COVID-19 Information

Coronavirus Update: 5-18-20

We hope everyone had a great weekend. Many of our small businesses and some of our churches opened back up again over the weekend.  Some churches, in particular, have decided to wait a week or two to make adjustments in order to make sure that they have a good safety plan in place that accommodates all members.

While we’re so glad to have so many people back open, this is clearly a difficult time period for our businesses as they adjust to new policies and procedures. We’re all in this together, and please be respectful of all businesses and the policies they decide to enact.

Lakeview Christian Home had a great parade last week to celebrate Nursing Home Week. More than 100 vehicles participated, and we know that the guests at Lakeview and Landsun really enjoyed the show.

There was a second press conference from the Governor last week on Friday that made a few changes from what was announced during Wednesday’s update. Now, all retailers- large or small- may operate at 25 percent of their fire code occupancy, and non-essential businesses may operate at reduced staffing levels.  This still doesn’t include gyms, salons or entertainment venues. Churches may now also operate at 25 percent capacity. This was an improvement from Wednesday’s announcement, which only had churches at ten percent capacity, and it simplified the numbers just a bit.

There were no new COVID-19 cases announced in Eddy County this weekend.  The last update to include positive cases for Eddy County was on May 14, when we were informed of three positive tests in Artesia.  As of the morning of May 18, there have been 17 total positive COVID-19 tests announced in Eddy County and 1,244 tests administered, according to the Department of Health’s web page. Of those 17 cases, we are aware of at least nine recoveries.  At a state level, the Department of Health reports 5,938 positive COVID-19 tests from 133,253 tests and 265 COVID-related deaths.

As some of you may have seen over the weekend, one regional employer did recently announce that some of its employees tested positive for COVID-19. According to David Shoup, owner of Constructors Inc., these employees live outside of the Carlsbad area, but have been working on projects in Eddy County. The company is certainly very concerned for the well-being of these individuals and all members of their workforce.

Shoup told us that all of these employees were placed under quarantine and that none of the Constructors Inc. employees who tested positive have been hospitalized. Some of them did get sick, but the majority have recovered and are doing much better.

Constructors assured us that they are taking all precautions to make sure its employees and the contractors it works with are being protected, including very rigorous PPE policies.  The company takes these concerns extremely seriously and is very focused on safety. We will be happy to assist Constructors Inc. in any manner possible.

 

Sincerely, Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway

 

 

Examining the New Eddy County Cases: Coronavirus Update: 9-15-20

We were informed of three new positive COVID-19 cases in Eddy County late Thursday afternoon. According to the State of New Mexico, these three cases all tested positive in Artesia and are all believed to be very closely connected. This brings the total number of positive COVID-19 tests identified in Eddy County to 17.

As always, our thoughts and prayers are with these individuals, and we want to make sure they receive proper health care and support.

While COVID-19 remains an extremely serious issue, we would advise against proclaiming yesterday’s information regarding the three cases in Eddy County to be any sort of indicator of a surge in Eddy County, certainly until more information becomes available. Southeast New Mexico has been very blessed to have a statistically small number of cases so far.

These cases are absolutely a good reminder that COVID-19 health concerns remain in the area and that people, especially those with vulnerable immune systems, should be careful. The spread of COVID-19 is still contained through careful hygiene and social distancing,

As a reminder, the Department of Health is administering COVID-19 tests to anyone who wishes them at this point, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., Monday through Friday, out of their office at 1306 W. Stevens St. Please call (575) 885-4191 for an appointment. Artesia’s office is also administering tests and can be reached at (575) 746- 9819.

We will provide an update of how many of Eddy County’s cases have been proclaimed to be recoveries when it becomes available. As of Friday morning, 1,576 cases statewide have been announced as recoveries.

As reported in the Current-Argus, the Living Desert Zoo & Gardens State Park has now re-opened from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday through Sunday. Indoor exhibits are still closed and some additional safety procedures will be in place. This is certainly a positive for local families with young children who want to get some fresh air. We’re sure that some of the animals are also looking forward to having visitors again.

Over the past few weeks, we have communicated regularly with members of our medical community to make sure we correctly understand all developments related to the health care side of this effort. Special thanks to Cathy Hibbs and everyone at Carlsbad Medical Center for taking the time to answer our many questions. In her editorial piece this week, Hibbs reminded everyone of precautions in place to make sure that everyone who is visiting is protected. She also urged anyone experiencing sudden symptoms that may indicate any emergency health concern to seek immediate medical attention.

“Tragically, people with serious emergencies, including heart attacks and stroke, are waiting too long for medical care,” she wrote. “Getting fast medical treatment could be the difference between life and death.”

Best of luck to all of our retailers who are re-opening this weekend. Please let us know if we can be of any additional assistance.

 

Sincerely,

 

Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway

 

 

Attempting to Understand the Newest Health Order: Coronavirus Update: 5-14-20

Thursday’s state update was both disappointing and confusing for many of us.  Here’s our understanding of what the Governor and the State of New Mexico said yesterday:

• The current New Mexico emergency public health order expires on May 15. A new health order has been extended from May 16 through May 31. The “stay at home” instruction is still in place, with some modifications.
• According to the state, most retail stores can now open at 25% capacity if COVID-safe practices are in place, but there are a number of exclusions listed by the state, including:
  • Restaurants can still not provide any seating, but can still provide pickup or takeout.
  • Hair salons, tattoo parlors, indoor malls and gyms are still excluded at this time.
  • Entertainment venues, such as movie theaters or amusement parks, are still excluded.
• Larger retailers are supposed to remain operating at 20% maximum capacity.
• Churches may now operate at 10% occupancy.
• Office spaces may operate with up to 25% of pre-crisis staffing levels.
• Large gatherings are still prohibited by the order and visits to long-term care facilities remain restricted.
• Summer youth and sports programs will be allowed with a significant number of modifications, including a 5:1 child to adult ratio and restrictions to “contactless sports and non-competitive play,” according to the state.
• Finally, the state of New Mexico informed us that they are requiring masks be worn by everyone in a public place, with exceptions for eating, drinking, exercising and medical requirements.

While we have several concerns with yesterday’s update, the new mask requirement mentioned in the order deserves special mention. While it was presented to us as part of the path forward for re-opening, throwing in an unenforceable restriction as an aspect of the reopening phase was extremely frustrating.  Additionally, it potentially puts our businesses, who have already been through so much, in a difficult position in terms of what kind of policies they may implement inside of their stores. We ask everyone to please be as supportive as possible to all of our local businesses. None of this is their fault, and we need to stick together.

Let’s also make this very clear – the City of Carlsbad will NOT be ticketing anyone for not wearing a mask in public. Additionally, we spoke with Eddy County Sheriff Mark Cage, who reassured us that his department will also not be enforcing this executive order.  Sheriff Cage said that New Mexico State Police will also not be taking any punitive action on this issue and said even the governor stated that would not happen.  The Sheriff also pointed out that there would be a number of issues caused by law enforcement officers constantly wearing masks.

This week’s announcement was also disappointing to many of us because it was very different from the “Phase One” draft plan released by the state several weeks ago. Under that draft, restaurants, gyms and salons would have opened under Phase One. Southeast New Mexico also meets or exceeds all of the state’s own “gating criteria,” so we’re not sure what changed. Eddy County has had 14 positive COVID-19 cases announced by the state over the past few months by the morning of March 14.

What does the newest public health order mean in terms of City of Carlsbad services and offices? We are looking over all of the newest list of policies in order to carefully make those decisions. Of course, the City of Carlsbad will continue to provide all essential services such as water and utilities, as we have throughout this crisis. We remain deeply committed to serving you, our constituents, and getting through this as a community.

Sincerely,

 

Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway

 

 

 

 

Honoring Our Officers

Coronavirus Update: 5-13-20

Before anything else, let’s take a moment in honor of National Peace Officers Memorial Day (May 15) and National Police Week to thank our officers with the Carlsbad Police Department, Eddy County Sheriff’s Office and all other agencies for their professionalism. While this is a time of crisis for all of us, members of our law enforcement community deal with crises every single day throughout their professional career. We’re extremely blessed to have such excellent officers serving our community.

In our weekly COVID-19 briefing call with the White House, Texas Governor Greg Abbott highlighted some of what his state was doing in terms of the CARES Act and re-opening. We were also informed over the call that 9.3 million tests have been conducted in this country and that the percentage of tests turning up positive on a daily basis continues to decline.

As most of you are aware, New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has announced a press conference at 4 p.m. Wednesday. We will provide you with an update of our understanding of that conference in tomorrow’s update. It is, of course, our very sincere hope that the Governor announced a prompt re-opening of New Mexico, with reasonable protective safety measures in place.

There’s also another announcement from the New Mexico Department of Health. All New Mexicans who want to can now get a free test to determine whether they have COVID-19, regardless of whether they have symptoms associated with the virus. The Department of Health said expanded testing began on Tuesday.  Eddy County’s two Public Health Offices are both continuing testing Monday through Friday, both now from 8:30-10:30 a.m. each morning. Please note the new hours.

Carlsbad’s Public Health Office is located at 1306 W. Stevens. Please call (575) 885-4191 for an appointment. Artesia’s Public Health Office is located at 1001 Memorial Drive. Please call (575) 746-9819 to make an appointment. Carlsbad Medical Center and Artesia General Hospital also continue to offer testing.

Thank you to everyone who participated inTuesday’s parade past the Goodlife Senior Living & Memory Care facility on Tuesday. The event was a hit and it was great to see so many participants. Special thanks to Connie Caldwell with Goodlife and Barbara Granger Salmons with Encompass Health for setting it up.

Lakeview Christian Home has also announced a parade around its building on Pierce Street at 4 p.m. Friday (May 15) to honor National Nursing Home Week. Residents who wish to participate will be brought outside to watch, with social distancing in place.  The plan for parade participants is to meet in the Buffalo Wild Wings parking lot by 3:45 p.m. and follow police and fire around the building twice. Please show your support.

Congratulations to Cavegirl Coach John Zumbrun and the basketball team’s coaching staff for putting together a special way to honor the team’s seniors this year. On May 9, parents and coaches drove through town and stopped at the houses of all five graduating seniors, according to reporter Matthew Asher. Because an end-of-year banquet was not possible, this was an original way to make each player feel special. Please keep sharing stories of what residents are doing throughout this unusual time with us, so that we can share them with others.

Sincerely,

 

Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway

 

 

 

Coronavirus Update: May 12, 2020

So many groups have put together wonderful programs helping make sure that our residents are being fed throughout this ordeal. Now, one local agency is working hard to assist with combating loneliness, in particular for seniors who have been confined to their homes over the past few months.

While many of us have extended networks of family and friends, there are also residents here who live alone and who relied on visiting our senior centers for important contact. There have been a lot of good programs to help people online, but some people prefer the old fashioned approach.

The Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce’s Age Friendly Council is working on compiling cards and letters for our isolated senior citizens, some of who aren’t getting to talk to anyone at all on a daily basis.

The first phase is going to be sending cards reaching out to everyone who is currently receiving a meal at home through Southeast New Mexico Community Action Corporation. They’d love to deliver more letters and cards- you can email Janell Whitlock at jwhitlock@carlsbadchamber.com. Feel free to drop off unsealed cards and letters at city hall and we will help make sure they get to the right place as well. Our area seniors would certainly love seeing hand-crafted cards and notes from kids at home right now, for parents looking for a way to keep kids occupied. Who knows, maybe some good pen pal friendships can develop?

Special thanks to Janell Whitlock and Stella Davis for getting this program together. Carlsbad was the state’s first Age Friendly Community, and that’s because we have such dedicated individuals.

The psychological health issues caused by so much isolation are very real. If you or someone you know are seeking support for someone with depression or anxiety, are looking for a counselor in your area, or are just needing someone to talk to, please call the New Mexico Crisis and Access Line at 1-855-662-7474 or the Peer to Peer Warmline at 1-855-466-7100. The Crisis Line is set up for 24-hour service, while the “Warmline” offers service from 3:30 to 11:30 p.m.

We received some very good news last night. On April 21, a Carlsbad resident who tested positive for COVID-19 was hospitalized after taking a turn for the worse.  After several very serious weeks, we have been informed that the patient’s condition is finally beginning to improve. Please keep this resident and everyone else impacted in your prayers.

 

Sincerely,

 

Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway

 

Planning for the Summer: Coronavirus Update: 5-11-20

As with many of you, the City of Carlsbad is looking forward to finding smart ways to begin reopening for business. This includes exploring options for events such as our Fourth of July celebration and our energy summit in September.

As with the rest of you as well, we hope to turn a corner on May 15 in terms of having more information and the ability to move forward more confidently. We may have to make some adjustments here and there, but we are confident that there will be creative ways to hold modified versions of events in the summer and fall.

We have also certainly learned that waiting to be told what to do isn’t enough. So, we will also continue to work with Eddy County and other agencies across Southeastern New Mexico to pursue all legal avenues to combat what we believe to be extensive state government overreach, which was experienced locally over the weekend.

Don’t forget the “drive-by” community parade set to go past Goodlife Senior Living on May 12. The parade begins at 10 a.m. with lineup at 9:45 a.m. on Redwood Loop.

Case Update: As of the morning of May 11, we have been made aware of 14 total positive cases of COVID-19 within Eddy County.  The most recent positive was identified as testing in Artesia on Friday by Artesia General Hospital. According to information from Artesia General Hospital, two Eddy County individuals remain hospitalized for COVID-19 symptoms, both now outside of the county. Two individuals remain home on quarantine, there has been one related-fatality and nine recoveries.

We were also informed this weekend that New Mexico hospitals will receive a Medicaid rate increase of up to 50 percent to assist for losses they are experiencing throughout this public health emergency. The New Mexico Medical Assistance Division received approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services to provide this rate increase to hospitals across the state. Retroactive to April 1, 2020, the Medicaid program will increase reimbursement for inpatient hospital stays by 12.4 percent, taking it to 100 percent of the Medicare rate, and will increase reimbursement for Intensive Care Unit stays by 50 percent for the duration of the public health emergency.

Here are a few updates from Julie Chester and the “Create Art, Cultivate Joy” people. There was a pineapple painting class on Monday at 5:30 p.m. There’s a stage make-up class at 2 p.m. Tuesday and a jewelry demonstration by David Prell at 2 p.m. Wednesday. Thursday’s show will be a 2 p.m. yoga class. You can watch and participate in all of these events by visiting the “Create Art, Cultivate Joy,” Facebook page.

Sincerely,

 

Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway

 

 

Oilfield Will be Back: Coronavirus Update 5-9-20

 

Happy Mother’s Day everyone!

 

On Friday morning, we took a tour of nearby RV Parks, man camps and the industrial park to try to get a direct feel for our current economic situation, in particular the oil and gas industry.

 

While many of the RV parks had more open spaces than they did six months ago, there were also still a significant number of individuals working here. Each of those empty spaces tells a sad story, however, as that likely represents a family that is currently looking for a job.

 

Here’s the other thing we noticed as we drove around town: There was work going on everywhere.

 

We saw construction work going on at OXY’s new fabrication facility and window cleaning at Chevron’s new office. We saw homes being completed along the Pecos River and apartment work continuing near CARC. Carlsbad had the appearance of being a town that was reloading, not emptying.

 

We don’t know exactly how long that reloading process will take. The crash in oil prices was a global issue, not something specific to New Mexico. While we will continue to push for businesses to open, and that will help, it won’t fix everything. All budgets, at all levels, are going to take a hit.

 

But what hasn’t changed is the opportunity here. In 2018, the Department of the Interior Announced that the Delaware Basin contains an estimated 46.3 billion barrels of oil and 281 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. Now, that doesn’t solve any of our immediate problems, but we do know that we’ll eventually be back stronger than ever.

 

In 2015, oil tycoon T. Boone Pickens spoke at our annual energy summit in Carlsbad. There was a smaller downturn in prices at that time as well, and Pickens famously made a few predictions, some of which didn’t turn out to be true. But what he also said at the time seems especially relevant to the present.

 

“When we produce, we let it rip,” he told the audience. We know we’ll be back in business soon.

 

Other updates:

• We were notified of a 14^th Eddy County COVID-19 case Friday evening. We were informed that this individual tested positive in Artesia. Please continue to pray for all of these individuals.
• We received word Friday that nonessential dental procedures can now resume, provided that offices agree to a set of guidelines developed to protect the supply of PPE. Each dental provider has been asked to submit a form available at cv.nmhealth.org that covers the listed guidelines.
• The state has also informed us of a new fund set up to award grants to help New Mexico businesses with five employees or fewer survive the COVID-19 pandemic. The All Together NM Fund is awarding grants of up to $5,000 through WESST, the Rio Grande Community Development Corp, NM Community Capital and DreamSpring. The smallest businesses to qualify will consist of one owner plus an employee. For more information, please visit https://www.wesst.org/, https://www.rgcdc.org/, https://nmccap.org/ or https://www.dreamspring.org/.

We would like to see some businesses in Carlsbad be the recipients of these statewide programs.

 

• The United Way of Eddy County has a few new donors who are supporting the COVID-19 relief fund. Thanks to Xcel Energy ($2,500), Associate Contractors of NM ($1,000) and Marathon Petroleum ($2,500) in addition to the Heights Lions Club ($5,000). The United Way has invested $72,000 into the community from its Emergency Relief Fund. Please keep up the good work.

 

Sincerely,

 

Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway

 

 

 

 

In Support of the County: COVID-19 Update 5-8-20

Small businesses have struggled for years as big box stores have gradually taken over everything, but many of them have managed to stay open and even thrive by just working harder and smarter than anyone else.

Then, two months ago, most of these businesses were told they had to shut down due to one of a series of public health orders issued by the state. These small business owners complied, because they have been law-abiding citizens for their entire lives and they were told this was a temporary shut down for the public’s safety.

But they could not help but notice that the parking lot at the big box store down the road was packed with vehicles and customers.  They couldn’t help but wonder why two customers in their small business would somehow be creating a health risk, while 200 customers inside the chain store was not.

They were told that several loan and grant programs had been created to help small businesses out during this crisis, but it seemed that funds from many of those programs were also gobbled up by larger companies with access to lawyers and lobbyists.

They read announcements from some of their fellow business owners, sadly declaring that they would not be re-opening ever again. As their bills kept piling up, these small business owners were lectured one or two times a week by the State, who admonished them for daring to even question these directives.

While very sympathetic to the serious health-care plight in the northwestern part of our large state, small business owners in Eddy County (itself consisting of 4,200 square miles), could not help but observe that Eddy County had thankfully only recorded a small number of positive COVID-19 tests. Reasonable social distancing procedures undoubtedly helped keep that number low, but sending state police officers to car washes and fabric stores did not.

As the weeks of being ordered to shut down turned to months, these small businesses also began to notice that similar stores in Texas were all now re-opening, drawing away customers they’d hoped to see again in a week or two. Mother’s Day, once offering a chance to make ends meet for many downtown businesses, came and went. Allowing curbside sales was not good enough.

And the bills continued to pile up.

Economic and psychological emergencies also become health care emergencies when they are not promptly addressed and included as part of any plan.  What’s the breaking point here? When do people decide they’ve had enough?

