Mask Mandate Redux, Crime Trends, and Census City Slickers
Mask up! The nearly unrestrained rise in COVID-19 cases among unvaccinated people has led to the return of a mask mandate while indoors and which will remain in effect at least until September 15. The governor’s latest public health order also has new vaccine requirements for some people who work in health care and school settings. The Line opinion panel weighs the impact and the political implications.
The Line also discusses the troubling crime trend in the wake of a child-on-child shooting at an Albuquerque middle school and another fatal gun attack at one of the city’s sports bars. The shootings and other crimes have the governor ordering New Mexico State Police officers back to the Duke City to ease the burden on local police agencies. Meanwhile, the police response to a robbery at an Albuquerque coffee shop ended Thursday morning with one officer critically injured, three other officers wounded and at least one suspect shot.
Data released by the U.S. Census shows 20 of New Mexico’s 33 counties lost population between 2010 and 2020 – and that New Mexico’s largest cities show the biggest gains. Will this result in a widening of the urban-rural divide, or is it simply putting numbers to a trend many have recognized for years? The Line panelists examine the implication of the latest numbers from the U.S. Census Bureau. The panel also talks about what rural depopulation means for Republicans and for redistricting.
Line Guests:
Dan Foley, former NM House minority whip
Sophie Martin, attorney
Jessica Onsurez, news director, Carlsbad Current-Argus