COVID-19 Response: Help Wanted
In episode 29, we hear from people who are creating resources and helping out in their communities. Longtime organizer Selinda Guerrero talks about all of the people working together on the Mutual Aid network, providing food and other necessities to folks that many government efforts don’t reach. Rebecca Jones talks about the grassroots Navajo and Hopi COVID-19 relief project started by Ethel Branch. Szu-Han Ho and Miriam Langer are two N.M. college art instructors mobilizing a network of people to sew reliable masks for folks in the state. Plus, Gilbert Ramírez, deputy director of the city’s Health Programs, tells us about the rent relief fund. And a news update: Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham is calling for 248-bed Army hospital in Albuquerque. She’s saying the disease could overwhelm our hospitals by early April.
- From the Santa Fe Reporter: An interview with Santa Fe Public Defender Jennifer Burrill who’s been diagnosed with COVID-19.
- ER doc Frank Huyler pens a first-hand account for VICE about state hospitals moving too slow as they prepare.
We’re keeping a complete list of the resources and volunteer opportunities that we find for each episode here. And for today’s episode, here’s a breakdown. Resources:
- Hope & Navajo Families COVID-19 Relief Fund
- Mutual Aid in Albuquerque: ffol.org
- Rent relief & utility assistance from the city of Albuquerque. Dial 311 for help.
- Donate to the rental assistance program. Mail donations to any of these four centers around the city. Make checks payable to: FCS Health and Social Services.
- The tip sheet NM Craft Responders are using to make masks. Reach out to them via craftresponders@gmail.com
How are things going for you? We want to know. Share your quarantine stories by calling: (505) 218-7084 and leaving us a message. We could roll them into a future episode. Listen on Anchor
This segment is part of the “Your New Mexico Government” Project (#YourNMgov), a collaboration between New Mexico PBS, KUNM Radio, and the Santa Fe Reporter. This endeavor is funded by the New Mexico Local Journalism Fund with public media support provided by the Thornburg Foundation.