On Thursday, Eddy County’s Commission voted to make a motion to act in a coalition of local Counties, Municipalities and Legislators to draft a Cause of Action, directed to the Governor, to address the equality and equitable application of the broad emergency orders in order to protect the civil liberties, including free trade, of the citizens and constituents within the coalition. This is a significant legal development instituted on the part of the county.

We will continue working with the county and City Council in developing our path forward.

 

Eddy County did the right thing on Thursday, and I support this very important action.

 

Sincerely,

 

Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway

 

 

 

Please Don’t Avoid Medical Care When Needed – CORONAVIRUS UPDATE 9-7-20

If you are feeling sick, call your doctor. If there is an emergency, call 911 or visit the ER.  Our local health care providers have expressed their growing concern that many people have been unwilling to consult a professional right now, due to fear and confusion over COVID-19. However, delaying necessary medical treatment can only make the situation much worse.

There’s a lot of very understandable confusion right now, but please don’t be afraid to seek medical help when you need it.

Members of our medical community have procedures in place to make sure you remain safe.

It is worth noting that there are no COVID-19 patients currently hospitalized in Eddy County, though one patient from Carlsbad remains hospitalized elsewhere and remains in all of our prayers. We need to always remember not to get so caught up in looking at numbers that we forget that all individuals impacted are our friends and neighbors.

Additionally, local medical facilities have begun resuming procedures that had previously been put on hold. Teleconferencing remains an option for people who feel more comfortable doing so.

Artesia General Hospital’s Urgent Care Clinic in Carlsbad has also reopened. Before it reopened, the 26 people who came in contact with the COVID-positive employee were tested, and all of them tested negative.

The clinic itself was thoroughly disinfected prior to reopening. On an ongoing basis, all employees involved in patient care are required to document their temperature twice per shift and to self-monitor and go home for any signs of illness. Further, appropriate PPE is worn in all patient encounters as a means of protecting both staff members and patients.

 

We have been speaking once a week with Carlsbad Medical Center and appreciate all of the information Cathy Hibbs and the staff at CMC provide to us about what is going on. The information they have shared with us shows that COVID-19 transmission in the northeast and southeast parts of the state continues to diminish, while the health situation in San Juan and McKinley Counties, to the northwest, remains serious.

Our Carlsbad Police Department has been doing a great job assisting at “birthday parades” whenever they can. This has been a very positive development, and we know it is highly appreciated in our community. Of course, members of our police department do have to respond to emergency calls, so we appreciate everyone’s understanding if there are last minute changes. Speaking of birthdays – happy birthday to Martha Hinds, who turned 99 on Thursday at Lakeview. We took turns wishing Martha in a phone call from city hall.

With the state’s new mask law in effect, some citizens have been asking us questions about masks. One very dedicated group of volunteers who have been providing masks to first responders said they are also working to assist locally-owned small businesses.  Please complete the form at https://www.uweddyco.org/COVID19MASKS to request assistance.

The group has also asked for experienced seamstresses or sewers to contact them, as they could use some additional assistance. Contact information is available at the link above. Additionally, members of the group are hosting a “Do It Yourself” class teaching you how to make masks at 5:30 p.m. Friday through the “Create Art, Cultivate Joy” project. You can check it out at https://www.facebook.com/events/s/diy-face-mask-with-grannys-qui/255905075552144/.

Everyone is eager to get outside, which is great, but please be mindful of the fact that it is fire season right now. The Lincoln National Forest has raised the fire danger rating to high. Please check the Forest Service’s web page for additional information while enjoying our nearby outdoors.

 

Sincerely,

 

Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway

 

 

 

 

 

 

Memorial Day Plans Underway: Coronavirus Update: May 6, 2020

Memorial Day is on May 25, and members of the Eddy County Patriotic Society are developing a special program to honor our brave citizens who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedoms. Alberto Villegas and other members of the organization are still putting together the details, but at this point they have discussed a parade (with social distancing guidelines in place), as well as a small ceremony, which they will broadcast over Facebook.

We appreciate the members of this wonderful organization for their commitment to finding a way to observe Memorial Day during this difficult time period and will provide more information as it becomes available. Happy Nurses Week as well, and thank you to the many dedicated nurses serving our community.

As always, the Faith, Hope & Love Foundation in Carlsbad has been taking on a leadership role in terms of helping the needy throughout the COVID-19 crisis. Faith, Hope & Love has been giving out hundreds of vouchers to residents in need to provide assistance with purchasing food and other necessities. They are also providing assistance with mortgage payments for people who have reduced or lost income. Additionally, they are continuing their good work with Brittany’s Hope and supporting cancer patients.

Thanks to Larry and Marjorie Gregory, Alana Gregory-Carreon and everyone with their wonderful organization.  We knew that they would step up during this time of need, but they’ve exceeded our expectations. The Faith, Hope & Love form is available at https://www.fhlcarlsbad.org/covid19.

On Wednesday, we participated in the weekly briefing with the White House, which included a presentation from the President’s counselor, Kellyanne Conway. Conway’s presentation focused on President Trump’s visit to Phoenix, where he highlighted the mobilization of the public/private sector. She also spoke of the development of a new nursing home commission aimed at protecting our nursing home residents and employees and said the effort to assist with combating coronavirus in Native American communities remains a top priority.

The May 5 update we received from Artesia General Hospital reports that 1,266 total COVID-19 tests have been performed in Eddy County, with some results pending.  Carlsbad Medical Center reports 200 tests conducted at their facility by May 6, with results from 9 tests pending. That total includes 13 positive tests (5 in Artesia and 8 in Carlsbad). Of those 13 Eddy County cases, 8 of them have been reported as recoveries, one individual is deceased, one person remains hospitalized and three remain under quarantine.

As of May 5, the last positive test to be reported in Carlsbad was on April 26. The total number of tests being administered in Eddy County went up significantly because the Department of Health began conducting additional tests on essential workers. Tests are still being administered daily in Eddy County at the Carlsbad Medical Center, Artesia General Hospital, Carlsbad Public Health Office and Artesia Public Health Office.

This week, many Carlsbad restaurants have announced that they are coming back on in terms of doing to-go or pickup orders. Dragon China, Myabi, the Stevens Inn and Mi Casita are now offering such services. Please continue to support these individuals and all local businesses.

Sincerely, Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway

 

Reminder: Federal Stimulus Checks Available

Coronavirus Update: 5-5-20

Some citizens have been asking for additional information about their stimulus checks. If you are trying to track down the status of your Economic Impact Payment, the best way to do so is to visit www.irs.gov/coronavirus/get-my-payment. There’s a fairly simple form that checks up on your payment status and asks for your bank information.

During a press conference on Tuesday, Governor Lujan Grisham announced that employees at restaurants and essential businesses operating as a retail space greater than 50,000 square feet will be required to wear face coverings starting May 6.  Effective May 11, all essential businesses operating as retail space shall require employees to wear face coverings.  We will provide our local businesses with additional information as it becomes available.

The State announced 107 new positive cases on Tuesday and said 83,251 total tests have been provided across New Mexico. There were no new Eddy County cases announced. The update also included information on how CAREs Act funding will provide incentive pay to early childhood professionals that have remained open.

Local resident Brenda Moore asked us to let you know of an act of kindness she recently experienced.  She helps manage the AOK RV Getaway Park. She said Jesse Rivera with K/O Construction called and offered two crews from his company to help with whatever projects were needed around the park.

“We are so grateful for that call,” Moore said. ”Not only did they help us out, but they also provided a crew for my daughter’s small business and others. Now we have our bigger projects done thanks to the act of one business helping others simply because they could.”

On Monday, a group of parents and employees at Jefferson Montessori Academy put up posters of the school’s graduating class for 2020. The 11-student graduating class, whose seniors were born around the September 11 terrorist attacks of 2001, have now graduated from high school in the middle of another crisis. We’ve enjoyed working with JMA’s students through the years and know these young men and women will go on to great things.

Carlsbad’s annual post-graduation celebration, Class Act, has sadly announced its cancellation. This will be the first time in 31 years that a Class Act event has not been held. Class Act will be offering t-shirts, a small monetary gift and scholarships.  We know that Class Act founder Judi Waters, as well as all of the volunteers on the Class Act board, are especially saddened by this development. Thank you all for your hard work keeping our students safe every year.

We are also continuing to hear about instances of local businesses who have decided to close for good.  This is one of the saddest stories of all and clearly shows why we need to get Carlsbad safely back open as quickly as possible. So many of our residents are doing everything they can to support our locally-owned businesses and please let us know if there is anything we can do to help.

Sincerely,

 

Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway

Coronavirus Update: May 4, 2020

We just wanted to share a quick update with you on the good works of the Southeastern New Mexico Community Action Corporation, who handles our senior meal program.  The organization always does a lot of good in our community- they are normally responsible for serving the daily meal to seniors at the San Jose Senior Center and also deliver meals to a number of individuals who may not be able to make it to the senior center.

Since everything has been shut down, these folks now have a lot more work to do. The number of meals being prepared each day has gone up considerably.

Currently, about 150 meals each day are served using the drive-thru services at the San Jose Senior Center. Director Belinda Lopez said members of the staff also deliver food to hundreds of residents around the area each day, for a total of 700 meals served. All together, they are serving an extra 1,500 meals each month than under normal circumstances. Organizations such as the United Way and the Carlsbad Community Foundation have assisted with the program and allowed SNMCAC to continue to do such a good job of helping. Chevron also donated gas cards to the organization to help them with their delivery.

The following City of Carlsbad facilities have now re-opened, with some additional guidelines in place in some instances: the Lake Carlsbad Golf Course, the Rio Pecos Tennis Complex, the Shooting Range and the Dog Park.  Please continue to maintain social distancing while utilizing these facilities and follow any newly-posted procedures. Please contact us if you have any questions about city facilities.

On Saturday, we were notified of the 13^th positive COVID-19 case in Eddy County. We have been informed that this test was administered in Artesia and the Department of Health is conducting contact tracing.

There’s a lot more coming up through the “Create Art Cultivate Joy” project put together by Julie Chester and others.  At 2 p.m. today (May 5), Ken Britt will be hosting a virtual tour of the Cavern Theatre Project. Please visit the “Create Art Cultivate Joy” Facebook page for additional information on upcoming virtual classes on painting canvasses and customizing dolls.

Here’s an update on the Carlsbad Brine Well Remediation Project: According to the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department, sand backfilling is continuing in the northern portion of the site with the northern void more than 50 percent filled. Monitoring is continuing and the project seems to be going well. We’re glad to see so much progress.

 

Sincerely,

 

Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway

 

 

Boys and Girls Club: Coronavirus Update: May 2, 2020

Everyone needs some positive news, so this is a good time to cover what the Boys & Girls Club of Carlsbad has been doing to help get us through this crisis. Thanks to Executive Director Kelli Barta for providing us with an update.

While the Boys & Girls Club is closed for face-to-face services and programming, they have been working doubly hard over the past few months to provide supplies and a friendly face to local children.

They are still seeking support from local partners to continue to provide services to club members and community youth in a ‘curbside’ manner. Barta said the Club is delivering meals (prepared by local schools) and care packages that include the following: basic living supplies (such as toiletries and cleaning supplies), fun and engaging learning lessons and activities (including school supplies such as crayons, pencils, paper, etc. to support youth and parents with at-home learning), fun arts and crafts lessons and supplies.

The first week of this curbside service included 40 care packages. As of April 30, the Club is delivering over 120 packages per day. The club has seen the number of youth and families in need continue to steadily increase, since the inception of COVID-19 orders to stay at home.

Many of club members and local youth are home alone, as their parents/guardians are on the front lines as essential employees.  In addition, an even greater number of youth are living with an elderly grandparent or guardian who is not able to leave the home due to concern of exposure and illness.  Youth and families depend on our services, daily, to ensure they have adequate living supplies, food and teaching and learning supplies for at home learning.

Barta says the club’s number one priority continues to be the safety of our local youth and families.

“Therefore, we are committed to continuing curbside services to ensure no child in our community, is without food and necessary resources,” she tells us. “While our deliveries are for the purpose of supporting youth and families with basic needs, we may be the only organization checking in on our children who are at home alone. Our curbside service has proven to be a way to ensure we know that local youth are safe and their needs are being met.

Earlier this week, we announced a donation by Chevron to $40,000 to the Boys and Girls Club. Additionally, the company also donated $1,500 worth of gas cards for deliveries.

Murphy USA is currently running a fundraiser to support the local club.  We have one Murphy’s USA on S. Canal St. People can round up their purchase or make a donation through the pump or at the register.

Many other individuals and organizations have also helped keep the Boys and Girls Club going over the past few months, especially AR Foreman Construction, who donated $30,000 and the United Way of Eddy County, who provided $12,000 through its COVID relief fund. Another local individual, Brandon Chandler, donated $10,000.

Additionally, they received school supplies from Nuclear Waste Partnership, masks from Rugged Trade, hand sanitizer from Carlsbad Medical Center, supplies from Albertsons and masks from Debbra London.

Many other individuals donated supplies for materials and care packages.

While the Boys and Girls Club is uncertain of the future, they do know that local youth are presently in need of help more than ever, and they hope to be able to continue to support local families and youth.

Keep up the good work, Boys and Girls Club.

As of the morning of May 2, the total number of positive COVID-19 cases in Eddy County remains at 12. We will continue to provide you with updates throughout the week.

 

Sincerely,

 

Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway

 

Many Preventive Medical Procedures Resuming

 Coronavirus Update: May 1, 2020

As many of you have also been doing, we’ve been looking over the “Preparation Phase” announced by the Governor Thursday to make sure we understand it correctly.

There’s one important development that wasn’t announced until near the end of Thursday’s press conference.  Medical practitioners may now gradually resume operations if they are in compliance with guidelines provided by the New Mexico Department of Health, such as having an adequate amount of PPE and hospital beds in the area.

This means that some important preventive surgeries that had been placed on hold may now resume. Health practitioners in the area are making adjustments and should be able to begin offering additional outpatient services starting next week.

As mentioned yesterday, the state’s “Preparation Phase” includes an extended stay-at-home instruction through May 15. Certain modifications have been made, such as reopening curbside and delivery operations for retailers, outdoor recreational opportunities such as golf courses, state parks, firearm sales by appointment, veterinary and pet services. The northwestern part of the state has not been put into this Preparation Phase due to the high number of cases there.

Later phases of the state plan would ease restrictions further, with decisions being based on available health care resources, testing capacity and the spread of COVID-19, according to the state.

Eric Chavez and everyone with the city’s golf course found out the golf course was able to re-open Thursday afternoon. We appreciate their hard work in preparing for Friday morning. Since there has also been some confusion, we also want to clarify that our municipal parks have remained open, though the state’s limits on mass gatherings still apply.

We’ve reached out to our two local state parks, the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens and Brantley Lake. Brantley Lake re-opened for day-use on May 1, with day-use fees being waived. The Living Desert will re-open in a future phase.

What’s next? Employers have been asked to develop safety plans to prepare for Phase One of the anticipated reopening to make sure employees and customers stay safe. According to the state, Phase One would allow retailers to operate at 20% of fire code occupancy and dine-in service at restaurants to open at up to 50% occupancy. Phases Two and Three would gradually ease additional restrictions. We will continue to interpret these orders to the best of our ability and share that information with you, but we will also be pushing back for getting our businesses back open.

Many other local residents feel the same way. Mark Christesson is again organizing a Freedom Rally at 10 a.m. Saturday (May 2) around the Eddy County Courthouse. Local residents have been making signs to show their support for small businesses and we appreciate having so many great citizens who look out for each other.

Gallup Senator George Munoz has been a good friend to Carlsbad during recent legislative sessions and we’ve developed a great working relationship with him on issues important to all New Mexicans. Senator Munoz’s area around McKinley County in northwest New Mexico has been the hardest-hit part of the entire state in terms of COVID-19. Please keep our friends and neighbors around the Gallup area deep in your prayers

 

Sincerely,

 

Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway

 

 

 

 

Governor Announces Lifting of Some Restrictions

COVID-19 Update 4-30-20

In her press conference on Thursday, New Mexico Governor Lujan Grisham announced that the current public health order has expired, but a new “Preparation Phase” health order has been issued through May 15. Modifications can still be made within that order.

Here’s what we know so far about this new order: The Governor announced that non-essential retail can open up with curbside pickup and delivery. State Parks are now being opened, but with no overnight camping. Pet services and vets are now open on a limited basis. Golf courses are allowed to open for golf only. Gun stores can now operate by appointment. Many other elements of the previous order remain in place for now, such as indoor malls and mass gatherings. We will work on getting you additional information as it becomes available.

While we are glad to see a step in the right direction, it is still feels like it is far too little and possibly too late in terms of looking out for the economic wellbeing of our citizens.  So many of our small businesses are still crying out for a fair chance to compete with the big box stores. It is also very clear that a one-size-fits-all approach for the state does not work. The Governor still needs to understand that this may completely destroy our citizens economically. We will still push for our citizens.

“Many of our smallest businesses and sole proprietors are not listed as essential, and in their compliance, have suffered the greatest blows to their livelihood,” observed the Artesia Chamber of Commerce, in one of many, many examples of organizations sharing this viewpoint.

Our library is back in business. Beginning Thursday, the Carlsbad Municipal Library will be implementing its “Curbside Pickup” program.

Patrons can now contact the library via phone, text, email, or their online account to reserve items from our physical collection. Library staff will pull these items and bring them to your trunk. Please contact the library to make sure you have an active library account and to find out more about this service. This is a great development, especially for parents looking for some new books to read to their kids. Congratulations to Library Director Sarah Jones and the entire staff there.

 

You can call the library at 885-6776, text to (575) 376-5512 or log on to your account at https://carlsbad.biblionix.com/catalog/  by using their library card number and ten digit phone number. We look forward to letting you know about more city services finding good ways to assist the public.

 

Our partners in the health care community at Carlsbad Medical Center have asked us to remind you that no one should delay care for medical emergencies. While many people are concerned about COVID-19, that does not mean you should avoid calling 911 or going to the emergency room if you experience chest pain that may be a heart attack or stroke symptoms.

Additionally, if you need to see provider for a non-urgent health condition, telehealth appointments are now available with many providers. Visit PecosValleyDocs.com for more information and to see a list of participating providers. You can also call (575) 628-5051 or your physician’s office to request a telehealth appointment.

One local company, Mobile Safety and Consultation, LLC, is now conducting what are called antibody tests for COVID-19. This is different than the diagnostic tests being conducted by the Department of Health and at hospitals.

According to information provided by Mobile Safety, a diagnostic test tells you if you have a current infection, while an antibody test tells you if you had a previous infection. The antibody tests will help with understanding of who may have already developed immunity. Some companies are developing COVID reopening policies and are using antibody tests as a part of their path forward to get people back to work.

