STAY HOME AND INFORM

SAVE LIVES

EN HOGAR E INFORMAR

SALVE VIDAS

SERVING AND INFORMING OUR VULNERABLE AND HIGH RISK POPULATIONS!

“Stay home

Together we can stop the coronavirus pandemic*

It is time to act together, responsibly

If you protect yourself, you protect your family and others”

INFORME A SU FAMILIA Y AMIGOS— ¡¡USTED PUEDE HACER UNA DIFERENCIA!!

INFORM YOU FRIENDS AND FAMILY— YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!

NEW MEXICO GOVERNOR MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM THANKING VOLUNTEERS AND IN ACTION SERVING NEW MEXICO’S SENIORS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

GOBERNADORA DE NUEVO MÉXICO MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM DANDO GRACIAS A LOS VOLUNTARIOS Y EN ACCIÓN AL SERVICIO DE LAS PERSONAS DE LA TERCER EDAD DE NUEVO MÉXICO DURANTE LA PANDEMIA DE COVID-19

OFICINA DE GOBERNADORA MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM

GOVERNOR AUTHORIZES GALLUP LOCKDOWN

May 1, 2020 | Health

SANTA FE – In response to an emergency request from the mayor of Gallup, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham at 12 p.m. on Friday will invoke the state’s Riot Control Act, authorizing her to enact further temporary restrictions to mitigate the uninhibited spread of COVID-19 in that city.

Effective at 12 p.m., May 1, all roads into Gallup are closed. Businesses in the city of Gallup will close from 5 p.m. through 8 a.m. Vehicles may only have a maximum of two individuals. Residents of the city should remain at home except for emergency outings and those essential for health, safety and welfare…

“We fully support the proactive measures implemented by Governor Lujan Grisham, at the request of the City of Gallup,” said Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez. “We have many members of the Navajo Nation that reside in Gallup and many that travel in the area and their health and safety is always our top priority. Thank you to the Governor for her leadership and decisive actions. We urge everyone to stay home, stay safe, and save lives!”

READ FULL PRESS RELEASE HERE

Administración de Alimentos y Medicamentos de los Estados Unidos

U.S. Food & Drug Administration

Governor officially extends emergency order to April 30

Apr 6, 2020 | Press Releases

Essential businesses further restricted to limit gatherings; 
New Mexicans must stay home to prevent further spread of virus

SANTA FE – With COVID-19 cases still rising in New Mexico, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Monday extended her public health emergency order and announced the extension of related public health orders to encourage social distancing and preserve safety equipment for health care workers. Per the order, all guidance and advisories issued by the governor and secretary of health are in effect through at least April 30.

The amended public health order further restricts business operations as a means of combating continued congregating in spaces outside the home. The order is effective 8 a.m., April 7. The governor also signed an executive order authorizing the extension of the public health orders.

As in the original public health order, New Mexicans are instructed to stay at home except for emergency or essential outings, and non-essential businesses that had been ordered to close in-person operations must remain closed.

The amended order includes a new requirement that all retail operations that are considered essential businesses – including grocery stores – shall limit occupancy in their retail spaces. The maximum number of customers in the retail space must be equal to 20 percent or less of the maximum occupancy of the retail space, as determined by the relevant fire marshal or fire department.

If and when customers are waiting outside of a retail space, they must do so in compliance with social distancing protocols including the requirement that they maintain a distance of at least six-feet from other individuals and avoid person-to-person contact.

Hotels, motels, RV parks, and other places of lodging shall not operate at more than 25 percent of maximum occupancy, per the amended order. This is reduced from 50 percent.

Additional entities that are deemed non-essential as part of the amended order and must cease in-person operations are automobile dealerships, payday lenders and liquor stores.

Businesses seeking clarity on essential or non-essential status may send inquiries to covid.exemption@state.nm.us.

ON ENFORCEMENT: Reports of non-compliance can be made to NMSP.COVID19@state.nm.us or to your local police or sheriff’s department’s non-emergency line. The state of New Mexico will explore and put into use all mechanisms for enforcement. There are civil and criminal penalties for violating a public health order.

