HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE GOVERNOR’S LIVE STREAM ON DECEMBER 10, 2020
Thursday afternoon at 3:00 pm, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham delivered a live stream update on the status New Mexico is in, now after implementing the red to green system. As of Thursday December 10th, there are 1,791 positive cases, with 114,731 the total statewide. 23 additional deaths today, raising the total number of deaths statewide to 1,846. Currently, there are 916 people hospitalized, with 159 on ventilators.
New Mexicans must continue to fight, because the test positivity is down, 7-day rolling average has decreases from 24% on Nov 24 to 13% on Dec 6th, and the state wide r-effective (a measure of the rate of viral spread) has decreased from 1.3 on Nov. 9th to 0.79 on Dec 6th. Following health guidelines like wearing your mask, avoiding unnecessary travel outside of the home, and avoiding groups and gatherings; will lead to a much-needed stress relief to our heath care workers and allowing small business and local economies the opportunity to rebound. “The best gift you can give a local business this holiday season, is to get tested,” Says Governor Lujan Grisham. To find a local testing site near you, visit togethernm.org
Word on the street is that the Pfizer vaccine is going to be released for emergency distribution. So, where does New Mexico stand on receiving the vaccine? As of right now New Mexico is waiting to hear from the FDA on the Pfizer vaccine. Once approved, NM will receive the first shipment of 17,550 vaccine doses within 24 hours. This could come as early as next week, depending on vaccine approval.
The first shipment of Pfiser vaccine doses will go to the hospitals to vaccinate and protect frontline health care workers at high to medium risk. Department Of Health has notified NM hospitals of initial allotments so they can be prepared and ready to go ASAP. After the first round of given vaccines, New Mexico is prepared to receive additional shipments of the vaccine doses, including ones from Moderna. These would be used to protect patients and staff at long-term care facilities.
In the midst of waiting for the vaccine, the Governor mentioned the new pandemic relief available for New Mexicans. The grants for New Mexico small Businesses; applications close Dec 18th and you can apply at nmfinance.com. There is additional unemployment assistance available. 1,200 checks will be distributed this month, and there is no additional action required for folks that are already currently on unemployment. The last assistance mentioned, was housing assistance. Applications have officially opened as of December 10th, and you can apply at housingnm.org.
If you’d like to view the Governor’s full live stream, you can visit her Facebook page.