 

Sincerely,

 

Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway

 

 

Coronavirus Update: 4-29-20

For today’s update, we felt it would be the most informative to include a complete copy of the resolution in support of re-opening closed businesses. This resolution passed by City Council yesterday with a 8-0 vote. Here it is in full:

A RESOLUTION REQUESTING THAT THE GOVERNOR REOPEN BUSINESSES AND NON-PROFITS CLOSED BY EXECUTIVE AND PUBLIC HEALTH ORDERS

WHEREAS, on March 11, 2020, the Governor of New Mexico issued Executive Order 2020-004, in response to an outbreak of a novel coronavirus identified as COVID-19, proclaiming a public health emergency in accordance with the Public Health Emergency Response Act and invoking and exercising all powers vested in the governor’s office under the All Hazard Emergency Management Act and the Emergency Licensing Act; and

WHEREAS, on April 6, 2020, the Governor of New Mexico issued Executive Order 2020- 022, which among other actions, renewed and extended the declaration of a state-wide public health emergency through April 30, 2020, unless renewed or until the Governor rescinds it; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to the declaration of a public health emergency, the Secretary of the New Mexico Department of Health has issued several Public Health Emergency Orders, including the Order of March 23, 2020, in which the Secretary defined” essential business” and ordered that all businesses, except those entities identified as “essential businesses”, including non-profits, reduce their in-person workforce at each business or business location by 100%; and

WHEREAS, on April 6, 2020, the Secretary amended the March 23, 2020, Order and ordered that all “non-essential” businesses, including non-profits, close “physical office spaces, retail spaces, or other public spaces of a business” but did not otherwise restrict “the conduct of business operations through telecommuting or otherwise working from home in which an employee only interacts with clients or customers remotely”; and

WHEREAS, small businesses have long been recognized as the backbone of not only New Mexico’s economy but also of our nation’s economy; and

WHEREAS, small businesses in rural areas have less foot traffic and can implement those virus mitigation practices ordered by the Secretary; and

WHEREAS, the blanket closure of small businesses deemed non-essential by the Order’s definition poses a significant threat to the ultimate survival of those businesses and to our city’s and our State’s economy; and

WHEREAS, data related to COVID-19 shows that the virus has impacted countries, states, political subdivisions, and geographical areas differently; and

WHEREAS, the modeling of the spread of COVID-19 has changed multiple times with almost all changes being a decrease in the number of expected infections and deaths; and

WHEREAS, there appears to be no plan by the State to reopen the economy in the near future; and

WHEREAS, there has been no public dissemination of information of what discussions or who is participating in discussions on how to reopen the State’s economy.

NOW, THEREFORE, the Carlsbad City Council, finds:

1. No single rule related to which businesses, including non-profits, may stay open is appropriate for every political subdivision or geographical area of New Mexico.
2. Small businesses, including non-profits, and those not defined as “essential” can implement those same mitigating practices that are required of “essential” businesses.
3. If the State does not immediately allow these businesses to reopen, many of these businesses will never recover, and the economy of the City, as well as the State, will suffer.
4. The harm to the economy of the City, as well as the State, under the current blanket restrictions are as great as the threat posed by the virus.

NOW, THEREFORE, the Carlsbad City Council recommends to the Governor of New Mexico and the Secretary of the New Mexico Department of Health Department the following:

1. Allow those businesses, including non-profits, that do not fall within the Secretary’s definition of essential businesses to reopen immediately and allow those businesses to implement those safeguards that have been imposed on essential businesses, as the Secretary indicated in her orders that “social distancing is the sole way New Mexicans can minimize the spread of COVID-19, and currently constitutes the most effective means of mitigating the potentially devastating impact” of the virus.
2. Develop rules and restrictions that recognize the different situations of political subdivisions and/or geographical areas. PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED on this 28th day of April, 2020, by the Carlsbad City Council.

Sincerely,

Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway

 

Coronavirus Update: 4-28-20

Thanks to the hundreds of residents who tuned in Monday evening for the Carlsbad United in Prayer virtual community event hosted by Lakeview Christian Home. Our local church leaders did a wonderful job delivering uplifting messages. You can view the production at Lakeview’s Facebook page if you missed it. The video has been viewed 2,400 times by Tuesday afternoon.  Many residents shared their own prayer requests online during the production, including a prayer request for Bill McIlwee who celebrated his 90^th birthday on Monday. Happy birthday Bill!

Congratulations to Damian Capello and Jason Shirley for doing a great job handling the complicated technical side of the project. Thanks again to Jody Knox, Jeannie Watson, Terry McKean and everyone at Lakeview, as well as to all of the ministers who participated. We enjoyed listening to McKean, Shirley, Kevin Pence, Mike Veilleux, Phil Price, Jan Walterscheid, Dr. James Jones, Dan Boyd and Howell Scott.

On Monday, the state informed us of a correction to their tally of positive COVID-19 cases in Eddy County, putting us at a total of 12 instead of 13. We have been informed that the county’s 12^th case was from a test administered through the Public Health Office in Carlsbad and that the individual is now home on quarantine.

Of the 12 positive cases in Eddy County, as of Monday, four were from Artesia and eight were from Carlsbad. There has been one associated fatality, six recoveries, one hospitalization and four individuals at home under quarantine. We will continue to pray for the safe recovery of all impacted individuals.

Artesia General reports 587 total tests performed in Eddy County as of April 27, but that does not include recently updated numbers from the Department of Health, who has been heavily testing essential workers in the community.

The Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce has added several more businesses to their list of places who are now open for pickup or delivery. Please consider visiting May’s Dari-Lea, El Charro, Becky’s, Little Ceaser’s, PJ&B’s and Thirsty’s. The Guadalupe Brewing Company is also now serving food again. The Chamber has started a “Carryout Carlsbad” Facebook group to make things easier for everyone.

Today’s generous donation update acknowledgment goes to Chevron, who recently donated thousands of dollars in fuel gift cards to food banks, kitchens and first responders as part of a $1 million commitment. Chevron has also recently made a $40,000 donation to the Boys and Girls Club of Carlsbad, while Brewer Oil and Gas, Chevron’s retail distributor, donated cases of bottled water to local food banks.

There have been many generous donations of masks made in our community, but the need is still great, especially for highly-protective masks that will assist first responders, medical personnel, nonprofits and nursing homes. A group of volunteers have set up a system where such organizations can request additional masks when needed. Please visit https://www.uweddyco.org/COVID19MASKS to complete the form there if you need additional assistance with masks.

The organization also needs additional volunteers. Please call Robin Cathey at 575-302-1653 for more information. We appreciate all of their hard work.

Thanks also to The Mine Supply for a generous donation of hand sanitizer. They gave us two 5-gallon drums of sanitizer and have provided a similar amount to other groups around town. This is greatly needed. Special thanks to David Tannehill, Dylan Magby and Lisa Gadbury for setting this up.

 

The United Way of Eddy County has also awarded five more grants to community programs from the COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund. According to the United Way, grants totaling $10,000 were awarded this week to Carlsbad Lifehouse, Loving Municipal Schools, Calvary Assembly of God-Food Distribution, St. Vincent De Paul and Artesia Emergency Relief Program.

Since March 30, the United Way has awarded a total of $56,000 in grants and assistance through this relief fund.

Thanks again to everyone and please keep up the good work.

 

Sincerely,

 

Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Council Will Consider Resolution

Coronavirus Update 4-27-20

Carlsbad’s City Council will be considering a resolution during Tuesday night’s meeting in support of allowing small businesses to be open under the same conditions as larger businesses. If the resolution passes, it will recommend that the Governor and New Mexico Department of Health “Allow those businesses, including non-profits, that do not fall within the Secretary’s definition of essential businesses to reopen immediately and allow those businesses to implement those safeguards that have been imposed on essential businesses and develop rules and restrictions that recognize the different situations of political subdivisions and/or geographical areas.”

Beyond wanting small businesses opened, there is also a growing push for golf courses, shooting ranges and other outdoor recreational facilities to be re-opened to a limited capacity as soon as possible. The FAQ to the New Mexico Department of Health’s Public Order specifically lists golf courses as one of the facilities that has been ordered closed. This was not the City of Carlsbad’s decision and we are pushing for outdoor recreational facilities to be re-opened again, with safety guidelines in place.

We know Saturday’s rally in support of small businesses on the sidewalk around the courthouse went very well. Congratulations to Mark Christesson and everyone involved. We will continue to push in support of our small businesses receiving fair treatment.

On Sunday, we were informed of two more positive COVID-19 tests in Eddy County. This was later reduced by one on Monday due to a false positive for a total number of cases now of 12 here. We have reached out to our health care providers for additional information and have found out so far that this positive test was not administered by Carlsbad Medical Center.  According to Sunday’s report from the state 650 of the 2,726 total positive cases have now been designated as recoveries. There have also been 99 total deaths in New Mexico. There were 148-related hospitalizations across the state as of Sunday.

Another generous donation has been made, this one from Holtec International, who donated 350 masks to Lakeview Christian Home. Jody Knox, CEO of Lakeview, said the masks will make an enormous difference in terms of keeping patients safe.

The Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act (basically, the second phase of the CARES Act) have been signed into law, meaning some additional financial assistance is available.  The Small Business Administration is now processing PPP loans and most local banks are approved lenders. Local organizations such as the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce, Carlsbad Department of Development, Workforce Solutions and the Small Business Development Center can assist you.

The “Carlsbad United in Prayer” celebration took place Monday evening from 7-8 p.m. Thanks again to Jody Knox, Jeannie Watson, Terry McKean, and everyone with Lakeview who worked hard to put this together, as well as to Jason Shirley.  It was a very important community effort that took a lot of teamwork.

Sincerely,

 

Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway

 

 

Coronavirus Update: 4-25-20

Carlsbad and Eddy County Industry Remains Committed to the Community

 

By Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway and Eddy County Manager Al Davis

 

Over the past few weeks, we have enjoyed highlighting the ways that many of our area’s large employers have given back to the community in this time of crisis. We are grateful for these relationships and know that these community partners are deeply committed to Eddy County and to their workforce.

 

Even while facing their own major concerns with business and the economy, many of Eddy County and Carlsbad’s employers have been a bright spot and ever-present help, stepping up to serve and assist our community with donations, food and food delivery, PPE for first responders and nursing homes, and even toilet paper. It has been incredible to see, not just the employers within Eddy County come together in such a way, but the entire community’s response.

 

While some of our industry partners are having to scale back for the short term, we know that they all remain deeply committed to this community. Despite their own concerns, our oil and gas partners have remained active in supporting this community during this time of crisis. XTO Energy has supported Packs for Hunger, the Carlsbad Fire Department and Carlsbad Municipal Schools. Chevron’s recent donation to the United Way helped make that organization’s COVID-19 emergency program possible. These are good signs that these companies are committed to their long-term investment in our area and to our residents.

 

“We believe Chevron is well-positioned to weather this downturn, but the severe drop in the commodity price outlook requires us to take action to defer investments that would have driven near-term production growth,” said Jeff Gustavson, Vice President of Chevron’s Mid-Continent Business Unit. “This includes temporarily scaling back current drilling and completion activities in the Permian. We are still fully committed to the Basin and its surrounding communities, and fully expect to increase activity levels in the area once prices recover.”

 

Marathon Oil gave us a similar message, noting that they have made the decision to reduce activity levels across the multi-basin portfolio, including southeast New Mexico. Marathon believes its decisions, as well as its financial strength, positions it for recovery.

 

Marathon also recently made a generous donation to Carlsbad through the Roadrunner Food Bank.

 

“We understand the Carlsbad community, which many of our local employees and contractors call home, is facing unprecedented challenges along with the rest of the country,” the company tells us. “These funds will launch a new Childhood Hunger Initiative program in the Carlsbad Municipal School District – the first of its kind in Eddy County, providing approximately 150 families with 50 pounds of food each month. While it is being set up to meet the immediate needs of Carlsbad students and their families, this program will be an on-going program within the school district, lasting long beyond COVID-19 response.”

 

Creating a program to last long beyond COVID-19 is a great example of a long-term commitment.

 

Occidental Petroleum also informed us that they remain highly invested in our area.

 

“Occidental remains committed to our operations in Eddy County and the Permian Basin region during this unprecedented time impacting the oil and gas industry and global economy,” said Babatunde Cole, President and General Manager for Occidental’s Permian Resources Business Unit in New Mexico. “The health and safety of our workforce and the communities where we operate is our top priority.” 

 

Potash remains at the heart of our economy, and an industry that literally creates growth symbolizes our future.

 

“Mosaic has made many changes to how we operate to protect the health and safety of employees and contractors in light of COVID-19,” Paul Gill, General Manager of Carlsbad’s The Mosaic Company tells us. “We are grateful to the State of New Mexico for designating our business as essential during the pandemic. We know that the demand for food and fertilizer continues to grow, even in tough economic times. There are strong signs of a good planting season ahead and our order books are steady, despite all of the challenges.”

 

Robert Baldridge, Senior Vice President with Intrepid Potash, said Intrepid has continued to operate throughout this critical time without a reduction in force. Intrepid recognizes the character and strength of its employees.

 

“Together with our employees, we have developed measures to safely operate without incident,” Baldridge said. “We recognize that farmers and the agriculture industry depend on our products as well as the oil & gas industry who relies on our services.”

Baldridge said Intrepid has been supporting medical institutions with greatly-needed supplies.

 

“Carlsbad and its business partners have always been an example of thoughtful leadership making quality informed decision that drives success,” he said. “While other communities and business may see today’s events as desperate times, these are just challenges that create unique opportunities.

 

The Waste Isolation Pilot Plant is an example of city and county leaders being innovative when it comes to our economy. When the potash industry was suffering decades ago, the development of a nuclear waste repository proved to be the solution. More than 1,000 people work for WIPP here now, and Nuclear Waste Partnership, who manages and operates WIPP, has been another leader in our community through its support with Packs for Hunger and providing PPE to first responders.

 

“We prioritize the health and safety of our workers and are carefully monitoring the current situation. Most of our employees are currently teleworking to follow social distancing guidelines,” WIPP tells us. “In the meantime, we are continuing with ground control, limited shipments and waste emplacement, to support our critical national mission. WIPP continues to be a stable part of the area’s economy and we look forward to many more years of community partnership and prosperity.”

We know many of our other area partners share similar sentiments.  Of course, our largest employer of all in this area is our small business owner. The City of Carlsbad and Eddy County are committed to working for our small business owners to allow them to re-open under the same safety guidelines as larger businesses.

 

The City of Carlsbad and Eddy County ask citizens to continue to support and patronize our local small businesses as much as possible, and even more so, as restrictions are lifted and they begin to re-open. They are, and will continue to be, the very lifeline of our community

 

While there are still many uncertainties, the City of Carlsbad and Eddy County are confident that our area’s economic diversity and innovative and resolute population make us well positioned to face the future.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway

 

Eddy County Manager Al Davis

School District Moved Forward

Coronavirus Update: 4-24-20

In his letter to the community yesterday, Carlsbad Municipal Schools Superintendent Gerry Washburn outlined the school district’s plan for Carlsbad High School graduation on May 22.

Dr. Washburn states that the school district will be holding a reverse campus parade where students will be spaced nine feet apart on a route through the high school campus while wearing their graduation robes. Family and community members will drive along the route to see all of the graduates. There will be a reverse parade from 10 a.m. to noon for the Early College High School and a reverse parade from 6-8 p.m., both on the high school campus. The valedictorian and salutatorian speeches will be broadcast over the internet.

Our school district has been working hard to develop a plan, and the City of Carlsbad will provide support however we can. We know there is understandably going to be some disappointment from families, but we also are thankful to have a school district who is being innovative.

On Thursday afternoon, we were notified that an employee with the Carlsbad Technical Assistance Contractor (CTAC) has tested positive for COVID-19. The employee has been working remotely and has not been at WIPP since March 18 and left New Mexico March 23. The individual began experiencing symptoms at home and was tested. The individual has not been in physical contact with WIPP employees for more than 30 days and remains hospitalized for treatment of COVID-19, according to WIPP.

A few more people to thank today: Brenda Moore and Mildred Cassady made masks for Carlsbad Municipal Transit.  Thanks for keeping our transit workers safe.

Thanks also to Rugged Trade for donating 100 masks to the City of Carlsbad for use. Thanks to Chad and Thomas Wilson for this donation.

Chevron came through again as well, this time in the form of $18,000 in fuel gift cards being given out to a variety of groups in the area, including our first responders. Other recipients include the Southeast New Mexico Community Action Corporation, the Carlsbad Community Kitchen, Packs for Hunger, the Boys and Girls Club, Jonah’s House, First United Methodist Church ad Calvary Chapel. Thanks Chevron and Beverly Allen.

Don’t forget that the “Carlsbad United in Prayer” event will be from 7-8 p.m. Monday and broadcast through Lakeview Christian Home’s Facebook page.

As mentioned yesterday, Carlsbad City Council will be considering a similar resolution on Tuesday to what Eddy County passed earlier this week. You can read this resolution on the City of Carlsbad web page by visiting https://www.cityofcarlsbadnm.com/ and scrolling down to the “Agenda Packet” area.

If City Council passes this resolution, it will be added to a growing list of cities and counties requesting that the Governor re-open businesses closed by Executive and Public Health Orders in a phased manner. All of your elected officials have received a great deal of feedback about this issue recently and we are committed to serving our constituents.

A white paper by the New Mexico Legislative Finance Committee put out this week indicated that most regions of New Mexico are on a downward trend in terms of new cases, even as testing has increased. The conditions everyone seems to agree on as being important are a steady decline in the number of new cases, ensuring hospital capacity and making sure that testing and tracing are adequate. As of Thursday, New Mexico reports 573 of its COVID-19 cases as designated as recoveries. We continue to believe there is a clear path forward to getting our state back open while also looking out for everyone’s health and safety. We will also continue to pray for the improvement of our residents who are still battling this disease.

Sincerely,

 

Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway

Carlsbad to United in Prayer

Coronavirus Update 4-23-20

Please mark your calendar for a very special “Carlsbad United in Prayer” event scheduled for 7-8 p.m. on April 27. You’ll be able to watch the entire thing from home through Lakeview Christian Home’s Facebook Page (you don’t have to have a Facebook account to do so) at https://www.facebook.com/lakeviewchristianhome/. Ministers from around Carlsbad will be joining us from their homes and churches to participate. Thanks to Jody Knox, Jeannie Watson, Terry McKean and everyone at Lakeview for putting this together. Not being able to physically unite right now won’t stop us from finding a way to come together.

We will be having prayers for our first responders, our small businesses, our nursing homes, our country and many others. We hope you and your family will join us. We will also be taking special prayers – please email them to riverbend@lakeviewchristian.com for consideration.

We wish to dedicate this event to Ron Griffith, who passed away on April 1. A memorial service will be held at a later date.  Ron and his Christian organization, Lifescope, were the driving force behind the annual Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast. We know that Ron and Echo Griffith would be very proud to see the community coming together in prayer on Monday.

In her press conference yesterday, Governor Lujan Grisham announced that she will be extending the state’s “Stay Home” instruction to May 15. There are many questions about exactly what that means, and we have been told that more detailed instructions will be provided soon. Eddy County has passed a resolution requesting that the Governor begin to re-open New Mexico for business and Carlsbad City Council is considering a similar resolution on Tuesday.

It is our hope that the extension of the timeline doesn’t mean that the State won’t also consider making earlier modifications to the order to more fairly accommodate small businesses in a safe manner. The recent change allowing stores selling plants the ability to do so with curbside service is a good example.  We’d like to see more news about people being allowed to gradually open.