“We must carry on undaunted in our fight against COVID-19,” Gov. Lujan Grisham said. “These measures will help us prevent a sudden spike in infections that would overwhelm our healthcare system. This virus is still spreading, and we must remain vigilant about physical distancing from one another. And we will ramp up enforcement of non-compliance.

“New Mexicans, I implore you to honor your social contract with your state. These orders are not friendly suggestions; heed them and protect yourselves, your families and your communities. If these directives are not heeded, further restrictions will be enacted. The difference between a worst-case scenario and a best-case scenario for our state depends on your actions and the actions of those around you. It is an enormous sacrifice to adjust our daily lives in this way – but it is one we must undertake in order to limit illness and death in our state.

“To those New Mexicans who have already committed to physical distancing and are doing everything they can to restrict or limit their outings and physical contact with others: Thank you. You are holding up your social contract with your state and your neighbors, and we are grateful. Please know that your actions are our single best weapon against this virus.”

The extension also applies to a series of public health orders issued by Department of Health Secretary Kathy Kunkel because their duration was linked to the executive order. Those orders include:

• Limiting nursing home visitation (March 13);

• Limiting mass gatherings (March 16);

• Closing casinos, horse-racing facilities and restaurants and bars (except for pickup and delivery) and restricting hotel and motel operations (March 19)

• Closing all non-essential businesses and nonprofits (March 23);

• Prohibiting non-essential health care services to conserve personal protective equipment for COVID-19 workers (March 24);

• Regulating the sale and distribution of personal protective equipment due to COVID-19 related shortages (March 24).

The extension of social distancing guidelines is designed to reduce the number of COVID-19 cases overall and to postpone a surge in cases for as long as possible. The longer the surge can be delayed, the smaller it will be and the more time the state will have to increase the number of hospital beds and medical supplies.

ON FACE COVERINGS: The Department of Health has recommended that New Mexicans wear cloth, non-medical masks when traveling outside the home for essential outings in alignment with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC has advised “the use of simple cloth face coverings to slow the spread of the virus and help people who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others. Cloth face coverings fashioned from household items or made at home from common materials at low cost can be used as an additional, voluntary public health measure.” According to the CDC, cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children younger than 2 years of age, anyone who has trouble breathing or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the cover without assistance.

A cloth, non-medical mask is not a replacement for physical distancing. An instructional video about how to make a non-medical face covering can be viewed here.

We Are All In This Together: Please share this message with your volunteers

Let me start out by saying, as I said a week ago “We are all in this together” and we will get through this together. I am working from home, and am staying safe and healthy by staying in my home, and I encourage you to do the same. 

As I told you in the last email, your health and safety is my number one priority. That priority remains the same, so as a reminder, it is important that you continue to follow the recommendations of the Center for Disease Control at CDC’s website and your local public health guidelines by staying at home to protect your health. 

“Safe volunteering” is important, so to those of you who can do some form of tele-volunteering, I thank you for your continued service. For the remainder of you, like my husband and me, you are probably starting to get that closed-in feeling.

In my last email I said I would send you ideas to stay connected, stay healthy, and of activities you might do in this unprecedented time. Well, I’m using this message to help remedy that closed-in feeling. Let’s simply engage ourselves in some fun activities. After all, fun and joy are also necessary for our overall well-being and can even help stimulate our brains, especially if we’re learning something new. While we’re stuck inside, let’s play some games and/or participate in other enjoyable activities. Below are some ideas for some of our old favorite games, mixed with suggestions for other activities. So, let’s do this! 

1. Play board games: If you’re at home you’re with other family members, challenge them to a game that requires you to outwit your opponent like checkers, backgammon, mahjong, or chess. Show them who’s clever!

