  • The state of New Mexico says small businesses in the state should sign up for Paycheck Protection Program loans, KRQE-TV reported.
  • One business, the Bandolero Brewery in Clovis, had its opening delayed because of COVID-19, The Eastern New Mexico News reported.
  • Overnight parking at state parks remains closed, the Las Cruces Sun-News reported.
  • The Santa Fe New Mexican wrote about summer activities during COVID-19.
  • A man is protesting a policy by Presbyterian Hospital in Albuquerque that doesn’t allow visitors because of the COVID-19 pandemic, KOB-TV reported. The man’s son died in the hospital, and he was not allowed to visit.
  • The New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department partnered with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to donate 120,000 pounds of food and supplies to people hurt by COVID-19, the department announced Friday.
    “As New Mexico’s tribal communities continue to deal with the impact of the COVID-19 it is heartening to see the generosity of our neighbors,” said Indian Affairs Secretary Lynn Trujillo. “This week’s delivery of over 120,000 pounds of food to Albuquerque’s urban native population by the Church of Latter Day Saints is greatly appreciated. Working alongside our sister-agencies and philanthropic organizations, our state continues to be responsive and effective in our relief efforts in tribal communities.”
  • New Mexico State University partnered with Electronic Caregiver to look into an automated telehealth system for tracking COVID-19 symptoms
  • The Carlsbad Public Library opened, the Carlsbad Current-Argus reported.
  • New Mexico’s unemployment rate in May was 9.2 percent, down from 11.9 percent in April, below the national rate of 13.3 percent, the Albuquerque Journal reported.

We're ad free

That means that we rely on support from readers like you. Help us keep reporting on the most important New Mexico Stories by donating today.

Related

Governor to call special session for public safety legislation this summer

Governor to call special session for public safety legislation this summer

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced that she will call the Legislature into a special session this summer to address public safety legislation that did…
Emily’s List endorses seven candidates for Legislature

Emily’s List endorses seven candidates for Legislature

Emily’s List, a nonprofit that supports women candidates and reproductive rights, endorsed seven incumbents facing general election opponents in New Mexico legislative elections. All…
Equality New Mexico endorses 15 legislative candidates

Equality New Mexico endorses 15 legislative candidates

A New Mexico-based LGBTQ rights organization endorsed 15 candidates for state House and Senate seats for the 2024 elections.  Marshall Martinez, executive director of…
Sandia researchers look at ways to store hydrogen underground

Sandia researchers look at ways to store hydrogen underground

As the world looks to decarbonize, governments are promoting hydrogen, a somewhat controversial energy source, as an important component of that effort. But that…
American Rivers ranks waters in New Mexico as the most endangered in the country

American Rivers ranks waters in New Mexico as the most endangered in the country

New Mexico rivers are the most endangered in the country, according to the annual report from American Rivers. This is because of two U.S.…
Economic Development Department announces Energy Transition Act funding awards

Economic Development Department announces Energy Transition Act funding awards

Funding to assist with economic development following the closure of the San Juan Generating Station will be distributed to four projects in San Juan,…
Amid new graduation requirements, what do high schoolers want to learn?

Amid new graduation requirements, what do high schoolers want to learn?

By Margaret O’Hara, The Santa Fe New Mexican The main things that bring Brayan Chavez to school every day: Seeing, talking to and engaging with…
Special ed teachers hope lawmakers OK pay raises, admin changes

Special ed teachers hope lawmakers OK pay raises, admin changes

By Margaret O’Hara, The Santa Fe New Mexican Brittany Behenna Griffith has a laundry list of adjectives to describe the ideal special education teacher:…
Lawmakers must find consensus on competing education spending plans

Lawmakers must find consensus on competing education spending plans

By Margaret O’Hara, The Santa Fe New Mexican A challenging task awaits New Mexico lawmakers in the next 30 days: Reconciling three very different…
Health workers fear it’s profits before protection as CDC revisits airborne transmission

Health workers fear it’s profits before protection as CDC revisits airborne transmission

Amy Maxmen, KFF Health News Four years after hospitals in New York City overflowed with covid-19 patients, emergency physician Sonya Stokes remains shaken by…
Lujan Grisham, Biden admin announce $10 million in federal funds for tribes, pueblos

Lujan Grisham, Biden admin announce $10 million in federal funds for tribes, pueblos

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced Friday $10 million in funding from the federal American Rescue Plan Act was awarded to six tribal nations and…
Proposal to curb executive powers moves to House Judiciary

Proposal to curb executive powers moves to House Judiciary

The House Government, Elections and Indian Affairs Committee discussed a potential constitutional amendment that seeks to limit the governor’s executive powers. The committee approved…
Politics and abortion, how much will it matter?

Politics and abortion, how much will it matter?

At the national level, abortion is still a high-stakes issue with both major presidential candidates talking about it in their campaigns, but it may…
How the AZ Supreme Court decision on abortion impacts New Mexico

How the AZ Supreme Court decision on abortion impacts New Mexico

The Arizona Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday that an 1864 abortion ban is enforceable, throwing another state bordering New Mexico into the situation of…
The status of the lawsuit New Mexico joined to remove FDA restrictions to mifepristone

The status of the lawsuit New Mexico joined to remove FDA restrictions to mifepristone

While the U.S. Supreme Court considers the future of access to the abortion medication, mifepristone, another lawsuit against the FDA that would expand access…
Politics and abortion, how much will it matter?

Politics and abortion, how much will it matter?

At the national level, abortion is still a high-stakes issue with both major presidential candidates talking about it in their campaigns, but it may…
How the AZ Supreme Court decision on abortion impacts New Mexico

How the AZ Supreme Court decision on abortion impacts New Mexico

The Arizona Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday that an 1864 abortion ban is enforceable, throwing another state bordering New Mexico into the situation of…
The status of the lawsuit New Mexico joined to remove FDA restrictions to mifepristone

The status of the lawsuit New Mexico joined to remove FDA restrictions to mifepristone

While the U.S. Supreme Court considers the future of access to the abortion medication, mifepristone, another lawsuit against the FDA that would expand access…
Vasquez calls out Republicans for ‘inaction’ on border policy

Vasquez calls out Republicans for ‘inaction’ on border policy

U.S. Rep. Gabriel “Gabe” Vasquez, a Democrat who represents the state’s 2nd Congressional District along the U.S.-Mexico border, cosponsored a resolution on Monday calling…
Politics and abortion, how much will it matter?

Politics and abortion, how much will it matter?

At the national level, abortion is still a high-stakes issue with both major presidential candidates talking about it in their campaigns, but it may…
Politics Newsletter: Early and absentee voting

Politics Newsletter: Early and absentee voting

Good morning fellow political junkies! Early and absentee voting for the June 4 New Mexico primary begins in about a month. The nonprofit election…
American Rivers ranks waters in New Mexico as the most endangered in the country

American Rivers ranks waters in New Mexico as the most endangered in the country

New Mexico rivers are the most endangered in the country, according to the annual report from American Rivers. This is because of two U.S.…

Can the Albuquerque Police Department ever be reformed?

by Joshua Bowling, Searchlight New Mexico In the past decade, reforming the Albuquerque Police Department has cost nearly $40 million and generated 5,600 pages…
Politics Newsletter: Uncommitted primary voting

Politics Newsletter: Uncommitted primary voting

Hello fellow political junkies! Early and absentee voting in the New Mexico Primary begin on May 7. With many voters readying their choice for…

GET INVOLVED

© 2023 New Mexico Political Report