There was one bright spot in that the Governor appointed XTO Energy’s Staale Gjervik to the 15-member Economic Recovery Council. Having a representative of the oil and gas industry is, of course, very important, and we know Mr. Gjervik will do a good job.

While getting small businesses back open in a safe manner is a priority, the medical ramifications of the shutdown also needs to be addressed soon. Right now, only emergency surgeries are able to take place, which means that minor or preventive measures have been put on hold. This may create a serious risk which will continue to get worse as more time passes, as a minor procedure this week may prevent a riskier, more expensive procedure from becoming necessary in a month. There are individuals who are suffering because they can’t get dental work done right now. We ask Governor Lujan Grisham to make addressing the problems caused by postponed procedures as quickly as possible.

On a completely different note, happy 80^th birthday to former State Representative John Heaton. Heaton was treated to a “drive by” birthday parade on Wednesday organized by his wife Julia. John and Julia have both devoted decades of his life to making Carlsbad a better place, and we are honored to have them as residents.

 

Sincerely,

 

Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coronavirus Update: 4-22-20

The City of Carlsbad has been informed of an additional positive COVID-19 test in Carlsbad (for a total of 11 in Eddy County). According to Carlsbad Medical Center, a patient was taken to the facility during the afternoon of April 21. Because the situation was believed to be an emergency, the patient received a rare “rapid test” which allowed health care professionals to immediately identify the test as positive for COVID-19. The individual was then admitted as a patient to a sequestered ICU room at Carlsbad Medical Center for treatment.

As we’ve stated before, our prayers are for a swift recovery for our sick residents and for our health care professionals who are treating them. We are working with Cathy Hibbs and the staff at CMC and will help however we can.

All safety precautions were followed by first responders and health care professionals who assisted the patient.  Special credit to our Carlsbad Fire Department employees who put themselves at risk but made sure our resident was safely transported.

The City of Carlsbad has also been informed by Artesia General Hospital that the patient described above is an employee of the Artesia Healthcare Professionals Urgent Care Clinic in Carlsbad. According to Artesia General, steps were taken to temporarily close the clinic and allow for thorough cleaning and disinfection. The clinic will participate in contact tracing to make sure all known contacts receive testing. This is a reminder that our health care professionals are on the front lines right now.

We know there are also a large number of rumors circulating right now. We will continue to provide information that has been verified through the Department of Health and our medical providers.  Of course, the City of Carlsbad will continue to provide essential services to our residents as we work through this and work with all of our partners in the area.

In our call with the White House Wednesday morning, President Trump’s office outlined the guidelines for opening America. “We want to re-open America and keep it open,” was the message, but the path forward involved early diagnosis and testing, contact tracing and isolation. Federal, state and local officials all seemed to be working together on this. There have been 4.6 million diagnostic samples conducted in the United States and tests are ramping up.

Yesterday, County officials reported that the Department of Health was sending an extra team to Eddy County to conduct additional testing of essential employees. We are still seeking additional information on this report and will share it as it becomes available.

We have heard about some good news from the state in terms of plant nurseries. Plant nurseries selling live product are now allowed to do curbside or delivery service. They are still asked to take all necessary social distancing precautions. Mother’s Day is just a few weeks away, and we’re glad some of our local businesses will have the opportunity to serve you. We hope to keep hearing more positive developments such as this.

 

Sincerely,

 

Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway

 

 

 

Coronavirus Update: 4-21-20

We continue to work with our partners in Eddy and Lea County, and across the state, to pursue a safe plan for the incremental re-opening of New Mexico.  It’s very important to note that plans being discussed do not ignore the health safety of our citizens – these are balanced approaches that address economic and health concerns.

Many applicants for funding through CARES Act have recently discovered that some of these funds have already dried up. In a video conference with Congresswoman Torres Small Tuesday afternoon, we were informed that a bipartisan second phase of the CARES Act is currently in development. Also participating in the call were Commissioner Susan Crockett, County Manager Al Davis, Deputy County Manager Wes Hooper and Jeff Murray with FTI Consulting.  We discussed making sure that rural communities and communities not on the east coast have a fair opportunity to apply for this funding.

Carlsbad Medical Center reports COVID-19 tests conducted 144 tests conducted as of April 21, with two confirmed positive, 126 negative results and 16 pending. Artesia General Hospital reports 132 tests conducted with 2 positive, 114 negative and 16 pending.  Artesia’s Public Health Office has conducted 66 tests  while Carlsbad’s Public Health Office has conducted 169 tests.

Testing continues at Carlsbad Medical Center, at Artesia General Hospital, at Carlsbad’s Department of Health Clinic on Stevens Street (1-3 p.m. Monday through Thursday) and at Artesia’s Department of Health Clinic on Memorial Drive (9-11 a.m., Monday through Thursday).

Of the ten Eddy County COVID-19 cases, four have been in Artesia, five have been in Carlsbad and the location of one is still unknown at this time. One case, sadly, resulted in a COVID-related fatality. Six cases have now been announced as recoveries and two (both Carlsbad cases) remain in quarantine. We are still researching the announced tenth Eddy County positive test, which was announced yesterday. There are no COVID-19-related hospitalizations reported in Eddy County at this time.

On Tuesday, we were invited by the “Council on Foreign Relations” organization to participate in a phone discussion about the efforts to find a cure for COVID-19. The doctors outlined the different international efforts moving forward, from the development of a full vaccine, to passive or temporary vaccines, to therapy to control the virus. The therapy efforts, which don’t prevent the disease but greatly reduce the symptoms, seem to be coming along very well.

We were relieved to hear about three potential vaccines that have reached the clinical study level and 70 potential vaccines that are in development. The doctors were open about the fact that there were many elements of this virus that were just not well understood early in the process. Some of the information discussed was very technical, but it was good to know that significant progress is being made.

The New Mexico Office of Superintendent of Insurance has announced new requirements for health insurance carriers to cover expenses for out-of-network care received as a result of COVID-19. The new guidance also orders insurance carriers to cover out-of-network bills where a consumer can’t receive in-network care for other conditions due to the COVID-19 crisis. This is a move to make sure patients will receive appropriate care without surprise billing and seems to be a positive step forward.

On a final note, you may have noticed that several of the trees in front of the library have been removed. We want to assure all of you that new trees will be planted nearby, and the refurbished Halagueno Arts Park will truly be beautiful.

Thank you all again and we will continue to provide updates throughout the week.

Sincerely,

 

Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway

 

 

Oil Crash Takes Focus

Coronavirus Update 4-20-20

The news today on almost everyone’s mind is the complete crash in oil prices – down to below $0 a barrel, which seems like it shouldn’t even be possible. While we are confident that prices will go back up, Monday’s headline certainly makes the severity of this economic crisis all that more apparent. Thousands of our residents are extremely concerned about their economic future right now.

We will continue to strongly advocate that the state quickly implement an incremental plan to allow our businesses to get back to work while continuing to protect the safety of our citizens.

On Friday, we were notified of two additional positive COVID-19 cases in Eddy County. On Monday we were notified of an additional Eddy County Case, for a total of ten. On Monday, we were informed that Friday’s two positive cases were from positive tests in Carlsbad- one of them at Carlsbad Medical Center and one from Carlsbad’s health clinic. These two individuals are at home under quarantine and we will continue to pray for their quick recovery. We have reached out to our health care providers for additional information on the tenth case.

Families have had to make just adjustments when it comes to celebrating birthday parties over the past few months. Some are celebrating with drive-by parades, where the birthday boy or girl stands outside and waves as friends and family members drive by to wish the child a happy birthday.

Carlsbad resident Silas McIlwee celebrated his fifth birthday party this past weekend with such a parade. Happy Birthday Silas! Special thanks to the Carlsbad Police Department officers who participated in the parade and helped make sure Silas had a special day. The police department helps with these activities when they are able to do so.

We received a lot of positive feedback about the Chamber of Commerce’s list of restaurants who are open for business. Some readers pointed out that many local food trucks are still open, including the El Charro Taco Truck. Please continue to support our local businesses whenever you are able to do so.

There are a number of different groups in our community helping to feed the needy right now. The volunteers at Jonah’s House asked us to let you know that they are still open for business.  Their hours are 9-11 a.m., Monday through Friday at 512 W. Stevens. It’s a walk-in location, and only three people are allowed in at once due to current distancing guidelines. You don’t have to complete any paperwork for your first visit, and the Jonah’s House volunteers will then explain the process from there. Thanks again to Jonah’s House and all of our local food bank volunteers.

Our graduating seniors are high on the list of people who have had their lives disrupted right now. There have been some excellent ideas suggested in the community about ways to honor seniors, such as banners on every light post. Superintendent Washburn has said the school district is considering a drive-thru graduation. We know members of this community will come together with a good plan.

It’s good to know that there’s also a bright future for so many of our seniors. The Carlsbad Community Foundation held its first ever scholarship online Monday evening. More than $140,000 in scholarships were awarded this week. Congratulations to the Class of 2020.

 

 

 

Sincerely,

 

Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway

Packs for Hunger Well Deserving of Boost  

Coronavirus Update: April 18, 2020

Packs for Hunger is one of the best charitable organizations we have in Carlsbad, and the need has never been greater than it is right now. Carol Worley and the dedicated team of volunteers have stepped up to the challenge, and many more local volunteers and nonprofits are also assisting.

For the past few years, the “Mayor’s Shindig” has served as Packs for Hunger’s biggest fundraiser. It has been a great event, and we also enjoyed being introduced to the word “shindig.” When this year’s shindig was postponed in March due to restrictions on social gathering, we were all very disappointed and concerned for the program.  This was during a time when organizations such as Packs for Hunger are needed the most. We still have a long road ahead of us in terms of both this health crisis and economic concerns.

This week, Nuclear Waste Partnership made a very generous $20,000 donation to Packs for Hunger that will greatly assist during this time of year. Nuclear Waste Partnership has also made a $20,000 donation to the United Way’s Emergency Relief Fund. Additionally, they dropped off masks and hand sanitizer to assist our first responders. They’ve provided $80,000 in local contributions throughout the COVID-19 outbreak.

We were also informed this week that XTO Energy has made a generous $20,000 donation to Packs for Hunger and its critical mission. XTO also recently donated $100,000 to help Carlsbad Municipal Schools develop its online program and provided $6,100 in Personal Protective Equipment to the Carlsbad Fire Department.

There are still a great many needs around Carlsbad right now. Carlsbad Municipal Schools has been feeding youth and adults through their school lunch program since school ceased, but the district is not reimbursed for all expenses. Mosaic Potash and the United Way have both assisted, but expenses are still growing. If you are looking to help an important program right now, the Carlsbad Municipal Schools lunch program is also worthwhile. As we’ve stated before, the United Way’s local COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund is another great way to go – the fund has programs set up to assist both individuals and nonprofits.

We were saddened by the news that Guadalupe Mountains National Park has temporarily closed. Citing the health and safety of visitors, the park temporarily closed its doors on April 17. Please let us know if we can be of any additional assistance to our national parks.

Here’s a brief update from this week’s activities:

• COVID-19 remains a very serious threat across the state. As of the morning of April 18, there have been 1,711 positive tests in New Mexico, 51 deaths and 382 recoveries. Please continue to follow social distancing guidelines and stay at home whenever possible.
• Carlsbad Medical Center, Artesia General Hospital and Eddy County’s two health clinics have continued to administer COVID-19 tests daily.
• There have been 9 total reported COVID-19 cases in Eddy County, including two we were informed of Friday afternoon. These two new tests did not come out of Carlsbad Medical Center or Artesia General Hospital, which means they were tests from either the health clinic in Carlsbad, the health clinic in Artesia or from out of the county. We are still reaching out for additional information.
• Carla Sonntag, President and Founder of the New Mexico Business Coalition, has proposed a path forward to re-open businesses that recommends the Governor amend her Public Health Order to allow small businesses and outdoor recreational facilities to open at 20% capacity and incrementally increase from that point. This is a good proposal which deserves discussion and would fit in line with many of President’s Trump’s guidelines issues earlier this week.

 

Sincerely,

 

Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway

 

 

 

 

CORONAVIRUS UPDATE: 4-17-20

We were informed by the state of two new positive COVID-19 cases for Eddy County today. We will be reaching out locally and at the state level for more information and will let you know when it becomes available to us.

Many people are asking about which restaurants are still open during the COVID-19 shutdown. Restaurants do qualify as essential businesses, but are currently not allowed to keep indoor dining services open.  This has been such a grueling ordeal for all of our local restaurants (and all businesses) that many have changed their status several times as they struggle to survive. There was great news this week when the Trinity Hotel announced that they would again be open for to go orders.

Suzann Combs, with the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce, has been updating the local list of restaurants who have remained open for pickup or delivery. You can check out that updated list on the Chamber’s Facebook page, on Instagram or on the Chamber’s web page at www.carlsbadchamber.com.

Many businesses have also expanded their delivery options through either doordash.com or delivery.com.

As of April 17, locally owned restaurants providing such services include the Blue House, Bad Bass BBQ, Borracho Tacos, the Church Street Grill, Danny’s Place, El Jimador, El Molcajete and El Sazon. Guadalupe Brewing and Milton’s are both on the list, as are Java Nick’s Coffee Hut and Joe Brews. Other local businesses serving takeout or delivery include Kaleidoscoops, La Juanita, the Lucky Bull, Lucy’s, Mi Casita, My Daddy’s BBQ, the New Mexico Burrito Company, the Pecos River Café, Red Chimney, the Snack Shack, Sno to Go, Thelma’s Wangs and Thang’s and the Trinity. The Queen Café’ is also on the list and the Current Argus wrote an excellent article about their efforts.

Running a franchise isn’t any easier, and local chains serving customers include Arby’s, KFC, Blake’s Lottaburger,  Buffalo Wild Wings, Burger King, Chili’s, Denny’s, Domino’s Pizza, IHOP, Long John Silver’s, McAlister’s Deli, McDonalds, Papa Murphy’s, Pizza Hut, Pizza Inn, Roadrunner Express, Sonic, Starbucks, Subway, Taco Bell and Wendy’s. We hope we got everyone, and please let us know if we can add your restaurant to the list. Thanks again to everyone showing creativity and innovation during these difficult times.

Our school district has announced that it has set up wifi hotspots around some of its schools. You can’t get in the school, but you can get online in the parking lots outside of Ocotillo, Desert Willow, Carlsbad High School, Cottonwood Elementary and the Carlsbad Intermediate School.

Over the past few weeks, we’ve mentioned many of the great men and women who have been of special service to this community throughout this crisis. Today’s special mention goes to our hardworking individuals with Carlsbad Municipal Transit. Josh Moore and the transit team have continued to provide this essential service. There was a “Sound the Horn” event at 1 p.m. Friday inviting everyone to honk in support of transit workers across the country. Keep up the good work.

We also had a great conversation with Jody Knox, Director of Lakeview Christian Home, and are working with Jody to organize a special day of prayer for all of our nursing homes and everyone else.

 

Sincerely,

 

Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway

Examining the Economic Path Forward

Coronavirus Update: April 16, 2020

Over the past few days, an increasing number of New Mexicans have insisted on the development of a clear path forward in terms of getting our economy running again.

That is not in any way dismissive of the very real public health crisis we are facing, both here and across the world. The guidelines for social distancing and stay at home instructions are still essential for beating COVID-19.

But a growing number of small business owners and elected officials have become increasingly vocal with expressing their very legitimate concern that the current lines dividing essential and nonessential businesses are not logical and are especially unfair to small businesses and the thousands of people who rely on them for their livelihood.

Additionally, as these closure instructions continue to be extended for a longer period of time, there is growing fear that no amount of federal assistance programs will ever come close to getting our citizens back on their feet economically. We do not want to survive this crisis with nothing left of our society. These executive health orders were put in place by our Governor.  Municipalities such as the City of Carlsbad are in the same predicament in terms of compliance with these orders as everyone else.

How do we respectfully address economic concerns while maintaining the highest level of health protection? Even most of our state’s health care providers will soon have to lay off employees because nonessential operations have ceased. Many of these “nonessential” procedures, such as mammograms and colonoscopies, are preventive measures which save lives.

This week, Farmington Mayor Nate Duckett issued a declaration calling on the Governor to consider modifying the public health orders to permit all businesses to immediately re-open at 20 percent of maximum capacity while also adhering to social distancing guidelines. An Eddy County business owner has established an online petition making a similar request that has received several thousand signatures.

Carla Sonntag, President and Founder of the New Mexico Business Coalition (NMBC), has presented a path forward that we believe contains many excellent ideas. NMBC suggests that we continue with social distancing guidelines and that vulnerable citizens with significant health issues continue to remain sheltered. Masks are recommended for customers and employees in public shopping areas.

As Mayor Duckett stated, the NMBC is recommending that all businesses that can operate under the same guidelines currently in effect of a 20 percent occupancy be allowed to do so and open back up immediately. Outdoor recreational facilities should also be allowed to open back up at a limited capacity as well.

In early May, NMBC recommends that these businesses and outdoor recreational facilities be allowed to operate at 50 percent capacity. They recommend incremental increases to this capacity throughout the month. NMBC also recommends opening indoor recreational facilities to a limited capacity by late May.  You can read NMBC’s entire plan here: https://nmbizcoalition.org/

Let’s again make this clear – we are not dismissing the very real health concerns presented by COVID-19. Our community has been fortunate so far to have a small number of cases due to social distancing taking place and our rural environment. My sincere thanks go out to everyone who has worked so hard to keep the spread of COVID-19 to a minimum in our area.  However, it is well past time that we begin to have a serious discussion on healthy ways to reopen New Mexico.

We have spoken directly with the Governor’s office about this issue on Thursday. We have been assured by Governor Lujan Grisham’s office that the economic well-being of our small businesses and our residents remains an extremely vital facet of this health crisis. We appreciate the Governor for reaching out to us directly and hope we can continue to discuss safe ways to get New Mexico back on its feet.

We endorse the New Mexico Business Coalition’s call for the State to immediately allow all businesses to reopen at a limited and reasonable capacity. We encourage Governor Lujan Grisham to work closely with leaders across New Mexico in developing the path forward.

 

Sincerely,

 

Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway

 

 

 

Now is the Time to Thank Our Telecommunicators

CORONAVIRUS UPDATE: 4-15-20

The front line of our first responders are our police dispatchers. We talk about essential employees a great deal right now, but is nobody more essential out there then the men and women who we reach out to when we are facing an emergency.

April 12-18 is National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week- please take a moment to recognize these essential professionals and let them know how much they are valued by our community, especially during a time period where there is so much fear and anxiety.

Every single day, our dispatchers speak with people who are in the middle of the worst day of their lives. On top of that, they are facing the same stresses that we all feel right now- economic and health concerns for their family and loved ones. We’re so proud of our telecommunicators who serve the Carlsbad Police Department and Carlsbad Fire Department, as well as our professionals with the Eddy County. Thank you all for being on the front lines of our effort.

During her 2 p.m. April 15 update, the Governor reported 80 new cases of COVID-19 and no new deaths that day. As of her report, there are 90 individuals hospitalized for COVID-19 symptoms and 22 of them on ventilators. The Governor’s office also reported that 32,850 New Mexicans have been tested today and said 3,500 tests a day can now be processed.

