COVID-19 is still a big problem in New Mexico, and Lea County is no exception.
Thursday, September 16 findings from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) report that the “community risk level” of becoming infected with COVID-19 in Lea County is “high”. In light of this “high” risk factor, the CDC recommends for everyone to “wear a mask in public indoor settings” and “follow local laws, rules, regulations or guidance.”
More specifically regarding Lea County, the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) reported 80 new cases of COVID-19 countywide as of Wednesday, September 15. Recent COVID-19 deaths have moved the county’s total death count to 226.
Wear A Mask and Get the Jab
Health officials recommend time and time again to wear a mask, especially in indoor, private settings, and to get the jab. These two actions, along with effective hand washing, are repeatedly proving to be the best measures one can take to prevent both oneself and those with whom one has contact from contracting this most infectious, and frequently deadly, virus. To put the “deadly” element in perspective, CNN reported that one in “every 500 US residents have died of COVID-19.”
The CDC says it very simply. “…get vaccinated as soon as you can and wear a mask indoors in public if you are in an area of substantial or high transmission.” This advice certainly applies to Lea County.
Indoor Mask Mandate Extended One Month
Because COVID-19 is an ongoing problem in New Mexico, the NMDOH has extended the state’s indoor mask mandate for one more month, at least until October 15. Originally, the indoor mask requirement, which was implemented on August 20, was set to expire on Wednesday, September 15. However, the expiration did not happen.
The extension of the indoor mask mandate means that, “all New Mexicans aged 2 and older will still be required to wear a face mask or covering while in an indoor public setting – except while eating or drinking – regardless of vaccination status. Businesses, houses of worship and other entities may enact stricter requirements at their discretion,” states an article at KVIA.com.
Decline in COVID-19 Cases Statewide
In all of this some good news is being released. New Mexico health officials acknowledge a current decline in coronavirus cases statewide. According to statistics from John Hopkins University of Medicine, the coronavirus positivity rate has declined to 5.57% statewide and 61.7% of the state’s population is fully vaccinated. Still, New Mexico is not out of the woods and steps must be taken to control the spread of the virus. Hospital beds remain in short supply and coronavirus hospitalizations during the past month have not declined.
NMDOH Press Conference
In a press conference on Wednesday, September 15, NMDOH Acting Cabinet Secretary David R. Scrase, M.D. said that “everyone at DOH is now willing to concede that we’re on the downslope of this pandemic,” Scrase also cautioned that the majority of New Mexico counties are still in the “red” high risk zone for infections and that he would be be more willing to discuss lifting the indoor mask mandate when counties reach the more moderate “orange” risk area, defined as 150 – 300 new COVID-19 cases per day.
The requirement to wear a mask is nothing new to New Mexicans. In May of 2020, being one of the first states to do so, the State of New Mexico ordered residents to wear masks in public venues. In May of 2021, the order was lifted for those who were fully vaccinated; however the order was reimplemented last month on August 20. Dr. Scrase said in support of the reimplementation of the indoor mask mandate, “… we really need to step back and look at what are the things we can do in the long haul to prevent spread of COVID without having to go back and forth with this on-off switch and mandates, what are some things we can all live with.”
Governor Supports Masks and Vaccinations
In an August 17 press release New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham stands firmly in favor of the reimplemented indoor mask order and vaccinations. “We all have a role to play. No one wants to go backward. No one wants to see our recovery endangered by another – and preventable – surge of serious illness. No one wants a full hospital turning away New Mexicans who need care. So mask up indoors to stop the spread. And vaccinate if you haven’t vaccinated. These two simple steps will protect our health care resources and ensure our economy can continue to rebound.”
Photo by Adam Nieścioruk / Unsplash
