Coronavirus, especially the Delta variant, is on the rise in New Mexico, and state and local government officials are worried that this increase coupled with resistance to the vaccination may prove detrimental to the state’s economic recovery.
These public leaders include Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, both of the state’s US senators, two of the state’s House of Representative members, as well as the state Senate Majority Leader, members of legislative health committees and numerous mayors and county commissioners. The concern of these officials is so great that on Friday, August 6, they sent an open letter to New Mexico businesses and commercial alliances outlining their thoughts.
According to a press release from the office of Gov. Lujan Grisham, “more than two dozen federal, state, city and county officials” were signatories to the letter. None, however, were from Lea County.
“In short, the pandemic is not over,” states the letter. It then asks the commercial sector to “work to create an environment where consumers and workers feel safe. Vaccine resistance – often fueled by misinformation and propaganda – stands in the way. We need to finish the job. And we need your help.”
State and County Vaccination Percentages
As of Thursday, August 15, the fully-vaccinated rate in New Mexico was reported as 58.2%. This figure is positive, but the other side of the coin is that almost 42% of the state’s population remains unvaccinated. It is with the unvaccinated that state and local officials are concerned, fearing that these individuals may fuel the spread of the virus in the state.
The vaccination rate in Lea County was reported on the same day, Thursday, August 15, as 35.1%, not as good as that of the state as a whole, and infections were recorded on the rise. According to Covid ActNow, the risk of contracting COVID-19 in Lea County is currently “very high”. None of this is good news. Local hospitals have begun to hit their COVID patient capacity limit, requiring at least one patient to be sent to Colorado so far (as Texas hospitals are also full). Nor-Lea Regional Hospital District is currently working to expand their COVID capacity from 10 to 15 in anticipation of this resurgence.
The press release additionally points out statistics from the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH), reporting that “93 percent of COVID-19 hospitalizations over the last six months have been unvaccinated individuals, and 98 percent of COVID-19 fatalities over the last six months have been unvaccinated individuals.” Adding to this is that in the last month coronavirus hospitalizations in New Mexico “have more than doubled.” New cases are at a six-month high.
Coronavirus Can Attack Both the Unvaccinated and the Vaccinated
The press release cautions that in addition to unvaccinated individuals, fully vaccinated people can catch the virus. The letter states, “Federal public health officials report that the virus may mutate among unvaccinated populations, creating so-called ‘breakthrough’ cases, endangering the immunity the vaccines provide – and jeopardizing the fragile progress we have all made toward resuming our normal social and economic lives.”
While vaccinated individuals are at risk, they are at considerably lower risk. Hospitalization rates are very low for people who are vaccinated and death is a very rare outcome. The same can’t be said for the unvaccinated.
New Mexico Offers $100
To increase the number of New Mexicans who are vaccinated, the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) is offering a $100 incentive until August 31 for getting the jab.
At its website the NMDOH states “any dose will qualify [to receive the incentive] – a first or second dose of Moderna or Pfizer, or a dose of the single-shot J&J vaccine.”
The department conducted a like $100 incentive program in June that resulted in a “333% increase in single-shot vaccines and a 26% overall boost in completed vaccinations,” states the NMDOH in an article posted at krwg.org. US
President Joe Biden at a recent press conference commended the state for the success of the June initiative and requested New Mexico to resume the $100 incentive program. The state complied.
If I Decide to Get the Vaccine, How Do I Receive My $100?
Any New Mexican 12 years of age and older qualifies for a vaccination and registration is necessary to receive the $100 incentive payment. This can be done by email, phone or online. New Mexicans can also call 1-855-600-3453 to receive registration assistance.
Children under 18 will not receive the $100 incentive directly. To receive the incentive their parent/guardian is required to give permission, after which the incentive will be distributed directly to the parent/guardian.
Please note that New Mexicans are not required to schedule vaccine appointments through vaccineNM.org, and they may receive vaccines from any provider in the state.
How Much Do Vaccines Cost in New Mexico?
The COVID-19 vaccine is free to New Mexicans. Providers will bill your health insurance, not you, directly, and there is no co-pay. If you do not have health insurance and regardless of your immigration status, the vaccine is still free from any provider.
Where can I get vaccinated in Lea County?
According to the vaccines.gov website vaccinations are available at the following locations.
Albertsons Market Pharmacy, 2402 N Grimes Street, Hobbs – Phone: 575-392-4503
CVS Pharmacy, 715 W Bender Boulevard, Hobbs – Phone: 575-397-4855
Walgreens, 801 Joe Harvey Boulevard, Hobbs – Phone: 575-392-0053
Walgreens, 1225 N Turner Street, Hobbs – Phone: 575-393-2767
Walmart, 3800 N Lovington Highway, Hobbs – Phone: 575-492-0120
Nor-Lea Lovington Medical Clinic, 1600 N. Main St., Lovington – Phone: 575-396-611
At Michael’s Prescription Corner in both Hobbs and Lovington vaccines are currently “out of stock”.
Both Albertsons and Walmart accept “walk-ins”.
For hours of operation, the vaccination type offered and additional information contact the various vaccination centers listed above.
Photo by Steven Cornfield / Unsplash