The analysis and data of projected cases are continually changing. Real life cases don’t always comply with projection models, but here’s some good news – over the past week, the projection of total COVID-19-related deaths in New Mexico has been reduced from around 600 to 150, due to an increase in available testing data.

Carlsbad residents, meanwhile, continue to show their energy for making the most out of this situation. Another update from Julie Chester and the “Create Art, Cultivate Joy” arts and culture effort. Julie says the local online arts and culture effort has 1,000 members now, and they’ve included a new presentation each day for the past two weeks. Upcoming events include rug making, rock painting, water colors, cooking and voice warm ups.

Here’s an update from the United Way as well: Heights Lions Club made a $5,000 donation to the United Way of Eddy County’s COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund.  Thanks again to everyone for being so generous.

If you get the chance, visit Troy Young Park in the near future and check out the beautiful shade structure there, which was made possible through a partnership with Nuclear Waste Partnership. We’ve been able to put up shade structures at playgrounds and parks around town, including at the Ray Anaya San Jose Plaza, Smith Park, the 8^th Street Park and the Carlsbad Water Park.  Troy Young Park is very special to members of the Ebony Car Club II, and we were pleased to assist then with making park improvements.

Sincerely,

 

Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway

 

Update on COVID-19 Recoveries in Eddy County

Coronavirus Update: 4-14-20

We have received an additional update on the status of the COVID-19 cases in Eddy County.  By April 13, five of the seven positive COVID-19 cases in Eddy County are full recoveries and one of the cases remains on quarantine. The other individual who tested positive for COVID-19, sadly, is deceased.

The recovery information comes from Artesia General Hospital’s web page. The State now that 336 total COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Eddy County as of April 14. That includes tests conducted at Artesia General Hospital, Carlsbad Medical Center, Artesia’s Public Health Office and Carlsbad’s Public Health Office.

Artesia General Hospital reports conducting 108 tests by April 13, with 99 negative tests, two positives and results pending for seven. The two positive cases includes the one COVID-related fatality and one recovery. Two positive tests have also been taken through the Public Health Office in Artesia, and both of them have been reported as recovered.

There has been one positive test from the 113 conducted at Carlsbad Medical Center (as of April 14), according to CMC. This individual is reported to have recovered. CMC also reports 98 negative results and 14 test results pending.

There was also one positive test of an Eddy County resident who tested at Nor-Lea in Hobbs. We do not know where in Eddy County this individual resides, but this individual is also reported to have been recovered after being in quarantine.

Finally, there was a new positive case identified on April 12 through the Public Health Office in Carlsbad. This individual remains under quarantine.

The fact that five of the seven Eddy County cases are reported as recoveries is very uplifting.  Let’s also not ever forget that these “numbers” are people who are our friends and neighbors – residents we’ve known for decades. We’re relieved to see that these members of our community have isolated and are recovering.

The State of New Mexico has also launched a portal with additional COVID-19 data, which includes reporting about testing by county.   You can check it out at cv.nmhealth.org/dashboard. In Eddy County, we’re able to see that four of the positive cases here so far are men and three are women. We also have had three positive cases in the 30-39 age bracket, two in the 60-69 age bracket and two in the 70-79 age bracket. It’s helpful for understanding the situation, but it all still boils down to keeping isolated as much as possible as we work through this.

The United Way of Eddy County sent out an update on its Emergency Relief Fund this week. Over the past month, the United Way has already awarded more than $45,000 to nonprofits and families impacted by COVID-19. Donors have helped raise more than $110,000 so far. Organizations receiving support include the Boys and Girls Club of Carlsbad, Lakeview Christian Home, the Artesia Arts Council, Eddy County CASA, Carlsbad Municipal Schools- Adult Meal Support, the SECAC-Senior Meal Program and the Carlsbad Community of Hope Center.

Tuesday was “Back to School,” for most local students, who participated in online programs set up through Carlsbad Municipal Schools. We appreciate the local internet providers who have stepped up to assist our school district with this incredible challenge. We know this will be difficult for school administrators, for teachers, for students, and for parents attempting to balance assisting their kids with their own work obligations.  It’s not going to be a perfect situation, but we’re going to work through it together.

 

Sincerely,

 

Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway

 

 

 

 Coronavirus Update 4-13-20

We hope that everyone had a very Happy Easter.

On Sunday afternoon, we were informed by the state of a seventh positive COVID-19 case in Eddy County, this one in Carlsbad. As we have stated before, the information we receive is very limited. The most important consideration is the fact that both Carlsbad and Artesia have each had more than one positive case, which serves as a very good reminder of the importance of all of us sticking with stay at home and distancing instructions whenever possible.

We have also confirmed that neither of our county’s hospitals currently have any COVID-19 patients at the hospital. This means that the individuals who recently tested positive for COVID-19 in our area were likely sent home to continue to self-quarantine due to their symptoms being relatively mild. We will continue to pray for their speedy recovery.

It’s also worth mentioning that Eddy County has not yet been listed in the state’s daily updates as a county where “community spread” has been detected. Community spread is defined as the spread of a contagious disease to individuals in a particular geographic location who have no known contact with other infected individuals or who have not recently traveled to an area where the disease has any documented cases. We believe this to be a good sign that local cases here are travel-related or connected to each other.

Many of the most severe outbreaks across New Mexico have been in nursing homes and other congregate living facilities. We appreciate Jody Knox and everyone at Lakeview Christian Home for their hard work every day to protect both their employees and our most vulnerable citizens.

Testing is continuing regularly at Carlsbad Medical Center, Artesia General Hospital, at our county’s two Department of Health clinics and at locations out of county. The New Mexico Department of Health has an online process for you to determine if a test is needed and how you would go about doing so at https://cv.nmhealth.org/.

As of Sunday’s report, New Mexico has now reported a total of 1,245 positive tests for COVID-19. This number includes 295 cases designated as having recovered and 26 deaths.

Another number that keeps coming up in discussion is the projected “peak”- what day along this process will the maximum number of resources be used and will the number of cases identified each day begin to diminish. New Mexico is projected to “peak” around the week of April 22, so we are at least pushing closer to the halfway mark.

The much bigger mountain to get past will be the economic hurdle. Millions have filed for unemployment and so many of our small businesses, who work day to day to make ends meet under ideal circumstances, have had to shut down for several months. The federal programs that have been put in place are helpful, but they sure don’t take the place of a good job.

There was some good news announced this week when President Trump brokered a production cut in oil production with Saudi Arabia and Russia, eliminating one of the many hurdles to our local oil and gas production.

Carlsbad also has a huge advantage in our economic versatility. While we face the same uncertain future as everyone else, we are doing so with an economy that relies on a variety of industries including oil and gas, potash, nuclear, agriculture, tourism and manufacturing. Our economic diversity will pay off as a strength, as it has many times in the past.

We look forward to getting through this and getting our city back open for business.

Sincerely,

 

Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway

 

 

 

Easter Message, April 11, 2020

On behalf of everyone with the City of Carlsbad, we wish you all a very Happy Easter. It’s going to be quite a bit different than most of our Easter celebrations, but the fundamental message of hope has not changed one bit. We believe there is an end in sight to this, and we have faith in a bright future for Carlsbad and for our country.

Thanks to again to our local ministers and church volunteers who have worked so hard to develop unique ways to celebrate Easter through internet broadcasts or “Drive-in” procedures where everyone stays in their car. Our local church leaders have truly stepped forward in this time of crisis. Please help them by reaching out to loved ones, friends and church members over the phone or email to let everyone know they are missed.

Please also continue to pray for everyone today – for people who have tested positive for COVID-19 and their families, for first responders, grocery store employees, truck drivers and health care professionals, for people who have lost their jobs or had to shut down their business, for residents and employees of nursing homes, and for our President, Governor and all other leaders during this time period.

Pray for our students and teachers as well. Carlsbad Municipal Schools will resume online classes beginning Tuesday.  Our school district has done an amazing job of putting together a program for the remainder of the semester with short notice. Chromebooks and internet access have been provided to students who needed it, and packets can be used where technology is not a practical option. If you have any questions or concerns about classes resuming, please let us know and we will be happy to assist.

There are still many rumors circulating. New Mexico does not have any curfew in place, nor does Carlsbad. You can still go outdoors this weekend but are asked to continue to practice social distancing. Please avoid crowded trailheads and other congested areas. The City of Carlsbad will continue to provide all essential services such as water and trash pickup throughout this crisis and we are extremely grateful to our excellent workforce for doing such a good job.

Here’s a quick summary of this past week’s developments:

• The Governor’s State at Home Instruction has been extended through April 30. Visit https://cv.nmhealth.org/2020/04/06/stay-at-home-order-extended/ for specific information.
• Earlier this week, we were informed of two new positive COVID-19 cases in Eddy County, for a total of six. These tests were not conducted at Carlsbad Medical Center or Artesia General Hospital, which means they were either conducted by the NM health clinics in Eddy County or out of the county.
• As of Friday afternoon’s update, there are 235 COVID-19 cases designated as having recovered by the New Mexico Department of Health. There have been 27,098 total tests administered, 1,091 positive tests and 19 COVID-19 related deaths.
• We are still participating in regular calls with the White House, State and New Mexico Municipal League. We appreciate the many organizations helping individuals with different programs.
• New Mexico Human Services Department is providing $35 million in immediate financial help to New Mexico hospitals for the COVID-19 pandemic. The combination of increasing costs and declining revenue is putting an urgent strain on New Mexico hospitals, right when we need them the most.

Thank you all again, and Happy Easter,

 

 

Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway

 

Many Groups Supporting United Way’s Emergency Relief Fund

Coronavirus Update: April 9

One of our community’s truly essential services right now is our local United Way, who has been helping so many people with the COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund. Director Linda Dodd asked us to mention a few more generous donors:

Canyonstone and Copperstone Apartments gave $5,000 to the program, as have Burba, Cole and Overstreet, Western Sky Community Care and Santo Petroleum. Carlsbad National Bank has contributed $10,000 to this important program and the Carlsbad Community Foundation gave $3,000. The United Way’s program is directly supporting residents in need. Please keep up the good work and thank you for your generosity.

Another business invested in this community, ConocoPhillips, recently made a generous donation of $25,000 to Carlsbad Municipal Schools and a similar donation to CARC Inc. This is greatly appreciated during this critical time period.

We have now been informed of a total of six total COVID-19 cases in Eddy County, which includes the two we found out about Wednesday afternoon and reported yesterday. There were no new Eddy County cases reported Thursday.

As always, our most important response is to wish these two individuals a very healthy recovery, and to also pray for the health professionals who have provided these individuals with assistance.

Many members of the public are asking us for more information, specifically as to whether these two cases were from Carlsbad, Artesia or another part of the county. We know that both Carlsbad Medical Center and Artesia General Hospital have each said that these two individuals did not test out of their facility.

What that means is that it is possible that these two positive tests were administered through either Artesia or Carlsbad’s state health clinic, both of who are now administering tests four days a week. Someone who lives in Eddy County may have also received a positive test outside of the county. The tests conducted by the health office here are sent to Santa Fe Epidemiology. We’ve reached out to the State for clarification. Our Department of Health employees are extremely busy and are doing a great job.

If you have any questions about the state’s screening and testing process, please visit https://cv.nmhealth.org/public-health-screening-and-testing/.

No matter where the tests were administered, however, the guidelines of staying home whenever possible and maintaining social distancing are still critical. This risk applies to our community as much as it does anywhere.

While we’ve enjoyed devoting a portion of this space each day toward honoring many of the generous individuals and organizations who are stepping up in this time of crisis, there are also some people out on the other side who are trying to utilize the COVID-19 outbreak to scam others.

The New Mexico Office of Superintendent of Insurance and the New Mexico Office of the Attorney General recently put out a list of tips warning consumers about con artists and scammers. The AG’s office has pledged to prosecute these scammers.

According to the state offices, a scammer may use an unsolicited letter, phone call, or text message to warn you about a risk to your health, safety, finances, insurance or business. The scammer likely will offer you a “time sensitive” opportunity, or tell you that you must take immediate action. To respond to the warning or opportunity, you will be asked to purchase a product or service, or to provide personal identification information. Very often, the scammer’s request or notice will appear to come from a government agency, a reputable charity, or even an established business.

Once you provide access to your information, a scammer may steal your identity or your money. Please be extremely cautious, and feel free to contact us directly if you have any questions or concerns.

If you think you’ve been the victim of a scam, you can contact the Office of the Attorney General at www.nmag.gov or call 1-844-255-9210 and press number 5. If the scam relates to insurance or insurance coverage, you can call the Insurance fraud hotline at 1-877-807-4010 or report it online at www.stopfraud.org.

 

Sincerely,

 

Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway

 

Two New Cases Announced in Eddy County

 Coronavirus Update: 4-8-20

We were informed by the Governor’s office late Wednesday afternoon that two new positive cases of COVID-19 have been identified in Eddy County. As we have stated before, Carlsbad Medical Center, Artesia General Hospital and our two N.M. Health Clinics have all been conducting testing, and we have reached out for additional information. Please continue to stay at home whenever possible.

In our conference call to the White House this week, we heard from President Trump himself.

Addressing thousands of mayors across the country, the President said our country is in a crucial phase in this war, thanks to the devotion of so many great people. The President mentioned that 125,000 coronavirus tests are being conducted each day in the United States, more than any other nation.

“You know how to win better than anybody,” he concluded. “And we’re going to win this war.”

The conference also included important updates about the CARES Act and other efforts to support Americans right now.

We were informed that the first phase of stimulus checks will be sent out next week. The federal government has also worked out a system to provide stimulus checks to seniors on Social Security who did not file for tax returns. A website is being set up so people can track their check.

The Paycheck Protection Program has also been a tremendous success, so much that the President has asked Congress to increase support for the fund. This program authorizes up to $349 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses to pay their employees during the COVID-19 crisis.

We were also relieved to hear that the CARES Act has included a significant allocation for mental health, including suicide prevention. It is extremely important that mental health issues are addressed throughout this crisis. Health care providers have also been provided with an opportunity for reimbursement. Please let us know if you are having trouble getting information about some of the assistance programs right now and we’ll be happy to help you.

Easter is just a few days away, and we have never before needed a time to celebrate our faith than right now. Christians around the world will be celebrating the Rebirth and our hope for the future. It won’t be the same celebration that we’re used to or that we’d hoped for, but the true meaning of Easter hasn’t changed one bit.

So many of our churches have done a remarkable job adapting throughout this crisis. Many are conducting Livestream services to reach members of their congregation, while others have developed “drive-in” procedures where everyone stays in their car. We appreciate the efforts of our churches to spread their message in a way that is safe for all of their members and encourage this practice to continue through Easter and beyond.

While large-scale Easter egg hunts in public areas will have to be postponed until we get through this, you and family members may certainly leave the house to take a walk in the park or down the street. We’re just supposed to keep distant from other groups. Please have a very happy Easter and keep praying for our first responders, health care professionals and other people on the front lines, as well as for all of our state and national leaders.

 

Sincerely,

 

Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway

 

 

 

 

 

Coronavirus Update: 4-7-20

The State has now announced that its stay-at-home instruction and public health orders have now been extended through the month of April. Similar extensions are taking place across the country right now during this critical week of our national battle against this virus, but that doesn’t make life any easier for the thousands of our own residents wanting a return to normal life. We’re a strong community and we’re going to get through this together, but we’re facing a marathon here, not a sprint.

You can read the specifics of the newest amended public health emergency order at www.governor.state.nm.us. Businesses seeking clarity on essential or non-essential status may send inquiries to covid.exemption@state.nm.us. We know a lot of reasonable questions come up every time there’s a new order.

We’ve had a number of people ask us about one particular line in the new order, which states that “Hotels, motels, RV parks, and other places of lodging shall not operate at more than 25 percent of maximum occupancy, per the amended order.”

However, the next line of the official order (it wasn’t in the press release) clarifies the issue by saying “Health care workers who are engaged in the provision of care to New Mexico residents or individuals utilizing lodging facilities for extended stays, as temporary housing, or for purposes of a quarantine or isolation period shall not be counted for purposes of determining maximum occupancy,”

Most of our RV parks and motels have people staying there for extended stays or as temporary housing, and they are still exempt. The percentage has changed, but not the exemption.

We have a few more generous organizations who deserve mention today.

Hanson Yates, President of Santo Petroleum has also contacted us and pledged to support the United Way with its special program. We appreciate this assistance, as it is greatly needed.

Lowe Home Improvement donated cleaning supplies and PPE to assist the Southeast New Mexico Community Action Corporation with feeding our seniors. Harbor Freight Tools has donated masks to the hospital. The hospital has also received hand sanitizer from Performance Chemical Company and Lucy’s provided lunch to the ER staff on Monday and Saturday. Nuclear Waste Partnership has also been providing hand sanitizer to several groups around town, including the City of Carlsbad. Thank you to so many generous organizations.

Another aspect of this which needs to be addressed in more detail is the issue of emotional and mental health. There are so many economic stresses and fears right now. We know that our mental health providers in the area are working just as hard as all of our health care professionals.  Presbyterian Medical Services recently issued a list of common sense tips for dealing with the stresses of the situation:

• Eat healthy, exercise regularly and get plenty of sleep
• Find a way to keep in contact with family members and loved ones
• For essential workers- take breaks and make time to unwind
• Watch for news updates from reliable updates, but avoid excessive exposure to media and social media coverage
• Talk to a clergy member, counselor or doctor, or contact the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUS to 66746
• When explaining the issue with children, reassure them, address rumors and answer their questions at an age-appropriate level.

It’s all common sense, but addressing the mental health side of this issue is extremely important.

On a different topic, we’ve had a few questions about the Census as well. April 1 was “Census Day,” meaning that is officially the day of the count. However, if you have still not turned in your Census count, you very much should still do so. It is extremely important to this community that we get an accurate Census count. While coronavirus is putting a halt to everything, the Census is still hiring people and will be conducting follow-ups to try to get an accurate count through August.  We appreciate your assistance.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway

 

 

More Information on Local Testing Options

Coronavirus Update 4-6-20

In a press conference Friday, the Governor revealed a new step to reduce the spread of COVID-19 called “metering,” which will limit how many customers an essential store can have at one time, based on the square feet of the store.

Many of our stores deemed essential have voluntarily moved into this model over the weekend. As it has been with other health orders over the past few weeks, it will likely take a few days to get everything ironed out. Please let us know if we can do anything to assist with this new transition.

We’ve been asked by many people about how many tests have been conducted in Eddy County. We do not have an exact total, but as of April 6, Carlsbad Medical Center reported conducting 75 tests, with some results pending.  Artesia General Hospital has reported conducting 86 tests by April 6, with some results pending. Both hospitals are still conducting tests when their requirements are met.

The two New Mexico Department of Health clinics are now conducting tests Monday through Thursday, but we do not have the information about how many tests they have conducted up to this point. Tests at the Carlsbad Public Health Office (1306 W. Stevens St.) will be from 1-3 p.m. Please call (575) 885-4191 call for appointment and stay in the car when you get to the clinic while following posted instructions.  A provider or someone from the COVID hotline may also inform the Health Department of individuals who require testing.