2. Card games: Play Solitaire if you’re alone, or if you have partners try Gin Rummy, Bridge, Crazy Eights, Spades, Canasta, Go Fish, or Old Maid 

3. Cook: Many people find cooking and baking therapeutic. Find some old recipes you love and create healthy versions of them, or create new healthy recipes. Share them over the phone with your friends and neighbors

4. Reminisce: Go through all those old family photos that you have laying around. Think about those wonderful occasions and look at how you dressed then as opposed to the kind of clothing you now wear

5. Exercise: Keep moving! Get up and walk around your house or apartment every hour or so. Also remember that there are television and web versions of exercise classes for older adults. You can do Tai chi with Regis Philbin! Check your local television listings to find the dates and times, and don't forget to check YouTube for web-based fitness 

6. Brain Games: Pick-up a crossword puzzle or play some online word and number games. There are many that can be downloaded for free

7. Sing: Even if, like me, you can’t carry a tune, singing is known to have health benefits. It helps to stimulate your circulation and boosts your immune system 

8. Listen to music: Again, research suggests that listening to music helps to elevate your mood, reduces stress and increases happiness.

9. Spring Clean: Now is a great to clean out those closets that you’ve been meaning to get to, and rid yourself of those items that you no longer want or can no longer wear

10. Play Video games: Some of us may have an old game console around (Nintendo/Play Station/Xbox). If not, you can download video games to your smartphone and laptop or tablet, if you have one. I like the word game “Words with Friends” which you can play with anyone from around the world. RUZZLE is another good word game. AARP has several online games for older adults, many of them can also be downloaded for free

11. Garden: If you have a yard, now is a good time to fertilize your plants and flowers. If not, you might consider doing some inside planting in pots and keeping them on your window sill

12. Create a Journal: You can start a gratitude journal by writing down all that you have in life that you are grateful for, or write down your feelings and how you are going to overcome the negative ones

13. Host a virtual family dinner: Gather family members on Face Time and have dinner together

14. Laugh: Remember that old saying, “Laughter is the best medicine?” Well, it turns out, that it’s true. Research shows that in times of uncertainty, laughter helps to calm us and ease our tensions. It also increases our oxygen circulation and stimulates our lungs, muscles, and heart, providing yet another boost to our immune system. So, while we’re reminiscing, cooking, and playing games, let’s just remember to Laugh!

State enacts further restrictions to stop spread, including stay-at-home instruction

Mar 23, 2020 | Press Room

SANTA FE – Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Monday announced additional restrictions to disrupt the spread of the COVID-19 virus in New Mexico and instructed New Mexicans to remain in their homes or places of residence except for outings absolutely necessary for health, safety and welfare.

The order — to be issued by Secretary of Health Kathy Kunkel and effective 8 a.m. Tuesday, March 24 — closes all non-essential businesses, requiring 100 percent of the state’s non-essential workforce to work from home. As in other states that have enacted similar measures, there are exceptions pertaining to essential services for the preservation of health, safety and well-being.

“The only way for us to stop the spread of this virus is for New Mexicans to stop interacting with each other,” said Gov. Lujan Grisham. “New Mexicans must be crystal-clear on this point: Right now, every time you leave your house, you are putting yourself, your family and your community at risk. Only by distancing from one another, by remaining home except for essential or emergency travel, can we limit the spread of this virus to the point that it does not overwhelm New Mexico.

“This clearly exempts people who are part of the essential functions that must continue: The individuals providing meals for kids at our schools; the individuals working at health care facilities, child care facilities, public safety entities and many more. Those individuals are helping keep us operating — in a new and limited way. They deserve our profound gratitude.

“As we wait for the federal government to get states the help we need in expanding capacity and testing materials and financial assistance, staying home is the one action all of us, individually and as a group, can control,” the governor added. “Please stay home. Help protect New Mexico.”

Intended to aggressively limit person-to-person contact in the state, the amended emergency public health order closes all non-essential businesses except for remote work.

The order advises that New Mexicans “must stay at home and undertake only those outings absolutely necessary for their health, safety or welfare” and further restricts “mass gatherings” of five or more individuals in outdoor spaces.

“Does this order mean you cannot walk your dog? No. Does it mean you can’t go for a jog? No. But you should not do those things in a group — and you should be home as soon as possible,” the governor said. “This social isolation strategy will only work if we all undertake it to the greatest extent we can. That boils down to one thing: Stay home.”

The amended public health emergency order is attached to this news release.