Testing at Artesia’s clinic (1001 Memorial Drive) is from 9-11 a.m. Monday through Thursday with the same rules as above. Please call (575) 746-9819 to make an appointment.

Residents who report symptoms of COVID-19 infection, such as fever, cough, or shortness of breath, should call their health care provider or the NMDOH COVID-19 hotline (1-855-600-3453).

Thanks to increased statewide testing capacity, the following people may now be considered for COVID-19 testing:

• Asymptomatic people who are close contacts or household members of New Mexico residents who have already tested positive for the coronavirus;
• Asymptomatic residents in nursing homes;
• Asymptomatic people in congregant settings such as homeless shelters, group homes, detention centers;
• Symptomatic people displaying the COVID-19 symptoms of cough, fever or shortness of breath.

 

The State of New Mexico issues an update each day on new positive cases by county. Sadly, there were 12 related deaths and 45 hospitalizations reported on Sunday.

There’s another important number listed in that report, however, and that’s the number of recoveries. Over the weekend, for example, New Mexico listed a total of 130 reported recoveries. That number is still included in the “Total Positive Cases” tally, but it is very important to note that many New Mexicans who had coronavirus are getting better. Additionally, the Albuquerque Journal reports 18,512 negative test results.

We still clearly need to be extremely careful and state home whenever possible, but it is a relief to also see that a large number of people have beaten this.

 

Sincerely,

 

Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway

Coronavirus Update 4-4-20

There are still many questions about testing for COVID-19. Who is eligible to be tested? Where do they get tested? We’ve been in contact with the local experts to try to develop a better understanding of the situation.

During Tuesday night’s press conference, New Mexico announced that it has increased its testing capacity and changed its criteria of who may receive a COVID-19 test. All testing is free, according to the New Mexico Department of Health.

According to the NMDOH, in addition to people displaying COVID-19 symptoms, people not displaying symptoms but who have had close contact or live in the same household as a person who tested for COVID-19 may now be considered for COVID-19 testing.  Residents of nursing homes and congregant settings may also be considered for a test, even if they aren’t displaying symptoms.

Here’s what we know so far:

• Our county’s two hospitals, Carlsbad Medical Center and Artesia General Hospital, will continue with the screening and testing processes they’ve been utilizing for several weeks. Tests are being administered by CMC if the patient meets all criteria, exhibits symptoms of COVID-19, and has a doctor’s order. If the NMDOH refers the patient to AGH for testing, a patient is asked to call 575-736-8324, or they can text 575-222-8967.
• The County’s two Public Health Offices, which are part of the NMDOH, are now conducting weekly testing sessions for COVID-19 every Wednesday in Eddy County. Throughout this situation, the DOH has also been conducting “contact tracing” to communicate with individuals who patients came in contact with and conducting further evaluations.
• The Carlsbad Public Health Office is located at 1306 W. Stevens St. Testing hours are listed as 1-3 p.m. Wednesday. People who meet the new guidelines should call in advance for an appointment to (575) 885-4191. Please stay in your vehicle and follow all posted signs. Artesia’s Public Health Office is located at 1001 Memorial Drive. Testing hours are 9-11 a.m. Wednesday. You are also asked to call for an appointment to (575) 746-9819 and stay in your vehicle.

Tests are still limited, so the best thing to do is almost always still to call your healthcare provider or NMDOH COVID-19 hotline (1-855-600-3453) if you feel symptoms of a COVID-19 infection, such as fever, cough or shortness of breath. It’s very important to remember that this is allergy season, and many of us are displaying allergy symptoms.

 

We will remain in contact with all of these organizations and continue to provide more information as it becomes available.

 

Sincerely,

 

Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway

XTO Energy Supports Schools, First Responders

 

 

CORONAVIRUS UPDATE- 4-3-20

We’ve just been informed of two extremely generous donations from XTO Energy to help our community get through the coronavirus crisis. First, XTO, a subsidiary of ExxonMobil, has donated $100,000 to Carlsbad Municipal Schools to support online education. Funding will help provide technology and internet connectivity to low income students who have limited access to the internet.

XTO Energy has also supported the Carlsbad Fire Department and other first responders by handling the purchase of $6,100 in Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). This will allow our first responders to reduce the risk of exposure as they support our community.

We know these are very difficult times for our oil and gas companies as well, and we sincerely appreciate this important assistance. Thank you to Staale Gjervik, Wes McSpadden, Jerrod Jones, Daniel Trujillo and everyone with XTO who supported this effort.

Arts and Culture: Yesterday, we mentioned the Pearl of the Pecos and Creative Carlsbad Arts Council’s effort to introduce a variety of programs for people wanting a dose of arts and culture right now. At that time, just one class was offered. The program has really taken off in the past day, and Julie Chester already reports that 11 classes, including painted glass, Tai Chi, chalk art and hip hop classes are now being offered online.

You can visit the Creative Carlsbad Facebook page or contact Julie at acdcarlsbad@gmail.com for more information.  Congratulations to everyone involved!

Small Business Development: We participated in a phone conference with Rep. Torres Small and several state officials Thursday which focused on options small businesses have for loans and grants right now. Resources have been made available to help businesses with some of the impact of COVID-19, and we’ve been assured that the organizations involved are working hard to simplify the process.

One resource that kept coming up was the New Mexico Small Business Development Center. We reached out to Nicholas Melbourne, the director of the Small Business Development Center here in Carlsbad, and he said the first step everyone should take is to sign up at www.nmsbdc.org. Once they are in the system, he can contact you and provide assistance with the various loan options available. Melbourne can also be contacted directly at (575)885-9531 or by emailing nmel@nmsu.edu. The Carlsbad Department of Development is also assisting businesses with information on programs available to assist our many businesses who are facing severe setbacks right now.

Other News: Our business office asked us to remind everyone again that we are not turning off anyone’s water due to unpaid bills or charging late fees. We remain committed to doing everything we can to serve the public during this time of crisis.

Both Eddy County and the City of Carlsbad have issued Declarations of Emergency, and there were some questions raised online about what that means. These declarations will allow us to make our existing emergency funds available and also demonstrate the need for reimbursement within the Federal Public Assistance Program and policy guide.  These declarations do not change anything in terms of the Governor’s Stay at Home Instruction, nor do they add any curfews or new restrictions.

We don’t know exactly what’s in the future with combating coronavirus, but we do know that the impact is significant  and that we will need to be prepared. I appreciate City Council’s support with getting this Declaration quickly passed.

 

Sincerely,

 

Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway

 

 

 

 

 

 

School District Moving Forward

Coronavirus Update: 4-2-20

Our Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Gerry Washburn, issued an update to the community on Thursday morning. Dr. Washburn talked about all of the hard work our educators and all members of the school district have continued to put forth throughout this school closure period.

“On the front lines from day one of the closure are our food service workers,” he noted. “Working in difficult and uncertain conditions, these workers, assisted by our principals and other staff, have distributed 20,536 meals as of March 31, 2020.”

The school district has begun distributing Chromebooks to students who will need them. High school students will resume class next week. All students will resume learning by April 14, using a combination of distance learning and paper packets.

“In just over a month, we will have gone from a standard educational model to something completely different,” Washburn said. “Things cannot and will not work as they have in the past. We will not be perfect. We will make mistakes.”

This challenge our school district has faced has been one of the most monumental tasks of this entire situation. Carlsbad is fortunate to have Dr. Washburn as its superintendent.

There’s been so much information released over the past few weeks, but we thought it would be helpful to briefly go back and explain the basics of what coronavirus is and how it spreads. We appreciate Carlsbad Medical Center’s assistance with this information.

What is coronavirus again?

Coronaviruses are a type of virus. The name comes from the crownlike spikes the virus has on its surface (“Corona” is Latin for “Crown.”) COVID-19 is a variety of coronavirus that first appeared in China in December 2019.  While other strains of coronavirus often have mild symptoms, this particular virus can cause severe respiratory symptoms.

What are the symptoms?

The primary symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, cough and shortness of breath. About 80% of cases so far seem to be mild, according to the World Health Organization.

Symptoms occur two to 14 days after exposure. Mild cases tend to last for about a week, while more severe cases worsen after the first week and last for up to 14 days. In severe cases, patients have trouble with their lungs providing enough oxygen to their body.

How is it transmitted?

The virus is spreads mainly between people who are in close proximity to one another. It spreads primarily through respiratory droplets that are dispersed when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Those droplets can land in the mouth or nose of someone nearby and possibly infect that person.

According to the CDC, it may be possible for people to become infected by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose or possibly eyes. But experts believe the virus spreads mostly through contact.

How do I prevent the spread of coronavirus?

The information that all organizations have been putting out really is good advice. Wash your hands regularly for 20 seconds, avoid touching your face and avoid close contact with others. Use tissues and dispose immediately after use, cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing and wipe surfaces often. Stay home if at all possible.

What is Carlsbad Medical Center doing to isolate patients who might have coronavirus?

We have asked Carlsbad Medical Center to explain their PPE approach to protect employees, patients and other hospital visitors. All employees dealing with a suspected COVID-19 case are instructed to wear a gown, mask or respirator, goggles or face shield and gloves. They are also instructed to immediately mask patients displaying respiratory or flu symptoms. This is in accordance with all guidelines provided by the NM Department of Health and the CDC.

In other news: many of our local musicians have been putting together concerts and performances from their homes. Tomorrow, April 3, at 12:30 p.m., Curtis McKinney, who manages the Walter Gerrells Performing Arts Center, is broadcasting a virtual concert featuring “Majesty – A Tribute to Queen,” featuring actor and musician Seth Daniels.

“It will be a live watch party with the concert from their international tour,” McKinney said. ”Over the coming weeks, we will be streaming free events on the Walter Gerrells PAC website, CarlsbadLive.com. I understand that it is not ‘as exciting’ as actually being there, but for the true fans, it will get them by until we can get back in our facility and watch the shows in person.”

You can participate in this virtual concert at www.carlsbadlive.com. We will keep you posted on other “virtual” concerts and artistic events as they are set up.

The Pearl of the Pecos and Creative Carlsbad Arts Council has also developed a “Create Art, Cultivate Joy!” web page that features local arts and crafts instruction. For more information, email Julie Chester at acdcarlsbad@gmail.com. The first class is Friday, April 3 at 2 p.m. and will focus on creating hydro-dip flower pots.

 

Sincerely,

 

Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway

 

Coronavirus Update: April 1, 2020

Shining a light on some of our local outstanding citizens who are helping us all through this crisis has been very well received, so here are a few people who deserve special mention today:

• Anthony Foreman, for a very generous donation to the Boys and Girls Club, and for always coming forth to support this community.
• Lisa Rhodes and our excellent Carlsbad Municipal Schools staff cafeteria for feeding community children during these trying times. The school district is adding Sunset as a location beginning April 6. They will serve grab and go breakfast and lunch along with Carlsbad Intermediate School, Carlsbad, Desert Willow, and Hillcrest. Starting Monday, April 6^thCarlsbad High School will no longer be a serving location.
• Belinda Lopez and the Southeast New Mexico Community Action Corporation, for doing such a good job feeding our seniors.
• Members of the National Guard, who have been delivering critical PPE supplies to our area first responders.
• Every single facility maintenance and cleaning person in Carlsbad. Your professionalism every day is saving lives.

Please thank and congratulate all of these individuals. Let’s keep those names coming.

On Wednesday morning, we participated in a call with the White House about the emergency coronavirus spending bill. One of the best sources of information is at www.fda.gov.

Carlsbad Municipal Schools will begin issuing laptops on Thursday afternoon, April 2nd, at CHS for high school students that need a chrome book to access instruction.

Seniors can pick up from noon to 2 p.m. and juniors from 2-4 p.m. On April 3, sophomores pick up from noon to 2 p.m. and freshmen pick up from 2-4 p.m.

The makeup pickup time will be on Monday, April 6. Other schools will have scheduled times next week. Students may want to access their google Classrooms and check for messages from teachers.

A national report rating each state in terms of social distancing gave New Mexico a “C”.  This data is apparently based on comparing whether people used their cell phones in multiple locations now to similar habits before COVID-19 reached the area.

According to the same scoreboard, Eddy County received a “D Minus.”

This should be taken with a grain of salt – Eddy County is a very large county with a high percentage of workers deemed essential. On the other hand, it is a reminder that we all need to do much better. Staying at home and limiting contact as much as possible is absolutely good advice.

We appreciate the residents who have contacted us to express their personal concerns about some locations being more congested than they feel they should be. It is our understanding that some businesses have now made significant changes to keep people more spread out. However, it is ultimately largely our responsibility as individuals to do our absolute best to follow these stay-at-home instructions.

In other state news, the Governor has issued an executive order allowing the Department of Transportation to issue special permits to allow heavier-than-normal vehicles to move about when their loads consist primarily of relief supplies.  The order increases the weight limits for trucks carrying critical supplies to 88,000 pounds. Per the order, relief supplies include food, beverages, medicine, medical supplies, clothing and building materials intended for temporary shelters.

Former Energy Secretary and Texas Governor Rick Perry is suggesting significant steps be taken to assist our energy industry.

In an interview this week, Perry recommended refining only U.S. Crude Oil for the next few months as a way to both buffer the market and protect our national security. Secretary Perry’s recommendations are certainly well worth consideration. Even though our focus right now still needs to be on this health crisis, we must also be prepared to take steps to protect our economy.

 

Sincerely,

 

Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway

 

United Way Adds Two New Programs

 Coronavirus Update: 3-31-20

The community response yesterday was extremely uplifting. So many of our residents focused on praying for individuals across the nation battling coronavirus and urged their neighbors to stay safe. Thank you all for continuing to show compassion for your neighbors.

Here’s an update on some programs and services available:

Linda Dodd and her staff at the United Way of Eddy County have really stepped up during this difficult time. The United Way has launched two new COVID-19 Emergency Relief funds to assist those in need and those who are working so hard to help our citizens.

One program offers grants each week to local nonprofit organizations who are providing support to the community.

In addition to providing this support to local nonprofits, United Way of Eddy County will now be providing direct services to our families to assist individuals with basic needs such as housing, utilities and food essentials.   Families can apply for assistance online at www.uweddyco.org/COVID19.

Funding for both of these programs is due in part to the awarded from Chevron for our community. On Tuesday, the United Way found out that Nuclear Waste Partnership has given a $15,000 grant to this program.  Nonprofits and families with questions can call the United Way office by dialing 211 from any phone in Eddy County or by calling 575-887-3504.

Even though there have been many other concerns right now, we must not forget that Carlsbad Municipal Schools is continuing to feed hundreds of children each day and the Southeast New Mexico Community Action Center is continuing to feed hundreds of seniors each day. We encourage everyone to support these and other programs if they are able.

In terms of financial assistance, Carlsbad MainStreet, the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce and the Carlsbad Department of Development have all been working together to set up a series of webinars designed to help our local businesses get back on their feet when this is over by learning more about Google marketing. You can sign up for these webinars by contacting any of those three organizations.

 

The CDOD is also conducting an online survey to get a better understanding of how local businesses and employees are being impacted. You can take that survey here:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/7WJ6XHV

 

We have made it through the longest March in history, though there’s still a long road ahead. Here’s some non-coronavirus news for April – renovation projects to Upper Tansil Dam and the Lake Carlsbad area have concluded. We will be releasing water to Lake Carlsbad beginning April 6. While it will take some time for Lake Carlsbad to be restored to its original state, It will certainly be nice seeing the river back to normal.

 

Sincerely,

 

Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway

 

 

 

Taking a Responsible Approach to Information

Coronavirus Update: March 30, 2020  

As most of you heard, Carlsbad received its first positive test for coronavirus over the weekend. The good news is that we’ve been told this individual’s symptoms appear to be minor and that the patient was quickly placed on home-quarantine.

Many residents are understandably asking us for more information about the case. In all sincerity, we are providing you the information that we have from legitimate sources as soon as we are able to verify its accuracy. Information is originally released by the New Mexico Department of Health and individual hospitals or clinics, who may each have slightly different policies on how or what to share. All of these organizations are very limited in what information they can and will share through HIPPA. These groups are also doing a great job during this crisis.

What it boils down to is that we are sharing the information that we know and are able to share. We share in your frustration in wanting to know more to best protect our loved ones, but the information we have is very limited.

If you believe you may have symptoms of COVID-19 infection, call the NMDOH COVID-19 hotline immediately (1-855-600-3453). The hotline will screen you and tell you what to do next.

Here’s a breakdown of what we know so far about the four cases in Eddy County:

• On March 22, a man was admitted to Artesia General Hospital. Sadly, the man passed away the next day. AGH received a notice of a positive test on March 25.
• On March 27, Artesia General Hospital and the Department of Health announced a second positive test for Eddy County. This individual was sent home to self-quarantine.
• On March 28, the Department of Health announced a third positive test for Eddy County. We do not have additional information on whether this individual lives in Carlsbad, Artesia, or another part of Eddy County. We are seeking additional clarification.
• On March 29, the Department of Health announced a fourth positive test for Eddy County. Carlsbad Medical Center confirmed that positive test results were received for a female patient who had visited the ER earlier in the week. The woman’s symptoms were reportedly mild and she was sent home to self-quarantine.

The presence of coronavirus in our own community should certainly sound an alarm that we need to redouble all efforts to reduce the spread of this disease. That means staying at home when at all possible and reducing contact when we do go out. It should certainly not be taken as a cause for panic.

The Albuquerque Journal had some interesting statistics this weekend about the spread of coronavirus in New Mexico. According to the Journal, in addition to the 237 positive cases reported at that time, there have been 10,942 negative tests. Of the 237 positive cases, most have had relatively minor symptoms and there are 26 reported recoveries and two deaths. There are significant challenges ahead, but we will continue to face them as a community and triumph.

The Carlsbad Public Library is doing story time on Facebook several times a week. Our Library Director, Sarah Jones, said there are also tons of educational resources available on the library’s city web page.  Please check out our library’s Facebook and web page for additional information.  Thank you to our library staff for adapting during this difficult time!

 

Sincerely,

 

Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway

 

Positive COVID-19 Case Identified in Carlsbad (3-30-20) 

PUBLIC NOTICE: March 30 – The City of Carlsbad has been informed that a positive COVID-19 test has been confirmed in Carlsbad. According to the State of New Mexico, there are now four confirmed COVID-19 cases in Eddy County.

According to Carlsbad Medical Center, a positive test was identified on Saturday morning for a female patient who had presented to the ER earlier in the week. The patient was tested and released home to self-quarantine, due to her symptoms being reportedly mild.  Carlsbad Medical Center reported that all procedures were followed to ensure that no employees or other patients were potentially exposed.

“As we have been stating continually, our first priority is the well being of this individual and the entire community,” Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway said. “We are working closely with Carlsbad Medical Center and the State and will assist however we can.”

Mayor Janway noted that the City is sharing information with the public that it receives from the State and is striving to make sure that all information is accurate. The New Mexico Department of Health conducts its own “contact tracing” to communicate with those who the patient came in contact with to conduct further evaluations.

Mayor Janway stressed that first responders and members of the medical community have been preparing for such a situation for many months. Staying at home if possible and reducing contact is still the best way to reduce the spread of the virus. No changes to City Services, such as water or utilities, are being made. Critical services such as grocery stores and doctor’s offices will also remain open.

New Mexicans who report symptoms of COVID-19 infection, such as fever, cough, or shortness of breath, should call their health care provider or the NMDOH COVID-19 hotline immediately (1-855-600-3453).

 

Chevron Makes Generous Donation

We know there are a lot of people out there wanting to read some positive news right now. This being such a wonderful community, there’s no shortage of good stories to tell.

Last night we found out that Chevron has made a $65,000 donation to our local United Way in response to COVID-19. The focus of this donation will be on food and housing security. This donation is part of $230,000 that Chevron has given to the Permian Basin.

This generosity is especially kind considering the economic difficulties our oil and gas companies are going through right now, as we all are. Thank you to Chevron for always being such a great neighbor, especially during this time of need. Special thanks to Nathan Carroll, Beverly Allen and Cary Baird for building such a great partnership with this community.

Here’s what we’re going to do – Please keep track of all of the good deeds going on right now – the generous donations, the brave actions of first responders and health care workers, the determination of our truck drivers, small businesses and grocery store employees.

Once this has finally settled down, we’re going to have a special ceremony honoring Carlsbad’s heroes throughout this crisis. You can always email people you want do nominate to mayor.office@cityofcarlsbadnm.com. We’re going to rebuild from this stronger than ever.

Yesterday, we were informed of a second case in Eddy County. According to a press release from Artesia General Hospital, the patient, whose name they are not releasing, was tested there and is currently being quarantined. Hospital officials say they received notification of the results on Friday. We have contacted the State to make sure they know that we have high expectations in terms of communication.

Artesia’s doctors did deliver a very sobering message in a letter to the community on Saturday. In the letter, the doctors expressed their concern that coronavirus cases may continue to grow in New Mexico through April.

“We ask again that everyone PLEASE self-isolate when possible,” the doctors wrote. “Continue social distancing when absolutely necessary to be out of your home, and WASH YOUR HANDS PLEASE!”

On Tuesday, both the City of Carlsbad Council and the Eddy County Commission will consider issuing what’s called an Emergency Declaration. This is an important step to take to free up access to federal assistance in the future.

The newest information from the State of New Mexico is an executive order from the Governor’s office requiring air travelers to New Mexico to self-isolate for at least 14 days. The majority of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in New Mexico have resulted from air travel into the state.  This order doesn’t apply to airline employees and those performing public safety or health functions, such as military personnel, federal employees, employees on national defense contractors, emergency first responders, health care workers or employees of shipping and freight companies.

We have also received an update from the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant, noting that WIPP is continuing its safe and orderly ramp down of operations to a level where it will continue with mission critical operations. This transition began Friday and will be done next week. As it is with many places, WIPP will be performing all activities that can be performed remotely through telework.

Thank you all again for finding so many positive stories.

Sincerely,

 

Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway

 

A Promise to Support our School District

Coronavirus Update: March 27, 2020

As we head into the weekend of what would have normally been the end of spring break, our thoughts are on the State’s instruction that our schools will remain closed for the remainder of the semester as a way of further attempting to curtail the spread of COVID-19. Detailed information is available here: https://www.governor.state.nm.us/

According to the Public Education Secretary, schools will not be required to make up the missed instructional days between March 16 and April 3, but for the rest of the year districts must develop technology-based and non-technology based continuous learning plans.

While we understand the need to make these difficult decisions, it is certainly sad news, especially for kids in grades where they would normally be transitioning from one school to the next and will miss many of the related milestones. This is also an extremely difficult task for our school district, and we hope the state understands some of the challenges unique to our part of the state.

According to Dr. Washburn, the school district is working very hard to develop a plan for both graduation and Prom, as well as Class Act. The district has also been instructed to make a plan for an online program for the rest of the semester. They are reaching out to internet providers to determine what is available for families unable to access the internet.

“What will be required of us now is flexibility and adaptability at levels far beyond what is normal,” Dr. Washburn said in his letter to the community. “I have no doubt that collectively we will rise to this challenge and meet it with courage, empathy, persistence and a sense of humor.”

We know Dr. Washburn and his staff with Carlsbad Municipal Schools have been doing a remarkable job assisting our students through these trying times. So many other wonderful groups – the Boys and Girls Club, Packs for Hunger and the United Way – have also stepped up to make a difference. These organizations can also really use extra assistance right now, for everyone out there looking to help.

According to a March 27 press release by New Mexico state health officials, there are now 191 COVID-19 positive tests in New Mexico, including one new case in Eddy County and one new case in Lea County.  These positive tests have been in Bernalillo County (82), Cibola County (2), Chaves County (4), Curry County (1), Dona Ana County (16), Eddy County (2), Lea County (2), McKinley County (5), Rio Arriba County (3), Roosevelt County (1), Sandoval County (15), San Juan County (17), San Miguel County (1), Santa Fe County (29), Socorro County (2), Taos County (8), Valencia County (1). We are in contact with Emergency Management and the State about the new Eddy County case and will post more information as it becomes available.

There’s been a lot of positive news out lately about people who tested positive for coronavirus who have now fully recovered. Yesterday, for example, a husband and wife from Taos who both tested positive said they are now feeling fine. They are still going to stay in quarantine for several more weeks to be careful, however. As of March 25, more than 113,000 people have recovered from the coronavirus. Our doctors and first responders are making progress every single day, and the best thing we can do to help them is to follow the Governor’s Stay at Home Instruction to the best of our ability.

There’s some positive on the economic side as well. A negotiated relief package has now been signed. This will hopefully help millions of Americans move forward past this crisis. At the State level, the Department of Workforce Solutions has been continuing to implement policies designed to accommodate residents who have lost their jobs during this crisis. Please visit https://www.dws.state.nm.us/COVID-19-Info for detailed information.

A few days ago, we mentioned the “Bear Hunts,” going on in Carlsbad. Residents are putting up teddy bears in their windows so that families have something to look for when they are taking their walks. Since then, we spoke to Melissa Taylor, who helped the Bear Hunts take off in Carlsbad. While Melissa said she first heard about the idea from New Zealand, it seems that the whole idea really took off globally after it was organized and broadcast in Carlsbad. There are now 2,700 members of the Bear Hunt Facebook page, and hundreds of bears up. Thank you to Melissa and everyone involved for bringing some positive to the world.

We appreciate all of the feedback we have been receiving and will continue to keep you informed through the weekend.

 

Sincerely,

 

Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway

 

 

 

Coronavirus Report 3-26-20

Yesterday’s news that the first coronavirus-related case in Eddy County was a fatality shocked all of us, and we are still grieving over the loss of a friend and neighbor. Artesia General Hospital did an excellent job of explaining the situation to members of the public and maintaining protocols to keep their patients and employees safe.

As expected, there were a lot of rumors circulating after yesterday’s tragic news. We want to set the record straight on a few issues.

First, because information about the positive test and the death came out at the same day, many people expressed concern that we were withholding information. That was not at all the case – it was a very unfortunate set of circumstances where the fatality was reported on the same day as the positive test. Due to HIPAA regulations, the deceased’s name has not been released.

The City and County are sharing information with you as soon as it becomes available through the Department of Health and the Governor’s Office. We issued a statement as soon as we became aware of what was going on. We are doing our very best to make certain everything we provide is accurate, as timely as possible and in compliance with federal HIPAA laws.

According to a March 26 press release by New Mexico state health officials, there are now 136 COVID-19 positive tests in New Mexico. These positive tests have been in Bernalillo County (55), Sandoval County (10), Dona Ana County (16), McKinley County (3), San Miguel County (1), Santa Fe County (22), San Juan County (14) Socorro County (2), Chaves County (4), Eddy County (1), Lea County (1), Cibola County (1), Curry County (1), Rio Arriba County (2) and Taos County (3).

We have spoken with Police Chief Shane Skinner, and our officers have not been instructed to pull people over and demand proof that someone driving is an essential employee. We called the State of New Mexico and they told us that there have been no instructions on their end either requiring people to carry proof of being an essential employee. We also want to make sure everyone knows that there is not a curfew in place in Carlsbad.

On March 26, the Sheriff’s Department also reported a possible concern over a collision that took place at the intersection of US 285 and Highway 31. An individual involved in the accident complained about flu-like symptoms and said he was on his way to the hospital. He was tested for the flu and the doctor determined that no further testing was necessary.  Deputies and EMTs on the scene followed all COVID-19 precautionary measures. As an additional precautionary measure, equipment and vehicles involved were sealed and disinfected.

There have also been many questions about travel restrictions. We live in the corner of the state and some essential employees, during the course of their day to day operations, do cross state lines on a regular basis. According to the state, these individuals do not have to quarantine each time they cross state lines, but are asked to maintain a high level of social distancing.

The state’s web page has some good information about what jobs are categorized as essential here https://cv.nmhealth.org/stay-at-home-faqs/

Our grocery stores and takeout restaurants are continuing to do a remarkable job protecting their customers and their employees throughout this ordeal. We also understand that Governor Lujan Grisham will be announcing an extension of the school closure during a press conference Friday morning.

On a different issue, most of you felt a shake this morning.  A series of earthquakes near Mentone were felt in Carlsbad as well as in El Paso last night and today. We have spoken with the state and there was no impact on the brine well and the effort to remediate the brine well. No damage was reported to personal property in Carlsbad.

Here’s some more good news: The State of New Mexico has made a slight clarification to its “Stay at Home” policy.  Individuals may now walk in our municipal parks, but groups of five or more people are prohibited. Playgrounds, the shooting range, the golf course and the tennis courts are still all closed at this time, however.

According to the State’s web page: “You may leave your house to take a walk, or jog, or to walk the dog. But you may not do these things in groups. And you should limit your time outside to only what is essential.”

So, you can take a walk in the park but must maintain a distance of at least six feet from those outside of your family.

Thank you all again, and we will continue to provide updates.

 

Sincerely,

 

Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway

 

 

 

 

Coronavirus Case in Eddy County Identified, Individual Pronounced Deceased

On Wednesday, March 25, 2020, Eddy County, City of Carlsbad and City of Artesia officials were notified of a positive coronavirus test within Eddy County. Officials were also informed that the individual who tested positive for coronavirus is now deceased.

According to the Department of Health, a male in his late 70’s with underlying health issues went to Artesia General Hospital on March 22. His condition deteriorated rapidly and he died the same day. (Note: The City of Carlsbad was later informed that the patient died on March 23). We were informed that the patient was kept in isolation the entire time.  A COVID-19 test was performed locally and sent to the state laboratory, which received the test Tuesday, March 24. The lab confirmed the positive test late the same day.

Eddy County officials stressed that the circumstances surrounding the case are still coming to light. They have been in contact with the Governor’s office and with the Department of Health. The instance was the first positive identification of coronavirus in Eddy County.

Community officials offered statements of condolence while also stressing that the community must double down on all efforts to reduce the spread of coronavirus.

“First and foremost, our thoughts and prayers are with the deceased and family members,” said Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway. “While we are all concerned for our safety right now, we must never lose our humanity or forget that we are mourning the loss of a friend and neighbor.”

Artesia Mayor Raye Miller agreed.

“This is a very close-knit community, across the entire county,” he said.  “As we continue to take the necessary steps to stop the spread of this virus, the individuals who are grieving and who are ill must always remain our top priority.”

“All of Eddy County grieves today, and we offer our most heartfelt condolences,” said Eddy County Manager Al Davis. “As we await additional information, the focus of our agencies will remain on making absolutely certain that all procedures are in place to serve and protect members of the public.”

“Staying at home if at all possible and reducing all contact is still the best way for all of us to be protected,” Mayor Miller stated.

“We are asking the public to please rigorously continue to follow all guidelines and recommendations,” Mayor Janway said. “It is critical that we all remain calm and continue to support each other.”

County and City officials stressed that essential government services will continue to be offered to all residents. Critical services such as grocery stores and doctor’s offices will remain open as well.

Residents who report symptoms of COVID-19 infection, such as fever, cough, or shortness of breath, should call their health care provider or the NMDOH COVID-19 hotline immediately (1-855-600-3453). People without those symptoms do not need to be tested for COVID-19.

 

 

 

 

Our Emergency Responders Are Well Prepared

City of Carlsbad Coronavirus Update: 3-24-20

Thank you all again for your continued assistance with promoting accurate information about what is being done throughout this difficult time.  As of the writing of this article, there have still been no positive cases of coronavirus confirmed in Carlsbad or Eddy County.

However, should we find out that there is a case here, it’s very important for everyone to understand that would not result in a change in city services, in grocery stores and essential locations being open, or in the availability of health care or other services.

What a case here would mean is that the health orders and recommended safety procedures in place are even more critical than ever. Staying at home if possible and reducing contact would still be the best way to reduce the spread of the virus at a personal and community level.  It would also not change what is great about Carlsbad.

Our first responders have been preparing for this situation for many months. We have rigorous policies in place to protect anyone who should test positive for this virus and for all members of the public.  Our hospital has an excellent process in place. It is extremely important to note that the vast majority of positive cases around the world have had relatively minor symptoms.

According to a March 24 press release by New Mexico state health officials, there are now 100 COVID-19 positive tests in New Mexico. These positive tests have been in Bernalillo County (43), Sandoval County (7), Dona Ana County (13), McKinley County (3), San Miguel County (1), Santa Fe County (14), San Juan County (7) Socorro County (2), Chaves County (4), Lea County (1), Cibola County (1), Curry County (1), and Taos County (3).

Once again, while recreational facilities are currently closed, the City of Carlsbad remains open for business. Transit, water services and other utilities will not be interrupted. In response to the March 23 health order, access to many City of Carlsbad buildings is now limited. If at all possible, please contact these facilities by phone to make arrangements. Call us at (575) 887-1191 and we will help direct you to the right person. You can also email 311@cityofcarlsbadnm.com, and we’ll help you resolve your issue. We are deeply committed to serving our residents during this difficult time.

We have a great workforce with the City of Carlsbad and they are all working very hard throughout this crisis.  We are, of course, working closely with Eddy County, our neighboring communities and the school district. Eddy County is taking many similar measures as the City.

Eddy County Manager Al Davis noted that county services are still considered essential.  “Several of those services were noted specifically, and others are inferred in the Order.  As such, I’ve asked County employees to continue to do their assigned job in a manner that will minimize contact and interaction with the public as directed by the state order,” he said.

Davis said the County has begun to put measures in place that will control public access to work places and limit the number of people in those work places.  Those Departments have posted notices on their County webpages detailing those measures.

“We’ll also post that information on the doors of buildings to try and communicate that information to the public,” he said. “I will continue to work with the Elected Officials and Eddy County Department Heads to define specific measures and get them put in place that would allow County services to be provided in a safe and controlled manner. Working together, and watching out for one another we can and will work through this tough situation.”

Carlsbad Medical Center has asked us to help inform you about their temporary visitor policy. To help minimize exposure to infectious or communicable diseases, visitors have been restricted until further notice. One support person per patient is still allowed in instances of labor and delivery, pediatrics, surgery, the emergency department. Exemptions also exist for end-of-life situations and visitors essential to the patient’s care.

Visitors will not be allowed to visit patients if they are exhibiting flu like symptoms, such as fever, cough or shortness of breath.

Thank you all again for your understanding and support during this difficult time.

Sincerely,

 

 

Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway

 

 

 

City of Carlsbad Coronavirus Update: 8-23-20

On Monday, New Mexico Department of Health Secretary Kathy Kunkel announced a new public health emergency “stay-at-home” public health order, which goes into effect at 8 a.m. Tuesday.

The order closes all non-essential businesses, requiring 100 percent of the state’s non-essential workforce to work from home. All New Mexicans are directed to stay home except as needed to maintain continuity of functions critical to public health and safety. The City will have to close our golf course, parks, playgrounds and shooting range to remain in compliance with this new order.

 

We are doing our very best to clarify all aspects of this with the Governor’s office as quickly as possible. For more information on who qualifies as essential and nonessential, please visit https://cv.nmhealth.org/travel-recommendations/.

We will continue posting more information to our web page and Facebook as soon as it becomes available.

It’s vitally important to stress that even in a “stay-at-home” order, essential utilities and services will still be provided and people will still be allowed to go out for groceries and other supplies. Residents are still allowed to go outdoors. Restaurants may remain open for delivery and carry-out, according to the state. The order also further restricts “mass gatherings” of five or more individuals in outdoor spaces.

According to a March 23 press release by New Mexico state health officials, there are now 83 COVID-19 positive tests in New Mexico, including four new cases in Chaves County. We have received no positive tests for Eddy County.

Lea County and Lovington officials did a great job handling the situation when a positive case of coronavirus was identified this weekend in Lea County. Proper procedures were followed both before and after the identification, which meant the individual and his family members were quickly isolated to protect further spread and protect the public.

Additionally, blogger Joe Monahan reports that the two cases in Socorro County, among the first to be reported in New Mexico, are feeling fine and that their symptoms were very mild. By this weekend, 5,386 tests have been conducted statewide. 5,321 were negative. 65 were positive.

Residents who report symptoms of COVID-19 infection, such as fever, cough, or shortness of breath, should call their health care provider or the NMDOH COVID-19 hotline immediately (1-855-600-3453). People without those symptoms do not need to be tested for COVID-19. There’s a long road ahead, but the procedures in place are making a huge difference in slowing the spread across New Mexico. Our essential city services, such as water, utilities and transit, are not being interrupted. Please let us know how we can be of additional assistance.

 

Carlsbad Municipal Schools has asked us to let everyone know that the school lunch program is continuing through Spring Break and for as long as this closure is place. The program did NOT stop because Spring Break is going on. Thank you!

 

More positive news comes from members of our church community, who are working together to help all of Carlsbad’s churches broadcast to their members at home. Thousands of Carlsbad residents tuned in throughout the weekend to celebrate their faith in God. Some local residents are also putting teddy bears in their windows, so that people going out for walks each day can “go on a bear hunt.”

Seeing our residents come together to support our small businesses has also been inspiring.  Many businesses are still offering takeout orders. As we’ve mentioned before, if you have a positive story to report about people helping each other, please report it to us to share here.

Thank you again and we will continue updates throughout the week.

 

Sincerely,

 

Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway

 

Updated New Mexico COVID-19 cases: Now at 65

SANTA FE – New Mexico state health officials on Sunday announced eight additional positive tests for COVID-19.

Per the state Department of Health, the most recent cases are:

Two new cases in Bernalillo County:

• A female in her 60s.
• A male in his 30s.

Two new cases in Doña Ana County:

• ​A female in her 50s.
• A female in her 20s.

One  new case in McKinley County:

• ​A male 9 years old.

One new case in San Juan County:

• ​A male in his 50s.

Two new cases in Santa Fe County:

• ​A male in his 30s.
• A male in his 40s.

Including the above newly reported cases, New Mexico has now had a total of 65 positive tests for COVID-19:

• Bernalillo County: 34
• Doña Ana County: 4
• Lea County: 1
• McKinley County: 2
• Sandoval County: 7
• San Juan County: 1
• San Miguel County: 1
• Santa Fe County: 10
• ​​Socorro County: 2
• Taos County: 3

The Department of Health has detected community spread. The agency reports that given the infectious nature of the virus it is likely other residents are infected but yet to be tested or confirmed positive. To that end, additional restrictions enacted by order of the secretary of health Thursday are intended to aggressively minimize person-to-person contact and ensure spread is mitigated by social distancing and isolation. Certain businesses are mandated closed; others have been instructed to limit operations. New Mexicans are strongly urged to limit travel to only what is necessary for health, safety and welfare.