Businesses deemed essential that may remain open are:

• Health care operations including hospitals, walk-in-care health facilities, emergency veterinary and livestock services, pharmacies, medical wholesale and distribution, home health care workers or aides for the elderly, emergency dental facilities, nursing homes, residential health care facilities, research facilities, congregate care facilities, intermediate care facilities for those with intellectual or developmental disabilities, supportive living homes, home health care providers, and medical supplies and equipment manufacturers and providers;

• Homeless shelters, food banks, and other services providing care to indigent or needy populations;

• Childcare facilities necessary to provide services to those workers employed by essential businesses and essential non-profit entities; Grocery stores, all food and beverage stores, supermarkets, food banks, farmers’ markets and vendors who sell food, convenience stores, and other businesses that generate the majority of their revenue from the sale of canned food, dry goods, fresh fruits and vegetables, pet food, feed, and other animal supply stores, fresh meats, fish, and poultry, and any other household consumer products;

• Farms, ranches, and other food cultivation, processing, or packaging operations;

• All facilities used by law enforcement personnel, first responders, firefighters, emergency management personnel, dispatch operators, and court personnel.

• Infrastructure operations including, but not limited to, public works construction; commercial and residential facility construction and maintenance; airport operations; public transportation; airlines; taxis; private transportation providers; water, sewer, trash and recycling collection, processing and disposal; gas; electrical; oil drilling; oil refining; natural resources extraction or mining operations; nuclear material research and enrichment; those attendant to the repair and construction of roads and highways; solid waste collection and removal; processing and disposal; data and internet providers; data centers; and telecommunications systems;

• Manufacturing operations involved in food processing, manufacturing agents, chemicals, fertilizer, pharmaceuticals, sanitary products, household paper products, telecommunications, microelectronics/semi-conductor, primary metals manufacturers, machinery manufacturers, electrical equipment, appliance, and component manufacturers, and transportation equipment manufacturers; Services necessary to maintain the safety and sanitation of residences or essential businesses including security services, custodial services, plumbers, electricians, and other skilled trades;

• Media services including television, radio, and newspaper operations;

• Gas stations, automobile repair facilities, and retailers who generate the majority of their revenue from the sale of automobile repair products;

• Hardware stores;

• Laundromats and dry cleaner services;

• Utilities, including their contractors and suppliers, engaged in power generation, fuel supply and transmission, water and wastewater supply;

• Funeral homes, crematoriums and cemeteries;

• Banks, credit unions, insurance providers, payroll services, brokerage services, and investment management firms;

• Real estate services including brokers, title companies, and related services. Businesses providing mailing and shipping services, including post office boxes;

• Laboratories and defense and national security-related operations supporting the United States government or a contractor to the United States government; Restaurants, but only for delivery or carry out and local breweries or distilleries but only for carry out;

• Professional services, such as legal or accounting services, but only where necessary to assist in compliance with legally mandated activities; and

• Logistics and businesses that store, ship or deliver groceries, food, goods or services directly to residences or retailers.

  
  

  The order is in effect until April 10.

  ON ENFORCEMENT: The state has ramped up surveillance of businesses to ensure compliance. Violators of the public health order could lose their licenses to operate and face civil or criminal penalties. New Mexicans wishing to report a violation will soon be able to call the non-emergency COVID-19 state hotline, 1-833-551-0518.

  ON HOARDING: In a previously issued public health order, the state, in an effort to limit hoarding, directed grocery stores and other retailers 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. Individual New Mexicans are further urged to limit hoarding in order to ensure community members have the supplies they need.

  ON ILLNESSES AND TESTING: New Mexicans who develop symptoms of COVID-19 infection — fever, cough or shortness of breath — should call their health care provider or the NMDOH COVID-19 hotline immediately (1-855-600-3453). Testing is presently prioritized for those with symptoms. New Mexicans are asked to widely distribute this information about testing and travel guidelines: https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2020/03/18/public-health-advisory-testing-and-travel-guidelines-for-new-mexico/

  FOR MORE INFORMATION: New Mexicans who have non-health-related questions or concerns can also call 833-551-0518 or visit newmexico.gov, which is being updated as a one-stop source for information.

SENIOR CORPS

Notes from the Director's Desk

March 19, 2020

Dear Foster Grandparent, Senior Companion and RSVP Volunteers,

First off, I would like to start this note by saying THANK YOU! Thank you for being part of something bigger than yourself and for daily giving back to your community through your service to others.