The New Mexico Department of Health has active investigations into the positive patients, which includes contact-tracing and swabs of symptomatic individuals who have had contact with the positive cases.

State officials have vigorously encouraged all New Mexicans to practice social distancing procedures: stay home, particularly if you are sick.

Every New Mexican must work together to stem the spread of COVID-19.

New Mexicans who report symptoms of COVID-19 infection, such as fever, cough, or shortness of breath, should call their health care provider or the NMDOH COVID-19 hotline immediately (1-855-600-3453).

People without those symptoms do not need to be tested for COVID-19. This is allergy season, and allergy symptoms such as sneezing or itchy eyes, nose or throat do not indicate a need for testing. While the state is gratified that COVID-19 testing is increasingly available, we need to prioritize testing for persons with symptoms of COVID-19 infection – fever, cough, or shortness of breath.

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

The state Department of Health will update its dedicated COVID-19 webpage with additional tests as the state lab provides results.

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City of Carlsbad Coronavirus update: March 21

On Saturday, Lea County officials were informed by the Department of Health that Lea County recorded its first positive case of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The confirmed case (a male in his 70s) and family members are in quarantine, with additional information pending. Our prayers are with this individual and his loved ones.

While the arrival of a positive test of coronavirus to Southeast New Mexico is certainly concerning, what it really means is that the health measures being enforced and recommended practices are even more critical than ever. Staying at home if possible and reducing contact is still best way to reduce the spread of the virus at a personal and community level.  It is also extremely important to note that the vast majority of positive cases have relatively minor symptoms.

According to a March 21 press release by New Mexico state health officials, there are now 57 COVID-19 positive tests in New Mexico. These positive tests have been in Bernalillo County (32), Sandoval County (7), Lea County (1), Dona Ana County (2), McKinley County (1), San Miguel County (1), Santa Fe County (8), Socorro County (2) and Taos County (3).

Residents who report symptoms of COVID-19 infection, such as fever, cough, or shortness of breath, should call their health care provider or the NMDOH COVID-19 hotline immediately (1-855-600-3453). People without those symptoms do not need to be tested for COVID-19.

 

In his remarks Saturday morning, President Trump talked about the importance of unity and of putting aside political or regional differences and working together for the welfare of our citizens. These were excellent remarks and highly appropriate for the situation. We have outstanding cooperation from all agencies and everyone is working together here in Eddy County.

 

Many of you have probably continued to see rumors continuing to circulate through social media.  Here are a couple items to clarify:

• The National Guard has NOT been given orders to put Eddy County or anywhere else on lockdown. Some National Guard members have been activated to assist with several COVID-19 tasks, according to the Eddy County Office of Emergency Management. The President also addressed this issue in his remarks Saturday.
• There have also been rumors that Eddy County had a test come back positive and we are not allowing the public to know about it. That is also not true. We are continually helping to inform our residents as soon as information becomes available through the Department of Health.

 

On Friday, several other states increased their health level to a “stay at home” order, which is another step up from where we are currently are in New Mexico. Many residents have asked us if that is what is in store next, and we have asked the state if this is on the horizon.  As of our phone conference Friday, they said they are considering all possibilities but are currently evaluating the outcome of their most recent public health order.  It’s important to note that even in a “stay at home” order, essential services will still be provided and people will still be allowed to go out for groceries and other supplies.

 

On a different note, please help us with not making this bad situation even worse. According to the New Mexico Environment Department, flushing wipes, paper towels and other products down the toilet can clog your sewer line. These products don’t break down the same way toilet paper does.

 

Please dispose of these items in the trash, which we will continue to pick up with our excellent solid waste service.

 

 

 

Sincerely,

 

Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway

City of Carlsbad Coronavirus Update – 3-20-20

Good afternoon Carlsbad residents, and thank you again for your patience and understanding during this very difficult time.

According to a March 20 press release by New Mexico state health officials, there are now 43 COVID-19 positive tests in New Mexico. These positive tests have been in Bernalillo County (23), Sandoval County (6), Dona Ana County (1), McKinley County (1), San Miguel County (1), Santa Fe County (7), Socorro County (2) and Taos County (2).

No changes to City services have been made since our last update. The City of Carlsbad will not be cutting off anyone’s water during this period. Our transit and utilities services are also not being interrupted.

We had a good conversation with Jody Knox with Lakeview Christian Home Friday and let her know that we are happy to assist however we can with protecting Lakeview’s residents.  Jodi assured us that they have an excellent system in place to protect their vulnerable citizens and have taken numerous actions to reduce contact.

We also spoke with Cathy Hibbs and Carlsbad Medical Center on Thursday to get a better understanding of Carlsbad Medical Center’s plans and procedures. No positive results have been reported through CMC at this time.

According to the hospital, should there be any positive results, most patients will have mild symptoms without a need of hospital care and can remain at home in quarantine. Carlsbad Medical Center also assured us that they have the capacity and are well prepared to care for more critical patients should the need arise.

They are also working to ensure preparedness for all types of infectious diseases and are providing daily updates and education to their staff and following the infection control protocols established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

People are asking about test kits in Carlsbad. CMC has a limited number of test kits available, and at this time tests will only be administered if the patient meets all criteria, exhibits symptoms of COVID-19, and has a doctor’s order. Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, or trouble breathing. If you have these symptoms, or are concerned, contact the Department of Health at 1-855-600-3453.

We participated in a call with the state that included important information from the Department of Workforce Solutions. As you can no doubt imagine, they are receiving an extremely high number of calls right now for unemployment information. The Department suggested completing forms online at www.jobs.state.nm.us to expedite the process.

Several of our local grocery stores have published dedicated hours right now for seniors and others who may have immunity system concerns. This is a system based on voluntary compliance, and we certainly encourage everyone to be supportive of an option that assists our most at-risk residents. The hours are usually in the morning, because that’s when the store has just been extensively cleaned.

While very well intentioned, there have been some misunderstandings related to these hours.

First- the stores have asked us to reassure the public that they stock throughout the day – in other words, please don’t go to these stores during these hours if you don’t meet the classification just because you think that’s your best shot at scarce items. Second, some of the younger people at the stores during these hours may be there for the perfectly legitimate reason that they also have issues with their immunity system.

It would be difficult for our stores to forcefully enforce these hours, so the best way by far is to continue to advocate for voluntary compliance. I know they are all working hard to tweak their policies to improve.  The employees of our grocery stores are doing an outstanding job considering the circumstances right now and doing the very best they can in an unbelievably difficult situation.

Please consider supporting Packs for Hunger or one of our other local charities during this time of need. Many of our charitable organizations have had to cancel fundraisers and could use additional assistance. You can support the organization directly here: https://www.uweddyco.org/packs-hunger-donation

 

Thank you again, and we will continue to provide updates throughout the weekend.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway

 

 

 

 

City of Carlsbad Coronavirus Update – 3-19-20

Once again, we appreciate the opportunity to provide you with an update on issues related to the coronavirus.

According to a March 18 press release by New Mexico state health officials, there are now 35 COVID-19 positive tests in New Mexico. These positive tests have been in Bernalillo County (20), Sandoval County (4), San Miguel County (1), Santa Fe County (7), Socorro County (2) and Taos County (1). Information is continually being updated, and we will inform you as soon as it becomes available. Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, or trouble breathing. If you have these symptoms, or are concerned, contact the Department of Health at 1-855-600-3453.

We have received many questions from the public about the state’s most recent amended public health order.

On Thursday, we spoke with the State of New Mexico and asked to clarify several issues.  After receiving clarification from them, we have re-opened the following City facilities:

• The Lake Carlsbad Golf Course
• The Rio Pecos Tennis Courts
• The Shooting Range

These locations may have to make some adjustments to encourage social distancing, but they will be back open by Friday, March 20.  Other facilities outlined in yesterday’s report, such as the Riverwalk Recreation Center, remained closed at this time.

We also asked the State for clarification about food trucks. Food trucks can remain open, but all outdoor patio seating areas must be closed at this time.

One of the other issues that is coming up a great deal is related to the requirement for 50 percent hotel occupancy. According to the state’s order, this restriction does not apply to businesses providing temporary housing to individuals employed and working in New Mexico.

We are doing everything we can to continue to interpret the order and assist the public with clarifications.  A FAQ about the amended order is located https://cv.nmhealth.org/travel-recommendations.

We’re still receiving so much positive feedback about members of the community who are helping or who want to help. Today we heard that local philanthropist Anthony Foreman has made a generous donation to the Boys and Girls Club of Carlsbad. Although the Boys and Girls Club will remain closed, the Club will be providing “living and learning” supplies to children across Carlsbad. If you know of any local youth in need, please call 575-885-8449 or email bgcarlsbad@gmail.com.

For information about food resources in the area, please visit the United Way’s page at https://www.uweddyco.org and click on the “Resources” tab. Also, for businesses wanting assistance with available options should call the Carlsbad Department of Development at (575) 887-6562.

We’ve naturally received many questions about water right now. To make this clear: The City of Carlsbad will not be cutting off anyone’s water during this period. Our transit and utilities services are also not being interrupted. We are deeply committed to aiding our citizens throughout this crisis.  We have closed our cashier’s office, but payments can be made by mail, drop box, drive-thru or by calling 1-877-562-1649.

Additionally, we have been informed that all of our drinking water supplies remain a safe way to access the water needed for drinking, cooking and maintaining personal hygiene during the COVID-19 outbreak. According to the American Water Works Association “Americans and Canadians can and should continue to use and drink water from their tap as usual as COVID-19 is not present in drinking water supplies. Disinfection processes like those practiced by water systems across the North America provide protection that includes filtration and disinfection of our surface water supplies and disinfection of our ground water sources.”

Our City’s board and committee meetings have been cancelled until further notice. The one exception is our City Council meeting. We will be holding our City Council meeting on March 24 and are taking precautions to maintain all social distancing guidelines.

We will continue with updates throughout the weekend. Thank you all again.

 

Sincerely,

 

Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PUBLIC NOTICE (3-19-20): The Office of the Attorney General’s Open Government Division (OGD) advises all public entities subject to the Open Meetings Act (OMA) to ensure the health and safety of both members of the entity and the public.  Accordingly, the most prudent thing to do to ensure compliance with OMA would be to postpone/cancel public meetings.  Therefore, all committee, board, and commission meetings will be cancelled until further notice.  

 

City of Carlsbad Coronavirus Update: 3-18-20  

Thank you all for your continued support during this unprecedented challenge in American history.

According to a March 18 press release by New Mexico state health officials, there are now 28 COVID-19 positive tests in New Mexico. These positive tests have been in Bernalillo County (16), Sandoval County (4), Santa Fe County (5), Socorro County (2) and Taos County (1). Information is continually being updated, and we will inform you as soon as it becomes available. Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, or trouble breathing. If you have these symptoms, or are concerned, contact the Department of Health at 1-855-600-3453.

The Governor of New Mexico also held a press conference yesterday introducing several new emergency health orders in place. The newest health order ruled that all bars, restaurants, recreation centers and gyms now need to be closed by March 19, with restaurants still allowed to do pickup or delivery. Shopping malls, movie theaters, health clubs and spas are also directed to close. Hotels and motels are to operate at no more than 50% capacity and typical office environments have been told to limit operations. These orders go into effect Thursday and will last until they are rescinded.

From the City’s end, this means that the Riverwalk Recreational Complex, the North Mesa Senior Center, the San Jose Senior Center, the Carlsbad Municipal Library, the Carlsbad Museum & Art Center, the Lake Carlsbad Golf Course, the Bob Forrest Youth Sports Complex, the Will Merchant Complex, the Shooting Range, the Walter Gerrells Performing Arts and Exhibition Center, the Pecos River Village Conference Center, the Rio Pecos Tennis Complex and the Carlsbad Water Park will all have to be closed at this time in order to remain in compliance with this order.

We will still be serving seniors meals at the San Jose Center through drive thru or pickup.  Water service and other utilities will not be interrupted.  Transit services remain operational.

We are evaluating all policies in terms of our city offices, such as city hall and our planning department. We are closing our cashier’s office, but payments can be made by mail, drop box, drive-thru or by calling 1-877-562-1649. Please visit our Facebook page and COVID-19 web page for regular updates. We are doing everything we can to keep you informed as things are rapidly developing.

Carlsbad Municipal Schools will continue to provide free meals to children at its distribution points. However, the schools have had to put some limitations in place due to the high demand and a desire to not have to turn people away.  If children are not present, no more than four meals will be provided to a car.

The State of New Mexico also reminded everyone that it is essential that New Mexico maintains sufficient amounts of medical supplies, including personal protective equipment for health care staff and COVID-19 test kit materials. Residents without symptoms do not need testing for COVID-19.

Our medical professionals are working so hard to protect and treat our public. According to the state, workplaces should not mandate that employees get tested for COVID-19 unless employees are displaying symptoms: fever, cough or shortness of breath.

We have been in continual contact with all local governmental organizations to make sure that issues are being addressed promptly and correctly. Yesterday, the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce released an updated list of local restaurants who are remaining open for carry out. This list is being posted on the Chamber’s web page and will be updated regularly. Please continue to support these establishments.

 

Sincerely,

 

Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway

 

 

 

City of Carlsbad Coronavirus Update: 3-17-20  

We realize that rumors are running rampant right now. According to a March 17 press release by New Mexico state health officials, there are now 23 COVID-19 positive tests in New Mexico. These positive tests have been in Bernalillo County (14), Sandoval County (2), Santa Fe County (4), Socorro County (2) and Taos County (1). Information is continually being updated, and we will inform you as soon as it becomes available. Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, or trouble breathing. If you have these symptoms, or are concerned, contact the Department of Health at 1-855-600-3453.

We have also heard rumors of gas restrictions. We spoke with the State on Tuesday and were told that they do not have any knowledge of a plan for gas restrictions.

There have been no changes to City services. City services such as utilities and public works continue to operate as normal. Water service and other utilities will not be interrupted.  All City departments, facilities and services continue to operate normally at this time, but are continuing with adjusted policies limiting attendance.

While health and safety are our primary concern, we realize that many individuals also have very understandable concerns about their economic well-being. We have received many calls from local business owners also concerned about financial issues related to this situation. We have also received questions about how to respond to Sunday’s emergency health order directing restaurants, breweries, eateries and other food establishments to operate at no greater than 50 percent of maximum occupancy and no greater than 50 percent of seating capacity.

Here are a few resources that may be helpful to individuals and businesses with questions about resources potentially available to offset the economic impact of this situation.

New Mexico’s Economic Development Department: https://gonm.biz/about-us/covid-19-response includes a webinar and portal page with information on how small businesses can respond.

The New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions: https://www.dws.state.nm.us/COVID-19-Info  includes a page for workers impacted by COVID-19.

The Small Business Administration has a COVID-19 part of its web page with information that may be helpful. It can be viewed at https://www.sba.gov/

We were also informed today that the State of New Mexico has extended its eligibility for unemployment insurance benefits to workers affected by COVID-19 through reduced hours or temporary layoffs. Claims can be filed at www.jobs.state.nm.us.

There are several other federal bipartisan efforts in development to provide relief for businesses and individuals financially impacted by this issue. All of our community organizations are continuing to work closely together to ensure that services are being provided to the public. Finally, we have loved hearing stories about residents helping senior citizens out at the grocery store with supplies and being especially kind to weary store employees. It is an honor to serve such caring citizens.

Sincerely,

 

Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway

Update: 3-16-20

We appreciate the opportunity to provide the public with updates on issues related to COVID-19 (Coronavirus).  Many of these issues have been developing rapidly over the past week, and we are continuing to work closely with all government and nonprofit entities to ensure the public’s safety.

While there have been no cases of COVID-19 detected near Carlsbad yet, we have all already been impacted by this pandemic, both due to restrictions put in place to try to reduce the spread of the disease, and due to the high levels of anxiety caused by this issue. The City of Carlsbad will continue to assist with dispelling rumors and making sure that members of the public are informed.

Here’s a current status update as of March 16:

• City services such as utilities and public works continue to operate as normal. Water service and other utilities will not be interrupted. We will continue to provide services to the community while ensuring we all take precautions as prescribed by the CDC and government agencies. Our first responders are training, preparing and participating in a working group with the county, medical professionals and others.
• All City departments, facilities and services continue to operate normally at this time. However, due to the prohibition on mass gatherings, our facilities have adopted policies limiting attendance. Larger events, such as the March 19 lunch with Alex Epstein and the March 20 Mayor’s Shindig in support of Packs for Hunger, have been postponed.

 

• The San Jose Senior Center, which serves as a meal site for a Southeast New Mexico Community Action Corporation program to feed seniors registered through the program, will continue to provide these meals, but for pickup only. Thanks to the United Way of Eddy County for helping make this possible.

 

• Carlsbad Municipal Schools is continuing its lunch program (also for pickup only) throughout the period of school closure. The school district has posted the time and location for these meal deliveries and we are thankful for their hard work.

 

• We have spoken with all of our local grocery stores and they have no plans to close and are working hard to restock. Some grocery stores have changed their schedules throughout this period of time. We encourage everyone to be respectful to their friends and neighbors at the stores, and, of course, to the store employees themselves.

 

• There does not appear to be any truth to the rumors gas stations plan to close their stores or pumps as a result of the coronavirus. Some gas stations in south Carlsbad closed this past Saturday due to a power outage, but these stations are back open.

 

• As announced this past weekend, New Mexico Department of Health Secretary Kunkel has strengthened the public health emergency order she issued. The amended order now directs all restaurants, breweries, eateries and other food establishments to operate at no greater than 50 percent of maximum occupancy and no greater than 50 percent of seating capacity. Also this weekend, Secretary Kunkel issued a series of guidelines restricting visitations to nursing homes.

We are continuing to monitor this situation constantly and will follow the directives and guidelines of the New Mexico Department of Health and the CDC.

We ask all of our residents to please remain calm and help support their friends and neighbors. We are a great nation, and we will emerge from this stronger than ever.

Sincerely,

 

Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway

Public updates 3-15-20:
Several businesses in south Carlsbad, including gas stations, were forced to close on March 14 due to a power outage. According to Xcel, a pole on Canal Street had to be replaced. The City of Carlsbad assisted with traffic control during this time period. Power has been restored to the area. Some four way stop signs are still in place as an additional safety measure.

City facilities and services are operating as normal with the exception of those facilities that must adhere to the public health order issued by the state in regard to mass gatherings. These facilities remain open at this time but may have some limitations on use due to the need to avoid mass gatherings.

PUBLIC NOTICE: 3-14-20

This morning the mayor’s office reached out to local grocery stores in response to rumors of store closures. A Walmart human resources has assured us that they have no plans to close and are working to restock. The manager of La Tienda has assured us that they have no plans to close and received a large restock today. We have reached out to Albertsons and here is the link to their press release https://www.facebook.com/notes/albertsons-market/a-note-to-our-guests-from-our-ceo-robert-taylor-and-president-sidney-hopper/2538650359690917/.