As your national director, I want to let you know how much I personally appreciate your volunteer service through our Senior Corps programs. In my travels to programs throughout the country, I’ve met many of you and know that whether you’re serving with a child, helping an older client, or supporting your community in other ways, your dedication to your volunteer service is highly valuable to your program, to your community and to our nation.

I also know that, as a nation, we now find ourselves in unprecedented times with the outbreak of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). And, with more than 200,000 of you across the country, your health and safety are my top priority. At the same time, I want to be sure you are not penalized for a situation over which you have no control. With that in mind, we have advised sponsors to pay a temporary pay allowance to Foster Grandparents and Senior Companions.

This is a difficult time for all of us. In addition to missing your volunteer service, you may be worried about the children or other clients you serve, as well as your health and the health of your families. Senior Corps wants to help in any way we can, even if it’s to just let you know WE CARE and that WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER. To help alleviate those feelings, I want to encourage you to stay in contact with the people you serve, your families, friends, and with others by phone, text, social media, and/or email to keep the lines of communication open.

As a federal agency, we receive information from numerous sources. I’d like to share the following advice that we received from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration that I think may help ease some of your anxiety:

CONNECT WITH OTHERS

Reaching out to people you trust is one of the best ways to reduce anxiety, depression, loneliness, and boredom during social distancing, quarantine, and isolation.

- Use the telephone, email, text messaging, and social media to connect with friends, family, and others.

- Talk “face to face” with friends and loved ones using Skype or FaceTime, if possible.

- If approved by health authorities and your health care providers, arrange for your friends and loved ones to bring you newspapers, movies, and books.

USE PRACTICAL WAYS TO COPE AND RELAX

- Relax your body often by doing things that work for you -- take deep breaths, stretch, meditate or pray, or engage in activities you enjoy.

- Pace yourself between stressful activities and do something fun after a hard task.

- Talk about your experiences and feelings to loved ones and friends, if you find it helpful.

- Try to maintain a sense of hope and positive thinking -- consider keeping a journal to write down things you are grateful for or things that are going well.

Also, please follow guidance from the White House and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for older adults and people who have severe underlying chronic medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19 illness. People who are at higher risk are encouraged to avoid crowds as much as possible. Find more information at CDC

Please know that Senior Corps continues to closely monitor the latest developments related to COVID-19 and will keep your program director informed of any new developments that may affect you. We will also be sharing additional ways to stay connected, calm and continue service to others while in your homes. In the meantime, it is important to me that you remain vigilant in your efforts to stay healthy and safe.

Thank you so much for all your dedication to your Senior Corps volunteer service and to your willingness to always be there for the people you serve.

Yours in Service,

Deborah Cox-Roush
Director, Senior Corps

La alerta de salud de WhatsApp de la OMS

27 de marzo de 2020

Se puede acceder al servicio mediante un enlace que abre una conversación en WhatsApp. Los usuarios pueden simplemente escribir "hola", "saludo", "hola" o "مرحبا" para activar la conversación, lo que genera un menú de opciones que pueden ayudar a responder sus preguntas sobre COVID-19.

Únase a la Alerta de Salud de la OMS en WhatsApp: 

Spanish

Send "hola" to +41 22 501 76 90 on WhatsApp

wa.me/41225017690?text=hola

Arabic

Send "مرحبا"  to +41 22 501 70 23 on WhatsApp

wa.me/41225017023?text=مرحبا

French

Send "salut" to +41 22 501 72 98 on WhatsApp

wa.me/41225017298?text=salut

WHO WhatsApp Health alert

27 March 2020

The service can be accessed by a link that opens a conversation on WhatsApp. Users can simply type “hi”, "salut", "hola" or "مرحبا" to activate the conversation, prompting a menu of options that can help answer their questions about COVID-19.

Join WHO's Health Alert on WhatsApp: 

English

Send "hi" to +41 79 893 18 92 on WhatsApp

wa.me/41798931892?text=hi

Arabic

Send "مرحبا"  to +41 22 501 70 23 on WhatsApp

wa.me/41225017023?text=مرحبا

French

Send "salut" to +41 22 501 72 98 on WhatsApp

wa.me/41225017298?text=salut